Kitty: Bride of Hawaii (American Mail-Order Bride 50) (8 page)

W
arren seethed
. Had his mother learned nothing in all her years dealing with him? She might’ve only meant to hurt Kitty, but her little stunt affected him as well.

If Kitty hadn’t been so competent, the whole party would’ve ended in disaster, hurting not only his reputation, but his mother’s as well. How could she not see that? Was she truly so spiteful she couldn’t see past her own petty selfishness?

Kitty’s fingers rubbed his arm in circles, distracting him from all unpleasant thoughts. Did she do it to soothe him, or was it a sign of her nervousness?

“Edward, Christine, it’s wonderful to see you both here today,” Warren said, nodding to the powerful couple lingering at the edge of the group before taking Edward’s hand in a firm shake.

Christine smiled politely. “Of course, Warren. Where else would we be? We’d never miss a chance to visit you here.” She eyed Kitty.

“I’m grateful for that.” He turned his attention to Kitty. “May I introduce my new assistant, Miss Catherine Jones? She’s the brains behind this whole event. Miss Jones, this is Edward and Christine Bishop. They’re longtime associates of mine.”

Christine’s eyes lit up. “My dear, let me just say, the buffet is absolutely brilliant. I’m so tired of all those little sandwiches served at these affairs. I’m sure others feel the same. You’ve quite impressed me.”

A smile curved Kitty’s lips. “Thank you. I hope you enjoy the rest of your afternoon.”

Christine looked between the two of them as if trying to figure something out. “I have no doubt we will, isn’t that so, Edward?”

“Indeed. Splendid affair. Very well done.”

Christine had selective taste. If she liked something, no doubt it would become a hit. And it looked as though she liked Kitty very much. “You two enjoy your afternoon. Miss Jones has many more people to meet,” Warren said.

“Of course,” Christine murmured with a smile. “Good luck.”

Kitty exhaled laboriously.

He bit back a grin. “Are you all right?”

Her free hand settled over her stomach. “I will be. Two down, dozens more.”

“They’re all like the Bishops. Perhaps a little stuffier here or there, but generally the same.”

“Good to know.”

Warren couldn’t have been more pleased. Kitty’s manners were impeccable. She put each guest at ease, whether requiring wit, politeness, or a stiff upper lip. Kitty read each person admirably, winning over people Warren thought disliked everyone.

He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Almost done.”

She shivered at his words, and his hand flexed from wanting to caress away the chill his words caused. Being around her and not touching her was torture.

A deep throat clearing intruded on the moment. “Afternoon, Warren.”

The hairs on the back of Warren’s neck stood on end, and he took a possessive step toward Kitty. “Simon, a pleasure as always.” The words were bitingly polite.

Kitty looked between the two men, but Warren refused to make eye contact with her. If he looked at her now, Simon would know how much Warren wanted her, and he wouldn’t give the philanderer a new target. No one was as attractive to Simon as a woman already taken. He didn’t care about any of the women he pursued. He only cared about the hunt, the challenge of wresting a lady away from someone else. He’d persevere until he got what he wanted. And then retreat.

Simon lifted his glass of lemonade. “I wanted to congratulate you on this success. Although,” he turned his attention to Kitty, “perhaps I should congratulate another?” He bowed his head. “Simon Winters,” he said, introducing himself.

“This is Kitty Jones,” Warren mumbled. “My social secretary.”

A glint entered Simon’s eyes. “Ah. Well then, I must congratulate you, Miss Jones. I can’t recall a picnic I’ve enjoyed more.”

“You’re too kind.” Her voice was soft, as if trying to decipher the undercurrents.

“Perhaps you wouldn’t mind joining me for a game of bowls, Miss Jones? I’ve been told I’m a formidable partner.”

“Oh, how kind. I—”

Warren forced Kitty’s hand into the crook of his arm. “Unfortunately, I need a word with Miss Jones. Perhaps another time.”

Warren yanked her away from Simon before she could protest.

She spluttered, her mouth opening and closing as he marched her around the side of the house to a secluded garden.

“Warren, release me at once.”

He growled, imagining her running back toward the gathering and falling right into Simon’s arms. He’d kill the man.

She tugged her hand, trying to free herself. “You’re crushing my fingers.”

He whirled on her, his hands pushing her shoulders into the house’s stone.

She gasped.

“I want you to stay away from him.”

Her eyes widened in bewilderment. “From Simon? Why? What’s the matter with you?”

He looked away and ground his teeth together, trying to bring his emotions under control. “Nothing is wrong. But I’m warning you away from Simon. He’ll take your virtue and then kiss you good-bye before you can blink.”

Her lips curved slightly, and his eyes locked on to the movement. “What is so funny?”

She pressed her lips together, forcing her smile away. “Not a thing. Except… are you jealous, Warren?”

Chagrin over her obvious pleasure hit him. “
Damn it
. Yes.” He raked a hand through his hair, easing his body from caging her. “A little.”

What was the matter with him? He’d acted completely insane. Just the thought of Kitty wanting someone else drove him crazy.

He needed more from her. Needed her to acknowledge that she was his, even if she wouldn’t marry him. Not having a commitment from her, thinking of her with another, was more than he could handle. Never had he behaved so possessive and irrational before.

Her finger brushed his jaw, bringing his focus back on her. The soft touch of her fingertips gave him more pleasure than he would’ve thought possible. He craved her.

“You don’t need to be jealous,” she whispered. “Simon doesn’t interest me.”

His shoulders eased as relief pumped through him. He raised a cocky brow. “Is that so?”

She bit her lip, nodding. But his eyes locked onto her lips, his mouth watering. He knew what she tasted like, felt like in his arms. The urge to take her there again, here during their party on the side of the house, was overwhelming. “And who does interest you?” he asked, already seeing the desire in her eyes as she stared at him with equal hunger.

“Mr. Castle?”

He cursed, dropping his head in frustration at the interruption. He glanced up at Kitty’s blush-stained cheeks, but he refused to back away a respectable distance.

Without turning, Warren addressed his footman. “Yes, Robert?”

“I’m sorry to disturb you during the party, but there’s a man here, and he insists on seeing you.”

“Can’t you get rid of him?”

Robert shook his head, embarrassed.

“Bring him to the back terrace, and I’ll meet with him. But warn him I don’t have much time.” Of all the times to be pulled away.

“Is there anything I can do for you?” she whispered, although Robert had already left.

“No. I won’t be long. Will you be all right without me?” He smoothed a curl, caressing her neck with his palm.

“Of course. I’ll head back to the party and keep the guests occupied until you’re finished.”

Warren watched Kitty slip back around the house. A final curse left his lips at the untimely interruption.

Determined to get rid of whoever insisted on seeing him, he marched toward the back terrace. Whoever wanted to see him better have a damn good reason for the disruption.

Approaching a stout middle-aged man, Warren attempted to be polite. “What can I do for you?”

“Mr. Castle?”

Warren nodded hard. “I heard you’re demanding to speak with me.”

The man settled his cap upon his head, squaring the brim. “I mean no disrespect, sir. I’ve been traveling a long while and needed answers.”

A dark brow raised. “Answers to what?”

“I’ve been hired by someone back East who is trying to track down a relative. A woman.”

Lead settled in his stomach. Before the man said more, Warren knew who they searched for. “And you are?”

“Beg pardon. My name is Christopher Green.”

“And this woman?”

“Her name is Catherine Jones. From all information I’ve gathered, she headed this way to marry a,” Mr. Green referenced a slip of paper, “Timothy Banner. Recently deceased, from what I understand. But he was a foreman here.”

“That’s correct. Timothy died recently from an accident in the fields.”

“And the woman? Did she arrive to marry Mr. Banner?”

The man’s eyes slid sideways like a weasel, and unease crept over Warren. Whoever this was, Warren didn’t like him asking questions about Kitty. Why on earth would Kitty run from her own family? Even if that were true, which he didn’t believe for a moment because Kitty had always spoken fondly of her father, he didn’t feel comfortable divulging information about her.

“I regret to inform you, but I’ve never met Miss Jones. If she did indeed arrive to marry Mr. Banner, I’ve not heard of it.”

Mr. Green’s eyes narrowed as he shoved the paper back in his pocket. “And you’re certain?”

Warren’s voice was deceptively soft when he asked, “Are you accusing me of lying?”

“Absolutely not.” The man didn’t back down, but perhaps thought better of the way he approached the topic. “I only wanted to be certain.”

“I’m positive. However, I hate to think of her family’s worry. If you’d like to leave your contact information, I will ask around and let you know if I discover anything.”

The man, no doubt, wanted to question everyone in the vicinity about Kitty, but Warren wouldn’t allow it. No one, certainly not a stranger, was allowed to linger on plantation property, and all of his workers were too loyal to talk. Until he got to the bottom of what this man wanted, what he was looking for, or what Kitty was hiding, he’d keep his lips sealed. As would the rest of the people on the Castle plantation.

Mr. Green shifted, casting a look toward the green where the party took place. “I appreciate your assistance.” He took out a card with his name and scribbled a familiar hotel on the back. “If you think of anything or hear something about her, I’d be obliged if you’d contact me here. I’ll be available this week before my return trip.”

Warren nodded, pocketing the man’s information without looking at it. At his signal, a footman stepped from the shadows to escort Mr. Green from the house.

Mr. Green glanced around the hallway, looking for clues.

Something wasn’t right about him. He might’ve been hired to find Kitty, but he hadn’t told Warren everything.

A man like that was up to trouble. He reeked of deceit. And Warren had come across his fair share of men like that in his time.

No, he wouldn’t hand out information about Kitty. But he sure would figure out what Kitty was involved in. Only then could he help her.

And he had a feeling she was in need of help.

W
ith the party
wrapped up and the last guest gone, Kitty collapsed in Castle House’s parlor. The day had been an absolute success, regardless of Mrs. Castle’s attempts to sabotage her.

When she’d told Cook how the guests had raved about the food, she’d danced in the kitchen, swinging from kitchen maid to kitchen maid in pleasure.

Now, if Kitty could pull herself up from the chair, she’d ask someone to take her to her house, where she’d happily lay in her nightgown the rest of the evening.

With a final sip of tea, she stood, placing her cup and saucer back on the tea tray, feeling a little guilty leaving one more thing for the servants to do after all they’d done that day. They had to be worn out.

A manly cough sounded at the door, and Kitty straightened the dishes on the tray. Without looking up, she said, “I’m glad you’re here, Makano. Would you mind asking someone to drive me home?”

“I’d be happy to drive you home.”

Kitty spun toward Warren, her hand fisting at her heart. “You scared me. I thought you were Makano.”

Warren closed the door, then casually leaned against it. “I asked him to give us a few minutes to talk.”

“All right.” She shifted uneasily, clutching her hands in front of her. “Is it about the party?”

“No, but I also wanted to tell you how great it turned out. Especially after what my mother did. I’m impressed and very grateful.”

His words shot a little thrill down her arms but didn’t fully erase her unease. “I’m glad it was a success. It seemed like everyone had a great time.”

He pushed away from the door. “Do you mind if I sit?” he asked, flopping into a chair when she shook her head.

She sunk back into her seat as he scrubbed his face. His tie was loose, hanging askew, and his immaculately combed hair from earlier stood on end. “Is everything all right, Warren?”

His eyes pierced hers as his hands lowered. “There’s something I need to ask you.”

She gulped. Something wasn’t right. She didn’t know what had happened, but she’d never seen Warren look so grim, so serious. “All right.”

“I hope you’ll answer honestly.”

“Of course.” She shifted in her chair. She never wanted to lie to him.

“I don’t know if you noticed, but earlier, when I was pulled away by an uninvited visitor, I got some interesting news.”

“Oh?” She picked at her skirt, trying to sound uninterested.

Warren cocked his head, not looking away from her. “The man who came to see me was some kind of detective or tracker. He was looking for you, Kitty. He claimed your family hired him to find you.”

Color leeched from her cheeks.

No. There was no way Frederick could have found her. She’d been in Hawaii for only three weeks. He should’ve never been able to track her already.

He moved to the chair next to her, placing a hand at her back. No doubt he worried she’d faint on him. She feared she might too.

She cleared her throat, hoping to force the panic out of her voice. “What did you tell him?”

“I told him I hadn’t seen you. Had no idea if you’d arrived or not.”