Page 54 of The Trouble with Tigers
How much longer?
She had a mental image of the four men huddling over the so-called marriage contract.
The earl hadn’t provided details, but she had the clear impression he’d promised a small fortune to her guardian for his signing on the dotted line. All for a sham engagement. And Zeke thought she wrought trouble when she was a mere servant. Ha.
No wonder he disliked her.
At least he only had to put up with her for five months more and counting. She’d have the final say so over who she married or did not marry then, as well as access to her inheritance.
She hugged a throw pillow to her chest. lounged back on the chaise, and stared unseeing at the high plastered ceiling.
Five months from now their engagement would end and Zeke would sail away. She’d likely never see him again. That’s always how it worked. People made themselves indispensable then left, never to return.
Like her parents, who voyaged the world, exploring and mapping out the far-reaches of the globe for the betterment of mankind.
Like Collin.
She couldn’t go through it again.
Hence, her real reason for rejecting Zeke’s marriage proposal. Regardless of the spirit in which it had been delivered, the logical move would be for her to leap at the offer, as any other lady would. Not only because of the family’s wealth and prestige, but simply because of Zeke. Magnificent, maddening, marvelous Zeke.
But she’d had to say no. She might be halfway to falling in love with the man—what sane woman wouldn’t?—but she would never willingly put herself in the position of watching someone she loved sail out of her life again.
She would find someone who wanted a family, and to set down roots. She would, or she’d remain unmarried the rest of her days.
Lady Lillian appeared in the doorway, a cheery smile on her face.
Kitty sprang to her feet, pillow still clutched to her chest.
“Claybourne’s office door is open, and I heard him call for his finest brandy from the cellar. That tells me the deed is done.”
“Garrick must have signed the contract. I only hope Lord Thurgood doesn’t live to regret helping me.”
Kitty hadn’t realized she’d spoken aloud until she heard Lady Lillian’s reply. “I can think of only one reason he would, my dear.”
Kitty could think of a thousand, but one in particular rankled beyond measure. “If he meets Miss Right while he’s tangled in my web?”
The elderly lady chuckled. “Not at all what I had in mind.”
***
Later that night, Kitty nestled in an oversized armchair in the family parlor, legs bent under her, slippers curled under her skirts. She grinned impishly at the earl, sitting across from her.
He studied the chessboard, its black and white surface aglow in the reflected light from the massive grate nearby. “You needn’t look so smug, my little pussycat. You haven’t beaten me yet,” he said.
“Who me?” she asked, all innocence.
The earl snorted.
She felt the air stir around her. Glancing over her shoulder revealed Zeke leaning over her armchair, arms clasped behind him.
He and his catlike grace. He hadn’t made a sound crossing the large room. Last time she checked, he’d been reclining on a sofa, reading, legs propped on an ottoman, studiously ignoring the two of them.
“Besting you again, old man?”
The earl’s expression turned peevish. “If you think you can do better, you play her.”
“I hate to scare her off.”
