Scandalous Deception (Russian Connection 1)

Her cheeks reddened. “Edmond.”

Reaching out, Edmond pulled the veil of her bonnet over her face and shoved open the door to the carriage. “Come, Vanya will begin to worry.”

THEY ENTERED THROUGH THE front door, but they had barely stepped into the marble foyer when a uniformed servant was whisking them toward a side staircase and up to the top floor of the vast mansion.

More surprisingly, Brianna was firmly escorted to a set of private chambers, despite Edmond’s protest.

With a smile, Brianna closed the door in his outraged face and explored the beautiful rooms with a sense of pleasure.

The parlor was decorated with a hint of European influence in the satinwood furnishings that included a brass inlaid library table and armchairs embroidered with velvet covers as well as lilac wall panels, but the Russian love for lavish excess was obvious in every gilded cornice and jewel-encrusted figurine.

Even in the bedroom, there were dozens of enameled snuff boxes and gilt bronze clocks set upon the marble mantle. Any one of them would have fed most families for an entire year.

Removing her cloak and bonnet, Brianna was standing before the porcelain stove warming her chilled hands when the door was pushed open and a tall, curvaceous woman with silver hair and striking features stepped into the room.

Brianna dropped a hasty curtsey, realizing this must her hostess.

“My lady.”

Attired in a gown of apple-green silk with silver stripes, the woman moved to take Brianna’s hand, leading her to one of the small sofas before she at last spoke.

“Please, you must call me Vanya,” she murmured in perfect English, her pale blue eyes studying Brianna with an unnerving intensity. “I hope that the rooms are to your liking?”

Brianna smiled. Although the lilac and gilt décor was rather flamboyant, it possessed a stylish elegance that had been decidedly absent in Thomas Wade’s home.

“They are astonishingly beautiful,” she said with absolute sincerity.

Vanya chuckled, obviously pleased with Brianna’s response. “Ah, a woman of exquisite taste. Edmond, of course, is furious with me. He insisted that you share his bedchamber, but I informed him that a woman has need of her privacy upon occasion.”

A blush stained Brianna’s cheeks. “I suppose you must wonder why I…why I am traveling alone with…”

“Sacre bleu, what is there to wonder?” Vanya interrupted with a charming smile. “Edmond is an uncommonly beautiful man. If I were ten years younger, I would be battling you for his attentions. Of course, my bed is quite full at the moment, and while there is something to be said for a young, virile lover, I have come to appreciate those older gentlemen who are not nearly so inclined to desire exclusive rights. Variety is, after all, the spice of life.” A twinkle entered the blue eyes as Brianna’s blush deepened. “Have I shocked you?”

Brianna swallowed a nervous laugh. It was not the thought that the older woman kept a string of lovers that caught her off guard. The ladies of London society were rumored to enjoy the attentions of any number of gentlemen once they had produced the necessary heir. Indeed, Brianna would not be at all surprised to discover her own mother had indulged in affairs.

But no matter how questionable their morals, an English woman would never dare to reveal her peccadilloes.

“No…” Brianna cleared her throat. “No, of course not.”

Vanya patted Brianna’s hand. “You will discover, ma petite, that while I am considered unconventional and eccentric, I am no hypocrite. I live my life as I choose and I never judge others.”

Brianna found her embarrassment melting beneath Vanya’s firm assurances. There was such ease and charm about the woman that it was impossible not to feel comfortable in her presence.

It was obvious Vanya Petrova had a life filled with freedom and adventure and a rare purpose. Precisely what Brianna had always desired for herself.

“Thank you.”

“And even better, I am a woman of the world who is quite willing to tutor you in the best means of handling a difficult man such as Edmond.”

“Does the best means include a horse whip?”

Vanya heaved an exaggerated sigh. “A tempting thought, but it would no doubt only make him more stubborn. It is best to use a more subtle approach.” She waved a heavily bejeweled hand. “Which is p

recisely why I insisted that you have your own rooms.”

“I fear I do not understand.”

“It never does to allow a gentleman to take you for granted,” the older woman explained. “If Edmond wishes to join you in these chambers, then he must ensure he does nothing that will persuade you to lock your doors.”