If I thought for one minute that your affections for me went beyond this scheme of yours, that if you saw us as being more than just pretend, I would be yours in an instant.
I would say yes. And forever.
Stepping into the home of Sir Vincent and Lady Lynch was like walking into a lion’s den. Lady Lynch and a tall pimple-faced man who introduced himself as Lionel Lynch greeted them. Sir Vincent, the senior cabinet minister, was nowhere to be seen. Lionel gave Erika’s dark green, daring gown a lecherous look, which she did her best to ignore.
What she couldn’t ignore, however, was Anne Lynch. Her behavior toward Christian immediately had Erika’s senses scrambling to high alert.
When Lady Lynch dipped into an elegant curtesy for Christian, she remained low in an obvious invitation for him to take his time and study her cleavage. “Your Highness,” she all but purred.
Erika took the opportunity to size up the competition. Lady Lynch was a tall, slim woman with petite breasts, which gave Erika some comfort. Her own mounds were what her modiste had dubbed as being ‘a decent handful for a man.’ She straightened her back and pushed her breasts out.
But what Lady Lynch lacked in the breast department, she made up for in unashamed self-confidence. Her attention was focused entirely on Christian. When she licked her lips and smiled at him, Erika gritted her teeth.
You are not even making an attempt to be subtle. I am right here in front of you.
To her mind, there was little doubt that if Lionel Lynch had not been standing next to his mother, she would have offered her sexual services to Christian on the spot. Erika was doing her utmost not to allow her imagination to fill in the gaps of what may have transpired between Christian and Lady Lynch at that first formal ball, but it was a struggle.
With all the control she could muster, Erika kept her gaze front and center. She didn’t know what she would do if she chanced a look at Christian’s trousers and saw evidence of him being aroused.
He might well be her fake fiancé, but he was still hers.
“And of course, you remember Countess Erika Jansson, my fiancée,” said Christian.
Notwithstanding their agreement on public displays of affection, Erika could have cheerfully kissed Christian right there and then. The disapproving sneer which appeared on Lady Lynch’s face had Erika smiling broadly. She held out a hand, graciously offering it for shaking.
Get back in your cage, vixen. You might be helping Christian, but you don’t own him.
There hadn’t been much of a relationship between the two women until now—they had been nothing more than mere acquaintances. But the more she saw Lady Lynch, the less she liked her. It was clear the woman was determined to sink her claws into Christian.
“Countess Erika, may I escort you into the main reception hall?” asked Lionel Lynch.
“What a splendid idea, Lionel dearest. Prince Christian, there are some people I would like you to become better acquainted with. You and your sweet fiancée can meet up a little later,” said Lady Lynch.
Erika let her jealous heart have its way. She already disliked Lady Lynch, but her emotions were quickly moving toward hate.
The Lynches were clearly seasoned social creatures. They knew how to operate both within and outside the boundaries of etiquette. Erika was trapped, unable to refuse their host’s offer. With a brittle smile on her lips, she let the younger Lynch lead her away.
She chanced a look back at one point, only to catch Christian and Lady Lynch heading toward another part of the house. Her life in the royal court had taught her that this was how things were done. Favors were exchanged, markers earned and then called in when required. If they were going to get the trade agreement with Britain finalized and signed, sacrifices would have to be made.
It hurt to know that one of those losses might well be her heart.
Where is she taking him?
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Chapter Twenty-Five
Lady Lynch steered Christian through a door and into a sumptuously decorated drawing room. To his instant and immense relief, he discovered that they were not alone. The minute Lionel had stolen Erika away and Lady Lynch had taken his arm, he had started to worry as to exactly where he would end up this evening.
His father had taught him a great deal about diplomacy, but none of the lessons had ever covered the subject of what to do when a powerful woman offered you her body. Cash and metal were the forms of currency he was familiar with—the trade in sexual favors was something new.
He had never been the kind of man to lie with an experienced woman purely for the sake of it, and most certainly not for political gain. And especially not when he was trying to keep his head clear about the negotiations and Erika. Both situations were precariously balanced.
I wonder where Erika is, and what she is thinking. She certainly didn’t seem happy.
There were four other gentlemen in the room, all who stood at his approach. To his relief, Sir Vincent was one of them.
Lady Lynch released her hold on Christian’s arm. As she did, her hand drifted down his back and slid seductively over his ass. He might not be spending time alone with her this evening, but she was making her position crystal clear. The bill for having helped him gain entrance to the Carlton House set would eventually fall due. Payment was to be made in full.
