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Lyon was thankful the men he was speaking to had walked away. He slowly
removed Cecille's hand. "We've had this discussion, Cecille. It's over. Accept
it and find someone else."
Cecille ignored the harshness in Lyon's voice. "I don't believe you, Lyon. It
was good between us. You're only being stubborn."
Lyon dismissed Cecille from his mind. He didn't want to waste his anger on
her. No, he told himself, he was saving all of it for Princess Christina. He
turned to find the woman he sought to reject and spotted her immediately. She
was standing next to their host, smiling sweetly up at him. She looked
entirely too pretty tonight. Her gown was the color of blue ice. The neckline
was low-cut, showing a generous amount of her full, creamy-looking bosom. The
gown wasn't as indecently fashioned as Cecille's, but Lyon still didn't like
it. Hunt was giving Christina's chest lecherous looks. Lyon thought he just
might kill him.
There were too many dandies at the party, too. Lyon looked around the room,
glaring at all the men openly coveting his Christina. He knew he wasn't making
any sense. He wasn't going to marry Christina, but he wasn't willing to let
anyone else have her, either. No, he wasn't making any sense at all. It was
Christina's fault, of course. The woman had made him crazy.
Cecille stood beside Lyon, watching him. It didn't take her long to realize he
was mesmerized by the Princess. Cecille was irritated. She wasn't about to let
anyone compete for Lyon's attention. No one was going to interfere with her
plan to marry him. Lyon was a stubborn man, but Cecille was certain enough of
her own considerable charms to believe she'd eventually get her way. She
always did. Yes, Lyon would come around, provided she didn't prod too
obviously.
From the way Lyon kept his gaze directed on the beautiful woman, Cecille knew
she'd better act quickly. The little Princess could cause trouble. Cecille
made up her mind to have a talk with the chit as soon as possible.
She had to wait a good hour before she gained a proper introduction. During
that time she heard several comments about Lyon's preoccupation with the
woman. There was actual speculation that Lyon was going to offer for her.
Cecille turned from irritated to incensed. It was obviously far more serious
than she'd first guessed.
She waited for her opportunity. When Christina finally stood alone, Cecille
nudged her arm and begged for a private audience in their host's library to
discuss an issue of high importance.
The innocent little Princess looked confused by her request. Cecille smiled as
sweetly as she could manage. She felt like gloating. In just a few minutes
she'd have the silly girl terrified enough to do anything she suggested.
The library was located in the back of the main floor. They entered the
chamber from the hallway.
Three high-backed chairs were angled in front of a long desk. Christina sat
down, folded her arms in her lap, and smiled up at Lady Cecille expectantly.
Cecille didn't sit down. She wanted the advantage of towering over her
adversary.
"What is it you wish to say to me?" Christina asked, her voice soft.
"The Marquess of Lyonwood," Cecille announced. The sweetness was missing from
her voice now. "Lyon belongs to me, Princess. Leave him alone."
Lyon had just opened the side door to the library in time to overhear
Cecille's demand. It wasn't by accident that he happened upon the
conversation, nor was it coincidence he'd chosen to go around to the door
connecting the kitchens to the study. Lyon remembered from past meetings with
Sir Hunt that there were two doors leading to the library. And he'd kept his
attention on Christina since the minute she'd entered the townhouse. When
Cecille had taken hold of Christina's arm and led her down the hallway, Lyon
was right behind her.
Neither Christina nor Cecille noticed him. Lyon knew it was bad form to listen
in on their private conversation, yet he believed his motives were pure
enough. He knew what Cecille was capable of. She could make mutton out of a
gentle little lamb. Gentle Christina wasn't up to handling anyone as cunning,
as vicious as Cecille. Lyon only wanted to protect Christina. The beautiful
woman was simply too naive for her own good.
"Has Lyon offered for you, then?" Christina suddenly asked.
"No," Cecille snapped out. "Don't give me that innocent look, Princess. You
know he hasn't offered for me yet. But he will," she added with a sneer.
"We're intimate friends. Do you know what that means? He comes to my bed
almost every night. Do you get my meaning?" she asked in a malicious voice.
"Oh, yes," Christina answered. "You're his paramour."
Cecille gasped. She folded her arms across her chest and glared down at her
prey. "I'm going to marry him."
"No, I don't think you are, Lady Cecille," Christina answered. "Was that all
you wanted to say to me? And you really don't have to raise your voice. My
hearing is sound."
"You still don't understand, do you? You're either stupid or a real bitch, do
you know that? I'm going to ruin you if you get in my way," Cecille announced.
Lyon was puzzled. He'd thought to intervene the moment Cecille started her
insults, but the look on Christina's face kept him from moving.
Christina seemed to be totally unaffected by the discussion. She actually
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