Page 100 of The Trouble with Tigers
Lillian entered, followed by Kitty and Lord Hastings, linked arm in arm. “Look who I found heading this way,” Lillian said, her eyes bright with emotion.
“I thought to finish making introductions. May we join you?” Kitty asked in a shy tone Zeke wasn’t accustomed to hearing from her.
“Please.” The earl rose and moved toward the center of the room.
Caden, Randall, and Zeke followed.
Kitty beamed up at her brother. “You’ve met the earl, and,” she hesitated, “my fiancé. “Now may I introduce Mr. Caden Thurgood, grandson to the earl and Lord Thurgood’s brother, and the redoubtable Viscount Sterling Randall, a close friend of the family’s. My lord, Caden, my brother.”
She gazed up at Hastings, as if he hung the moon and stars.
After exchanging greetings, Caden said good-naturedly, “We planned a shooting match for this morning, but clearly that’s out now.”
Unable to resist the compulsion, Zeke moved to flank Kitty on her other side. “We’ll do it another time. You’ll want to spend the day catching up.”
“I see.” Hastings gave a considering frown. “There’s no need to cancel the match. Not on my account, anyway.”
Kitty blinked. “But Collin, you’ve only just arrived. We have so many things to discuss.”
Amused indulgence reflected in Hastings’ eyes. He patted her hand. “Darling, I’ve already given you the facts concerning my recent history.”
She opened her mouth to protest.
He stayed her with one palm, held out. “The truth is, I’m exhausted. It would do my heart good knowing you were occupied, and not pacing the halls outside my door, holding your breath ’til I emerge.”
“Oh,” she said, visibly deflated. “Of course. Of course you must rest.”
The earl spoke up, ever the gracious host. “Lord Hastings, I took the liberty of setting Giles on preparing a room for you. It’s ready whenever you are, and of course you must stay as long as you like.”
“I greatly appreciate your kindness, my lord.” Hastings released Kitty’s arm to execute a crisp bow.
Before his eyes, Kitty’s disappointment faded, replaced by an expression of utter sisterly adoration.
It made Zeke feel…he couldn’t quite name the feeling. Didn’t exactly recognize it.
She laughed gaily at something her brother said. Lost in his thoughts, Zeke had missed the particular repartee, but the inexplicable sensation grew more insistent.
At least now he could name it. Insignificant.
Damn it, he’d been the one looking after her, protecting her from the circumstances caused in large part by her brother’s absence, while darling Collin had been God knew where doing God knew what. And yet she gazed on him like he held the answers to all life’s mysteries.
Never mind Zeke had actually saved her from her cousin. Well, Zeke and the earl. But Zeke had been more than willing to take that final step to ensure her long-term safety that only a husband could offer.
Except…now her brother was here, did she even need saving?
“Zeke? I asked if you’d show Lord Hastings to his room in the bachelor’s wing,” the earl said, evidently repeating himself, based on the expectant looks of everyone present.
“I’d be happy to.” Zeke forced a polite smile. Truth be told, he felt slightly nauseated. Probably because he’d missed breakfast.
“Allow me a moment alone with Collin, my lord? We’ll meet you in the foyer directly.” And off she went, brother in tow.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Several minutes later, Kitty and Hastings arrived in the foyer, as promised.
Caden and Randall swooped in to escort Kitty to the shoot site. “We promise not to start without you,” his brother said with a grin before the three disappeared down the hall.
Zeke turned to Hastings. “If you’ll follow me?”
