[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
ignored Rhone's pleas for her to stay and continued to move toward the front
door.
Lyon trapped her just as she reached for the handle. His hands settled on the
door on either side of Christina's face. Her back touched his chest. Lyon
smiled when he saw how rigid her shoulders became. "I really must insist you
stay," he whispered against her ear.
A tremor of warmth shook Christina. She slowly edged around until she was
facing Lyon. "And I really must insist upon leaving, sir," she whispered.
She pushed one hand against his chest, hoping to dislodge him.
He didn't budge. He gave her a rascal's grin, then leaned down and kissed her.
Rhone's deep chuckle interrupted his desire to continue.
Christina immediately blushed over the intimacy. Didn't the man realize he
wasn't supposed to show affection in front of others? She guessed he didn't.
Lyon winked at her before grabbing hold of her hand and dragging her back
inside the library.
She was wearing a light blue gown. Lyon deliberately checked to see if she'd
remembered to put her shoes on. He wasn't disappointed to see she had.
Rhone hurried back to his chair. He hid his bandaged arm in his lap.
Christina refused to sit down. She stood beside Lyon, trying to ignore him
altogether. He put his booted feet back up on the edge of Rhone's desk and
reached for his glass. She gave him a disgruntled look. If the man was any
more relaxed, he'd fall asleep.
It soon became awkward. Rhone was looking at her expectantly. Christina
clutched the blue receptacle in her left hand and kept trying to pull her
other hand out of Lyon's hold. He'd forgotten to let go of her.
"Was there something in particular you wished to speak to me about?" Rhone
prodded gently. He tried to put Christina at ease. The poor woman looked
terribly worried.
"I'd hoped to find you alone," Christina announced. She gave Lyon a meaningful
look. "Were you about to take your leave, Lyon?"
"No."
His abrupt answer was given in such a cheerful voice, Christina smiled. "I
would like to speak to Rhone in private, if you don't mind."
"Ah, sweet, but I do mind," Lyon drawled out. He increased his grip on her
hand, then suddenly jerked her off balance.
She landed right where he wanted her. Christina immediately started to
struggle out of his lap. Lyon circled her waist with one arm, anchoring her to
him.
Rhone was amazed. He'd never seen Lyon act in such a spontaneous manner. To
show such open possessiveness was certainly out of character. "Princess
Christina? You may speak freely in front of Lyon," Rhone advised.
"I may?" Christina asked. "Then he knows?"
When Christina hesitated, Rhone announced, "Lyon is privy to all my secrets,
my dear. Now what is it you wanted to say to me?"
"Well, I was wondering, sir, how you're feeling."
Rhone blinked several times. "Why, I'm feeling very well," he replied
awkwardly. "That is all you wanted to ask me?"
The two of them were dancing around the real issue, to Lyon's way of thinking.
"Rhone, Christina wants to know how your injury is doing. Isn't that right,
Christina?"
"Oh, then you do know?" Christina asked, turning to look at Lyon.
"Youknow?" Rhone's voice cracked.
"She knows," Lyon confirmed, chuckling over the flabbergasted look on Rhone's
face.
"Well, hell, who doesn'tknow?"
"You sound pathetic," Lyon told his friend.
"It was the color of your eyes, Rhone," Christina explained, giving him her
attention again. "They're an unusual shade of green, and very easy to
remember." She paused to give him a sympathetic look. "And you did look right
at me. I really didn't mean to recognize you. It just happened," she ended
with a delicate shrug.
"Are we putting all our cards on the table?" Rhone asked, leaning forward to
give Christina an intent look.
"I don't understand," Christina said. "I don't have any cards with me."
"Christina takes everything you say in its literal sense, Rhone. It's a trait
guaranteed to make you daft. Believe me, I know."
"That is most uncharitable of you, Lyon," Christina announced, glaring at him.
"I don't know what you mean when you say I'm literal. Is it yet another insult
I should take exception to, perchance?"
"Rhone is asking you if he may speak freely," Lyon told Christina. "Hell, I
feel like an interpreter."
"Of course you may speak freely to me," Christina announced. "No one's holding
a knife to your neck, Rhone. I've some medicine with me. I'd like to tend your
injury, Rhone. You probably haven't had proper care."
"I couldn't very well call upon my physician, now could I?" Rhone said.
"Oh, no, you'd be found out," Christina said. She scooted off Lyon's lap and
went to Rhone's side. Rhone didn't protest when she began to unwrap his badly
fashioned bandage.
Both men watched as Christina opened a small jar of horrid-smelling salve. "My
God, what's in there? Dead leaves?"
"Yes," Christina answered. "Among other things."
"I was jesting," Rhone said.
"I wasn't."
"The smell will keep me hidden," Rhone muttered. "What else is in there?" he
asked, taking another sniff of the foul medicine.
"You don't want to know," Christina answered.
"It's best not to ask Christina questions, Rhone. The answers will only
confuse you."
Rhone took Lyon's advice. He watched Christina pat a large amount of the
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]