Julie Garwood - The Lion's Lady

"Our circumstances were different," Lyon said. He winked at Christina. "You aren't going to be as fortunate as I was. You'll wait and have a proper wedding."

"James wanted to marry. He simply couldn't find anyone worthy enough," Mama interjected.

Lyon scowled. Christina placed her hand on top of his fisted one. "You look very handsome this morning," she told him. "You must always wear blue."

Lyon looked into his wife's eyes and saw the sparkle there. He knew what she was doing. Yes, she was trying to take his mind off his mother. And even though he understood her intent, it still worked. He was suddenly smiling. "You always look beautiful," he told her. He leaned down to whisper, "I still prefer you without any clothes on, however."

Christina blushed with pleasure.

Rhone smiled at the happy couple, then turned to speak to Lyon 's aunt. "Do you still believe Diana and I are mismatched? I would like your approval," he added.

Aunt Harriett picked up her fan. She waved it in front of her face while she considered her answer. "I will give you my approval, but I don't believe the two of you will be as compatible as Lyon and Christina. You can see how well they get along."

"Oh, we are also mismatched," Christina interjected. " Rhone and Diana are really much more suited to each other. They were raised in the same fashion," she explained.

Aunt Harriett gave Christina a piercing look. "Now that you're part of this family, would you mind telling me just where you were raised, child?"

"In the Black Hills," Christina answered. She turned to Lyon then. "The Countess will certainly tell, and I really should prepare your family, don't you think?"

"The Countess wouldn't say a word," Lyon answered. "As long as the money keeps pouring in, she'll keep your secrets safe until you're ready to tell them."

"Tell what secrets?" Diana asked, frowning.

"She's entitled to her privacy," Rhone interjected, winking at Christina.

Aunt Harriett let out an inelegant snort. "Nonsense. We're family. There shouldn't be any secrets, unless you've done something you're ashamed of, Christina, and I'm certain that isn't the case. You're a good-hearted child," she added. She paused to prove her point by tilting her head toward the elderly Marchioness.

"James was such a good-hearted man," she blurted out.

Everyone ignored that comment.

"Well?" Diana prodded Christina.

"I was raised by the Dakotas."

Christina really believed her statement would gain an immediate reaction. Everyone just stared at her with expectant looks on their faces. She turned to Lyon.

"I don't believe they understand, my sweet," he whispered.

"Who are the Dakotas?" Aunt Harriett asked. "I don't remember meeting anyone by that name. They must not be English," she concluded with another wave of her fan.

"No, they aren't English," Lyon said, smiling.

"A large family?" Aunt Harriett asked, trying to understand why Lyon was smiling and Christina was blushing.

"Very large," Lyon drawled.

"Well, why haven't I heard of them?" his aunt demanded.

"They're Indians." Christina made the announcement, then waited for a true reaction.

It wasn't long in coming. "No wonder I haven't heard… good Lord, do you mean savages?" she gasped.

Christina was about to explain that she didn't care for the word savages-the Countess had often preferred that description-and that the Dakotas were gentle, caring people, but Aunt Harriett's and Diana's bold laughter interrupted her bid to defend.

Aunt Harriett was the first to regain control. She'd noticed that Rhone, Lyon, and Christina hadn't joined in. "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?"