'You aren't jesting with us, are you, Christina?' she asked. She felt lightheaded but kept her voice soft.
'No, I'm not jesting,' Christina answered. ' Rhone? You don't seem too surprised.'
'I was better prepared for such news,' Rhone explained.
'Are the Black Hills in France, then?' Diana asked, trying to sort it out in her mind.
Lyon chuckled over that question.
'James loved to go to France,' the mother announced. 'He had many friends there.'
Aunt Harriett reached over to take hold of Christina's hand. 'My dear, I'm so sorry I laughed. You must think me terribly undisciplined. It was such a surprise. I pray you do not believe I now think you inferior in any way.'
Christina hadn't been upset with their reaction, but she assumed Aunt Harriett thought she had. She smiled at the dear woman, then said, 'I pray you do not believe I think you are inferior in any way, Aunt Harriett. In truth, I have come to realize that my people are far more civilized than the English. It is a confession I'm very proud to make.'
'James was always civil to everyone he met,' the mother announced.
Aunt Harriett patted Christina's hand, then turned to glare at her relative.
'Millicent,' she muttered, using the elderly Marchioness's given name, 'will you let up, for God's sake? I'm trying to have a serious conversation with Christina here.'
Aunt Harriett turned to smile at Christina again. 'I eagerly await your stories about your childhood, Christina. Will you share them with me?'
'I would be happy to,' Christina answered.
'Now, I would advise you not to tell anyone outside this family. Outsiders wouldn't understand. The ton is a shallow group of twits,' she added with a vigorous nod. 'And I'll not have you subjected to malicious gossip.'
'Did you have strange habits when you lived with-'
'For God's sake, Diana,' Lyon roared.
'It's all right,' Christina interjected. 'She is only curious.'
'Let's change the topic for now,' Rhone advised. He frowned at Diana, then contradicted his displeasure by taking hold of her hand.
Aunt Harriett didn't like the peculiar way Diana was staring at Christina. Her mouth was hanging open. The silly girl was looking quite fascinated.
Concerned about Christina's feelings, the aunt hastened to turn Diana's attention. ' Lyon? Diana insisted on bringing that ill-disciplined pup Rhone gave her. She's tied up in the back,' Aunt Harriett explained. 'Diana was hoping you'd keep the dog while we're in London. Isn't that right, Diana?'
Rhone had to nudge Diana before she answered. 'Oh, yes. It would be cruel to keep her tied up in the townhouse. Christina, did you have a puppy when you were a little girl? Were their dogs in your… town?'
'It was called a village, not a town,' Christina answered, wishing Diana would stop staring at her so intently.
'But were there dogs there?' Diana persisted.
'Yes, there were dogs,' Christina answered. She turned to wink at her husband when she felt his hand tense under hers, then turned back to look at her sister-in-law. 'They weren't considered pets, though,' she lied. 'And, of course, they never stayed long.'
'James always loved animals. He had a beautiful speckled dog he named Faithful.'
'An inappropriate name, if you ask me,' Lyon commented. 'Wouldn't you agree, Christina?' he asked, duplicating her wink.
Brown appeared in the doorway at that moment and announced that Sir Fenton Richards had just arrived. Both Christina and Lyon stood up to take their leave.
'I'd like to ride along with you and Richards,' Rhone called out.
Lyon glanced down at Christina, received her nod, then told Rhone he'd be glad for his help.
Christina was halfway across the dining room when Diana called out to her.
'Christina? Why didn't the dogs stay long?'
She was going to ignore that question until she realized Diana was still gaping at her. Lyon 's sister was looking at her as though she'd just grown another head or two. 'What happened to the dogs?'
'We ate them,' Christina called out, trying to tell her lie without laughing.
Aunt Harriett dropped her fan. Diana let out a gasp. Lyon never even blinked until his mother's determined voice called out, 'James never ate his dog. He… oh, God, what have I just said?'
Everyone joined in laughing. The elderly Marchioness even cracked a smile. It was a small one, but a smile all the same.
Christina thought it was a nice beginning. Lyon 's hug told her he thought so, too.
'Diana, I was only jesting with you. We didn't eat our pets. You needn't worry about your pup. I won't have her for dinner. You have my word.'
'She never breaks her word,' Lyon advised his sister. 'Unless, of course, she gets very hungry,' he added before he pulled his, wife out of the room.
Richards was highly puzzled when Lyon and Christina came strolling into the library, smiling as though neither had a care in the world. Their manner was certainly at odds with the mysterious note he'd received the day before.
'Has your problem been resolved, then?' Richards asked Lyon in lieu of greeting.
'No, we still need your help,' Lyon announced. He sobered quickly. 'How tired are you, Richards? Feel up to taking another ride?'
'Where?'
'The Earl of Acton's former estate,' Lyon answered.
'That's a good four hours' ride, isn't it?'
'From London,' Lyon reminded him. 'Only two from here.'
'Who's living there now?'
'No one. My inquiries tell me the house is boarded up.'
Richards turned to Christina. 'I could use a spot of tea, my dear. I'm rather parched,' he added. 'I set out at dawn and didn't take time to breakfast.'
'I shall see to serving you a full meal at once,' Christina said. 'You'll need your strength for the task ahead of you,' she added before she hurried out of the library.
Richards shut the door, then turned to Lyon. 'I sent your wife on a false errand, so I could speak to you in private.'
'I don't have any secrets from Christina,' Lyon returned.
'You misunderstand,' Richards said. 'It isn't a secret I'm about to tell you. But your wife will become upset. You might wish to wait until our return from this mysterious journey before telling her. Baron Stalinsky is back. He arrived yesterday. He wanted to come to meet his daughter immediately. When I heard his intent, I waylaid his plan with the lie that you and Christina were off visiting distant relatives in the North. I told him you would both be returning to London day after tomorrow. I hope that was the right thing to do, Lyon. It was a spur-of-the-moment fabrication.'
'It was good thinking,' Lyon answered. 'Where is the Baron staying?'
'With the Porters. They are hosting a party for him Wednesday evening. The Baron expects to see his daughter there.'
Lyon let out a long sigh. 'It can't be put off,' he muttered.
'Does Christina still believe her father will try to kill her?'
'She planned to bait him into trying,' Lyon said.
'When are you going to explain it all to me?' Richards demanded.
'On the way to Acton 's place,' Lyon promised. ' Rhone 's coming with us. It should be quick work with the three of us at it,' he added.
'What is this mission?' Richards asked.
'We're going to dig up the roses.'
Lyon, Richards, and Rhone didn't return to Lyonwood until late afternoon. Their moods were as foul as the weather.
Christina had just walked inside the back of the house when the trio of soggy men rushed inside the front
