Chapter Twenty- Two
At a quarter ’til eight Kitty entered the formal parlor. She fixed what she hoped passed for a genuine smile on her face and scanned the room. She counted five persons. Everyone was present—save Zeke. She didn’t know whether she felt relief or dismay. She started toward the earl.
Her smile faltered as Garrick sidled into her path.
“Kitty, my dear.” His black as night gaze drifted down her body. “Lovely,” he murmured.
She inclined her head and made to move around him.
He placed a staying hand on her forearm. “Now you’re here, I can share my news. I received the most extraordinary letter this morning. Can you guess what it was?”
“No.”
“An official Writ of Summons to the House of Lords, for the spring session. My first, as Baron of Maidstone. I’ve already shared the news with the earl and your fiancé.” His eyes glittered with exhilaration bordering on madness.
Certainly he had no concern for the losses she’d endured in order for him to procure his precious title.
“Congratulations, my lord. Your heart’s desire fulfilled, no doubt.”
“Not quite.” He lowered his mouth to her ear. He smiled, giving the outward appearance of sharing a private joke with her. “That will happen, my sweet, in due time, I assure you.” His eyes slid to hers, sending a silent but unmistakable threat.
“Hope I haven’t missed anything.” Zeke’s robust voice sounded from the open double doorway.
Kitty turned to see him striding toward her, and released the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
As always he was a sight to behold, dressed in his black superfine evening clothes, golden hair gleaming.
When he proffered his elbow, she placed her gloved hand in the crook of his arm, without hesitation. A veritable cloak of warmth and security engulfed her.
He’d deny it if she called him a hero outright, yet the truth was there, as plain as the nose on her face. Zeke had somehow appointed himself her knight in shining armor.
“When I didn’t see you, I wondered if you had made other plans for the evening.”
He smiled. “Would you have missed me, my darling?”
She tried to smile at the teasing tone, but Garrick’s odd warning still rang in her ears.
Zeke sobered. “I had pressing estate business, but I’m here now. I think we have time for a wander to the portico before dinner. Walk with me?”
***
Zeke led Kitty through a maze of shadowed corridors to a door opening to the section of the portico running along the westernperimeter of the manse. He urged her through the door with a hand pressed to her low back.
A small shiver went through her at his touch. Satisfaction roared through him. She was already his. He knew it. Her body knew it. It was only a matter of time before her mind grasped the truth, as well.
He pulled the door closed, cutting off the diffuse spill of lamplight from the corridor. The sun had long set and only moonlight, and low burning wall lanterns illuminated the open-air space. A soft, steady breeze rustled the leaves of the strategically placed potted plants adorning the rails and columns of the portico. Somewhere out of sight, a wind-chime sang its soulful tune. It was damned romantic.
He led her toward the railing, the sound of their shoes indecipherable above the night din.
“I’ve never been out here after sunset,” Kitty said in a soft voice.
Zeke said nothing. He didn’t want to have a meaningless conversation. He wanted to know what was going on inside her head. Wanted to know what James had said to drain her cheeks of color—though he could guess it had something to do with that writ, proclaiming him Baron of Maidstone and calling him to the House of Lords.
As they neared a hanging lantern, he broke stride. “Kitty, wait.”
She turned to him, without hesitation.
He cupped her face in his hands, searching her eyes in the flickering light.
