Scandalous Deception (Russian Connection 1)

Brianna gave a sudden laugh at the thought a mere lock could keep Edmond out of anywhere he wanted to be.

“You are presuming that he would not simply break down the door.”

Vanya paused a long moment, as if considering Brianna’s words. “I will admit the thought did not enter my mind. Edmond is hardly a man to go to such an effort for a woman.” A slow smile curved her lips. “Not until you, ma petite. He has never allowed a woman to travel with him. Nor to stay beneath the same roof. I do believe he might charge through any number of locked doors to be at your side.”

Brianna’s heart gave a dangerous flutter before she was sternly quashing the reaction.

She wanted to accept their relationship with a cool composure that would allow her to walk away with nothing more than pleasant memories.

It was, no doubt, how Vanya Petrova conducted her affairs.

“Only because he believes me to be a challenge. And because he cannot bear the thought that anyone else might have me.”

Without warning Vanya tilted back her head to laugh with rich amusement.

“Good heavens, you are innocent.”

“Believe me, Vanya, Edmond may be…” She struggled for the appropriate word. “Fond of me, but he will never feel more than that. He would rather slit his own throat than allow anyone close to him. I might be innocent, but even I understand that lust and love are two completely different emotions.”

Vanya’s lips parted, as if she intended to argue. Then, meeting Brianna’s unwavering gaze, she heaved a small sigh.

“I suppose that is true enough. The poor boy. I wish that he would realize that his parents would never have wanted him to blame himself for their deaths. It was nothing more than a tragic accident.”

Brianna grimly ignored the pang of sympathy for Edmond. He desired nothing from her but her body, and that was all she intended to offer.

Her chin tilted in an unwitting gesture of pride. “Besides, I have no desire for anything more than a temporary affair.”

Vanya blinked, caught by surprise by the stark declaration.

“Really?”

“Yes, really.”

There was a moment of silence before the older woman gave Brianna’s fingers a squeeze. “Ma petite, it is not often a woman is fortunate enough to earn the attentions of such a handsome and wealthy man. You would be foolish to toss him aside without giving thought to your future.”

The advice was obviously well-intentioned, but Brianna shuddered at the mere thought of trading her body for security. It would not matter how much she might desire Edmond. Or any other man.

“I have an inheritance that I intend to use to establish my own household,” she said, her voice soft but filled with an unshakable dignity. “I will never depend upon a man for my comfort.”

The striking features lightened with a smile of pleasure. “Ah, a woman of independence. My very favorite sort. We really must spend some time together, ma petite. I can tell you…”

“Perhaps it would be best if you kept your advice for your less innocent guests, Vanya,” a dark male voice intruded. “I would prefer Brianna not to be entirely corrupted during our stay.”

Both women turned as Edmond’s tall form crossed the room to stand directly before the sofa. In their short time apart, he had changed into a plain gray waistcoat, black breeches and gleaming Hessians. The severe style emphasized the hard perfection of his body and dark beauty of his countenance.

“Ah, Edmond.” Vanya Petrova rose to her feet and greeted him. She held out her hand for him to kiss. “I thought you were leaving to meet with Herrick Gerhardt?”

“In time.” Brushing his lips over Vanya’s knuckles, he dropped her hand and straightened with an elegant motion. “First I wished to assure myself that Brianna was comfortably settled.”

The older woman lifted a silver brow. “And to assure yourself that I am not busily convincing her that she would be far happier with a more considerate lover?”

The very air froze, as Edmond’s features hardened with a lethal anger.

“Vanya, I love you dearly, but if any of your male guests is stupid enough to try to enter these rooms, I will put a bullet through his heart.” The sheer lack of emotion in his flat tone was disturbing. “You might wish to pass along my warning. I should not desire any unpleasant mistakes to occur.”

Brianna instinctively rose to her feet, but Vanya merely smiled. Clearly the woman possessed a taste for danger.

“Good heavens, my boy, you sound positively stodgy.” There was a short, deliberate pause. “Indeed, you very nearly sound like a husband.”