Scandalous Deception (Russian Connection 1)

“Oh.” A heat stained her face at the thought that Stefan had witnessed the ridiculous argument. “It was nothing.”

“Brianna, I have been accused of being remarkably dense when it comes to understanding my fellow man, but even I could tell the two of you were fighting.”

She breathed out a deep sigh, realizing she could not disguise her lingering anger.

“Edmond has always managed to be the most aggravating gentleman I have ever encountered. Even when I was a child, he made me furious more often than not.” Her lips twisted. “Nothing has changed in the past dozen years.”

His expression was skeptical. “My dear, it is obvious that something happened between the two of you while you were in London. Do you not trust me enough to confess the truth?”

Instinctively she reached out to grasp his hand. “Stefan, I would trust you with my very life.” She held his gaze as she gave his hand a slight squeeze. “You must know that. But…”

“But?”

“This is between Edmond and myself, I would prefer to keep it that way.”

His eyes darkened as he regarded her for a long, oddly tense moment, as if he was wrestling with some inner emotion.

“I see.”

“I am glad one of us does.”

There was another silence, then Stefan squared his shoulders and his features hardened with an unexpected hint of steel.

“Will you sit with me a moment?”

Brianna gave a puzzled dip of her head. “Very well.”

Together, they moved the short distance to settle on the marble bench, their hands still clasped, as Brianna waited for Stefan to break the silence.

“I think perhaps it would be best if I explain something about my brother.”

“Actually, I know quite enough,” she muttered. “He is arrogant, overbearing and utterly ruthless in getting what he wants.”

“True enough, but he is also deeply wounded.”

“Wounded?” Brianna blinked in shock. “Edmond?”

A hint of remembered pain darkened Stefan’s eyes. “I know it is difficult to believe. He is always so careful to appear invulnerable, as if nothing can touch him. Especially not another person.”

“He loves you.”

“Yes, but he refuses to allow anyone else close to him. He is…frightened of opening himself up to affection.”

Brianna warned herself to leave the grotto. To simply stand and walk away.

Edmond had taken her independence, her innocence and most of her wits. He could not have her sympathy as well.

But of course she did not leave.

Instead, she leaned forward and gave in to the treacherous curiosity.

“Why?” she breathed.

“You know that my parents drowned when their yacht sank in the Channel?”

“Of course.” The pain of learning the Duke and Duchess had died had been far more devastating than the death of her own mother. They had been more than kindly neighbors who had taken pity on a lonely little girl. They had represented her only proof that true love did exist in the world. The death of the glittering, loving couple had seemed a travesty of devastating proportions. “I cried for a fortnight.”

The pain deepened in his eyes. The entire family had been unfashionably devoted to one another.