Kitty_Bride of Hawaii

by Janelle Daniels

  She headed toward him, and as much as he willed her back to her room, part of him knew he could keep her safe on deck. But there was no way he could get her to him without endangering her life. Surely she saw that.

  At the end of the railing, her gaze slid from the handrail on the other side of the staircase to him.

  “Don’t even think about it!” His body jerked against the wheel, holding the ship steady.

  She didn’t hear him. Or she’d ignored him.

  Breath whooshed from his lungs as blazing fear scorched him. She leaped across the distance, so short when the weather was calm, but perilous when the sea raged. She’d only let go for a few seconds, but those seconds, where she was completely vulnerable, robbed him of breath.

  “What the devil do you think you’re doing?” he yelled once she made it up top.

  She stared at the rope tied around his body, holding him to the wheel. “I thought you weren’t secure. I came to help.” Uncertainty flooded her eyes.

  He didn’t waste another moment arguing with her. “Get between me and the wheel. Wedge yourself under the rope, facing me.” It was a command. Denying him wasn’t an option. This was life or death.

  She didn’t hesitate. She ducked under his arm, braced against the wheel, and shinnied up his body under the rope.

  He cursed as her curves, clearly displayed in a sopping gown, brushed against his body. With her pressed to him, her hot breaths panting against his rain-soaked neck as he battled for their lives, he knew he was in hell.

  They would get through this. He didn’t care how long he needed to stand here. Kitty would live.

  The ship swooped up a wave like a toy before hurling down the backside of the crest. Massive waves crashed overboard, robbing them of breath as only the rope tying them to the ship kept them alive.

  Wave after wave, minute after minute, they waged a war none of them knew if they could win. It was a miracle the ship had held together thus far. It wouldn’t if it continued to be battered by the elements.

  He didn’t know how long Kitty clung to him, silently lending him her strength, her support. Although he never wanted her to risk her life, her being here, held up against him, made him remember at every moment what he fought for.

  And he never gave up.

  The winds tapered off as the sea began to settle. Rain drizzled from gray clouds, but they were less ominous than the deadly ones they’d passed under.

  A cheer rang from the deck as the men celebrated their victory. As they gave thanks for their lives.

  “Are you all right?” he whispered, unable to form much more sound than that.

  She nodded against his chest. “Where’s the captain?”

  “In his cabin. He suffered a blow to the head not long after the storm hit. He was knocked unconscious.”

  She leaned away from him, but her lower body remained snug against his.

  His eyes closed in a prayer.

  “Will he be all right?”

  Searching for every ounce of strength he possessed, he controlled his building passion. It was a miracle he had enough energy for his body to react to her nearness at all. Regardless of what they’d been through or what they’d endured, he wanted her. “I can’t say for certain, but I think he will.”

  “That’s good news.” Her eyes fastened to his. “I’m so glad you’re all right. I thought you would be lost.”

  “Why did you come up here? Don’t you realize what could have happened?”

  She gulped, looking away. “I couldn’t wait any longer. I had to know what was happening. If everyone was all right.”

  He shook his head. “It wasn’t safe.”

  “I know. I hadn’t planned on leaving the stairwell, but then I saw you up here. I thought you were untied. I knew you wouldn’t be able to let go of the wheel long enough to tie yourself, and all the others were busy. Everyone but me. I thought I could secure you. I couldn’t see that you were harnessed to the wheel until I got up here.”

  The fear he’d felt earlier returned. “You could have been swept away,” he said hoarsely.

  “But I wasn’t.”

  His eyes connected with hers. He wanted to tell her to never take chances with her life again, to berate her for putting herself in such danger, to make her see that he couldn’t tolerate it if anything happened to her. But saying the words brought too many questions. Questions he wasn’t able to answer.

  Her eyes pleaded with his for understanding, and he did. Deep down, he understood everything. Whatever wove around them, whatever force pulled them together, had its claw firmly gripped in him. He couldn’t move away from her if he wanted to.

  His head lowered slowly, watching her for any sign that she didn’t want him. Didn’t want his kiss. She was spoken for, bound to another man, and while that bond of honor was sacred, he couldn’t fight what was within him. But he wouldn’t force it on her.

  Rising to her toes, she whispered her lips against his. The small movement shredded his control, the reins harnessing his desire to touch her, to taste her. This wasn’t a battle he could win.

  His muscles clenched against the ropes holding him a second before he captured her lips, surrendering to the heat, the passion that swirled within him.

  His heart pounded as he recognized the inevitability of this. Of them.

  Her lips parted beneath his. He growled, tasting her deeper, longer. Their breaths came in gasps as they unleashed a storm as deadly as the one they’d just survived.

  He wrapped an arm around her before stepping forward, caging her more solidly between his body and the wheel. All he could think of was her softness, her honeyed taste, the fresh scent of rain on her skin. The world around them didn’t exist; the sailor’s joyful cries didn’t penetrate.

  When her tongue lightly flicked against his, he groaned, encouraging her to do it again.

  And she did.

  All thoughts fled. Blood pumped through his system, urging him to take, to devour. He kissed her with every fiber of his being, holding nothing back. Giving all. It was the most honest moment he’d shared with another, and he never wanted it to end.

  When she moaned, his blood hummed; when she kissed him back as passionately as he kissed her, he soared. He wanted her with an intensity he’d never felt, with a desire that scorched him.

  But she didn’t belong to him. She belonged to another.

  That tiny seed of reality forced him to ease away from her, kissing her lips softly before tucking her head under his chin.

  His lungs heaved as he fought for control, as he fought to do what was right.

  What was honorable.

  What was best for her.

  For the first time in his life, he was ready to throw it all out the door. He was too selfish, too needy to let her go. But he’d do it for her. He’d do it to spare her the guilt she’d feel if their kiss went any further.

  She shivered in his arms.

  “Are you all right?”

  “My clothes are soaked.”

  His eyes closed tight against the vision of her gown plastered to her body. “Mine too.”

  She chuckled, and he’d never heard anything more beautiful in his life. They were going to be okay. They’d made it through the storm. If they could survive that, they could make it through anything. She was worth it. “Kitty, about your fiancé…”

  She stiffened against him. “Yes?”

  “Is there any way I could persuade you not to marry him?”

  Her silence lashed him.

  “I gave him my word.”

  Warren’s jaw clenched as he looked up at the heavens. There had to be some way he could have her. “And if you weren’t bound to him?” His eyes connected with hers. “If you weren’t promised to him, is it possible you’d consider—”

  Her hand covered his lips. “Don’t. Please don’t continue. It isn’t possible.”

  He shook her hand away. “I could talk to Timothy. Make him understand that we didn’t mean for this to happen.”
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  Her eyes glimmered a moment before a tear fell. “If only it were just that.” Her lips pressed together tightly. “I’m not suitable for you, Warren.”

  His name on her lips was like a caress, one he wanted to feel over and over again. It heated his blood as easily as her fingers did. How could she deny something so strong between them? “Kitty, I’ve never met a woman more perfect. You’re kind, educated, refined. Any man would be lucky to have you.”

  “And yet we’re still ill-suited. We could never be together. Our marriage would only make you unhappy in the end.”

  What was she trying to tell him? Of course she was suitable for him. Why couldn’t she see that? What could she possibly be hiding from him that would make marriage between them fail? “But why?”

  She shook her head forcefully. “We must change our clothes. It wouldn’t do any good for either of us to catch cold.”

  “Kitty…”

  But she didn’t give him a chance to change her mind. She ducked under the rope and walked away from him. From all he wanted to offer her. And she did it without glancing back.

  He flinched against the blow to his pride. He’d been rejected. Swiftly and unequivocally. He’d been allowed no argument, no way to change her mind.

  The urge to call her back lodged in his throat, but he refused. He wanted her willing or not at all. If he could just make her see reason…

  She couldn’t marry another. Not when something this powerful was between them. But there was still time before they reached Hawaii. She’d realize her mistake. He refused to think of the future otherwise.

  He’d never found Kitty’s equal, and he never would again.

  Chapter Six

  Kitty breathed prayers of gratitude when she saw land. Avoiding Warren the last five days on board the Castle Crown was torture.

  What other choice did she have? When she was around him, when she looked at him, all she could do was remember how right it felt to be in his arms, to be held against him. She’d melted into him against the wheel, and nothing had ever felt more right in her life.

  But there was no future with him. Not only was she engaged to another man, but she was illegitimate. A man as powerful as Warren Castle needed an equal in all things—in intelligence, passion… and class. She might fit him in so many ways, but the one way that would affect his future, his business, his place in society could never be changed.

  The Castle Crown docked in a crowded port, and her senses reeled at her surroundings. Certain aspects of the harbor were familiar to her like any port—the crisp sea air, the fishy smell, the scurry of men as they secured vessels and cargo—but everything else was as foreign to her as the new land.

  Even here in the industrial part of the island, dense foliage grew, threatening to overtake man-made improvements if left to their own devices. The air did indeed smell like the sea, but it was also thick, pungent with a heavy scent that tickled her nose.

  The air was thicker and wetter than anything she’d experienced on her travels thus far. With discomfort pooling beneath her corset, she wondered how women tolerated such heavy garments.

  “Miss?”

  Kitty turned from her view on deck toward one of the sailors. “Yes, Mr…”

  “Pratt, ma’am. Harold Pratt.”

  “Of course.” She smiled as he twisted his cap in his hand. “What can I do for you?”

  He placed the mangled hat on his head. “I’ve been asked to take you directly to the plantation and to Mr. Banner.”

  A smile curved her lips even though she didn’t feel excitement over meeting her future husband. Her gaze drifted over the deck. How could she when…

  She snapped her eyes back to Mr. Pratt, scolding herself for letting down her guard and searching for Warren. “Thank you. I’ll gather my luggage and be ready momentarily.”

  “No need, miss. Your luggage will be transported to you when the rest of the cargo is unloaded. Mr. Castle said so himself.”

  “I see.” Darn the man for being so considerate. How would she ever forget him when he did little things like that to make her life easier, more comfortable? “Will Mr. Castle be joining us?”

  His feet shuffled, and he looked anywhere but her. “No. He’s needed elsewhere on the plantation at the moment and will find another way back.”

  Kitty’s heart sank. He was avoiding her. She shouldn’t be surprised. She’d rejected him and had done everything in her power to stay away from him.

  Is there any way I could persuade you not to marry him…

  He’d made himself vulnerable. Showed her a glimmer of his desire, his heart. And she’d rejected it. No. She didn’t blame him at all for avoiding her as thoroughly as she had him.

  She gulped, raising her chin. “I’m ready to go whenever you are, Mr. Pratt. Please lead the way.”

  He nodded once. “Follow me, then. We’ll deliver you to Mr. Banner in no time.”

  The pony and trap he bustled her onto was small, but convenient. The days of riding in carriages were over for her, so she decided to enjoy the luxury. Besides, the lack of cover afforded an unobstructed view of her new home, which thrilled her.

  They ambled down a bustling road from the docks that led to a loud city center. She awed at the differences between here and the States.

  Architecture was different—the sounds, the smells, the people. The clothes.

  Although plenty of proper gowns popped in and out of shops—their wearers no doubt American—the type of dress worn by the native Hawaiian women intrigued her. Long colorful lengths in a variety of fabrics draped loosely around their forms, nipped and tucked in a way that pleased the eye—and the weather, no doubt. Their ensembles were much more suited to the atmosphere. But what appealed most were the flowers they wore, wreathed in their hair and around their necks.

  “What are those women wearing?” Kitty couldn’t hold in the question.

  Mr. Pratt glanced at the women before answering, “It’s called a holoku. Traditional Hawaiian dress.”

  Kitty longed to wear such clothes but didn’t say as much. Would it be appropriate for her to wear such a garment?

  She sighed. There was so much to learn about her new home. Suitable clothing was only one of many topics she realized she’d need to learn about. Mr. Banner would know the answers. She hoped. If not, there had to be other women who could answer her questions.

  “How far is the plantation?” Kitty asked after exiting the other side of Main Street.

  “About twenty more minutes. We’ll cross onto Castle lands much sooner than that, but it takes a while to get past the cane fields. I could point out a few things for you, if you’d like. Although, I’m sure Mr. Banner will take you on a tour of the property once you’ve settled.”

  “I’d appreciate it.”

  Hearing her future husband’s name only dampened her spirits. She wished she could go back to how she felt before she boarded the Castle Crown. She hadn’t been exhilarated with the idea of marrying a stranger, but she’d been optimistic. In a sense, the man’s proposal had saved her from a difficult situation, and she’d been hopeful they could have a comfortable marriage.

  A safe marriage.

  Now it all paled compared to what she’d found in Warren’s arms.

  The scenery lost a little of its appeal. Why couldn’t she stop thinking of him? Would the image of him plague her for the rest of her life? Would she regret turning down what he’d offered?

  Mr. Pratt mentioned the Castle plantation boundary once they crossed it. Pointing out the sugar cane, he prattled on about harvesting and refining methods.

  “Do you have your own refinery here?”

  He nodded proudly. “Mr. Castle finished constructing it a year ago. His father, who started the plantation, focused on the cane’s growth more than the business aspect of production, but when his son took over after he passed, most processes that were once outsourced have been brought in and handled by Castle employees. Castle now has workers on staff for harvesting the s
talks and are put to work elsewhere throughout the year. The refining process is mostly done on site, but some is still shipped out, as we have too much crop for one refinery to handle. We even have a fleet of ships to take our product to market. Whatever needs to happen between planting the sugar cane and getting it to customers is all handled by Castle & Snow Industries.”

  “Snow?” She’d heard the other name mentioned but didn’t know much about who it was.

  Mr. Pratt leaned back into the bucket chair, his hands pulling the reins for the animals to turn right onto a graveled drive. “Mr. Snow was the late Mr. Castle’s partner. He owns a plantation himself, and Mr. Castle Senior joined with him so they’d work together for profit instead of undercutting the other. Once Mr. Castle died, the current Mr. Castle stepped in and is now partners with Mr. Snow.”

  “I see.” She saw that life around the plantation revolved around Warren and all he did. How could it not? This was his property, his business.

  “Around this bend, you’ll have a view of Castle House, the main house where the Castle family lives.”

  Kitty gulped. Better to see where Warren lived now with Mr. Pratt when he wasn’t paying much attention to her reactions than with her fiancé, who’d surely resent any feelings she harbored for the landlord.

  The drive into the plantation was well maintained—no divots or blemishes from what she could tell. The carriage smoothly crunched over the tiny stones. The plants flanking the drive were thick, letting little sunlight through fat, glossy leaves, but were orderly and appealing.

  Sunlight speared across the drive as they rounded the bend.

  Her breath caught in her throat at the first sight of Castle House. The high sun glinted off the towering white, two-storied structure. Large wraparound porches on both the first and second floors beckoned guests to sit, rest, and drink a large glass of tea. The Doric columns spoke of grandeur and wealth as much as the vastness of the house.

  And that’s where Warren lived.

  It was a home fit for her father when he was alive. He would’ve felt comfortable here.

  Sweat misted her skin. How could she even think of Warren, dream of being with him for a moment when this was the life he lived? If he knew of her illegitimacy, he’d turn away from her. She’d known that on the ship, but couldn’t bear to tell him.