Page 61 of The Trouble with Tigers
Flowers—Jasmine, peony, roses, clematis—abounded. Their blossoms and the plethora of herbs she spotted, rosemary, thyme, lavender, and mint, and other flora she couldn’t name, sweetened the air.
Singing birds and the faint tinkling of water filled her with a sense of peace and wonder. No doubt about it, the place had been designed for dreamers—and lovers.
Zeke’s father probably brought Zeke’s mother here for stolen kisses, once upon a time. And Zeke? Had he ever brought a girl here?
A fierce longing squeezed her already bruised heart. She’d banned him from her thoughts ever since the kiss in the parlor, and his subsequent total rejection of her.
But now, just for a moment, she indulged her fantasies, closing her eyes and allowing herself to picture Zeke passing through the open entrance.
He would approach her unhurriedly, a lazy smile curving his lips. His eyes heavy-lidded would fix on her mouth. He would—
The sound of leaves crunching underfoot brought her fantasy to a crashing halt. Someone walked the footpath. She stared at the opening, a sick foreboding causing the hair on her nape to prickle.
“Ah. Here you are, dear cousin.” Garrick ducked into view.
Chapter Fourteen
Kitty’s blood hammered through her veins. She blinked, trying to clear her vision of Garrick, in this very private, very enclosed, very remote space, blocking the only exit.
But her vision wouldn’t clear. He was here.
Don’t panic.
She gripped the edge of the bench and forced her gaze to meet his. “Garrick, I’m surprised to see you here. I thought you’d gone into the village.”
He gave her a canny smile and sauntered toward her. “Change of plans.”
He lifted one booted foot to set it on the bench entirely too close to her hip. “I thought I’d surprise you on your walk. Surprise.”
A chill skittered down her spine. He’d followed her, and she hadn’t had a clue.
“Kitty, you must know by now if I want something, I’m bound to get it.” His eyes gleamed with a sort of mania. It frightened her more than the loathing she’d come to expect.
“What is it you’re after, Garrick?”
“What do I want,” he said, as if savoring the words. “A private word, for one. It’s been so long since we’ve had a moment alone.”
She slid to one side of the bench. “Why don’t you sit down. We can talk here.” And if he sat, instead of looming over her, he’d clear a path to the exit.
He glanced deliberately over his shoulder before lowering himself to sit beside her, much too close for comfort or propriety. His thigh pressed into hers, deliberately goading her, she’d wager.
She kept her expression carefully blank. “What did you wish to discuss?”
Garrick stared at her, his dark eyes stark against his too-pale complexion. “I saw you the other night, you know.”
“S-saw me?”
“Whoring with Thurgood.”
A hot flush burned her cheeks. That anyone should see her in such an intimate circumstance, much less Garrick, mortified her beyond words.
“Nice effect with the missish blush.” He crooked a hard finger under her chin, forcing her eyes to meet his. “Seeing the two of you did make me reconsider Claybourne’s claim you’d been compromised. Not that it changes things.” He paused a beat, and dropped his hand. “He’ll never marry you, you know. Not after you’ve let him sample your wares.”
“I’ve heard quite enough,” she said, vibrating with a righteous anger she welcomed over the fear he inspired.
She half-rose, but Garrick grasped her forearm, his fingers like bands of steel. “We’re not finished here,” he said through gritted teeth.
She could not hope to best Garrick in an out-and-out struggle. Frustrated impotence burned in her stomach, but she resumed her seat.
