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Chapter Twenty-One

Z eke heard Kitty’s laughter before he came within a stone’s throw of the library. An answering smile spread over his face at the unbridled joy of it. He paused just outside the open doorway, curious as to what or who had aroused her humor, and reluctant to cut it short.

When her laughter died-down and conversation resumed—he recognized Caden and Randall’s voices in the mix—he stepped into the room. The trio sat on the far side of the room, making use of the sturdy leather furniture he usually favored.

The two men were clearly hanging on Kitty’s every word, so much so his arrival appeared to go unnoticed even though nothing but a few potted plants and one seating area stood between him and them.

From his vantage point, he had a clear view of her profile, limned by the muted afternoon sun spilling in from the bay window.

As usual, tendrils of gleaming, inky black hair fell in delightful disarray from her loosened chignon. She twisted a fat curl around one of her fingers, and he felt something twist inside of him.

She did something to him. He couldn’t put his finger on how, or why. Not that it mattered anymore. His brilliant solution made it a moot point.

Something Caden said caused Kitty to laugh and clap her hands with delight.

An answering smile curved his lips.

She nodded at Randall, and Zeke saw the flash of her crystalline green eyes as they reflected the waning sunlight. Tilting her head thoughtfully, she began speaking.

He moved a little further into the room, grateful the thick carpet muted his steps.

“My parents’ first-hand descriptions painted a more thorough picture than I would find in a book.”

A stab of annoyance pricked him. Why was Kitty discussing her parents with Caden and Randall?

“Your parents taught you about the Australian Aborigines and the New Zealand Maoris you lectured us about earlier?” Caden asked.

“Lectured? I did no such thing.”

Zeke grinned.

Kitty went on. “According to the rules of the game, each player had to cite little known facts about the locale upon which he or she landed.” She sniffed and plucked at her skirts.

“I just happened to land on Australia and New Zealand. Just as I happen to have an interest in the natives of those lands.”

“The”—Caden cleared his throat—“misused, downtrodden, miserables , I believe were some of the adjectives you used.”

Kitty flashed her imp’s grin.

She would take up the cause of the underdog.

A warm sensation filled his chest—along with an odd possessiveness he didn’t care for at all. Damn it, he didn’t know if he was coming or going these days.

He did know he was ready to have that talk with her. He took a step forward.

Caden cleared his throat. “Now, then. We need to settle the small matter of the forfeit owed me.”

“Very well. What’s your demand?” Kitty asked.

Zeke froze, sensing the scoundrel’s reply before he uttered another word.

“A kiss from the lady, of course.”

Like hell . Zeke stalked toward the group.

His eyes skimmed accusingly over Randall, the accomplice as far as he was concerned, before landing squarely on Caden.

Randall looked sufficiently cowed, but Caden, by God, had the gall to lounge back, link his hands behind his neck and grin.

“Hello, brother, finished with your meeting so soon?”

Zeke flexed his fists and imagined wiping that banal smile off his brother’s pretty face. “Caden, Randall.” He slanted Kitty a glance. “Lady Kitty.”

She inclined her head, but kept her gaze averted. “My lord.”

“We missed you at breakfast. I thought perhaps you'd taken ill,” he said.

“Not at all,” she replied. Then her eyes went wide as saucers. “I mean, I had a headache. Earlier. This morning.”

Zeke opened his mouth to inquire further, but Caden forestalled him. “I was about to claim my forfeit from your fiancé.”

“What game were you playing? Perhaps I can atone for her loss. Unless the lady objects?” He looked at her, all innocence. He hoped.

She flushed, hesitated slightly, then said, “By all means, if Caden agrees.”

He bit back a smug grin. Kitty’s natural inclination would be to deny his offer of assistance, but doing so would give the appearance she was vying for Caden’s kiss. She would hardly wish to convey that sentiment.

“See here, what’s in this for me? I was quite happy with the outcome of our game,” Caden groused.

Zeke pasted a bland smile on his face, though he wanted nothing so much as to beat his chest and snarl at his brother. Kiss Kitty indeed.

“Let’s say, if you win, I’ll grant you”—He broke off, searching his mind for an enticing prize. He reclined his hip on the arm of Kitty’s chair in a deliberately possessive posture—“The tiger’s eye diamond I acquired from our mine in Africa.”

Caden’s face went slack.

Zeke flicked a glance at Randall, then Kitty in turn.

Everyone looked stunned.

Well, what did he expect? His words shocked him, and he’d said them. The tiger’s eye diamond? What inspired him to lay such a valuable object on the table?

He’d had to come up with something fast. That was all. Besides, he had no intention of losing. “Well?”

“I’ll allow the challenge,” Caden relented.

Kitty briefly, and none too warmly, explained the rules of the game to Zeke.

Caden spun the globe.

“Manitoba, Canada,” Kitty read.

Caden thought a moment. “So named in 1870, after the Canadian confederation purchased the land from the Hudson’s Bay Company—a company in which we had shares, for a time, if you recall, Zeke.”

“True,” Zeke said.

Caden conceded the point.

Zeke winked at Kitty, which she pretended not to notice, but the flush stealing up her neck gave her away.

He flicked the globe and set it spinning. “Time.”

Kitty stopped the globe, then peeled back her finger. “The River Nile.”

Zeke considered what he knew about the river.

“Today, if you please,” Caden said.

“The longest river in the world,” Zeke blurted. Instantly, he regretted his choice of facts. Everyone knew that much.

“It’s supposed to be—” Kitty began.

“False,” Caden said, his expression smug.

“—little known,” she finished lamely, before fixing Caden with a bemused gaze.

“False?” Randall aped, looking at Caden as if he’d grown another head.

Zeke couldn’t believe his luck. “It’s true,” he said, before Caden could try to change his answer.

“Damn,” Caden said with a scowl. “I was sure the Rhine River was longer. I suppose you win. What prize do you claim?”

Zeke concentrated on ignoring Randall and Kitty, who both continued to gawk at Caden in a most irritating manner. “I claim your prize. A kiss from my lovely fiancé.”

Out of his peripheral vision, he saw Kitty’s head snap in his direction. “But…I didn’t lose to you.”

“You lost to Caden, however, and I believe he’d already named the forfeit.”

She frowned. “Is that legal?” she asked, glancing from Caden to Randall.

Not really, but he’d challenge anyone who said so.

Randall shrugged, his eyes bright with humor, the cad.

“I’m afraid so, darling.” Caden aimed a you-owe-me look at Zeke.

Zeke ignored him. “I reserve the right to claim it later, however.”

“Do you, now?” She asked dryly.

He smiled down at her, just an adoring groom-to-be, gazing at his intended.

Abruptly Kitty rose, forcing Zeke to straighten quickly or risk toppling the armchair with his weight.

Only then did she grace him with a smile, the vixen. He almost laughed aloud.

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.

What was the 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?