Scoundrel's Honor by Rosemary Rogers Page A

dislodge the hand he had clamped across her mouth.
    â€œHow dare you follow me?”
    Dimitri conveniently ignored the fact he had not only followed her to the palace, but that he had scoured the damned place from the attics to the cellars before he had at last caught sight of her behind the bush.
    He was not prepared to admit how desperate he had been to find her, not even to himself.
    â€œSuch vanity,” he mocked. “Do you believe I am so taken with you I must trail behind you like a hungry stray?”
    â€œI think you are the most irritating, arrogant, utterly vexing man I have ever had the misfortune to meet,” she hissed.
    He tightened his arms around her slender body, taking grim pleasure in the feel of her squirming form pressed against him. He was angry, not in his grave. Just having this woman near was enough to stir his desire.
    â€œCareful, Emma, you will quite turn my head with such flattery.”
    â€œHow did you find me?”
    â€œI was searching for my father when I recognized a luscious backside where it did not belong,” he glibly dissembled. “I knew it was only a matter of time before you were discovered.”
    â€œAnd so you charged to my rescue?”
    â€œIt is an unfortunate habit I seem to have acquired.”
    â€œAnd one you can leave off at any moment,” she tartly informed him.
    â€œAh, if only it were that simple.” He caught the gaze of his waiting driver and gave a nod of his head. Instantly, the carriage rolled forward.
    â€œIt is,” she challenged. “Put me down.”
    â€œI have not yet completed my rescue,” he said, reaching to yank open the door and tossing his wiggling bundle inside. Then, with a smooth motion, he was on the leather seat beside her, slamming shut the door.
    â€œWhat are you—” Emma’s angry words were forgotten as the carriage jerked into motion, racing over the cobblestones at a brisk pace. “Stop this carriage at once.”
    His lips twisted at her imperious tone. “I realize you are accustomed to giving commands in your isolated kingdom, Emma Linley-Kirov, but I am not one of your subjects.”
    Anger flashed through her magnificent eyes, but she was wise enough to realize he would not be bullied. Instead, she nervously shifted into the corner of the seat, as if that paltry space could dim the awareness prickling between them.
    â€œPlease, Dimitri,” she stiffly pleaded. “Vanya will be frantic with concern if I disappear.”
    He shifted to face her directly, his leg stretched outward to prevent any attempt at escape. God knew she was idiotic enough to risk throwing herself out of a moving carriage.
    â€œWord will be sent to Vanya that you are in my care.”
    Her lips thinned. “And that is supposed to reassure her?”
    â€œCertainly it is preferable to having you left to your own devices, creating chaos among the fine citizens of St. Petersburg.”
    She muttered something beneath her breath that Dimitri suspected was comparing him to midden heap and glanced out the window, her brows drawing together at the elegant shops of the Gostiny Dvor they passed at a shocking speed.
    â€œWhere are you taking me?”
    â€œI merely wished to speak with you in private.” He diverted her question.
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œWhat did you overhear between Tarvek and my father?”
    She jerked, her eyes widening at his abrupt question. “You lecture me for being a reckless fool and now you desire me to share the information I have discovered?”
    A slow smile curved his lips. “I do admire your intelligence.”
    With a snort she folded her arms over her chest. “I have no intention of telling you anything.”
    He leaned forward to whisper directly in her ear. “You will if you truly desire to find your sister.”
    Her hands lifted to press against his chest, but Dimitri didn’t miss her revealing shiver. Or the leap of