The Lyon’s Alliance (The Lyon’s Den Connected World)

Chapter Five

Tuesday, April 24, 1821

C hristina hoped Friday’s gossip had satisfied the ton’s appetite and they had moved on to someone else, though she felt a pang of guilt for wishing the gossip on another unsuspecting victim. In these attacks, women’s reputations suffered, while men often came away unscathed. Wolf’s apparent indifference to the rumors only added to her unease.

She lay in bed and stared at the ceiling, unable to sleep. One minute, she was planning responses to questions she anticipated at the luncheon. The next, she contemplated elements of the astronomy program for the children. She’d close her eyes briefly, considering getting out of bed to jot down her thoughts, but the next moment, she opened her eyes, she was stunned to find that it was daylight and that she wasn’t in her dormitory room at the seminary. The reality of her current situation slammed into her like some great Noth Sea wave crashing onto the shore.

Her mind quickly settled as she realized she was in her room in London, and today was the Society’s luncheon. Wolf would accompany her, and she would inevitably be the victim of more gossip.

Staying in bed would be useless. Christina was past returning to sleep. She rose from her bed, her nerves jittery at the thought of facing today’s charity luncheon. Friday’s gossip would be today’s topic of discussion, of that she was certain. She stood at her cheval and straightened her shoulders.

“You will handle the gossip with grace and dignity. Remember, unfound rumors are not worth worrying about. Besides, there are more important things to focus on. Imagine what could be accomplished with an astronomy program for the children,” she said to the image in the mirror. “It’s going to be a long day.” She turned away and went to the washstand, trying to shake off her anxiety. Worrying would get her nowhere. With a determined nod, she pushed aside her concerns and focused on the day.

After completing her morning ablution and enjoying the comforting aroma of warm chocolate drifting from the kitchen, Christina gathered her things and headed to the dining room. Her heart still fluttered with nervous anticipation, but her mind raced with ideas for the astronomy program. Maybe today wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Christina entered the dining room, surprised to find both her parents gone. The mantel clock chimed 10:30.

“Good morning, Miss Christina,” Mrs. Murthy poured her a cup of warm chocolate.

“Have my parents had their breakfast?” she asked, taking her seat as Mrs. Murthy gave her a warm cup of chocolate and placed a Chelsea bun on her plate.

“They have already eaten,” Mrs. Murthy said as Christina drank the chocolate.

Christina nodded, then took a bit of the confection.

“I’ll be returning to Hazelton House for luncheon.”

“Mr. Murthy took the carriage to drive your parents to the bookshop.”

“That is perfectly fine. It’s only a 30-minute walk,” Christina reasoned, and the fresh air might do her good.

“It’s a lovely day for a walk. If I leave now, I’ll arrive in plenty of time.” She had no idea what Lady Hazelton would say or if she still wanted her involved in the events. She decided it was best for her to go a little early and face things head-on. She took her reticule, the folio with the guest list, and left the house.

The brisk late morning air filled her lungs as she strolled along the cobblestone streets that bustled with activity.

“Miss Hartfield.”

Christina turned to her right and was surprised to see Lady Grace Talbot. She offered a polite smile. “Good day, Lady Grace.”

“It is a lovely day for a walk. I suppose you would do anything not to be at home today.” Grace came up next to her.

“Not at home today? I’m sorry. Why would I do that?”

“Come, come, Miss Christina. Everyone has read the London Chronicle . Your drawing room will be filled with callers. I am glad I saw you. There is something you should know.”

Christina gave the woman her full attention. It had to be about Wolf.

The woman hesitated for a moment. She leaned in closer to Christina, her voice barely above a whisper. “I fear you may not be aware of Wolfton’s reputation.”

“Yes, Lady Grace?”

“Wolfton has a reputation for charming his way into the affections of unsuspecting women. But after a while, the novelty of the relationship wears thin, he discards them without a second thought.”

“As you have been.”

Lady Grace glared at her. “You see. Everyone knows everyone else’s business. So, yes. As I have been.”

Christina’s heart skipped a beat at Grace’s words, her mind racing with thoughts of the man. She had sensed there was more to him than met the eye but didn’t want to believe what she had overheard Grace and her sisters discussing. She hadn’t anticipated this revelation.

“Thank you, Lady Grace,” Christina replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil. “I appreciate your concern.”

Lady Grace paused in her steps, her focus on Christina. Her sympathetic gaze brought Christina to a halt.

“Please be careful, Christina. He can be quite ruthless at times. Not physical,” Lady Grace quickly added, “rather cutting and hurtful. As if you aren’t there. I would hate to see you fall victim to Lord Wolfton’s charms.”

In the brief silence that followed Lady Grace’s warning, Christina wrestled with a whirlwind of emotions. Gratitude? Skepticism? It was hard to identify.

“I’m expected,” Lady Grace said, her voice trailing off as if carried away by the same doubts swirling in Christina’s mind. “If you will excuse me.” She turned to leave, her departure as swift as the warning she’d given.

“Lady Grace,” Christina called out, stopping her in her tracks. The woman turned, an unspoken question in her eyes.

“Thank you. I mean that sincerely.” The words tumbled out, warm and genuine, despite her uncertainty.

Lady Grace offered a nod, a silent acknowledgment, before she melded back into the throng of the crowd. Christina watched her go, the importance of Lady Grace’s words settling in. Then, with a deep breath, she stepped forward, her path taking her towards Grafton Street and whatever lay ahead.

Wolf sat with Lady Hazelton in the dining room as she gave it a once over to ensure everything was in order.

The dining room was familiar with its set linens, china, and silver, yet an air of novelty pervaded. Instead of the previous lavender, pink, and white cut flowers, the centerpieces now contained lush greenery interwoven with delicate white roses, creating a sense of sophistication and freshness.

“Now, now, Lady Hazelton.” Wolf put on his most charming smile. “You underestimate Miss Hartfield’s resilience. She’s far more capable than you give her credit.” He waved his hand carelessly to dismiss Lady Hazelton’s concerns, and his easy smile never faltered.

“She is not used to this—this abuse. I wouldn’t want to upset her or her sister.”

“I assure you, the Marchioness of St. John will not hold you responsible. If anything, she will have words with me. You worry too much.” His grin didn’t meet his eyes. “Besides, Christina is more than capable of handling herself, and a bit of gossip should hardly ruffle her feathers.”

As they spoke, Wolf steered the conversation away from the broadsheet and instead focused on lighter subjects with a touch of humor. “Have you heard about the Duchess of Croswell’s peacocks?”

“The last time I was there,” Lady Hazelton began, “they had escaped their pen and ran havoc all over the grounds. Has anything happened?”

“I’m not certain, but I would take note of her new hat.” Wolf gave her a wicked smile.

“She wouldn’t dare.” Lady Hazelton whipped around and stared at him. “Would she?”

Wolf chuckled to himself. He wouldn’t dare let her ladyship know he had observed the Duchess of Croswell in Hyde Park sporting a perfect peacock feather in her hat.

His thoughts were interrupted when the butler announced Christina’s arrival. Wolf’s gaze snapped to the entrance. There she stood, a vision of grace and poise. She would be fine. The other women he’d been associated with had difficulty braving the ton’s storm. Most came out like a shipwreck. Christina, he suspected, would sail away into calmer waters. She was a beauty, cut from a different cloth.

Christina possessed an understated beauty that reflected her genuine nature. Her chestnut hair cascaded in soft waves around her shoulders, and her hazel eyes held a depth of wisdom beyond her years. Her features were graceful and expressive, conveying her emotions with a subtle nuance. She was elegantly simple. She wasn’t his usual taste, but that made the challenge all the more interesting. Too bad, the wager was only two thousand pounds. This would be an easy wager to win.

Christina’s surprise at seeing him was evident in the slight widening of her eyes. For a moment, their gazes locked, and she approached. He stood and helped her to a chair so she could join them. He offered her his second-best smile. The one that was charming but without commitment.

“Lady Hazelton. Lord Wolfton,” she greeted, composed but guarded.

“Miss Hartfield, I am glad you’re here.” Lady Hazelton looked past them and noticed activity in the ballroom. “Please excuse me. More auction items are arriving, and I want to see to them.”

“Let me—” Christina began.

“That will not be necessary,” Lady Hazelton interrupted. “You sit here and go over the guest list.” She nodded at the folio Christina carried. “We had a few more responses. You must check the seating chart and make any necessary changes.” The marchioness handed her the cards with the additional responses and then hurried off.

She sat and read through the responses and matched them to her list.

“Lovely as ever, Miss Hartfield.” Wolf emphasized her formal name, distancing them from any intimate implication. That should make her feel better. He was caught off guard when she didn’t respond. “I couldn’t resist the opportunity to accompany such a captivating companion to today’s affair. We shall brave the nosey crowd together?”

He watched her demeanor shift slightly at the implication of the gossip. He went to offer her some reassurance. She had put the folio down and was working on another document. He stepped closer and found she was writing about astronomy and children.

Inwardly, Wolf couldn’t be bothered by astronomy or society’s idle chatter. He had always been adept at shrugging off the whispers and rumors that followed him wherever he went. To him, ensuring Christina was attracted to him was far more critical than his bet with Mrs. Dove-Lyon. His pride was at stake.

The subtle distance Christina put up between them grew more apparent as they spoke. Her guarded posture and the careful way she chose her words spoke volumes, revealing the impact of the gossip that hung like a curtain between them.

“Christina.” He needed to show her his gentle yet determined side. “You needn’t worry about the idle chatter of others. Let them gossip if they must. It’s of no consequence to us.”

Christina met his gaze with apprehension. “Easy for you to say, my lord. You’re accustomed to the attention, good or bad, but I’m not so immune.”

He offered her a reassuring smile, hoping to ease her concerns. “Ah, but my dear, you underestimate your own strength. You’ve weathered far worse storms than a few wagging tongues. They wagged when your dear sister snagged Lord St. John.”

Ice. Like a beautiful ice princess.

“A gentleman wouldn’t discuss that, not in public and especially with a family member.”

Devil take it . So much for his attempt at levity. The lady remained unconvinced, her resolve to avoid any further scandal evident in the set of her jaw. Wolf couldn’t blame her. The sting of public scrutiny was a bitter pill, even for the most seasoned of society’s darlings.

“Come now, Christina,” he pressed on with genuine concern. “Let’s not allow the whispers of gossipmongers dictate our actions. We have a charity luncheon to attend, and I refuse to let their petty chatter spoil our day.”

She sat across from him, as still as a statue. He waited as she made her decision. Finally, Christina reluctantly nodded in agreement, though the tension in her shoulders betrayed her lingering unease.

When he thought about it, this luncheon was the last place he wanted to be. He let his mind wander and glanced out the window for inspiration. The guests gathered in the entrance hall outside the dining room. “You worry much too much,” he murmured nonchalantly. “You are a woman of substance. A few wagging tongues won’t faze you in the least.”

If he wasn’t mistaken, the ice queen was melting. “Christina.” A spark of mischief was dancing in his eyes. “Luncheon won’t be served for a while.” He took her hand. “We can escape this affair. There’s a boat race on the Serpentine this afternoon. Join me for a bit of excitement?”

She gazed at him in horror and forcibly pulled her hand out of his. “Are you daft? Do you have any idea what that would look like?” She glanced at the open door. “It would just be more fuel for today’s broadside. Do you ever take things seriously?”

He was beginning to feel like an errant schoolboy swooning over his schoolteacher. He didn’t know how she could be more beautiful in full anger, but she was.

“Do you ever think of anyone other than yourself?” Christina’s eyes flashed with indignation.

“There you are.” Richard stood at the door, a bright smile on his face. “I thought perhaps you both weren’t attending today.” He walked up to them.

Wolf’s smile tightened as Richard entered the room, a subtle shift betraying his irritation at the interruption. “Richard,” he greeted tersely, barely concealing his annoyance.

Richard glanced between Wolf and Christina, a restrained smile on his lips. “Apologies for the intrusion, but Lady Hazelton requests your presence, Wolf,” he announced.

Wolf’s jaw clenched involuntarily, his frustration bubbling to the surface. “Very well,” he replied through gritted teeth, his gaze flickering momentarily to Christina before returning to Richard.

Christina observed the exchange. “Is everything all right?” she inquired.

Wolf offered her a smile, although it failed to reach his eyes. “Nothing to worry about,” he assured her, his words laden with forced cheerfulness. “Just a minor inconvenience, I assure you.”

With a curt nod, his mind raced with thoughts of the impending confrontation with Lady Hazelton. He gave Christina a fleeting glance before striding purposefully from the room.

Richard’s voice cut through the tension. “What did he say to you? I could feel your anger all the way at the door.”

Christina had yet to look at Richard. She was still seething about Wolf and his horrid behavior. “He is a privileged person to whom people pander.” She looked at the door where he had gone. “Women hope to be his viscountess, and men want to be near someone so shining and unlike them. He does what they want to do but are too afraid.”

She finally faced Richard to answer his question. “He suggested I leave the luncheon with him and watch the sailing races on the Serpentine. Can you imagine what the gossip would make of that?”

Richard’s brow furrowed thoughtfully. “Perhaps he wanted to protect you from the spectacle and have you smile through it all. To some, it’s a rite of passage.”

“Yes,” Christina’s eyes narrowed, “and to those with a brain, it is humiliating.”

Richard cringed at her attack.

“Oh,” Christina straightened up and took a deep breath, “was I too direct?”

“No, not at all.” Richard leaned close to her. “Put on a nice smile, and as soon as I bandage my wound, I’ll accompany you into the entrance hall.”

“If we can teach children to navigate by the stars, perhaps we can finally find our way to navigate the gossip columns!” Her comment momentarily startled Richard before he burst out in a hearty chuckle.

Christina walked away after reading the place cards on the table. She picked one up and exchanged it with another several seats away. The she took a pencil from her reticule and wrote on another.

“What are you doing?”

“If I must stay and play my part, I will have some modicum of enjoyment.”

Richard looked over her shoulder and smiled. “Where did you put Wolf’s place card?” He wandered to where Christina had been standing. “Lady Grace Talbot? Are you aware—”

“Yes. I am quite aware of who she is. I think she may have something to say to Wolf.”

“Remind me never to get you angry. You, my dear, do not play fair.” He took her arm and laced it through his. “I will try to keep a straight face when he finds his seat and who is next to him.”

“He isn’t the only one who can be unsympathetic.” Christina straightened her back and held her head high as they left the room together.