Page 90 of The Trouble with Tigers
A kitchen maid appeared in the doorway with a rolling cart, laden with pastries and finger sandwiches and steaming pots of tea. Come to think of it, he’d skipped lunch.
“Tea time," Randall enthused. "Thank God. I’m famished."
“If you’ll excuse me gentlemen, I’ll be taking tea in my chamber. I thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon, Lord Caden, Lord Randall.” She hesitated, “My lord.”
A moment later she was gone. Apparently she was still angry over last night. Zeke stared at the empty doorway, resisting the urge to trail after her like a lost puppy.
“I could do with some nourishment,” his brother intoned cheerily. “Losing a kiss and an invaluable diamond in one swoop tends to work up one’s appetite. What say you, Zeke?”
“I’ve eaten,” He lied. “I’ll catch up with the two of you later. I have something I forgot I needed to do.” He left the room before either of them could ask what.
Neither man spoke until the sound of Zeke’s boots, eating up the cold stone floors, receded.
“Since when don’t you know the Nile’s the longest river in the world?” Randall finally asked.
One corner of Caden’s mouth kicked up. “Since my brother bet a priceless diamond rather than risk letting me kiss his lady.”
“You should’ve seen his face when you claimed your forfeit,” Randall said with a laugh.
Caden’s mouth curved in a crooked grin. “Who says I didn’t?”
***
Kitty didn’t know why she ran. Yet here she was, pacing her sitting room like a caged animal. Again.
It was all Zeke’s fault. Zeke and his pesky habit of sneaking up on her.
She could still see the handsome rogue, forcing his way into their game, looking so bloody sure of himself as he claimed her kiss like it was his right to do so. As if they truly were engaged.
But they weren’t engaged, and he had no business kissing her, only…She closed her eyes, and touched her fingers to her lips, silently admitting the truth.
She’d run from herself. From the unrelenting ache within her for more of Zeke’s bone-melting, heart-stopping kisses.
She wandered to the open window and looked out on the rain-soaked earth. In the beginning, she'd wanted just one kiss from him.
But one kiss made her crave more—more kisses, more touching, more…she didn’t know, precisely, only that whatever it was, she wanted it from Zeke in spades.
She wished she had someone to turn to for advice, but, as always, she had no one.
She must rely on herself and hope she got it right.
Whatwasthe sensible thing to do? She might want Zeke to kiss her, and hold her, and stir feelings within her she never knew existed. But what good could come of giving in to such desires?
A sinking surety filled her. None could.
Five months from now he’d leave England. She couldn’t let him take her heart with him. She knew all about the hardship being left wrought.
Time to employ your long absent willpower, Christine Hastings, she silently commanded herself. She could withstand both Zeke’s seductive charm, and her own weakness for the man, by God, and she’d start now, this instant, by not hiding in her room.
She marched to the door, yanked it open, and found herself face to face with Zeke, fist poised to knock.
He grinned boyishly, looking almost,almost, unsure of himself.
Just like that, her insides melted. She was off to a banging start.
“May I come in?” He didn’t wait for an answer, but pushed past her into the antechamber.
Still holding the door lever, she spun around, prepared to blast him for his audacity. Instead, the sight of his large, masculine frame in her terribly feminine chamber, with its delicate flower-papered walls, pastel furnishings, and rosewood escritoire, struck her as nothing short of hilarious.
