Scandalous Deception

by Rosemary Rogers

“Do you intend to hand me over to him?”

  “Either that or I will toss you out the window myself.” His gaze ran a grudging path down her slender body barely hidden by the thin chemise. “You are a complication I do not want and do not need.”

  “If you do this, all of London will know that you are not Stefan,” she warned. “You seem to forget that I have a note revealing your true identity written and prepared to be sent to the Times.”

  A smile twisted his lips. “Your maid has been locked in her chamber, with no possibility of escape until I decide to release her. And since I doubt you have had the opportunity to actually deliver a note to anyone else from the time you left the ball until you forced your way into my home, I feel fairly confident that my secret is safe.”

  Her own ready temper flared. “You are a…a coldhearted bastard. How you could possibly be related to Stefan defies imagination.”

  With pathetic ease, he grasped her chin and tilted her face upward. His lips covered hers in a raw, demanding kiss.

  “Get dressed and come downstairs,” he commanded against her lips. “Boris will wait for you. If you try to run, I will order him to tie and gag you and haul you downstairs.”

  Without waiting for her reply, he crossed the room and yanked open the door. He spoke briefly with the looming giant waiting in the hall before turning to send one last warning glance as he shut the door in her face.

  EDMOND WAS LIVID AS HE returned to his bedchambers and forced himself to prepare for his unwelcome guest.

  He barely noticed as his valet shaved him in well-trained silence and styled his hair in the manner his brother preferred, although he did rouse himself enough to choose a fitted jacket in a Cambridge blue that was matched with a blue and silver waistcoat. He also took personal charge of the linen cravat that he tied in an intricate mathematical knot.

  Still, his thoughts remained consumed with Miss Brianna Quinn. Damnation. The woman threatened to ruin everything. First with her blatant threats to expose his identity, and now by dragging her troubles into his home.

  In a mood that boded ill for Thomas Wade, Edmond made his way down to the front anteroom where the intruder had been left to cool his heels. He paused in the doorway to study the large man with the thick, florid features and heavy jowls of his ancestors. Despite being properly attired in a dark jacket and white waistcoat, Wade still looked more a butcher than a gentleman as he uncomfortably perched on the edge of a delicate Louis XIV chair.

  Another wave of murderous fury raced through Edmond at the mere thought of the man’s hands on Brianna, his fat, disgusting body heaving above her. Damn, he’d see Thomas Wade at the bottom of the Thames first.

  At last realizing he was no longer alone, Wade surged to his feet, his small eyes glittering with a hard anger.

  “About time you decided to make an appearance, Huntley,” he growled, his accent still hinting of his humble origins. “You are fortunate I am a patient man, otherwise you would have had the constables on your doorstep.”

  Stepping across the threshold, Edmond allowed his gaze to flick over the man in silent condemnation.

  “You are a fool if you believe that any constable would darken the doorstep of a Duke.”

  Wade curled his hands into tight fists at Edmond’s cool, taunting words.

  “So you believe you are above the law?”

  “Yes, actually I do.” Edmond casually strolled closer to Wade, inwardly judging the considerable bulk of his opponent. Perhaps in his youth Thomas Wade might have been capable of holding his own against Edmond, but now he was soft and flabby from years of self-indulgence. He was no more than a bully who hoped to intimidate others with his sheer size. “But that is not the point. If anyone is breaking the law it is you, Wade. By what right do you force your way into my home?”

  “The right of any father to retrieve his only daughter.”

  Edmond narrowed his gaze. “And what makes you so certain that she is here?”

  “I have my means.”

  Moving so swiftly that the older man had no opportunity to react, Edmond had Thomas slammed against the wall, his forearm pressed to the thick throat.

  “I asked you a question,” he said, his soft, lethal voice making Wade pale in fear.

  “What the hell do you think you are doing, Huntley?”

  Edmond pressed his arm harder against the man’s throat. “I asked you a question.”

  Wade made a choked sound as he struggled to breathe. “One of my servants heard her sneaking from the house last night and followed her here.”

  “You are having her watched?”

  The beady eyes held a wary glint, as if attempting to calculate just how much the Duke of Huntley might know of his nefarious plans for Brianna.

  “What father would not desire to protect his daughter? London is a dangerous place for an innocent maiden,” he grunted.

  “But she is not your daughter, is she?” Edmond pointed out. “She is only your stepdaughter.”

  “She is in my care.”

  “And in mine. As I recall, our guardianship is jointly held.”

  Wade dropped his mouth in shock. Edmond did not entirely blame him. Stefan had been inexcusably negligent in ensuring that Brianna was secure and happy in her home. If his older brother had done his duty, she would not currently be creating chaos in his carefully laid plans.

  “You have never taken an interest in the chit,” Wade gasped.

  “An unfortunate oversight that I intend to correct immediately,” Edmond drawled, disgusted. “It was naive of me to think you could possibly be a man entrusted with the welfare of a young lady.”

  The wariness deepened. “Are you impugning my honor?”

  “What honor, you sick, pathetic maggot?” It was an effort not to snap the idiot’s fat neck. “I should do the world a favor and kill you now.”

  “Dammit, Huntley, what did the wench tell you?” Wade blubbered, genuine fear bringing a layer of sweat to his brow. “Whatever it was, it was a lie.”

  “Then you do not intend to take her to Norfolk in two days?”

  “I…I think it best that we leave town for a short while. Brianna has not entirely recovered from the death of her mother, and the country air will do her good.” He forced a hoarse laugh that grated against Edmond’s temper. “Of course, like any young girl, she is angry to be taken from her friends and beaus. It is only natural she would do whatever necessary to stay in town.”

  “So this trip is entirely for Brianna’s benefit?”

  “Of course.”

  “You bastard.” Abruptly shifting his hold, Edmond grasped the man’s lapels and gave him a violent shake. “You are taking her from London so you can force your disgusting attentions upon her.”

  “No…”

  “Do not even attempt to lie to me,” he growled. “I know the truth, and all of London will soon learn of it if you do not walk from this house and forget that you even know the name of Miss Brianna Quinn.”

  Something that might have been desperation twisted the heavy features as Wade realized that Brianna might truly have slipped from his grasp.

  “By gads, she is my daughter,” he rasped. “You cannot simply take her from me.”

  “I already have.”

  “I will petition for her return,” Wade blustered, his voice shrill. “Her mother left her in my care.”

  Edmond frowned at the hectic glitter in the man’s eyes and the spittle forming at the edges of his mouth. Mon dieu, Thomas Wade was clearly at the edge of sanity.

  At least when it came to matters of his stepdaughter.

  “Her mother was a weak-willed fool who cared for nothing beyond the gaming tables. She would have sold Brianna to Beelzebub for a few quid.” He needed to make very certain that Thomas Wade understood the price of creating a scandal. Until he had the time necessary to covertly rid the world of the nasty creature, it was vital to keep his mouth shut. “And I would caution you against bringing the smallest breath of attention to Brianna
’s change in residence. Not unless you wish me to inform the entire ton of what you intended for your stepdaughter.”

  Wade’s harsh breath echoed through the ante room. “It would be her word against mine.”

  Edmond smiled with the ingrained arrogance of a true aristocrat. “No, it would be the Duke of Huntley’s word against a mere son of a butcher. Who do you think they would believe?”

  The beefy face turned from purple to crimson as the smooth insult sliced through his pride.

  “I am not without influence. Money does have a few benefits.”

  “Then let me raise the stakes.” Edmond smiled with icy intent. “If you make one attempt to try and take Brianna from my care, I will castrate you.”

  Wade gave a shudder of alarm, then his gaze shifted over Edmond’s shoulder and a stark hunger filled his eyes. Edmond did not need to turn to know that Brianna had entered the room.

  Suddenly, he wished that he had not insisted that the chit come down.

  “Brianna…” Wade attempted to step forward only to be shoved roughly back against the wall. “Damn. My dear, tell this madman to release me.”

  There was a brief hesitation before Brianna moved to stand beside Edmond, appearing far too tempting in her poppy India muslin gown decorated with small sprigs of gold. Matching ribbons were threaded through the auburn curls she had pulled to a high knot atop her head. Even without ornamentation, she appeared as young and fresh as a spring breeze.

  “This madman happens to be my guardian and the Duke of Huntley,” she retorted, her expression frigid.

  Wade futilely struggled against Edmond’s hold, desperate to reach Brianna.

  “Please, you must listen to me, my dear. This has all been some terrible misunderstanding,” he cajoled. “If you would just return home, we could settle this in private.”

  Edmond sensed Brianna’s shudder of horror as she wrapped her arms around her waist. “This is my home now.”

  “Brianna, do not be a fool.” The older man shot Edmond a venomous glare. “This man is practically a stranger to you. Certainly he has made no effort to claim his right as a guardian before today. He will no doubt marry you off to the first bounder he can convince to ask for your hand, just to be rid of you.”

  “It would be a preferable fate than remaining with you.”

  “How can you say that, after all I have done for you and your mother?”

  Brianna pressed even closer to Edmond, clearly taking comfort in his presence.

  “You destroyed any loyalty I might have felt toward you when you attempted to rape me,” she hissed.

  “I think that is a fitting end to this unpleasant encounter.” Keeping his grim hold on the lapels of Wade’s jacket, Edmond hauled him toward the door. “It is time you return to the gutter that spit you out.”

  Struggling against his inevitable fate, Thomas Wade wrenched his head around to cast Brianna a frantic gaze.

  “No, damn you. Brianna. You belong with me, and I will not allow anyone to stand between us.”

  With a violent shove, Edmond had the man through the vast foyer and out the door held open by his footman.

  “Boris, keep an eye on the bastard,” he commanded, turning his back as Thomas Wade stumbled down the steps, followed closely by the massive Russian assassin.

  Halting before the mirror, Edmond calmly adjusted his cravat and smoothed his jacket. He had rid himself of one rodent, now he had to decide what was to be done with his beautiful little mouse.

  STANDING BESIDE THE TALL window, Brianna watched in a numbed sort of fascination as Thomas climbed unsteadily into his carriage and was driven away.

  A part of her wanted to feel relief that she was seemingly safe from her stepfather, who had been well and truly trounced by Edmond. What man would dare to return after such a humiliation?

  Her far more sensible part, however, knew that whatever had prompted Edmond to dismiss Thomas with such disdain had nothing to do with assisting her. He cared only for his mysterious reasons for being in London, and if she threatened those plans, she would be offered the same brutal treatment.

  If not worse.

  A shiver shook her body as she sensed Edmond return. She had no need to turn and confirm his presence. Every nerve she possessed seemed suddenly attuned to him.

  It was odd. As a child, she had been overawed by his intimidating presence, at times even frightened by those brilliant blue eyes that seemed to see everything. She never would have thought she could feel anything but unease while in his company. He was nothing at all like sweet, gentle Stefan, who had somehow understood the stark loneliness of her childhood and always made her feel welcome at Meadowland.

  She certainly hadn’t thought she’d feel this powerful awareness that made her heart jump and her stomach clench in pleasure.

  “Why did you not turn me over to him?” she demanded, needing the answer to the question that had haunted her since she had walked down the staircase and heard Edmond threaten to castrate her stepfather.

  There was the sound of approaching footsteps as he moved to stand directly at her back. A tingle of excitement trickled down her spine and, stifling a gasp, she turned to confront him.

  That, of course, only made matters worse. Her breath caught in her throat. He was so…beautiful. The elegant line of his masculine features, eyes the perfect blue of a cloudless sky, dark curls that held the gloss of polished ebony, blended together to create nothing less than a masterpiece.

  Edmond studied her with a brooding expression.

  “Because I am not yet done with you, ma souris.”

  Brianna frowned, uncertain what to make of his words, then with an inward shrug, she turned her thoughts back to her most pressing concern.

  “Do you think he is gone for good?”

  “I do not believe he will dare to attempt to storm this citadel again, but I should be very surprised if he has actually given up his obsession to have you.” His expression hardened. “The very fact that you have become inaccessible will only feed his madness.”

  She pressed a hand to her heaving stomach. Damn Thomas Wade. And damn her mother for leaving her at the mercy of the demented monster.

  “I must leave London.”

  “And go where?”

  “You could send me to Meadowland in your coach.” Without even realizing what she was doing, Brianna reached out to grasp his arm in sudden hope. Of course. She should have thought of it the moment she realized that it was Edmond rather than Stefan in London. “I would surely be safe with your servants to protect me.”

  “Why did you not flee to Stefan before now?” he demanded.

  “Because I would have been forced to take a stagecoach, and Thomas could easily have overtaken me before I reached Meadowland.” She shrugged. “Besides, Stefan never responded to my letters. For all I knew, he might have been away from the estate and then what would I have done?”

  He studied her with a hooded gaze. “I do not doubt you would have thought of something. You are a very…” He deliberately allowed his words to trail away as his gaze lowered to the modest neckline of her gown. “Resourceful sort of female.”

  A blush stole beneath her cheeks, but she refused to rise to the bait. She had done what was necessary. She would not feel shame for that.

  She squared her shoulders and pasted a smile to her lips. “Now, however, I can be certain Stefan is there and with your carriage…”

  “No.”

  “Why ever not? You do not want me here and I would far prefer to be with Stefan. It is the perfect solution.”

  “Except for the fact that, so far as the world is concerned, Stefan is here in London while Edmond is in charge of Meadowland,” he said succinctly. “Do you not think it would stir curiosity if I were to send my newly acquired ward to stay in a home with my renowned rake of a brother?”

  She dropped her hand and stared at him with a wary confusion. Why was he being so difficult? He could not have made it more obvious that he wanted nothing more tha
n to be rid of her. He should be delighted by the notion of sending her off to Meadowland.

  “You could say that I was ill and in need of the country air,” she pointed out slowly.

  His lips twisted. “Then it will be speculated that I made you pregnant and banished you to Meadowland until the babe is born.”

  “That is absurd,” she choked out, her skin feeling oddly hot and far too tight for her body. “You just arrived in London, how could you possibly have made me pregnant?”

  Edmond shrugged, his lightly bronzed features unreadable. “Stefan does come to London to attend his duties in the House of Lords, although he rarely opens the town house. Besides, gossip has no need to make sense.”

  It was true enough. She had been in London long enough to know that spreading rumors was the ton’s favorite pastime. And the more outrageous and titillating the scandal, the more it was enjoyed.

  Still, she found it ridiculous to suppose anyone would believe Stefan capable of seducing and abandoning his own ward.

  “Even supposing that a few spiteful tongues wag, it hardly matters.”

  “It happens to matter a great deal,” he snapped, stepping close enough for the heat of his body to sear through her thin muslin gown. “I am attempting to avoid any unnecessary attention being drawn to my visit here in London, a task that has become considerably more difficult, thanks to your interference.”

  Brianna was effectively trapped as she struggled not to react to the scent of sandalwood and warm male.

  “You still have not told me why you are pretending to be Stefan.”

  “I rarely reveal my secrets to a proven blackmailer.”

  Stung by his mocking tone, Brianna lifted her hands to shove them against his chest.

  “But you are willing to take one as your lover?”

  The blue eyes darkened, and without warning, his hands grasped her arms to jerk her against his chest.

  “Do you need further proof, ma souris? Shall I take you here and now?”

  Not at all certain that she could resist the desire to allow him to do whatever he wanted to her trembling body, Brianna gave a desperate shake of her head.

  “Please, Edmond.”