Rosemary Rogers - Bound By Love

Even Stefan.

It was the sound of Brianna delicately clearing her throat that made Stefan realize he was staring like a damned fool, and with a silent curse at allowing himself to be distracted for even a moment by the dangerous siren, he determinedly returned his gaze to Lady Summerville.

“Good day, Stefan,” she murmured, her smile impish.

“Lovely Brianna.” With a deliberate motion, he grasped her hand and raised it to his lips. He enjoyed provoking his twin. “As always you brighten my day.”

On cue, Edmond shifted to place a possessive arm around his wife. They both knew that Stefan regarded Brianna as a beloved sister, but some reactions were too instinctive to be denied.

Perhaps that explained why he was so vividly aware of the innocent blue gaze still fixed to his profile, and the enticing scent of jasmine that filled the air.

Instinct.

Thankfully obtuse to Stefan’s uncharacteristic distraction, Edmond waved a slender hand toward his guest.

“Stefan, may I introduce you to Miss Karkoff? Leonida, my brother, the Duke of Huntley.”

With no choice, Stefan grimly ignored the peculiar race of his heart, and turned to watch Miss Karkoff perform an elegant curtsy.

“Your Grace.” Her voice was low, with only a trace of accent to mar her perfect English.

The dip of his head was just short of rude. He would not forget his suspicions.

Not even if Leonida Karkoff did possess the face of an angel.

“I hope you are enjoying your visit to Surrey?” Her smile was dazzling. Of course. Everything about her was dazzling.

“Very much, thank you. Lord and Lady Summerville have been most welcoming and I have discovered a great deal of beauty in the English countryside.”

“It must be a bit tedious in comparison to St. Petersburg. As I recall there is a constant variety of entertainments offered to young and beautiful women.”

She shrugged, drawing attention to the delicate line of her shoulders and the slender neck that was circled by a perfect strand of pearls.

“I prefer the peace,” she countered, a hint of curiosity in her eyes, as if able to sense his distrust. “And to be honest, I am pleased to be in the country where I can truly bask in your summer warmth.”

He curved his lips into a smile, taking her arm to firmly lead her down the paved pathway. Obviously he would have to take greater care if he were not to put her on guard.

“Like a cat?”

She stiffened, as if caught off guard by his touch, then with a smile that was as false as his own, she fell into step beside him.

“Yes, I suppose I do feel rather like a cat,” she said, lifting her face as if enthralled by the warm sunlight. “At home I rarely leave the house without being wrapped in at least a shawl.”

“What a pity to conceal such skin.” Against his will, Stefan’s gaze skimmed over her delicate features. God, but she was beautiful. “It shimmers with the beauty of alabaster in the sun.”

“I am confused, your Grace.”

“And why is that?”

She turned her head to stab him with a penetrating stare. “I understood that your brother was the practiced flirt while you preferred substance to charm.”

“I seem to be referred to as a stodgy bore with depressing frequency of late. I never realized I was so dull.”

“Substance is not dull.”

His brow lifted at her vehement tone. “No?”

“Quite the opposite.” She pinned the stiff smile back on her lips. “Lady Summerville mentioned that you possess the finest library in Surrey.”

“You are interested in books?”

“Far more than my mother approves of, I fear. If I were allowed to have my way, I would spend my evenings curled before a warm fire with a good book rather than attending the seemingly endless gatherings Russian society adores.”

His heart missed a beat. She preferred books to society? No. It had to be a lie. Just a part of the act she performed so well.

“An unusual preference for a young lady.”

“I disagree.”

“Do you?”

“It is more that young ladies are rarely asked what their preference might be.”

His eyes narrowed. Beautiful and clever. Dangerous.

“Touché,” he murmured.

“Forgive me.” She coyly lowered her head. “I am inclined to speak my mind too frankly.”

“There is nothing to forgive. I prefer honesty.” He deliberately emphasized the word. “And to prove my own sincerity I offer you an open invitation to make use of my library during your stay.”

She stumbled, a faint blush touching her cheeks. “That is very kind, your Grace, thank you.”

A rather odd reaction to his offhand invitation. “Not kind, merely sympathetic. For all your claims to enjoy the quiet it cannot be particularly inspiring to have only my brother and Brianna as company. I have spent enough time with the newly weds to know they have a tendency to forget there is anyone else in the room when they are together. You at least should have some means of wiling away the hours.”

“They are very devoted to one another.”

“Besotted.”

Coming to a halt, Stefan turned to discover that Edmond and Brianna were standing near a crumbling fountain. They made a perfect vision of marital bliss, with Brianna’s head nestled against Edmond’s shoulder while his hand stroked tenderly down her back. Stefan, however, did not miss the concerned expression on his brother’s face.

“I find myself quite envious,” Miss Karkoff murmured. “It is not often a woman is allowed to wed for love.”

“And even less often for a gentleman.”

“Truly?”

His shifted his attention to catch her disbelieving expression. “Why are you surprised?”

“I would think that a gentleman with your wealth and position could wed any woman of his choosing.”

“You have lived among the most powerful families in St. Petersburg, Miss Karkoff, you comprehend how treacherous a courtship can be.”

“Treacherous?”

He shrugged. “Accept one invitation to a ball while declining another and you offend half the members of the House of Lords. Speak with one maiden for a moment longer than another and the room buzzes with rumors. And God forbid I request a few friends to Meadowland without including every unwed sister, cousin or passing acquaintance they might possess. To actually propose marriage…

“Yes, it would no doubt cause another War of the Roses,” she said, her voice so smooth it would be easy to miss the mockery. “Very wise to remain unwed and allow each ambitious papa and title-hungry mama to continue dreaming they might capture you for their daughter.”

His smile became genuine. Despite his suspicions, he appreciated quick wits and a refusal to bore him with insincere flattery.

“My thought precisely.”

“No doubt that is why you prefer to avoid society?” Ah, obviously Brianna had been sharing her annoyance with his refusal to accept the endless invitations that arrived each morning.

“One of many reasons.” He paused. “Ah, but perhaps I should keep my less than favorable opinion of society to myself.”

“Why?”

“That is why you have come to England, is it not? To be introduced into English society?”

“I…my mother thought it might be beneficial.”

“But not you?”

“I am here, am I not?” she said, her light tone belied by the stoic set of her expression.

Odd. Had she been compelled to England against her will? Not that it truly mattered. If she intended to involve Edmond in one of the Emperor’s schemes then Stefan intended to have her run out of Surrey.

“So you are. Rather surprising.”

“What is surprising?”

“There are numerous Russian diplomats in London. I would think your mother would prefer for you to be launched into society by a more formal introduction.”