Page 97 of The Trouble with Tigers
Giles, looking oddly flustered, appeared in the open doorway. “Excuse me, my lords, my ladies.”
“Yes, what is it, Giles?” the earl asked.
“My lord, there’s someone here claiming—rather, a man who wishes to…If I could speak with you in private, Lord Claybourne?”
Claybourne’s brows furrowed. He pushed back from the table and rose to make his way, unhurried, toward the waiting Giles.
Zeke turned from the sideboard, a half-filled plate in his hand. “What is this, Giles? Should I join—”
His words died as a dark-haired man burst into the room. His eyes scanned the faces of everyone present, finally landing on Kitty. A broad grin lit his face. “What’s all this talk of my baby sister getting married?”
Chapter Twenty-Three
The room erupted in excited chatter. She could make out bits and pieces. She heard Garrick’s whispered, “Impossible.” Felt Zeke’s warm hands on her shoulders. She thought he asked her if she knew the man.
She couldn’t answer. Couldn’t speak. For what felt like an eternity, she could only stare. Then she erupted from her chair and raced around the table.
“Collin!” She threw herself into her brother’s open arms, nearly toppling them both.
“Hello, love.” He held her, patting her back gently.
She couldn’t stop her tears of joy. Not letting him go, she leaned back, drinking in the sight of her beloved brother. “Collin…where…how… Oh, Collin.” Overcome, she buried her face in his chest, soaking his tailored jacket.
“Lord Collin Hastings, I presume?” The earl asked.
“Kitty, love, a moment?” Her brother peeled her fists from his lapels.
Sniffling, she took a small step back. She sent the earl a misty smile. “S-sorry.” She held a finger up, and tried to get her emotions under control long enough to introduce them.
Collin tucked her hand into his elbow. He faced the earl, clipping a bow. “Lord Collin Hastings, brother to this beautiful watering pot at my side, at your service.”
The earl took Collin’s free hand and shook it between two of his. “Very pleased to meet you young man, very pleased.”
Kitty finally had herself under some semblance of control. “Collin, please meet the Earl of Claybourne.”
“I’m honored, My lord. I believe you were a close friend of my grandfather’s.”
“Indeed. The closest of friends.”
She eyed the rest of the room’s inhabitants, each and every one of them standing, each staring at she and her brother.
Zeke had eyes only for her, and they held a wealth of concern. She sent him a bemused smile. This was Collin. Her brother.
“Welcome home, cousin.” Garrick’s flat sliced the air.
Kitty glanced between him and her brother.
Collin studied Garrick as if he couldn’t quite place him. “Ah. Mister James, isn’t it?”
“Lord James, now.”
“I see,” Collin said. A muscle in his jaw ticked as if the situation was becoming clear.
After a brief, tense silence, Lady Lillian cleared her throat. “I’m sure we’d all like to meet your brother, dear, but perhaps the two of you might like a moment alone first?”
The room emptied of everyone, save Zeke. “Kitty, perhaps you’d be so good?”
“Of…course,” she stammered. “My lord, may I present Lord Collin Hastings, my brother. Collin, dear, this is—” She broke off, suddenly unsure.
