Scoundrel's Honor Read Online Free PDF Page A

sister.”
    â€œIt is not concern that makes a woman into an overbearing shrew. She is the nasty sort who tosses out orders and expects them to be obeyed.”
    â€œNaturally.” The gorgeous male voice held an edge of resignation. “I should have known Gerhardt would take pleasure in plaguing me with his old maid cousin. No doubt he is seated before a warm fire, relishing his peace while I am stuck with the harridan.”
    Emma winced, then gritted her teeth, pretending shewasn’t wounded by the familiar mockery. She had not traveled to St. Petersburg to charm the local thieves.
    Stepping over the threshold, she had a brief impression of a small study with bookshelves lining the walls and a porcelain stove set between two leather wing chairs. Then a tall man lifted himself from behind a heavy walnut desk and her mind abruptly refused to function.
    He was just so absurdly beautiful.
    Her stunned gaze traced the bronze perfection of his features. The wide, intelligent brow. The slender nose and full, sensual lips. The slash of his prominent cheekbones. The chiseled brows that were the same raven-black as his long hair pulled into a tail at his nape.
    It was his eyes, however, that stole her breath.
    An astonishing gold that shimmered in wicked temptation, they were surely the eyes of the devil.
    Or perhaps a fallen angel.
    All Emma knew for certain was that he was a compelling combination of lethal power and male sensuality that would make any poor woman go weak in the knees.
    An odd, heated excitement fluttered in the pit of her stomach as that golden gaze flared over her tiny form. An excitement that was swiftly replaced with hollow disappointment as his lush lips twisted with a familiar male disapproval.
    What did she expect, she mocked her temporary insanity?
    That Dimitri Tipova might be unconventional enough not to judge her bold manner? That a man forced to survive in a harsh world was capable of understanding the need for her to do the same?
    Thrusting aside the inane thoughts, Emma conjured the icy composure that was her only protection.
    â€œI may be an old maid, but I at least possess a few manners,” she stated, her gaze never wavering from theunnerving golden eyes. “Something sadly lacking among you and your loathsome band of cutthroats.”
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    D IMITRI SHOULD HAVE been amused.
    The tiny female wrapped in layers of wool barely came to his chin and weighed less than his wolfhound. To have her burst into his room and chide him as if he were a naughty child rather than the most dangerous man in St. Petersburg was absurd.
    It wasn’t amusement he felt, however, as his gaze rested on the honey curls that peeked from her scarf to lie against the purity of her ivory skin and the steady hazel eyes that held unwavering strength.
    There was something about her that challenged him at his most primitive level.
    He wanted to loom over her until she dropped her bold gaze in silent defeat. He wanted to bluntly inform her that he was an unrepentant tyrant who expected immediate obedience from others.
    He wanted to haul her against his body until the defiance faded from her beautiful eyes and her lush lips softened in invitation…
    Thankfully unaware of the currents of prickling awareness that swirled through the air, Josef folded his arms over his chest.
    â€œWhat did I say? Curdled milk,” he muttered.
    Dimitri never allowed his gaze to stray from Emma Linley-Kirov’s stubborn expression.
    â€œThat will be all.”
    â€œAre you certain? There is nothing more dangerous than an angry female.”
    â€œThank you, Josef, I believe you have done quite enough,” Dimitri dryly assured his friend, waiting for his servant to leave the room before he rounded the desk and perched on the corner.
    His lips twisted as her gaze skimmed down his tailored, cinnamon jacket that he had paired with a cream satin waistcoat. He had tied his crisp cravat in an Oriental knot and a