Page 5 of The Trouble with Tigers
“Not in this case. This diamond is rare.”
The diamond’s center was filled with a perfect sphere of pale, bright green, interspersed with flecks of gold that glowed when held to the light.
“According to the journals and experts I consulted, Kimberley has produced only one Tiger’s Eye diamond. This one.” He grinned. “I named it.”
“You”—the earl frowned in confusion—“named it?”
“Evidently when they’re as rare as this one, it’s what’s done.” He rubbed a hand over his stubble-rough jaw. “I called it Tiger’s Eye. Want to guess why?”
“The diamond’s markings resemble the animal’s eyes?” the earl offered dryly.
“Brilliant deduction. I had a little help, actually.” He broke off.
He didn’t need to get into all that nonsense about the dream he had before discovering the diamond, whereby an older man in full military garb came to him with a tiger cub. Without saying a word, he let Zeke know he meant for him to guard the thing. The next day, when Zeke held the diamond, he couldn’t help comparing the stone to the tiger’s eyes in the dream.
Bah. It hardly signified. Just an odd coincidence, really. Not worth mentioning.
“Never mind, that. The safari I went on, I could talk about for hours, if someone was so inclined to refill a man’s drink.”
His grandfather gave him peeved look that didn’t reach his eyes and headed for the credenza.
Zeke stretched out his legs and laughed. “Remember this moment the next time your young servant disappears on you.”
***
How had Kitty wound up hunkered under the desk, stuck for the duration of the earl and his grandson’s reunion? Oh, yes, she’d bolted like a scared rabbit the moment the earl’s heir had so unexpectedly appeared.
At least their conversation was entertaining. Talk of mines filled with sparkling gems large enough to require names, and plains crawling with all manner of exotic creatures. Kitty enjoyed a good geography lesson. Still.
She inched from under the earl’s desk to stretch her neck, confident Lord Ezekiel Thurgood hadn’t an inkling of her presence in the room. Did she dare peer around the earl’s desk? She ought not. But how else would she see the face accompanying the man’s rich baritone and hearty laugh?
She’d barely caught a glimpse before scampering across the carpet in search of cover, much to the earl’s horror, though he seemed to recover quickly enough. Tall, blond and tanned, if her eyes hadn’t played tricks.
She inched around, moving at a snail’s pace until she could just see him. She sucked in a breath.
He was like a golden Greek god from the fables. Wavy, sun-streaked hair, long enough to brush his collar. Wide-set eyes. Sculpted jawline. Sun-kissed skin. And those shoulders. They practically tested the wingback of the chair that swallowed her alive.
He yawned, and she gave a silent prayer he’d take himself off to bed soon. Enjoyable anecdotes aside, crouching beneath the desk had pins and needles pricking her legs, and her already itchy scalp was becoming unbearable. It was past time to remove the dastardly wig.
She had only herself to blame, of course. She shouldn’t have panicked when the earl’s long absent grandson arrived. She should’ve stuck to the plan. She was Kit, the earl’s personal errand boy, and sometimes-groom should anyone asked. So far no one had. Of course, she hadn’t actually had to face anyone other than the household servants.
If they thought it strange she, a servant herself, spent countless hours with the earl, with no specific duties to speak of,they wisely kept it to themselves. Nor did they comment on the fact she had use of a small bedchamber in the guest wing of the manse.
She wasn’t completely naive. Their lack of gossip in her presence undoubtedly meant they thought Kit was a by-blow of either the earl, or one of his grandsons. Much as the thought rankled, it served her purpose.
But what would Lord Thurgood think? Would he mutely accept the unusual master-servant arrangement?
“I take it you won’t remain in London long, Zeke?”
Kitty’s ear’s pricked at the earl’s query, so closely linked with her current vein of thought. It would be far simpler for her ifZeketook himself off immediately, even if her eyes reveled in the sight of him.
“Actually I thought I’d stay, a short while at least. I have some business matters to attend.”
So much for the easy route.
“I see. Taking a break from your wanderlust? How long?”
“You sound almost as if you want me to leave,” Zeke accused with a laugh.
