“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.
* * *
With 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.”
Her eyes darted to his. “Why would you do that? Lie for me?”
His mouth firmed as he took her hand. “Because I want to protect you. He wasn’t telling me everything, and it didn’t make sense that you’d hide from your family. I don’t know much about your past, but from what I do know, your parents cared for you. Something didn’t add up.”
She whimpered, pulling her hand from his as she jerked to stand.
He slowly ascended but didn’t move toward her. “Who was that person? What aren’t you telling me?”
“Nothing!” She turned wildly to him. “Everything I’ve told you is the truth. I haven’t lied to you.”
“I never thought you had,” he said soothingly. “But I’m guessing there are things you haven’t told me.”
“I can’t do this. I have to leave.”
She moved to push past him, but he caught her arm, refusing to let her pass. “What are you hiding?”
She hated herself for the tears that flooded her eyes. Shaking her head, she averted her face from his searching gaze.
For once, just once in her life, she’d thought she found the place she was meant to be. She had a great job, a home of her own. She was independent, safe.
Despair settled in her. Because, for the first time, she realized Frederick would never stop hunting her. He would never leave her alone, never let her live her lif
e.
She tried to keep from looking at Warren when he pulled at her chin, forcing her to face him, but failed.
“Kitty…”
His anguished voice cut through her final thread of control. She sobbed once, then twice before all the pain, anguish, and fear she’d held within her since her father’s death purged.
He enfolded her in his arms, running his hands up and down her back as the storm raged. No matter how much she wanted to rein it in again, to gather her control, she couldn’t. She’d gone too long without human contact, without another person to lean on.
It was all about survival. About continuing on, running from one place to another to remain alive.
She hadn’t lived.
She’d left everyone she’d known, everything she cared about, hiding in filthy, poor areas where despair was the main meal of each day. That’s what she’d become. That’s how she’d survived.
And it was what she’d do again.
She clutched at his coat, her tears testifying to the unfairness of it all, to the anguish in her heart.
She’d never be free from it.
“It’s all right. I’m here for you, Kitty.”
Warren’s words cut through some of the grief, stabilizing her. But they weren’t enough. Nothing would ever be enough.
Her breath hitched as she breathed deeply, attempting to stem her tears. “You can’t protect me from this. No one can.”
He tilted her tear-swollen face toward his. “I can’t if you won’t trust me.”
She squeezed her eyes tight. If only it were that easy. If only she could dump everything at his feet and have him take care of it all, let him worry about it, taking some of the burden away from her for once. But no one could do that. No one could make it right. Her half-brother was too powerful. Nothing proved that to her more than him finding her here so quickly. His reach was too vast.
“It isn’t a matter of trust. There’s nothing anyone can do.”
Spent, she sagged against him, wadding up her shredded strength once again. She could do this. She had to. Running was the only option, even if she didn’t know how it would work out.
Perhaps Warren could help her. He might have connections to place her in another position. Or, if not, the wages she’d earned could take her to a different location. That, in and of itself, was helpful.
“You’re right.” He nodded, drawing her gaze back to his. “I can’t do anything if I don’t know what’s wrong. Trust in me, Kitty. Let me help you.”
Held in his arms, secure, warm, safe, she started to believe. It was an illusion, but for a moment, she let herself burrow in that safety net.
She loved him. And the worst part of having to run again would be to leave him, to never see him again. The ache cut into her heart.
He pulled her to the couch, settling her across his lap.
“Warren, I don’t think—”
“Hush. No one will come in here. Just let me hold you for a minute.”
Her heart swelled. If this was all she would have of him, what would it matter? Even if someone walked into the room, and this one moment tarnished her reputation, did it matter? She’d never have an advantageous marriage. She’d be lucky to marry at all.
No. If this was all she’d have of Warren. She’d take it with both hands.
Sensing her weakness, he tucked her head against his neck, holding her arms as he soothed her with quiet words and soft hands.
Lulled by his warmth, by the comfort he offered, her body relaxed. Her heart softened.
“Why don’t you start from the beginning?” he whispered.
She inhaled a shaky breath. Why not? She’d only ever told her roommates about her circumstances. And while they were dear to her, Warren meant so much more. And if she could leave after being honest with him—completely and totally honest—she’d have no regrets. He’d finally understand why they couldn’t be together, why she’d resisted the pull between them.
“My mother was a maid in my father’s house. My father and his wife had been married five years already, and my half-brother had just been born when she came to work for them.”
His hands stilled for a moment before continuing their soothing caress. “You’re illegitimate.” It was a statement, not a question. One filled with understanding instead of contempt.
“Yes.”
“Go on.”
He wasn’t demanding in his request, and his easy acceptance of her birth made her relax into her past.
“She worked in his home for a short time before they became involved. Needless to say, I was the result of their affair. My mother loved me, but once I was born, she agreed to allow my father to care and provide for me, as she felt she could never give me what he could.”
She was grateful to her mother every day for her sacrifice. While she would have been happy with her mother, her father had given her an education, freeing her from the mercy of others.
“And his wife? Did you live with them?”
She fingered a button on Warren’s coat. “Oh, she was furious, of course. My father couldn’t hide his affair. Well, I suppose he could have shipped my mother and me away, never seeing us again, but he didn’t want that. He wanted to be a part of my life. I was placed in a separate household with a nanny and small staff.”
“He sounds like an honorable man. To take care of a child, especially under the circumstances, takes character.”
Her heart ached. “He was. Papa always did the right thing.”
“Was?”
“He passed away six months ago.” Kitty fell silent a moment, reliving everything she’d felt during his passing and since then. “I was devastated, of course. He’d been the only person in my life other than my friends at school. I’d finished my schooling, but remained as a teacher there to gain experience before moving forward to a new position. I thought it best.”
“Then what happened? After your father died, you obviously left the school. Why?”
“I had to.” She shivered at her memories. “Someone broke in one night shortly after I heard of my father’s passing. He tried to kill me.”
Warren squeezed her to him.
“A sound woke me up. I don’t know if it was the intruder or something else. I jumped out of bed, screaming for help as his knife shredded my bedding. He got away before anyone could help.”
“Was it a random attacker? A robbery gone wrong?” His voice was level, calm, helping her control her own emotions.
Her thumb continued to run circles around his coat button. “Nothing was missing. From what the authorities could tell, he’d been sent for me, for some reason.”
“But you didn’t know why?”
She shook her head, her cheek brushing against the fine weave of his coat. “No. Not then, anyway. The headmistress thought it was best I leave, for my own safety and for the girls in the school. I agreed. I packed my things and stayed in a lower-end hotel in New York City, where I’d been at school and where my father lived. I didn’t have much money, but I had some saved some of my pin money and salary. Also, the headmistress smuggled money in my case without me knowing. She knew I’d never accept it from her. But it kept me going throughout the next few weeks.”
She shifted away from him, steady enough to stand on her own, but he didn’t release his hold on her.
Staring into his chocolate eyes, she didn’t see any of the condemnation she thought would be there. Only kindness, reassurance, and interest.
“What happened next?”
She breathed deeply. “I didn’t know who’d sent the man after me. Honestly, I couldn’t imagine who would do such a thing. It didn’t take long to find out. Another man attacked me outside the hotel, forcing me into an alley. If a stranger hadn’t come to my rescue, I wouldn’t be alive.”
Warren swore.
Kitty patted his hand, hoping to soothe him as he had her. “I struggled during the attack, frustrating my assailant enough to have him mutter, ‘Mr. Craven better pay me extra for this.’�
��
“Who is Mr. Craven?”
Her eyes moved to his. “Frederick Craven is my brother.”
Chapter Thirteen
Warren had remained impassive while Kitty divulged her past. But this one appalling, unmistakable truth left him flabbergasted. “Your own brother tried to kill you?”
“Well, half-brother. But yes.”
“Why would he do something like that?”
“I don’t know. After that, I ran as far as money would take me. I ended up in Massachusetts working in a clothing factory. I stayed with three women, two of which worked there, and labored six days a week. But as you can imagine, factory wages are a pittance compared to what I was paid at the school. I was lucky I had such a nice place to stay. The only other option was a boarding house.”
Warren gritted his teeth. To hear what she’d been though in the last six months, all she’d suffered, left him raw. He didn’t have the best family either. His mother, frankly, left much to be desired and was often selfish. But at least she’d never tried to kill him.
“Has your relationship with your brother always been difficult?”
Her brows crinkled. “Not really, no. I think that’s why it surprised me so much. We weren’t good friends, mind you, but he’d always been civil. Kind, even.”
If that were true, what happened to bring around such a reversal? Why turn against her? Had he pretended to care for her all those years because of his father?
In Hawaii, he couldn’t say that illegitimate children were desired. Fidelity was always in style, and anything otherwise was looked down upon, but there wasn’t the same sort of rigid adherence to such things as the East. Could her brother be embarrassed by such a connection? Was that enough to drive him to eliminate her?
It was crazy to even contemplate such a thing. If Warren had a sister, regardless of which side of the blanket they’d come from, he’d protect her, provide for her. Love her. But he realized not everyone would.
“Why did you leave Massachusetts? Did he find you again?”
She smoothed the lapel of his coat, stirring him. “I don’t think so. There was a fire in the warehouse. Someone threw fireballs through the windows. At first, I thought it was him, that he’d found me again, but I soon found that it wasn’t. However, the factory was done in, and there wasn’t enough work in the town to assimilate everyone. I considered going back and hiding in the city, but then Roberta, the woman running the factory, told us about a mail-order bride service and that there were enough positions for each unmarried woman if we chose to go. So I did.”
Kitty: Bride of Hawaii (American Mail-Order Bride 50) Page 10