Page 21 of The Trouble with Tigers
“Very well. It’s crossed my mind to wonder if you’ve taken to”—he paused—“visiting the gaming hells.”
Gaming hells? Thurgood? A gambler? She’d never guess that.
In the lengthening silence, guilt pricked her. She oughtn’t listen in on their private conversation. However, by leaving now, her boot steps would practically announce her presence.
On the other hand, if Zeke caught her hanging near the doorway, there would be hell to pay.
“Like my father, you mean?” Thurgood spoke in a low hiss. “I’m nothing like my father. But out of respect foryou, I’ll answer your insult. For your information, other than the odd game at my club, no, I haven’t been gambling.”
The hurt etched into his words pulled at her insides—not that he would welcome comfort from her…er, him.
“I suppose I don’t need to ask what you have been doing, then.”
She chewed her bottom lip, half wanting to hear Zeke’s reply, half dreading it.
“I was a long time at sea.” Amused disdain laced his words.
Naive though she was, she understood his meaning. Her stomach burned as if her morning meal hadn’t agreed with her.
“You’re always a long time somewhere, aren’t you, Zeke? Somewhere far from everyone you know and hold dear. You know what I call it? Running. Even now, when you’re home you can’t stop running. But where are you running to?”
Zeke made a “pft” sound. “This is ridiculous. A ridiculous nonsensical conversation. I’m right here. Standing right in front of you.”
The earl spoke at just above a whisper, and Kitty had to strain to hear. “I worry about you, you know. I fear I’ve made the same mistakes I made with your father. If only I’d been more watchful, disciplined him more—”
“Is that what this is about? Grandfather, you have to stop blaming yourself. Father was a grown man, solely responsible for the cowardly decisions he made. He gambled away mymother’s inheritance and drank himself into oblivion, until it finally landed him six feet under.”
“Only after he lost your mother.”
“We all lost my mother, and you know his vices didn’t start then.”
“You’re still so bitter, Zeke.”
“Can you blame me? In the end what was he to me but an empty place at the table? Oh, don’t look so sad, old man,” Zeke said in a voice gruff with emotion. “Caden and I didn’t suffer overly. We had you.”
Tears leaked from Kitty’s eyes. How well she understood. She’d had parents who’d disappointed her, and a grandfather who’d loved her through it.
“If you like, I’ll move to my apartments for the remainder of my stay.”
Everything inside her railed at the statement.
“No. You’re where you should be. I’ll stay out of your affairs from now on.” The earl’s defeated tone broke Kitty’s heart.
“You seem to forget I rather like spending time with you—when your appointments with young Kit permit it.”
The earl’s chuckle lacked its usual warmth. “Why don’t you like him?”
“Who says I don’t?”
“Kit for one.”
“Really,” Zeke said, sounding amused. “For your information I don’t dislike him. I find him”—he paused—“odd.”
Odd?
“How so?”
Kitty held her breath.
