The Lion's Lady

She'd called the warning over her shoulder. The front door slammed shut before Lyon could question her further.

Lyon felt as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders-and from his heart. She loved him. 'The rest will come, wife,' he whispered to himself. 'I'll see to it.'

He'd never felt so confident, so very, very peaceful.

The feeling wasn't going to last long.

Chapter Thirteen

You were only three months old when I bundled you up and set out on another adventure. I left in the dead of night so that Patricia wouldn't be able to stop me. I didn't leave a note for her, for 1 believed she'd send men after me.

You were such a precious infant. Upon reflection, I think the journey was far more difficult for me than for you. You'd just begun to smile, and you were such a sweet-tempered little one.

I had made arrangements to travel with Jacob and Emily Jackson. I'd met them through Sunday church, you see, and took to them at once. They were a newly wedded couple who had sold their wedding gifts so that they'd have enough coins to go in search of a new life. They were very appreciative of my contributions. Emily took to you, too, Christina. She'd sing to you and rock you to sleep while I saw to the night meals.

Jacob was a man bitten by wanderlust. Every evening he'd tell us the most wonderful stories about the courageous people living in the Black Hills. His brother had already taken his family there and had sent Jacob word that he was prospering as a gentleman farmer.

Jacob's fever was contagious. I soon became as excited as he was. Emily told me there were many unattached men working the raw land, that I would surely find a good man to marry. I led them to believe my husband had recently died, I admit to you, and I felt great shame for lying to them.

I told myself over and over that the lie didn't count. Edward would never find me in this vast wilderness.

We joined another wagon train when we reached what I believed was the end of the earth. I fought my exhaustion. Emily was always so cheerful. And then, on a bleak, rainy afternoon, we finally reached the valley below the most magnificent mountains I'd ever seen.

I remember that it was a bitterly cold day. It didn't matter, though. We were free, Christina. Free. No one could hurt us now.

Journal entry October 11, 1795

Lyon had been gone for over an hour when two letters arrived. Both were addressed to Christina, and both required her immediate attention.

After instructing Kathleen to take the messenger into the kitchens for refreshments, Christina took her letters into Lyon 's study.

The first missive came from her Aunt Patricia. It was a hateful note, filled with defaming remarks about Lyon. The Countess told Christina she'd learned the truth about the Marquess and felt it was her duty to warn her niece that she was married to a murderer.

The Countess then demanded that Christina return to London immediately so that she could accompany her aunt to the various functions of the ton. She whined about the disgraceful fact that she hadn't received a single invitation since Christina's outrageous marriage.

Christina shook her head. It had been less than a month since the wedding, but her aunt was carrying on as though a full year had passed.

The Countess ended her list of complaints with the statement that she was sending along a letter she'd received from the missionary Deavenrue.

She hoped Christina didn't find ill news.

Christina was immediately suspicious. It wasn't like her aunt to offer such a good-hearted remark. She thought the Countess might be up to her usual tricks. She was familiar with her former teacher's handwriting, however, and the flourishing style of his script on the envelope indicated that he had in fact written the letter. The seal on the back of the envelope hadn't been tampered with, either.

Convinced that the letter was really from her dear friend, Christina finally opened it.

Brown was the first to react to the heart-wrenching scream coming from the library. He rushed into the room and nearly lost his composure altogether when he saw his mistress had collapsed on the floor.

He shouted orders over his shoulder as he knelt down beside the Marchioness. Kathleen, Christina's maid, came running next. When she saw her mistress, she gave a yell. 'Did she swoon? What made her cry out, Brown? Is she hurt?'

'Cease your questions, woman,' Brown snapped. He carefully lifted his mistress into his arms, then noticed that she clutched a letter in her hands. He decided that whatever news she'd just received had caused her to faint. 'Go and prepare your lady's bed, Kathleen,' he whispered. 'She doesn't weigh more than a feather. God help us all if she's ill.'

Most of the staff had assembled, and they trailed silently behind Brown as he carried Christina up the winding staircase. Kathleen had hurried on ahead to turn down the bed, but Brown walked right past Christina's bedroom and continued on into his master's quarters.

'She'll find comfort here when she wakes up,' he whispered to the cook. 'They are a very close couple. She sleeps in here every night.'

'Do we send for the Marquess?' Kathleen asked between sobs.

'Get Sophie,' Brown ordered. 'She'll know what to do about the swoon. Is the messenger still here?'

When Kathleen nodded, Brown said, 'I shall send a message to the Marquess with him. Lewis,' he commanded the gardener, 'go and delay him.'

Christina opened her eyes just as Brown was awkwardly pulling the covers over her. 'Do not make a fuss over me, Brown.'

'Are you in pain, milady?' Brown asked, his voice ragged with worry. 'I've sent for Sophie. She'll know what to do,' he added, trying to force the tremor out of his voice.

Christina struggled to sit up just as a large gray-headed woman came rushing into the room. She grabbed two pillows and tucked them behind Christina's back.

'What do you think it is, Sophie?' Kathleen asked. 'She let out a horrible scream and then fainted dead away.'

'I heard her,' Sophie announced. She slapped the back of her hand against Christina's forehead. Her manner was brisk, her frown intense. 'Best send for Winters, Brown. She feels fevered to me. Winters is your husband's physician,' Sophie explained to Christina.

'I'm not ill,' Christina protested. She was surprised her voice sounded so weak to her. 'Brown, do not send for a physician. I'm quite all right now. But I must go to London immediately. Please bring the carriage around front for me. Kathleen, would you see to packing a few of my gowns for me?'

'Milady, you cannot leave this bed. You are ill whether you know it or not,' Sophie exclaimed. 'You're as pale as a cloud. Yes, you are.'

'I must go to my husband,' Christina argued. 'He will know what to do.'

'It was the letter that caused your swoon, wasn't it?' Kathleen asked, wringing her hands.

Brown turned to glare at the maid. Kathleen was immediately contrite. 'I'm sorry for prying, milady, but we are all so concerned. You gave us all a scare, and we've come to care about you.'

Christina tried to smile. 'And I care about all of you,' she said. 'Yes, Kathleen, it was the letter.'

'Was it bad news?' Kathleen asked.

'Of course it was bad news, you silly chit,' Brown muttered. 'Anyone with half a mind can see that it was,' he added. 'Milady, is there anything I can do to ease your distress?'

'Yes, Brown,' Christina answered. 'Don't fight me when I tell you I must leave for London at once. Please help me, Brown. I beg of you.'

'I would do anything for you,' Brown blurted out in a fervent voice. He blushed and added, 'The Marquess will be upset by this change in orders, but if you are truly set on going, I shall send four strong men to accompany you. Kathleen, hurry and do your lady's bidding.'

'Will I be going with you?' Kathleen asked her mistress.