“I had no choice.”
A long, fraught silence hummed between them, the mixture of anger and desire a near tangible force.
At last Stefan wrapped an arm around her waist and led her toward a small stone structure on the edge of the garden.
“Come.”
She tried to pull away from his tight grip. “No, I…”
“Do not fear, Leonida,” he interrupted, his voice edged with frustration. “As much as we both might enjoy a nice tumble in the lilies, I do not have the time to devote to a thorough seduction. I have something I wish to show you.”
“What is it?”
“Patience.”
She snapped her lips shut, knowing it was futile to argue. Stefan was not the only one with perception. She had learned a great deal about this man over the past few days.
He could be charming and witty and devoted to those he considered his responsibility. He was also stubborn and arrogant and so determined to be a duke that would make his father proud that he would crush anything or anyone who threatened his sense of duty.
Including her.
Ignoring the dull ache deep in her heart, Leonida allowed herself to be steered into the tiny stone building that was topped by a glass dome and guarded by a gargoyle who kept watch over the narrow door.
Stefan waved her inside and with a wary frown she entered the building, potently aware of his hard male body following close behind. Then, coming to a halt, her eyes widened in startled pleasure as she glanced around the single room.
She was not certain what she had expected, but it certainly was not the whimsical flight of fantasy that was spread around her.
With a shake of her head, she moved to run a hand over the marble dragon that rose from the tiled floor, his mouth opened as if to spray his fire and his golden wings spread wide. Along the far wall a miniature pirate ship was built of polished wood with a sail that could be lowered and a cannon pointed toward an arched window that overlooked the nearby lake. In another corner two sculptured horses stood, complete with tattered saddles.
It appeared to be a vision straight out of a childhood dream and Leonida had no trouble imagining a pair of raven haired, blue-eyed toddlers dashing about the room with wooden swords in hand.
The sharp pang of yearning came without warning and Leonida was startled to discover her hand had unwittingly shifted to touch her stomach. As if her maternal instincts had been suddenly stirred to life.
It was a frightening thought, and one she was careful to keep hidden as she turned to meet Stefan’s watchful gaze.
“It is charming.”
“My mother had this folly built when Edmond and I were quite young. I believe she hoped such a place would distract us from digging for treasure among her prized roses and tumbling into the lake.”
Leonida lifted her brows. The Duchess had not only been a devoted mother, but wise, as well.
“Did it succeed?”
Stefan shrugged. “I spent a great deal of time slaying dragons and sailing the high seas, but Edmond was not satisfied unless his life was in some sort of genuine peril.”
In spite of herself, Leonida’s lips twitched at the edge of rueful amusement in his voice.
“The two of you are very close.”
“Yes.” His gaze snared hers, a hint of warning in the blue depths. “There is nothing I would not do for him.”
Her flare of humor faded. Enemy, indeed. “And yet he spent a number of years in Russia.”
“At the insistence of the Emperor.”
“You blame Alexander Pavlovich for your brother’s absence?”
“Only in part.” A shadow fell across his face. “Edmond…blamed himself for my parents’ death. His work for the Emperor not only kept him occupied, but it offered him a reasonable excuse not to visit a home filled with painful reminders.” He shook his head, as if clearing away the lingering regret. “Thankfully he has put the past behind him and found his peace.”