Page 15 of The Trouble with Tigers
Giving herself one last look-see, she exited her room and headed downstairs to join the earl in his den, resolving not to think about Lord Zeke Thurgood for the rest of the evening.
The task proved easier said than done, thanks to the earl’s habit of referring to the man in passing conversation. Not that she faulted him for it. In truth she feasted on every scrap of information the earl shared.
After their dinner plates had been removed, Kitty set up the chessboard. “Your turn to go first, my lord.”
He reached for a pawn as she settled herself. “Tell me, Kitty, what do you think of my grandson? Be honest.”
“Lord Thurgood?”
An image of Zeke formulated in her mind’s eye. His wicked, gleaming grin. His hard, broad chest. His rumbling voice uttering some mocking sentiment aimed at her.
“I think he dislikes me intensely, and I think you provoke him to do so, my lord.”
The earl let out a hardy laugh. “Indeed, I do.”
Her jaw dropped. “So you admit it.” She took her turn and waited for the earl’s reply.
“The boy’s too confident by half. This hoax ought to knock him down a peg or two when all’s said and done. He’s consumed with curiosity as to who you are, why I’ve taken such an interest in you. In six months, when keeping your secret is no longer necessary, I’m going to enjoy rubbing his nose in how easily we fooled him. He thinks he’s clever, looking to uncover Kit’s true identity. He has no idea.” Looking extremely self-satisfied, Lord Claybourne bent over the board and contemplated his next move.
Six months. Kitty leaned back in her armchair, crossing her trousered legs at the ankles, and gazed out the window at the night sky. Six months. How she’d longed for the day when she’d fulfill the stipulations of the trust, acquiring the right to herinheritancesanshusband, and the ability to rule her own lifesansguardian. She’d be free, no longer subject to the whims of her guardian.
Only now did it dawn on her. She had nowhere to go when the time came.
“Kitty?”
She shifted her gaze to Lord Claybourne, her grandfather’s most trusted friend, now the closest thing to family she had. “Yes, my lord?”
His mouth turned down at the corners. “Forgive me. I hadn't considered how humoring myself by teasing Zeke would land you on the hot seat. I’ll cease goading him.”
She grinned, hoping to set him at ease. “Please don’t trouble yourself. Besides, I rather think putting him off my trail will prove nigh impossible, especially as we reside under the same roof.”
“One of you is rarely under said roof,” the earl muttered, his rook capturing her pawn. “Your move.”
“It is quiet with him gone, night after night,” she admitted with a frown, her chin in her hand as she took in the earl’s devious strategy.
“So you do like him.”
Her eyes bugged.
He waved a dismissive hand, though a crafty light gleamed in his eyes. The earl brandished his queen and placed it on the board. “Check.” He flashed her a smug grin. “You’re losing your touch.”
She sent him a mock scowl, and then, with no warning, her face crumpled as love and gratitude flooded her heart. He’d taken her in, treating her like one of his own, no questions asked.
“Kitty?” He prodded, his expression one of alarm.
“You’re a dear, you know that?” Horrified by her loss of composure, she hopped up and retrieved the game’s woodenstorage box, scooping the chess pieces and the board. “I think I’ll turn in early tonight if you don’t mind?”
Avoiding his eye, she moved to the cabinet and stowed the box.
“Kitty, did you know, during the war, your grandfather saved my life?”
“No.” She returned to her vacated chair. “He told me you’d fought side by side. He raved over your bravery. Called you, and I quote, the best and bravest man he ever had the honor to serve beside.”
They shared a smile.
“He trusted you implicitly.”
“And I him.”
