Page 72 of The Trouble with Tigers
A crisp memory of her lesson, when she’d fired and the recoil hurled her into Zeke’s chest, bottom first, flooded her mind, as well as his observation concerning her soft derriere. She glared at him.
He merely smiled, his blue eyes gleaming with amusement at her expense.
She dragged her gaze down to her plate and forced herself to fork up another bite of roast beef.
“I’d love a demonstration of Lady Kitty’s skills,” Caden enthused. Directing his next words at Kitty he added, “What say we make a match of it? Tomorrow, if the weather holds. You and I can make up one team, with Randall and Zeke making up the other.”
Randall piped up. “I think you brothers should make up a team—as per usual, the Thurgood brothers banding together against the world—and Lady Kitty can partner with me.” He flashed her a winning smile.
She beamed at him.
“I don’t think so,” Zeke said in a brusque tone, not bothering to look up from cutting his meat.
Kitty swallowed her disappointment. Zeke made it clear he didn’t fancy spending his days with her, but she thought he’d make an exception this once. And hadn’t they made some headway this afternoon toward something resembling a friendship? She grabbed her wine and took a healthy swallow.
“Lady Kitty will be my partner. As her fiancé, I claim the right.”
She nearly choked on her wine.
“I don’t see why—” Caden began, only to be interrupted by the earl.
“Zeke is quite right. Lady Kitty and he are betrothed. It’s only right he be allowed to claim the honor.”
Kitty toyed with remaining food on her plate. She’d been convinced Zeke had revealed all to his brother and Lord Randall. Now she wasn’t so sure. Had he kept the phony engagement secret, and if so, why?
“Very well, spoil sports. Shall we say noon? Who’s in?” Caden asked.
Lord Randall, Zeke, and finally Kitty all assented to join the match.
“Excellent. Grouse or pigeons? Or deer?” Caden asked.
Kitty felt her eyes bug. She quickly schooled her features, but not before Zeke, evidently, noted her distress.
“I think the lady prefers a still mark, preferably one that was never alive. How about paper targets? If you like, we can have them cut in the shape of a bird.” Zeke grinned at his brother.
“Don’t let me spoil the fun. You all go on without me.” She sent Caden an apologetic smile.
“Nonsense. Only your absence could spoil our fun. Paper targets it is. No animal shapes necessary,” he added dryly. “We’ll use concentric rings, like in archery. Does that meet with your approval, Lady Kitty?”
“Eminently. You are too kind.” She folded her serviette and laid it across her plate.
“It was my idea,” Zeke muttered.
She flashed Zeke an encouraging smile. “So it was. And quite a surprise, too.”
Zeke flashed her an answering smile which faded in an instant. “Why a surprise?”
Kitty went blank. Had she said the last bit aloud?
Lucky for her, Lord Caden picked that moment to exclaim, “Hastings. I knew the name sounded familiar. It’s plagued me all night.”
Kitty turned to Lord Caden, completely ignoring Zeke’s expectant expression. “Why is that? Did you know my grandfather?”
“No, I can’t say as I ever had the pleasure. But I’m wondering if you have a brother…although now I think of it…” He shook his head and reached for his wine.
“Indeed I did. He passed several years ago. Lord Collin Hastings. Were you thinking of him?”
Caden gazed at the painted ceiling tiles as if trying to recall. “You know, I think I did meet your brother. In London.”
