Scandalous Deception (Russian Connection 1)

Edmond turned back toward the window, refusing to meet Stefan’s accusing gaze. A part of him understood the risk he was taking. Not only to Brianna, but to his duty to Alexander Pavlovich. It was the damn reason he had left her at Meadowland to begin with.

Now, however, he had no intention of listening to his common sense. The past three days had proven that not having Brianna within reach was far more a distraction than having her near. There was no way in hell he was leaving England without her.

“We will be in disguise while we travel,” he said, offhand. “No one will know her identity.”

“And once you reach St. Petersburg?”

“What do you mean?”

Stefan’s lips thinned. “Even presuming that you manage to arrive at the Winter Palace without being recognized, were you not the one to claim that the Russian Court is a treacherous pit of vipers who prey upon the weak and stupid? Will you toss Brianna into such a dangerous cesspit?”

“I have no intention of introducing Brianna to the Court.”

“No? Do you intend to keep her locked away in your chambers? Hidden even from the Czar?”

Edmond glared at the dark garden below. “Such matters can be decided once we reach the Winter Palace.”

“For God’s sake, Edmond, you have devoted years to earning a place as Alexander Pavlovich’s most trusted advisor. Are you truly willing to risk it all because of some strange obsession with a woman?”

“My decision is made, Stefan.”

“An utterly irresponsible decision.” Stefan’s words echoed his own dark thoughts. “You cannot haul an innocent maiden about as if she were a piece of luggage. At best, her reputation will be in tatters, and at worst, she will be caught in the midst of a plot to overthrow the government.” Stepping directly behind Edmond, his brother grasped his shoulder in a tight grip. “This is not like you, Edmond.”

“Perhaps not, but I will not be swayed.”

There was a thick silence before Stefan dropped his hand and stepped back.

“And what of Brianna?”

“What of her?”

“What if she does not desire to be whisked off to Russia? She has just now become settled at Meadowland.”

“She will come.”

“Because you intend to force her?”

Turning on his heel, Edmond started toward the door. “Because she belongs to me.”

SHORTLY BEFORE SUNSET, Brianna once again found herself in one of Stefan’s elegant carriages. On this occasion, however, it was Edmond who was seated across from her, rather than Lady Aberlane, and they were rapidly headed toward London.

Somewhere deep inside, she knew she should be outraged by Edmond’s highhanded manner. For heaven’s sake, he had stormed into her bedchamber tossing about commands and standing over her as she packed her bags, as if she were a witless child.

It was not anger, however, that held her in the strange sense of numb acceptance as they rattled down the dirt road at a savage pace.

She had known that Edmond would return to her. And that when he did, she would willingly follow him wherever he might lead her.

The past three days had made her realize that she would never have peace until the passion that pulsed between them had burned itself to a cinder.

So long as she remembered that, she told herself, her time with Edmond was merely a temporary madness that would soon pass. Why battle the inevitable?

Seated across from her, Edmond slouched in his seat, his long legs stretched out and his arms folded across his chest as he watched her with a brooding gaze. Despite the chilled air he had discarded his greatcoat and hat, revealing the elegant hunter green jacket and striped waistcoat that molded to his body with unnerving precision.

“Do you intend to sulk the entire trip, ma souris?” he drawled, breaking the heavy silence that had filled the carriage.

She ignored his taunting words, instead turning her mind to the question that had haunted her since Edmond had stepped from the fog the very moment she needed him.

“How did you know that Thomas Wade was going to try to kidnap me?”