The Lion's Lady

'Before she changed,' Christina whispered. 'She wasn't what you thought she should be, isn't that the way of it?'

'No, she wasn't.' His voice had taken on the familiar chill.

'You still haven't forgiven her, have you, Lyon? Whatever did she do to hurt you so?'

'You're being fanciful,' Lyon announced. 'How in God's name did we get on this topic?'

'I'm trying to understand,' Christina answered. 'Your sister told me you loved Lettie. Is it so painful you cannot even speak her name?'

'Christina, would you prefer that I act like my mother? All she'll talk of is James,' he added.

' Lyon, I'd like our time together to be filled with joy. If I knew how Lettie changed, perhaps I wouldn't make the same mistakes.'

'I love you just the way you are. And I'm damned tired of hearing our marriage is only for a short duration. Get this through your head, woman. We're married until death separates us.'

'Or until I change like Lettie did,' Christina answered. Her voice was just as loud, just as angry as his had been.

'You aren't going to change.'

Lyon suddenly realized he was shouting at her. 'This is a ridiculous conversation. I love you.'

'You love a princess.'

'I don't give a damn if you're a princess or not. I love you.'

'Ha.'

'What in God's name is that supposed to mean?' Lyon reached out to pull her into his arms. 'I cannot believe we're yelling at each other like this.'

' Lyon, I'm not a princess.'

She'd whispered the confession against his shoulder. Lord, she sounded so forlorn. Lyon 's anger evaporated. 'Good,' he whispered.

'Why is it good?' Christina asked.

'Because now you can't tell me I love a princess,' he reasoned with a smile in his voice. 'I didn't marry you because of your title.'

'Then why? You've told me I'm not at all sensible, that I try to make you daft-'

'Your money.'

'What?' Christina pulled out of his arms to look into his face. There was a definite sparkle in his eyes. 'You're jesting with me. You didn't know I had any money until after we'd wed.'

'How astute of you to remember,' Lyon said. He kissed the frown away from her face, then draped his arm around her shoulder.

Christina rested against his shoulder. The continuous clip of the horses and the rocking motion of the carriage made her sleepy and content.

' Lyon? You haven't asked me why I married you,' she whispered several minutes later.

'I already know why you married me, love.'

She smiled over his arrogant comment. 'Then explain it to me, please. I still haven't come to understand it.'

He gave her a squeeze to let her know he wasn't amused by her announcement. 'First, there are the scars. You happen to love my flawed body.'

'And how would you know that?' she asked, pretending outrage.

'You can't keep your hands off me,' he told her. 'Second, I remind you of a warrior.'

Christina shook her head. 'You haven't any humility,' she told him. 'And you are a warrior, Lyon. A vain one, yes, but a warrior all the same.'

'Ah, vanity,' Lyon drawled. 'Does that mean you might have to use your knife on me?'

'What are you talking about?'

'Lady Cecille. You did threaten to-'

'So you were listening to our conversation in the library.' Christina sounded stunned. 'You lied to me. That is shameful.'

'I lied to you?' Lyon 's voice was incredulous. 'You, of course, have always been honest with me.'

'You will have to cast Lady Cecille aside,' Christina announced, flipping the subject to avoid another argument. 'I won't be wed to a roamer.'

'A what?'

'A man who chases other women,' Christina explained. 'I shall be true to you, and you must be true to me. Even though it is fashionable in England to take a lover, you aren't going to have one. And that's that.'

He was surprised by the vehemence in her tone. He hadn't known she had such an assertive manner. In truth, her demand pleased him immensely. 'You're a bossy bit of goods, do you know that?' he whispered. He kissed her again in a leisurely fashion.

Christina realized he hadn't given her his promise, but she decided not to press the issue. Later would be soon enough.

She was about to fall asleep when they reached Lyonwood. Lyon nudged her out of her sleepy state. 'We're home, Christina.'

The carriage rounded the curve in the road. The wilderness suddenly disappeared.

The land had been transformed into a lush, well-manicured lawn. There were sculptured bushes lining the circle drive of gravel, with wildflowers of bold colors woven between the trees. At the top of the gently sloping hill stood Lyon 's magnificent home.

Christina thought it looked like a palace. The house was made of gray and brown stone, double storied, with windows one above the other all across the front of the house. Bright green ivy splattered the stones.

'Lyonwood is as handsome as its master,' Christina whispered. 'I shall never remember how to get around.'

'You get around me well enough,' Lyon remarked. 'I'm sure you'll conquer your new home just as swiftly.'

Christina smiled at his teasing manner. 'How many of your family members live here with you? Will I meet all of your relatives today, do you suppose?'

'I suppose not,' Lyon answered. 'I live by myself.' He laughed when he saw her astonished reaction. 'Now, of course, my gentle little wife will live with me.'

'How many bedchambers are there?'

'Just twelve,' Lyon answered with a shrug. The carriage stopped in the center of the circle just as the front door opened. Lyon 's butler, a stout, dark-haired young man by the name of Brown, led the parade of servants down the four steps. The staff lined up behind their leader. Their uniforms were starched, as well as their stance, and though they kept their expressions contained, every gaze was directed upon their new mistress.

Lyon refused assistance in helping his wife out of the carriage. Her hands were cold and her nose pink from the brisk, windy ride. He thought she might be a bit nervous meeting his servants for the first time, and so he kept her hand clasped in his.

It didn't take him long to realize she wasn't the least bit nervous. Her manner was worthy of a queen… or a princess, Lyon thought with a grin. There was an air of quiet dignity in her bearing. She was gracious as she greeted each one, attentive when she listened to their explanations of what their duties were.

She captivated them, of course, just as she'd captivated him. Even Brown, his dour-faced butler, was affected. When Christina took hold of his hand and announced that it was obvious to her he'd done his duty well, the man's face broke into a spontaneous smile.

'I shall not give you interference, Mr. Brown,' she explained.

Brown looked relieved at that announcement. He turned then to address his employer. 'My lord, we have prepared both your chamber and the adjoining one for the Marchioness.'

Christina looked up at her husband, fully expecting him to set the man straight. When Lyon simply nodded and took hold of her elbow to walk up the steps, she forced a smile for the watching servants while she whispered her displeasure to her husband.

'I shall not have my own room, Lyon. I am your wife now. I must share your blankets. And I really don't want