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your home where you belong.”
    â€œI will not leave St. Petersburg without my sister.”
    â€œEven if I give my word I will do my best to discover her whereabouts and return her to you?”
    â€œAnd why would I trust the word of a—” Her insult was sharply interrupted as his head swooped down and he kissed her with a seeking demand that made her heart skip a beat. Dear…Lord. After the death of her father she had resigned herself to becoming an old maid. At the time she had regretted the loss of many things, most notably the lack of a companion who could share her joys and fears and the mundane events that were all a part of life. It had not occurred to her that she might rue the lack of a man’s touch. Not until Dimitri had revealed just how potently addictive that touch could be. Arching back, she struggled to breathe. “Stop that.”
    He studied her from beneath his thick tangle of lashes. “I did warn you that I would tame your unruly tongue.”
    Emma grimly stiffened her spine, refusing to dwell on her tingling lips or the restless, achy sensation that gripped her body. Obviously she was coming down with a chill.
    â€œI cannot believe that Herrick would request that I meet with you,” she muttered. “Do you make a habit of attacking helpless females?”
    â€œHelpless?” His sharp burst of laughter echoed through the room. “I have hired savage, fully-armed bandits who inspire less fear than having to face your expression of cold disapproval.”
    She turned her head to stare at the leather-bound books lining the shelves, determined to hide her reaction. What did he expect? Simpering and batting her lashes was not going to save Anya from disaster.
    â€œYou have already assaulted me, there is no need to mock me, as well.”
    With a surprisingly gentle touch he forced her face back to meet his searching gaze.
    â€œIt was a simple kiss, hardly an assault,” he murmured, his arm wrapping around her waist. “You have been kissed before, have you not, Emma?”
    â€œRelease me.”
    â€œWhat an odd contradiction you are,” he breathed, the golden gaze searing over her face with a disconcerting intensity. “You wrap yourself in fire and brimstone, but beneath that armor is a bewitching innocence.”
    Her heart fluttered and she abruptly shoved away from his disturbing touch.
    â€œI came here to discuss my sister, not to indulge in foolish games.”
    For a tense moment she feared he might haul her back against his chest. And more important, she feared she might not protest.
    Then, with a rueful shake of his head he waved a hand toward the wing chairs.
    â€œHave a seat, and I will order tea.”
    She stubbornly remained standing in the center of the floor. “Do not pretend to be civilized on my account.”
    He leaned against the desk, the late afternoon sunlight slanting over his elegantly chiseled features.
    â€œMost of my guests find my manners exquisitely polished and my hospitality without equal.”
    â€œIndeed?”
    His lips twisted. “It is only you who seems to rouse my more barbaric nature.”
    â€œDo you intend to assist me or not?”
    â€œTell me of the gentlemen who you believe abducted your sister.”
    Unprepared for his abrupt question, it took Emma a moment to gather her scattered thoughts.
    â€œThey were obviously noblemen.”
    He arched a raven brow. “How can you be so certain? Even the most common criminal can mimic his betters with enough wealth and the proper training. I possess a number of employees who could attend a ball at the Winter Palace without stirring the least curiosity.”
    She grimaced. “It was not their fine clothing or their elegant speech that marked them as nobles.”
    â€œThen what?”
    â€œIt was their utter contempt for those they considered beneath them, and how they expected others to bow to their every whim.”
    He