Page 57 of The Trouble with Tigers
“I was fourteen, Caden ten. She died giving birth to our sister—who passed with her.” He spoke almost without inflection.
“I’m so sorry."
Neither spoke for several minutes. Finally Zeke broke the silence. “I know James is your cousin. I’m shooting in the dark, here, but am I correct guessing your branches of the family weren’t close?”
“That’s putting it mildly. I first laid eyes on him when his parents brought him to my parents’ funeral. My impression was they were a brooding lot.” She reflected a moment. “Grandfather explained who they were to Collin. I”—she cleared her throat—“overheard their conversation.”
Zeke grinned knowingly.
She raised her chin a notch and fought an answering grin. “All right, I eavesdropped. But sometimes one has to be resourceful if one wants to get at the truth. Especially when the truth embodies dark family secrets.”
His smile never faltered. “And just what was this dark truth? If you don’t mind my asking.”
“You fault my methods, but then wish to savor the fruit of my labors.”
His blue eyes glittered with amusement. “Guilty.”
Mollified, she went on. “Apparently, Grandfather had an older half brother, conceived on the wrong side of the blanket.”
“I see.”
“My grandfather knew nothing of his existence until the reading of his father’s will, which contained a paltry provision for his illegitimate first-born son. Grandfather, the honorable man he was, tried to right the situation by supplying land and an allowance for his half sibling. From what I…um…overheard, it didn’t earn him any favor with his older brother who, apparently, always felt the title rightfully belonged to him.”
“An age-old slight. But hardly your grandfather’s fault.”
“Exactly. How he’d have reveled in the knowledge his descendent, Garrick, would one day hold the Maidstone title.”
Zeke steepled his fingers. “Garrick James is the grandson of your grandfather’s half-brother?”
She nodded. “Now Baron of Maidstone, and my legal guardian. For five more months.”
“Yes.” His brows knitted, and he drummed his fingertips on his armrest. “That brings me to another question. How on earth did your nemesis wind up your guardian?”
“Grandfather legitimized him before he knew what a monster Garrick really was.”
Her grandfather had thought securing the title in such a way, and making her the man’s ward, would keep her safe from ne’er-do-wells who might try to marry her to secure her substantial inheritance and the Maidstone title, in one fell swoop. Too late, he realized he couldn’t trust Garrick with the power he’d granted him.
Seconds ticked by with Zeke apparently lost in thought.
Their conversation had reached its end.
But Kitty didn’t want to say goodnight. Not yet. Not when being with him felt so—Crimey. She didn’t have the words. It was like a hard to reach itch finally being scratched.
“Tell me about you and—Caden, was it?”
Zeke lounged back and grinned. “Yes. Caden and I haven’t seen each other much of late. My fault, I admit. I’d hoped to catch up with him during my time in London. Who knows, perhaps since my stay has been unexpectedly extended…” He left off with a negligent shrug.
She bit her lip. “I’m sorry I’ve caused so much trouble. You’ve had to alter your plans and—”
“Kitty.”
Gooseflesh sprang up over her limbs at the sound of her name, spoken just so, in his rough velvet whisper. “Yes?”
“We’ve been over this ground. There’s no point discussing it further. There is something I’d like to address, however…”
“Yes?” she repeated.
He unfolded himself from his chair and moved to stand directly before her. “I’d like to collect my forfeit.”
