The Lion's Lady

He was going to throttle her. But first he was going to have a long talk with her… his little warrior had a large amount of explaining to do.

Lyon slammed his empty glass down on the tray and went in search of Christina.

'Are you enjoying yourself?'

Christina visibly jumped. She whirled around to confront Lyon. 'Where did you just come from?' she asked, sounding highly suspicious. She glanced around him to look at the library door.

Lyon knew exactly what she was thinking. She looked worried. He forced himself to look calm. 'In the library.'

'No, I just came from the library, Lyon. You couldn't have been in there,' she announced, shaking her head.

He almost said that he wasn't the one who lied, then caught himself. 'Oh, but I was in the library, my sweet.'

His announcement gave her a start. 'Was there anyone else in there?' she asked, trying to sound only mildly curious.

Lyon knew she was testing him.

'I mean to ask, sir, that is, did you happen to notice if anyone else was in the library?'

He took his sweet time nodding. Christina decided he looked just like a mischievous devil. He was dressed like one, too. Lyon 's formal attire was all of black, save for the white cravat, of course. The clothing fit him well. The man was too handsome for her peace of mind.

She was certain Lyon hadn't seen or heard anything. He was looking down at her with such a tender expression in his eyes. Christina felt safe enough. Lyon wasn't acting the least appalled. But why had he lied to her? Christina decided he must have seen her go inside the study with Lady Cecille. The poor man was probably worried that his paramour had told Christina something he didn't want repeated. Yes, she told herself, he was just prodding for information.

It was a plausible explanation. Still, one did need to be absolutely certain. Christina lowered her gaze to stare at his waistcoat. She forced a casual voice and asked, 'You didn't perchance overlisten to my conversation with Lady Cecille, did you?'

'The word is eavesdropping, Christina, not overlistening.'

His voice was strained. She thought he might be trying not to laugh at her. Christina didn't know if it was her question or her mispronunciation that had caused the change. She was too irritated with him for lying to her to take great exception, however. 'Thank you, Lyon, for instructing me. Eavesdropping, yes, I do recall that word.'

Lyon wouldn't have been surprised if she'd started wringing her hands. She was upset, all right, for she'd just spoken to him in French. He doubted she was even aware she'd slipped into the foreign language.

He decided to answer her in kind. 'I am always happy to instruct you, love.'

She didn't notice. 'But you didn't eavesdrop, did you?'

'Why, Christina, what an unkind question to put to me. Of course not.'

She tried not to let her relief show.

'And you know I'd never lie to you, my sweet. You've always been so open, so honest with me, haven't you?'

'Yes, I have,' Christina returned, giving him a quick smile. 'It is the only way to be with each other, Lyon. Surely you realize that.'

Lyon clasped his hands behind his back so he wouldn't be able to give in to his urge to grab her by her throat. She seemed very relaxed with him now, very sure of herself. 'Did you learn the value of honesty from the Summertons?' he asked.

'Who?'

His grip on his control intensified. 'The Summertons,' Lyon repeated, trying to control his anger. 'Remember, love, the people who raised you?'

She couldn't quite look him in the eye when she answered him. He was such a good, trusting man. It was becoming a little bit of a strain to lie to him. 'Yes, the Summertons did teach me to be honest in all endeavors,' she announced. 'I simply can't help myself. I'm not any good at fabrications.'

He was going to strangle her.

'Did I hear you say you were in the study with Lady Cecille?'

Her guess had been right all along. Lyon was worried about the conversation. He had seen her go inside the library with Lady Cecille. Christina decided to put his fears to rest. 'I was,' she said. 'Lady Cecille seems to be a dear woman, Lyon. She had some rather pleasing remarks to make about you.'

No, he wasn't going to strangle her. He thought he'd beat her first. 'I'm pleased to hear it,' Lyon said. His voice was as smooth as a soft wind. The effort made his throat ache. 'What exactly did she say?'

'Oh, this and that.'

'What specific this and that?' Lyon insisted. His hands had moved to rest on Christina's shoulders, and it was all he could do not to shake the sincerity right out of her.

'Well, she did mention that we made a lovely couple,' Christina said.

She was back to staring at his waistcoat again. While she appreciated the fact that the English tended to be somewhat naive, she was beginning to feel ashamed of herself for lying so blatantly to Lyon.

'Did she mention destiny, perchance?' Lyon asked.

She hadn't noticed the edge in his voice. 'No, I don't recall Lady Cecille mentioning destiny. That does remind me, though, of my question. Have you given my proposal consideration?'

'I have.'

' Lyon, why are you speaking French to me? We're in England, and you really should speak the language of your own people.'

'It seemed appropriate,' Lyon muttered.

'Oh,' Christina said. She tried to shrug his hands away from her shoulders. They were still alone in the hallway, but there was always the chance someone could come along and see them. 'Are you going to mate with… I mean, are you going to marry me?'

'Yes, I'm going to mate with you. As for marriage, I fear I will have to decline your proposal.'

Christina wasn't given time to react to Lyon 's announcement. Sir Reynolds called out, interrupting them. Lyon let go of her shoulders, then pulled her around and up against his side. He trapped her with one hand wrapped around her waist.

' Lyon, I've been looking all over this house for you. Do you approve of my taking your sister over to Kimble's do? We'd stay here until dinner hour is over, of course.'

'Certainly,' Lyon said. 'And I appreciate your taking Diana under your wing, sir.'

'Glad to do it,' Reynolds said. 'Good evening, Princess Christina. I trust you are well?'

'Yes, thank you,' Christina answered. She tried to curtsy, but Lyon wouldn't let up on his hold. She settled on a smile instead. It was a puny half effort at best, for Lyon 's answer had just settled in her mind.

Though she told herself it didn't matter, that she'd surely find someone else to marry, she knew she was lying to herself. It did matter. Lord, she felt close to weeping.

'My dear,' Sir Reynolds said, addressing Christina, 'I've agreed to see you home. Your aunt pleaded fatigue and has taken your carriage. She explained she was leaving for the countryside tomorrow. I was given to understand you won't be going with her.'

'Yes, that is correct,' Christina answered. 'My aunt is going to visit a friend who has taken ill. She prefers that I stay in London. I will have to wait for another opportunity to see your lovely countryside.'

'I forget you've only been here a very short while,' Sir Reynolds said. 'But you're surely not on your own for an entire week, are you? Do you wish me to lend my arm Saturday eve? You do intend to go to Creston's ball, of course. Or do you already have an escort?'

'I shall not be going,' Christina interjected, her voice firm.

'Yes, you will,' Lyon said. He squeezed her waist before adding, 'You promised.'

'I've changed my mind. Sir Reynolds, I'm also fatigued. I'd be pleased if you'd-'

'I'll take you home.' Lyon 's voice was hard with anger.

Sir Reynolds could feel the tension between the two. They'd obviously had a falling out, he decided. From the way Princess Christina was trying to get out of his embrace, and the determined way Lyon wasn't letting her, it was