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seemed surprised by her explanation. “You are very perceptive.”
    â€œObviously not perceptive enough,” she said, her voice edged with bitterness. “I should have suspected that such elegant gentlemen would never willingly re main at my modest coaching inn without some nefarious purpose.”
    â€œWhat explanation did they offer?”
    She shrugged. “They claimed to be searching for a small estate to purchase that would be suitable for a hunting lodge.”
    Dimitri nodded, as if he’d expected a similar story. “What names did they use?”
    â€œBaron Fedor Karnechev and his younger brother Sergei.”
    â€œAnd you would recognize them?”
    A cold, dangerous smile curved her lips. When she found the men who had taken her sister, she intended to rip out their hearts with her bare hands.
    â€œWithout a doubt.”
    Amusement smoldered in the whiskey-gold eyes as Dimitri watched fury ripple over her face.
    â€œDoes your sister resemble you?”
    â€œThere are some similarities, but Anya’s hair is lighterin color and her eyes the shade of a summer sky.” A wistful smile touched her lips. “She is quite beautiful.”
    â€œI was referring to her temperament, not her physical attributes.”
    Emma frowned in puzzlement. “What does her temperament matter?”
    â€œGerhardt divulged the fact that Anya went willingly with her captors, believing she was to become a famous actress.” His gaze swept down her tiny form before returning to study the stubborn line of her jaw. “I find it difficult to imagine you ever allowing yourself to be so easily persuaded.”
    She shifted, feeling awkward beneath his relentless scrutiny. “She is very young and gullible.”
    â€œMore likely she is vain and spoiled.”
    She jerked at the unexpected attack. “You know nothing of Anya.”
    â€œI know that a young lady with the least concern for her family does not abandon her home and allow herself to be carried off by the first gentleman to turn her head with a bit of flattery.”
    The very fact he was right did nothing to ease her flare of anger. In truth, she was horrified that Anya had been so easily led astray, but she did not blame her younger sister. No. Any blame should be laid directly at her own feet.
    â€œI have endured enough.” Blinking back hot tears of shame, Emma once again headed for the door. “I do not understand why you agreed to meet with me, but it is obvious you have no interest in helping me.”
    She had managed to reach the hallway when a pair of warm, ruthlessly strong arms wrapped around her waist and tugged her back into the room. Bending his head, Dimitri spoke directly into her ear.
    â€œYou truly must learn to control that temper of yours, milaya. ”
    Â 
    F OR A CRAZED MOMENT , Dimitri savored the sensation of her feminine body pressed against his arousal. Then with a curse at his deranged reaction to an ill-tempered spinster, he quickly released his tight grip, not at all surprised when she spun around to stab him with a furious glare.
    â€œAre you going to rescue my sister or not?”
    If he possessed a shred of sense Dimitri knew he should have allowed the woman to stomp away. Herrick Gerhardt could not expect him to force himself on an aggravating woman who was too foolish to appreciate his assistance. Instead, he met her glare with a ruthless smile.
    â€œFirst we must discover the identity of the gentlemen who abducted her.”
    Her glare remained, but she gave a grudging nod. “I can describe them if you wish.”
    â€œThere is a more practical means. You will accompany me this evening.”
    â€œAccompany you where?”
    â€œI own a number of gambling establishments that cater to the aristocrats of St. Petersburg. If the gentlemen who visited your inn are truly noblemen and they have returned to the city, then they will eventually make an appearance at one