Rosemary Rogers - Bound By Love

This time she was prepared. Her smile never faltered as she met his gaze squarely.

“My mother is stubborn, but she is no fool. I, alas, did not inherit her ability to be at ease among strangers. She no doubt hopes that by sending me to Lord and Lady Summerville I can make a few acquaintances without causing too much embarrassment.”

“Hmm.”

She arched a golden brow. “Yes?”

“I was just thinking it was rather a stroke of fortune that Edmond decided to wed at such an opportune moment. Otherwise your visit might never have occurred.”

Her magnificent eyes flashed with annoyance at his pointed words. Ridiculously, Stefan found himself pleased to have provoked her first genuine emotion.

“There is no need for you to point out that my visit is…awkward considering that Lord and Lady Summerville have only been wed a few weeks,” she said tartly.

“I am certain you are quite welcome, Miss Karkoff.”

“Are you?”

“Of course.”

Her lips thinned. “I did attempt to convince Mother that it was not entirely appropriate to thrust myself upon his lordship, but she was insistent.”

“And do you always do what your mother commands?”

She turned to regard a nearby rosebush, the sunlight outlining the pure lines of her profile.

“Not always, but family loyalty is a strange and powerful thing, your Grace. Even for a woman who considers herself a sane, rational being.”

He frowned, struck by her low words. Was she confessing that she had been sent by the Emperor?

“Family loyalty?”

“Ah, there you are,” Edmond intruded, stepping next to Stefan with a mysterious smile. “I have convinced Brianna to return to the house, and I am certain she would appreciate your company, Leonida.”

“Of course.” There was no mistaking Miss Karkoff’s relief to be away from Stefan as she offered a hasty dip. “Your Grace.”

“Miss Karkoff.”

Barely waiting for his nod, she spun on her heel and hurried toward the house.

Stefan watched her progress in silence, still churning with a strange mixture of emotions.

Anger, suspicion and, over all, a potent fascination.

Who the devil was Miss Leonida Karkoff?

And why was he suddenly missing the sweet scent of jasmine?

“Could you not even make an effort to charm the poor female?” Edmond drawled.

“I do not trust her,” he retorted, not adding he was also unwillingly captivated by the clever minx. “I think she was deliberately sent here by the Emperor for his own devious purpose.”

“Even if she was, I am quite capable of protecting what is mine.” Edmond’s voice held a hard edge of warning. “For all of Alexander Pavlovich’s faults, he is wise enough to realize what would happen if Brianna was harmed.”

“But do you have the sense to protect yourself?”

Edmond shrugged. “I am learning.”

Stefan smiled, folding his arms across his chest. “So, do you intend to share your announcement?”

“What announcement?”

“I may be dull and unsociable, but I am capable of noticing that you are even more overprotective of your bride than usual.”

Edmond’s eyes widened in surprise. “Mon Dieu. I forget that behind your pretense of being a staid farmer you are far more perceptive than any person I have ever known. Nothing gets past your notice, does it?”

“Very little.”

Edmond snorted, shaking his head. “You are fortunate that neither the King nor Alexander Pavlovich know of your talent. They would never allow you to leave their side.”

“And you are very accomplished at evading an answer,” Stefan retorted.

Edmond grimaced, allowing his deep concern to shimmer in his eyes. “We suspect that Brianna might be increasing but it is very early days yet. We cannot be certain.”

Stefan understood his brother’s unease. Brianna had thought she was increasing once before only to lose the child. It would be hellish to endure yet another loss.

Still, she was young and healthy. It seemed reasonable she would be able to bear her child.

He reached out to clap his brother on the shoulder. “You have my deepest congratulations, brother.”

Edmond nodded, but his gaze was searching. “Do I?”

It took a moment for Stefan to realize his brother was referring to Stefan’s proposal to Brianna months ago.

At the time he had been moved by the knowledge he had failed his childhood friend and that he could make amends by protecting her future. There had also been the comfort of familiarity.

Now he could only be relieved that she had possessed the sense to choose Edmond.

“Never think otherwise,” he assured his brother. “You and Brianna were destined for one another. Besides, I can now hope that any need to wed and produce the proper heir has been removed. Just ensure Brianna has a boy.”

“Matters are out of my hands, I fear.” Edmond’s concern eased and he smiled with wicked amusement. “And besides, you would be a fool to become overly comfortable in your role as bachelor.”

Stefan arched a brow. “And why is that?”

Edmond laughed. “I highly doubt that I am the only one destined to tumble into the clutches of a woman. It is only a matter of time, dear brother.”

IT TOOK THREE DAYS FOR LEONIDA to acquire the nerve necessary to walk the mile from Hillside to Meadowland.

Stupid, really. She had discovered from Brianna the first day she arrived in Surrey that the Duke of Huntley made a habit of spending his afternoons assisting his tenants and inspecting his vast lands. There had truly been no reason to hesitate so long.

After all, the quicker she found the damnable letters, the quicker she could return to Russia.

She told herself that her reluctance was nothing more than revulsion. She was no prude (how could she be with Nadia as her mother?), but she did draw the line at behaving like a common thief.

Deep inside, however, she knew it was not just her moral outrage that kept her from the inevitable.

No, it had far more to do with her reaction to the Duke of Huntley.

Odd how her entire body had seemed to tingle with excitement the moment he had glanced in her direction. He was stunningly beautiful, of course. But so was his brother and she had felt nothing but gratitude toward Lord Summerville. Well, gratitude and a horrid guilt.

Certainly her heart did not race and her knees feel weak whenever he happened to be near. Nor did she have the unpleasant sensation that his penetrating gaze could see through her flimsy excuses to lay bare her true reason for being in Surrey.

At last she could delay her duty no longer.

Waiting until Brianna had excused herself to rest after luncheon, Leonida quietly slipped through a side door and meandered aimlessly through the gardens. Only when she was certain she could no longer be seen from the house did she slip through the nearest gate and head across the open meadows.

Away from the house she allowed her steps to slow, enjoying the warmth of the sunlight that had made an appearance after the damp morning. Her nurse had told her fascinating stories of England, speaking of her own childhood in a small village in Derbyshire and the lovely countryside. But it was even more charming than Leonida had expected.

It was all so very…green.

Avoiding the various cottages, Leonida entered the thick woods rather than crossing the open fields. Although she did not intend to sneak into Meadowland, she preferred not to have word of her arrival spread throughout the neighborhood. The last thing she needed was the Duke of Huntley rushing home early.

Careful to follow the path, it was not long before she stepped from the trees, her eyes widening as she caught her first sight of Meadowland.