Scandalous Deception (Russian Connection 1)

“Purchase another ticket on that damn ship.”

“You intend to take Miss Quinn to Russia?”

“I bloody well do not intend to leave her here. The woman possesses an unholy ability to tumble into disaster.”

“Which I would think would be a reason not to haul her into the midst of a brewing revolution.”

“At least if she is at my side, I can protect her.”

“But…”

Edmond tossed his friend his leather purse and wrenched open the door.

“Buy the damned ticket, Boris, and make certain that you keep an eye upon Viktor Kazakov. I do not intend to rectify one bout of stupidity only to allow another.”

THE AFTERNOON WAS GRAY AND gloomy with a chilled breeze that whispered of the coming winter. Hardly the sort of day to encourage a shopping expedition to the local village, but Stefan had been insistent and, reluctant to disappoint the man who had offered her nothing but kindness, Brianna had given in to his urgings.

Not that it was a huge sacrifice, she had to admit as they rolled down the narrow lane in the luxurious carriage that was designed for comfort. The village was a charming collection of shops and well-tended cottages with a number of friendly inhabitants that she remembered from her childhood. And despite the nip in the air, it was something of a relief to devote a few hours to something beyond brooding on Edmond.

It was infuriating, she acknowledged. She should be delighted she was free of his arrogant presence. Stefan did not order her about as if she were his devoted hound. Indeed, he treated her with a tender respect that any woman would adore.

At last, she was safe and peacefully settled in a place that felt like home. She had nothing to do but concentrate on planning her future of glorious independence.

Staring out the window, Brianna barely noted the soggy fields and occasional copse of trees. Instead, she was envisioning Edmond comfortably settled in London, perhaps even enjoying the afternoon in the arms of his mistress.

Not until Lady Aberlane leaned forward to lightly tap her ivory fan on Brianna’s knee was she thankfully wrenched out of her painful thoughts.

“Well, I suppose that we cannot hope that the dressmaker can claim the talents of those in London, but the gowns will no doubt be charming,” she babbled, deliberately cheerful. “So very kind of Stefan to insist that we visit her.”

Well aware that the older woman was making a deliberate attempt to lighten her foul mood, Brianna forced a smile to her lips.

“Very kind, but foolishly unnecessary. I have more gowns than I ever dreamed of possessing.”

“Now, my dear, a woman can never have too many gowns.” The woman tugged the carriage blanket more firmly around her shoulders. “And perhaps Stefan wished to ensure that the local seamstress would benefit from our visit. It is not often that Meadowland has female guests.”

“Yes, that is true enough.” Stefan devoted his life to caring for the seemingly endless number of people who depended upon him.

A twinkle entered Letty’s eyes. “But then again, maybe he wished to impress you with his generosity.”

Brianna’s stomach clenched. She had done her best to ignore Stefan’s less than subtle attentions, almost as if by pretending they did not exist they would simply disappear. Cowardly, no doubt, but she had no wish to hurt her dearest friend.

“Stefan has no need to impress me, Letty. We have been friends our entire lives.”

“My dear, I am old, not blind. I have seen the way he watches you and it is not as a mere friend.” She watched Brianna shift on the smooth leather seat. “He is a fine man, Brianna. One of the finest I have ever known. As if being one of the wealthiest Dukes in all of England were not enough.”

Brianna grimaced. Good lord, did the older woman not realize that Brianna would give anything to respond to Stefan? She was well aware that her future could be one of blessed ease and security as the Duchess of Huntley.

It was never to be, however. And not only because of her tangled feelings for Edmond.

For all the luxury and protection Stefan could offer, it still came with the chains of ownership. Granted, they might be golden chains, but she had sworn that she would never, ever place herself in the power of another.

“Stefan is a most remarkable gentleman.”

A faint hint of disappointment touched the lined countenance. “But you do not love him?”

“Of course I love him. I always have. But…”

“You love Edmond more?” Letty demanded.