Page 127 of The Trouble with Tigers
At three hundred one, he let himself out into the deserted corridor. He strode for the servants' stairs at a brisk pace. He needed to get his business done and return to Kitty’s chamber before she came back to discover him gone, and that he’d lied to her.
But of course he had lied.
He had no need to hide out in Kitty’s chamber to avoid detection by the duo made up of her idiot relations. He knew how to stay out of sight. Yet he’d insinuated himself into her chamber for the night before he’d even made the conscious decision to do so.
Why? Momentary insanity? A streak of masochism?Needing to be near her?
Bah. He didn’t have time for these mental cogitations. Kitty needed guarding and he was the only man he trusted for the job and that was that.
He must focus. He had much to accomplish, and very little time to do so.
First on the agenda, track down Hastings’ groomsman to discover their ultimate destination. He didn’t want to risk losing them on the road.
Second, he must send telegrams to both Caden and the earl, advising them of his whereabouts and immediate plans. He had to be careful there, informing them he meant to shadow Kitty while leaving out the part about staying in her very chamber.
Outside the inn, he pulled out his pocket watch. Mentally allotting himself thirty minutes, he tucked the watch away, pulled up the collar of his great coat to shield his too-distinctive hair from casual view, and crossed the courtyard toward the inn’s stables.
He’d have a five minute conversation with James’ groom, and then he’d away to the post to send the telegrams.
He didn’t foresee any problems. His real challenge lay ahead. How in hell was he going to spend the night with Kitty without going stark raving mad from the need to have her again?
The answer was simple. He wasn’t.
Chapter Thirty
Hands trembling, Kitty turned the key in the lock, and stepped into the chamber. Zeke had left only one wall sconce burning on low. Pressing the door shut, she leaned into it and allowed her eyes to adjust.
She scanned the small bedchamber for Zeke, and found him stretched out atop the bed, arms crossed beneath his head. She couldn’t tell if his eyes were open or closed. She did know seeing him lying on her bed, with the lighting just so, did funny things to her pulse.
Devil take it, she should have insisted he leave, or, barring that, told her brother he was here, and let him deal with the situation.
Instead, she guarded the secret because…she wanted this time with him, desperately, brief as it would be.
“Welcome back. How was dinner?” Zeke drawled.
She allowed herself a little smile. He was awake.
He sat up, swinging his long legs over the side of the bed. “I hope you don’t mind. I rode hard all day to find you and thoughtto take advantage of the mattress considering I’ll have use of the floor for the rest of the evening.”
He stood. Stretched.
“I don’t mind.” She sounded as breathless as she felt. Gad. She cleared her throat. “I brought you some rolls. It was the only thing I could take that wouldn’t rouse suspicion.”
She moved toward him, extending the bundled serviette.
In the deeply shadowed chamber, she thought he looked amused.
“Thank you.” Rather than accepting her offering, he captured her hands. He pulled her closer, bending to brush his lips over hers in the sweetest, softest kiss.
She raised up on tiptoes and leaned forward, deciding then and there if he initiated the two falling onto the mattress she’d allow it—just for a moment.
Instead of deepening the kiss, he snagged the bread from her hands. He unfolded the serviette, examining one of the rolls with interest, and moved away.
“I found an extra blanket in the wardrobe. Between that and the seat cushion, I should sleep well enough.” He set about arranging his makeshift bed for the night.
Kitty began her nightly ablutions. She cleaned her teeth, splashed water over her face, removed her hairpins.
She heard him remove his boots. Then his belt hit the floor.
