“Please, what?”
“Please send me to Stefan.”
Edmond stepped back, his nose flaring with something that might have been anger.
“Never.”
“But…”
“Enough.” Turning on his heel, Edmond stormed toward the door, pausing at the threshold to scowl over his shoulder. “You were foolish enough to force your way into this house. Now you will endure the consequences.”
CHAPTER SIX
THE VAST LIBRARY IN HUNTLEY House was Edmond’s favorite room.
A long rectangle with floor to ceiling length windows that overlooked the terraced garden below, it was renowned for the carved and gilded doors that had been a gift from the previous King, as well as the painted ceiling that portrayed a distant relative on a chariot bound for the Temple of Zeus.
On either side of the black and gold veined marble chimneypiece were matching English gilt gesso chairs and closer to the windows was a heavy walnut desk that had been in the Huntley family for two centuries.
It was more than the white marble floor or the towering bronze lamps, or even the Gainsborough paintings that his father had collected over the years, however, that called to Edmond’s soul.
It was the rich scent of leather-bound books and polished wood that reminded him of evenings spent with his father reading to them of distant travels, or teaching them the finer art of playing chess. Days when life had held nothing but a carefree happiness and the promise of a glorious future.
Days long past.
Storming from the anteroom and Brianna Quinn’s disturbing presence, Edmond headed unswervingly to this familiar spot, almost as if his unconscious mind was in need of the peaceful sense of refuge.
Or perhaps it was simply the fine whiskey he knew would be stashed in the bottom drawer of the massive desk.
Tossing his tall frame into the leather chair, Edmond yanked the drawer open and pulled out the spirits, then took a deep drink directly from the bottle.
Damn the wench.
He had just rescued her from the rutting animal she called a stepfather, but had she flung herself at his feet in gratitude? Had she even bothered to thank him at all?
No. All she could think of was her precious Stefan and just how swiftly she could flee to be in his comforting presence.
Well he’d be damned if he wasted his handful of servants and one of his carriages to haul her to Meadowland. Not when he was beginning to realize her aggravating presence beneath his roof might be an actual godsend.
Continuing to take deep pulls on the whiskey, Edmond brooded on the best means of turning the upheaval in his plans to his best advantage, until he was interrupted by the arrival of Boris.
The large, Russian-born man came from a long line of proud soldiers and his heritage was etched into every hard plane and angle of his massive form. But while he possessed the golden blond hair and bluntly carved features of his father, his eyes were the hazel of his English-born mother.
He also possessed an uncanny intelligence that had captured Edmond’s attention from the moment they had first met nearly six years earlier. It had taken some effort to convince Alexander Pavlovich that one of his most promising soldiers should be given over to Edmond to assist in his covert activities, but in the end, Edmond had had his way.
Once the door was firmly closed and locked, Boris shed his charade of a lumbering foreign servant to reveal the ruthless, well-trained soldier beneath.
Leaning back in his chair, Edmond set aside the whiskey bottle.
“Well?”
Boris gave a lift of his shoulder, an unexpected smile touching his lips.
“The coward returned to a house on Curzon Street.” Boris’s voice was deep, but without the thick accent he adopted when in his role as servant. With an English mother, he spoke the language as well as Edmond.
“What is so amusing?”
“The fat fool fell on his face twice as he ran to his door. You would have thought the devil himself was nipping on his heels.” Boris snorted.
“Fool he might be, but he is a dangerous fool.” With an elegant motion, Edmond was on his feet and moving toward a nearby window. It took only a moment to spot the thin man who was attempting to appear nonchalant as he strolled up and down the cobbled street. “He left a guard to keep watch on the house.”
“Good,” Boris muttered as he moved to Edmond’s side. “I will kill him.”
“No, Boris.” Edmond gave a regretful shake of his head. “Not yet. Once I have discovered who is attempting to harm Stefan, I will deal with Thomas Wade and his inept servants. Until then, I must not draw unnecessary attention.”
“Then why not hand the wench back over to the bastard? That would put an end to this man’s interest, and we could concentrate on more important matters.”
Edmond abruptly turned and moved to lean against the white marble fireplace, careful to keep his expression unreadable.
“Because I have decided that she will be of use.”
“Use?” Boris grimaced. For all his skills, the man was remarkably shy when it came to the fairer sex. “When is a female ever of use?”
“You have spent too much time on the battlefield, Boris, if you have forgotten there is at least one use for a female,” Edmond drawled.
Boris muttered a curse beneath his breath. “You can have that sort of use in the nearest alley. No need to bother with the fuss of bringing her into your home.”
Heat feathered through Edmond’s body at the thought of Brianna pressed against the wall of an alley, her legs wrapped around his waist as he pumped deep inside her. It could hardly compare to a soft bed and hours to devote to her satin heat, but there was a certain charm to a swift, heated coupling.
Grudgingly, he forced the image away.
“On this occasion it is actually her presence that I do need, as aggravating and annoying as that presence might be.”
Boris narrowed his gaze, a hint of suspicion in the hazel depths. “Why?”
Edmond stretched his arm along the mantle, his slender fingers drumming an impatient tattoo on the smooth marble. He did not want to explain his reasoning for keeping Brianna at his side. Perhaps because he had not yet completely convinced himself of those reasons. But Boris deserved some explanation. He was, after all, putting his own life at risk.
“It occurs to me that while my presence in London, posing as Stefan, has diverted the danger away from my brother, Howard might be more reluctant to strike,” he said, smoothly. “After all, it is far easier to plan an accident on a lonely country road than in the midst of London.”
“I thought that was the reason you were so eager to seek him out?” Boris countered. “To prod him into showing his hand.”
Edmond shrugged. “I have found a better means to prod him.”
Boris’s suspicion deepened. “The woman?”
“Yes.”
“Why the hell would he care if you have Miss Quinn living with you?”
“He will not.” A cold smile twisted his lips. “Not until I allow gossip to spread that she is soon to be my wife.”
“Your…” The hazel eyes bulged. Edmond had never made a secret of his grim resolution never to wed. Not even Alexander Pavlovich had been capable of compelling Edmond into cementing his place in the Russian court with an advantageous match. “Wife?”
“Precisely.”
Boris took a step forward before forcibly coming to a halt.
“Have you taken a blow to your head, or did the wench simply bewitch you?” he growled.
Edmond’s expression hardened.
“It will be a cold day in hell before any woman can bewitch me to the altar, old friend,” he snapped, uncertain why he was angry.
“Then it was a blow to the head?”
Edmond sucked in a deep, calming breath, his temper clearly strained far more than he had realized by the past few hours.
“Just consider, Boris,” he said, his voice deliberately even. “For now, Howard must only be r
id of Stefan and myself to gain a vast fortune and grand title. Not entirely impossible, if he is willing to be patient and await the proper opportunities. If, however, he is convinced that the Duke of Huntley is about to wed, he will be forced to take swift measures before Stefan can begin producing a pack of potential heirs.”
Boris turned the words over in his mind before at last giving a grudging nod.
“I suppose it might provoke him.”
“Suppose?” Edmond straightened from the mantle. “It is a bloody well brilliant notion.”
“And one that allows you to keep Miss Quinn near at hand.”
This time Edmond merely smiled, his composure under firm control. “Do you have a point?”
“Yes, I have a point,” Boris said. “It is not like you to allow yourself to be distracted once you have decided upon a course of action. Especially not by a mere female.”
Edmond gave a sharp bark of laughter. “Brianna Quinn is not just a mere female, Boris, she is a force of nature. And I am not distracted. Like any good tactician, I merely have altered my plans to take advantage of the unexpected opportunities presented to me.”
“And that is all she is? An unexpected opportunity?”
“Enough.” Edmond held up a warning hand. He would not discuss his desire for Brianna. Not with anyone.
Boris heaved a gusty sigh before conceding defeat. “Very well. What do you wish of me?”
“I need you to keep a careful eye upon Miss Quinn.”
“You fear she will betray the truth as she has threatened?” Boris demanded in surprise.
“No, but I do believe she is still in danger. Thomas Wade will not willingly allow her to slip from his grasp.”
“Damn you, Edmond, I am not a nursery maid. I should be keeping watch upon your cousin. If your scheme is successful, and Summerville is forced to strike in a hurry, then you will be in grave danger.”
Edmond hid a smile at the man’s offended tone. “Yes, which is why neither of us is capable of keeping a close enough guard upon Howard.”
The hazel eyes flashed with irritation. “So now I am not only lowered to being no more than a nanny, but you also intend to insult my skills?”
Once again, Edmond was forced to battle a smile. There was never anyone less suited to play the role of nanny. On the other hand, there was no one more suited to keeping Brianna safe.
“Never that,” he assured his companion. “But I can hardly shadow a gentleman who knows me so well and you, old friend, do not precisely blend in with the London natives. Not even Howard is dim-witted enough to overlook such a great brute following him about London. The last thing I desire is to spook the bastard off before he can attempt to kill me.” He lifted his hand as Boris thinned his lips with disapproval. “And before you protest, I assure you that this has nothing to do with Miss Brianna Quinn. I made the decision to hire a professional before we ever left Surrey. In fact, I have an interview with a potential candidate this afternoon.”
Boris jutted his jaw forward. He clearly wanted to argue, but the expression on Edmond’s face halted the words before they could leave his lips.
“So I am just to trail behind a half-sized wench for the next few weeks?”
Edmond chuckled as he moved to the desk and picked up the bottle of whiskey. Turning, he shoved it into Boris’s hand.
“Actually, I have a far more dangerous task for you this morning.”
Boris had been with Edmond long enough to take a deep, fortifying chug of the spirits before asking.
“And what is that?”
“I need you to release Brianna’s screeching maid from the chamber I locked her in earlier this morning.”
DESPITE THE NIGGLING VOICE that told her she should be grateful at having escaped the clutches of Thomas Wade, Brianna had managed to work herself into a fine temper by late afternoon.
Damn Edmond. How dare he storm from the room and then disappear for hours on end? He had to realize she would be worried sick about her future.
It was all good and well to toss Thomas from the house and threaten to have him castrated, but what was to come next? He had refused to send her to Meadowland and had certainly made it clear that she was unwelcome here, so what the devil was she supposed to do?
Even worse, she had been unable to locate Janet anywhere in the house. The loyal maid would never have left Brianna unless she had been forced away.
Who knew what had happened to the poor woman?
At last Brianna could bear it no more.
By God, she was not going to helplessly wait for Edmond to make some sort of royal appearance and announce what her fate might be. She had already spent too many years at the mercy of others. She had promised herself that if she ever escaped Thomas, she would willingly walk through the pits of hell to gain control of her life.
And if confronting Edmond was her current pit of hell, then so be it.
Squaring her shoulders, Brianna marched through the state rooms with their silk damask furnishings and walls lined with family portraits and shimmering gilt mirrors. The mansion was eerily empty and not for the first time she wondered why Edmond had seemingly dismissed Stefan’s large staff. The only explanation seemed to be that he was up to something nefarious that he feared would be discovered by the servants.
But if that were true, then Stefan must be involved as well. After all, Edmond could never take command of Huntley House and the staff without his approval. And while Brianna was willing to believe anything of Edmond, she could not convince herself that Stefan would ever condone something truly wicked. His sense of honor simply would not allow it.
Finding no trace of her prey in the formal public rooms, Brianna directed her search to various parlors and saloons, even searching the rooftop viewing gallery before concluding that Edmond must be hidden in the library.
She did not allow herself to hesitate as she pushed the door open and stepped into the long, beautiful room. Instinctively, her gaze moved to the heavy desk set near the long row of windows, and she was not at all surprised to discover Edmond seated behind it.
Her heart gave a disturbing leap as she watched his dark head lift to reveal his perfectly carved features. It did not seem at all fair that a man blessed with such wealth and power should also possess the face and form of Adonis.
But then again, life was rarely fair.
Brianna met the fierce blue gaze. Something dangerous, almost possessive, smoldered in the cerulean depths, but it was gone so swiftly she wondered if it was nothing more than a figment of her imagination.
“Brianna.” His expression was unreadable as he set aside the quill in his hand. “What do you want?”
Her chin tilted at the unmistakable reprimand in his low, compelling voice.
“I waited for you at luncheon, but you never joined me.”
“I did not join you because I am busy. So if you would close the door behind…”
“Oh, no, I am not about to be so easily dismissed. I want to know what you have done to Janet.”
“Janet?”
“Do not be deliberately obtuse, Edmond. You know very well that Janet is my maid, just as you know that she is missing. Where is she?”
“Ah, you fear that I had her murdered and flung into the Thames?”
“I would not put it past you.”
“What a vivid imagination you possess, ma souris.”
She took another step forward, wanting nothing so much as to slap that smile from his lips. Her life had been nothing short of purgatory since her mother’s death and the only thing that had made it halfway bearable had been the companionship of her maid. She would be damned if she would allow this man to belittle her concern.
“You haven’t answered the question.”
Edmond studied her tight expression for a beat before his voice softened. “I assure you that she is well and hearty. I merely had a few errands for her to carry out. Now if that is all?”
Relieved, but far from satisfied, Brianna refused to budge.
“No, it is not all. I want to know what you intend to do with me.”
“Brianna, I am not accustomed to having my commands ignored. We will discuss this later.”
“We will discuss this now.” She folded her arms over her chest, ignoring the sudden prickles of danger in the air. “You cannot expect me to cower in my rooms while I wait for you to inform me whether I am to be tossed into the nearest gutter or handed over to my horrid stepfather.”
Edmond slowly uncoiled from his seat and rounded the desk with a deliberate step. Unwittingly, Brianna backed away from the stalking form, not halting until she slammed into the bookshelf behind her.
Moving until he was only inches from her stiff body, Edmond regarded her from beneath hooded lids.
“Actually, I can expect anything I please from you, and there is not a damn thing you can do about it.”
She sucked in a deep breath, the scent of his warm, clean skin assaulting her senses and making her body tremble with awareness.
“I suppose this is your means of punishing me? You intend to keep me constantly afraid that I might be tossed onto the street or handed over to Thomas.” She grasped the shelf behind her. “God, I wish Stefan was here. He would never be so cruel.”
Her words seemed to annoy him for some odd reason, and with a muttered curse, he stepped back to regard her with barely concealed irritation.
“Very well,” he growled, his handsome features drawn into stark lines. “If you must know, I am making plans for your future even as we speak.”
“And what plans would those be?”
He pointed toward the desk. “Read for yourself.”
Brianna warily rounded his tense form to make her way to the large desk. Once there, she plucked the top sheet of parchment paper from the glossy surface to quickly scan the elegant note written upon it.
Then she scanned it again and again, unable to accept that she was not somehow misreading the words.
Stefan Edward Summerville, Sixth Duke of Huntley announces his engagement to Miss Brianna Quinn, the daughter of the late Mr. Fredrick Quinn.
At last, she dropped into the leather seat and gave a numb shake of her head.
Scandalous Deception Page 8