'Your father might not agree with your noble intentions, Christina. He'll have control of
Christina came to an abrupt halt in front of her aunt. 'Giving my father control of the money does not suit my purposes,' she announced. 'I'll not let it happen.'
Patricia Cummings had never seen her niece look so angry. She nodded, then smiled, for she assumed the stupid chit was infuriated on her behalf. 'You're a dear girl to be so concerned about my welfare. Of course, your concern isn't misplaced. A grave injustice was done to me by my father, and I did use the last of my own accounts to see you properly attired. It was all for nought,' the Countess added. 'I should have stayed in the Godforsaken colonies.'
Christina was irritated by the self-pity she heard in her aunt's voice. She took a deep breath, hoping to regain her patience, and said, 'All is not lost. The solution to our problem is obvious to me. I will marry before my father returns to England.'
Christina's calmly stated announcement gained her aunt's full attention. The old woman's eyes widened, and she actually straightened in her chair. 'We don't know when Edward will arrive. He could walk into this very room as early as tomorrow,' she said.
Christina shook her head. 'No, I don't think so. Remember, he must surely believe I didn't survive. Everyone else seemed very surprised to see me. And I plan to marry as soon as possible.'
'How could we make the arrangements in time? We don't even have a suitable man in mind.'
'Make a list of those I must consider,' Christina advised.
'This isn't at all proper,' the Countess protested.
Christina was going to argue when she noticed the gleam settle in her aunt's gaze. She knew then that she was giving the idea consideration. Christina goaded her into complete agreement. 'We must move quickly if we are to be successful.'
'Why? Why would you sacrifice yourself this way?' Patricia gave her niece a suspicious look. 'And why would you rather have the money in your husband's hands instead of your father's?'
'Aunt, as I said before, it doesn't suit my purposes to let my father have any money. Now, what other objections must you raise before you see the wisdom of my plan?'
'Your father might have gained a new fortune by now. He may not even want the money.'
'You know better,' Christina said. 'I doubt that he's rich. Why would he keep in correspondence with the solicitors if he was so wealthy? Oh, he'll come back to England, Aunt Patricia.'
'If you claim Edward will want the inheritance, I won't argue with you,' the Countess said.
'Good,' Christina said. 'I think you are one of the most clever women I've ever known,' she praised. 'Surely you can come up with a plausible reason for my hasty marriage.'
'Yes,' the Countess agreed. 'I am clever.' Her shoulders straightened until her spine looked ready to snap. 'Just how will your marriage help me?' she demanded.
'We will ask the man I marry to sign over a large amount to you. He must sign the papers before we are wed.'
'Then it will have to be someone manageable,' the Countess muttered. 'There are plenty of that kind around. I'll have to think of a good reason for the rush. Leave me now, Christina, while I make a list of possible husbands for you. With your looks, we can get just about anyone to agree to my conditions.'
'I would like the Marquess of Lyonwood placed at the top of your list,' Christina announced, bracing herself for her aunt's displeasure.
'You can't be serious,' the Countess stammered. 'He's rich, doesn't need the money, and simply isn't the type to cooperate with my plans.'
'If I can get him to sign your papers, then will it be all right for me to wed with him for the short time I'm in England?'
'To wed with him isn't proper English, Christina. Oh, very well, since you're willing to make this necessary sacrifice, I'll allow you to approach the disgusting man. He won't agree, of course, but you have my permission to try.'
'Thank you,' Christina said.
'You're still set on returning to those savages?'
'They are not savages,' Christina whispered. 'And I will return to my family. Once you have the money in your hands, it shouldn't matter to you.'
'Well, you certainly shouldn't mention that fact to the man we choose to marry you. It would surely set him against you, Christina.'
'Yes, Aunt,' Christina answered.
'Get out of here and change that gown,' the Countess snapped. 'You look positively ugly in that color of yellow. Your hair needs tending, too. Do something about it at once.'
Christina immediately left the library, ignoring the ridiculous criticisms of her appearance.
By the time she shut the bedroom door behind her she'd shed the pretense. Christina was visibly shaking. Her stomach felt as though it was twisted into knots, and her head was pounding.
Though it was difficult to admit, Christina was honest enough to realize she was really frightened. She didn't like the strange feeling at all.
She understood the reason. The jackal was returning to England. He'd try to kill her. Christina didn't doubt her father's determination. Jackals didn't change their nature over the years.
Christina was going to give Edward a second chance to murder her. God willing, she'd kill him first.
Chapter Five
There really are demons living on this earth, Christina. I didn't know such evil men existed until 1 saw innocent children who'd been tortured, mutilated, destroyed, just to gain their parents' obedience. An army of enforcers slaughtered defenseless peasants. My husband was a dictator; anyone believed to have a subversive thought was murdered. The dead, the dying littered the alleys. Carts would come to collect the bodies every night. The stench that would make us close our doors in the palace each sunset wasn't due to excess garbage … no, no, the odor came from the burial fires .
The people were kept hungry so they would be too weak to rebel. Even the water was rationed. 1 was so sickened by the atrocities I couldn't think clearly. Mylala, my faithful maid, cautioned me against confronting Edward. She feared for my safety.
I should have listened to her, child. Yes, I acted the part of a naive fool, for 1 went to challenge my husband.
Learn from my mistakes, Christina. It's the only way you'll survive.
Lyon was slouched behind his desk, a full goblet of brandy in his hand and a hot container of water balanced on his knee.
Odd, but the injury hadn't given him any notice until this evening. It was well past four o'clock in the morning now. The nagging pain-and the dreams, of course-had forced him back to his study to work on the problems of his estates. He wouldn't retire until dawn was well upon the city of London… when his mind was too fatigued to remember.
He was feeling out of sorts. An old warrior, he thought with a smile. Wasn't that what Christina had called him? Warrior, yes, he remembered her calling him that… old, no, he didn't recall that mention.
The past had caught up with the Marquess. His years working for his country had taken a toll. He was a man who was feared still-had become legend, in fact, in many disreputable circles of French society. Lyon had always been given the most difficult, delicate missions. He was never called until the atrocity had been done, the evidence judged. His duty was solitary, his reputation unblemished by failure. The Marquess of Lyonwood was considered to
