Rosemary Rogers - Scandalous Deception

“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.”

“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.”

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