Promised to the Swedish Prince - Sasha Cottman Page 0,46

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?

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.

“Your Highness, may I introduce the members of the British trade delegation. Of course, you know my husband.”

Christian pushed his concerns about Erika and Lady Lynch to one side. Both problems would have to wait. The cunning English had suddenly dropped the trade agreement negotiations in his lap. Without any support, he was going to have to go it alone and secure the deal for Sweden.

Erika was eventually forced to accept that while Christian was off with Lady Lynch, doing lord knew what, she had no other choice but to continue with her designated role of future Swedish princess. With the end goal of the trade agreement in mind, she put her efforts into working the room and trying not to think about the man she loved.

Lionel might barely be in his early twenties, but he had been well trained by his parents. He was possessed with an almost encyclopedic knowledge of people, positions, and power. By the end of the first hour, Erika had learned more about the workings of London society than she had garnered in the previous two years. Her evening was not a total waste.

Her and Christian’s upcoming wedding was of course the perfect icebreaker when it came to making conversation and keeping people’s interest.

“Are you planning