“And you picked Hawaii.”
She nodded slowly. “It was the farthest away. I assumed Frederick would never find me here. Or, even if he did, I would be so far away it wouldn’t matter. Either he’d forget about me or have trouble reaching me.”
“But now…” Warren cursed, thinking of the man who’d stopped by earlier that day. He’d known something wasn’t right about him. He’d been slimy, dirty. Murder would be right up his alley.
She swallowed. “Yes. But now he’s found me.”
Warren wanted to deny it, to suggest that there might be some other reason the man hunted her. But he couldn’t. Frederick Craven had indeed found her.
She sniffled. “I wanted to stay, Warren. I really did.”
He gathered her up in his arms again, pulling her close, but he kept his eyes level with hers. “You still can.”
She shook her head hard. “You know I can’t. After what I just told you, you know he’ll be back. Frederick won’t stop looking for me. My only choice is to run. If I stay, I endanger everyone around me. Someone could get hurt. Something could happen to the plantation. He’s capable of anything.”
Warren didn’t comment for a moment. Instead, he studied her face—the piercing green eyes, the slight upturn of her nose, the high cheekbones, and plump lips. Lips he wanted to kiss more than anything else. Eyes he wanted to stare into until he unlocked all of her secrets.
He didn’t know why he was drawn to her, what kind of pull she had over him, but he knew he couldn’t let her go. “There’s another choice.”
“What?”
“Marry me.”
She pushed against his chest, but he held firm. “Marry me, Kitty. I can protect you from this, from him. He wouldn’t dare harm my wife. You wouldn’t be an illegitimate woman on the run any longer. You’d have a home, family, a husband. You’d be protected here.”
She struggled again before throwing her arms up. “You know why I can’t, Warren. You just said it yourself. I’m an illegitimate woman with no family, friends, or fortune. I’m inferior to you in every way.”
“No, you aren’t.”
She scoffed. “Every way that matters in society’s eyes.”
“Why does any of that matter? I don’t care.”
“I care.”
His jaw clenched. “And that’s what’s keeping us apart? Your pride?”
“I’d never fit in with society here. They wouldn’t accept me.”
“Were you not here today? From the looks of things, you won everyone over. I heard an old biddy who hates every party she attends say what a fantastic time she had. You’re educated, brilliant, witty, and graceful. In every way that matters, you fit in here. You fit with me.”
Warren refused to release her. He meant every word. Kitty did belong here. She fit in society, and even more, she fit him.
“Warren—”
“Damn it, Kitty. You can’t deny this.” He gripped her arms as her eyes widened. “You can’t deny what’s between us.”
She looked away. “There’s nothing between us. There can’t be.”
“To hell with this.”
He pulled her flush against him, claiming her lips with his. It wasn’t tender or filled with finesse. It was raw and brutal. All frustration, anger, desire coalesced as he kissed her, claimed her, branded her as his. She couldn’t deny it, couldn’t fight it.
She gasped, opening her lips, meeting him halfway.
He groaned at the feel of her. This is what he wanted. This and so much more. Why did she fight it? He knew by her reaction she felt the same pull, the same need. It was written in the way her lips devoured his, the press of her body, the beat of her heart.
She pulled her lips away from his, and he let her, angling her body from his chest, but still holding her in his grasp.
Her lip quivered on an uneasy breath. “This isn’t right.”
“Yes, it is. It’s right because we’re meant to be together. I’ve said it from the beginning.”
She bit her lip but didn’t argue.
Seeing his opening, he took it. “Marry me, Kitty. Your past doesn’t matter here. You got along well with the rest of society, and nothing will change that. Besides, who cares about a bunch of old women gossiping?”
A wry smile curved her lips, and his eyes drew to the telling sight.
“You make it sound so simple.”
“It is that simple.” It had to be. He believed it would be. They could overcome anything if they were together.
Her breath hitched in cleansing relief. Her eyes met his. “All right. I’ll marry you.”
“You will?”
“Yes.”
“And you won’t change your mind? Once it’s announced, it will stick.” And he’d make sure to spread the news of their engagement immediately.
“No. I won’t change my mind. I’m here to stay.”
Capturing her lips, he sealed her promise with another kiss.
He’d never let her go. No matter what came at them, they had each other.
* * *
“Makano, who was that man who stopped by to speak with Mr. Castle during the party?”
Amelia Castle was no longer the woman running Castle House now that her son had brought that little nobody into the household. If that little upstart thought she’d steal everything away from Amelia, she was mistaken.
Amelia had worked too hard, too long, to give up her role as mistress here. Planning parties, hosting guests, enjoying the spotlight was her due.
He cleared his throat, shifting his feet. “It was a Mr. Green.”
She stirred her tea, lightly clinking it against her cup before placing it on the saucer. “And what did this Mr. Green want?”
At his continued silence, her eyes narrowed over her teacup. Such a show of disobedience needed to be squashed. “Don’t make me speak with Mr. Castle about the mishap, Makano. I don’t think you’ll be pleased with the results.”
Seeing his face pale from the threat thrilled her. Power always soothed her temper. Although Warren would forgive Makano’s theft, especially once he learned the money from the trinket had gone toward Makano’s dying mother’s care, Amelia wanted him under her thumb as long as possible. Who was better qualified to spy for her than the butler?
“He was asking questions about Miss Jones. Apparently, he’s been hired to track down her whereabouts.”
Excitement fluttered in her belly. “And who is looking for her? Who hired him?”
“Her brother, ma’am.”
“Did Warren tell him where she is?” she asked, already knowing the answer. Warren wouldn’t hand over the girl without knowing more about the man asking questions.
When he shook his head, she hid a wicked grin behind her teacup as she sipped, plots forming in her mind.
Checkmate.
Seems like Miss Jones had some secret she ran from. And secrets were Amelia’s favorite weapon. “And do you know where Mr. Green can be reached?”
“He’s staying at the Medina Hotel for another week.”
“Excellent.” She placed the teacup on the saucer. “I’ll need a carriage brought around immediately. See to it.”
“Of course.” He nodded before slipping from the room.
She preened on the sofa. No one pushed Amelia out of the spotlight.
No one.
Chapter Fourteen
“And you’re sure you want to go?” Warren asked skeptically as they rolled away from Castle House. “You do know what to expect, don’t you?”
Kitty laughed. She might not have been able to flaunt all convention and wear a holoku, but Kalea had informed her of the basics. “Warren, it’s a luau. Kalea said they serve food and play music. I can’t imagine there’s much of a difference from other parties we’ve attended since we announced our engagement.”
A slow smile spread on Warren’s face. “I think you’ll be surprised.”
Kitty humored him with a smile. The royal family was hosting the luau, and Kitty ha
d prepared for all the pomp the occasion would require.
Warren informed her some luaus took place on the opposite end of the island, so Kitty was grateful the event was only a thirty-minute ride.
As Kitty descended the carriage steps, her hand warmly cradled in Warren’s firm grasp, her mouth fell open. Colorful fabrics wove in and out of crowds as ladies laughed, carefree and spirited in the warm night.
Bonfires roared around the oversize field, lighting up the festivities, while dozens of pigs roasted on spits on the far edge of the gathering.
There was dancing all right, but like nothing she’d ever seen before.
“Is it what you expected?” Warren teased, whispering softly in her ear.
She narrowed her eyes at him before laughing. “You knew I was completely unprepared, didn’t you?”
“Of course.” He grinned and offered her his arm. “How could you be?”
With her arm in his, they maneuvered through the crowd, stopping occasionally to speak with an acquaintance or two. Since their engagement, she’d become highly sought after at these events as society ladies wanted to hear all the latest trends in the East. No doubt she’d be bombarded with more questions soon.
Warren led her to the edge of a clearing where couples swayed to music. “What type of dance is that?”
“Hula. There are many different variations, some for couples and some for individuals. This obviously is a dance for couples.”
She studied the dance. A story seemed to unfold with their gestures, but she couldn’t discern exactly what. The majority of steps consisted of lavish hip and arm movements that made her cheeks burn just thinking of attempting them. Never would such a thing be acceptable back East. But as she looked around, no one seemed scandalized by such a display.
“Shall we dance?”
Her gaze shot to his, taking in the laughter in his eyes. Oh, he knew what she was thinking. She’d been so shocked by the dance she hadn’t been able to conceal it. “I don’t know how,” she said lamely.
“It’s easy.” He unhooked her arm from his and took her hand. “Come on. I’ll show you.”
She spluttered as he pulled her on the floor.
“Just try to follow along, mimic what you see the other women doing. Sway your hips, nice and slow while you take very small steps.”
She blushed again. Was she really going to do this? She looked around again, and no one paid her an ounce of attention.
Why shouldn’t she try it? This was her home now, and luaus were a large part of the culture. She’d be attending more of these events in the future, and she might as well adjust to what was proper now. She wasn’t in the East anymore.
She stepped lightly, rolling her hips awkwardly with the movement.
“Good,” Warren praised. “Go a little softer. Make your hips move naturally with your step.”
When she tried again, shifting her body, accommodating for the tight corset, Warren’s eyes heated.
Encouraged, she continued to move, trying out arm movements as the song continued, adding layers of steps as she went.
Their bodies moved closer and then apart as they silently told a story of lost love.
She lost track of what she was doing, moving organically from the feelings Warren evoked. She’d come to Hawaii to marry a stranger, but now, she was engaged to a man who made her heart race, a man who understood her, valued her.
Why had she fought her attraction, only accepting him once in danger again? It was foolish. He was what she wanted.
As if sensing her thoughts, he pulled her into his arms, holding her as couples swayed around them. He held her close, moving their bodies together with the music, her head resting on his chest. The intimacy of the moment overwhelmed her.
He brushed a kiss against her hair and whispered, “I don’t think I can dance with you much longer.”
She pulled away slowly. “Was I that bad?” She chewed on her lip as she waited for his answer.
He took her hand again, shaking his head. “You were too good,” he said meaningfully.
She blushed.
“Let’s eat something.”
“All right.”
He pulled her through the crowd, and she was grateful for the boisterous laughter surrounding them. It helped ease the intensity of her emotions. Would the depth of her desire for him ever fade? It had to, didn’t it?
“I see a place we can sit.”
Kitty couldn’t see anything over the crowd they were lost in, but she took his word for it because he was taller.
The group of people thinned out as they got closer to the spits, and she was astonished yet again by what she saw.
Leading her to an empty mat on the floor, Warren tugged her down with him.
“We’re sitting on the floor.” She laughed with delight as the other people around her nodded in greeting. “Is this normal?”
“Yes.” He grinned. “But you haven’t even experienced the best part yet.”
“And what is that?” she asked, charmed by the boyish glint in his eye.
“There are no utensils.”
“Pardon?”
He offered her a bowl. “Enjoy.” He laughed as she stared at the bowl dumbfounded. “Use your fingers,” he explained.
“What is it?” she asked, pretending to not be shocked by the lack of cutlery.
“Poi. A Hawaiian dish made from taro root. There’s also smoked fish, other meats, sweet potatoes, and such. And luau.”
“Luau? Aren’t we at the luau?”
He laughed, delighted, handing her a plate of another concoction. “This is luau. It’s where the name comes from. It’s taro leaves mixed with chicken and baked in coconut milk.”
The smells mingled in her nose, and she was surprised the unfamiliar ingredients appealed to her.
He bent one of his knees and reclined next to her. “Try it,” he encouraged.
She wanted to laugh. She couldn’t decide which of them was enjoying this more, but she had a feeling he was.
He seemed younger, more carefree. The change in him had started the moment she accepted his proposal, as if a weight had been lifted. The fact that she’d had a hand in that astonished her.
By accepting his proposal, she’d felt as if she were bringing him down, that she would become a liability to him. She’d felt beholden to him for sacrificing himself to protect her.
But now, she didn’t feel like dead weight. Warren needed someone in his life, someone to care for him. She hadn’t realized how much he needed that until recently.
He grinned encouragingly again, and she threw him an indulgent smile before dipping her fingers in the warm offering.
Exotic flavors exploded on her tongue, and her eyes widened at the tasty mixture.
“It’s good, huh?”
“Very good.”
“You didn’t think it would be?” he asked innocently, knowing it looked atrocious.
He laughed at her playful glare.
She huffed. “I think Kalea has some explaining to do.”
He laughed again, tracing a finger over the palm of her hand. The feeling made her shiver.
“Thank you for coming with me tonight.”
“Of course. I think you’re stuck taking me to a great many events in the future,” she teased.
He lifted her hand to his mouth, kissing her fingers softly. “I wouldn’t want to go with anyone else.”
Familiar heat speared her.
The moment was interrupted as Christine Bishop rushed over. “Kitty, dear, I’m afraid I have some distressing news.”
Warren rose, pulling Kitty with him. “What is it?”
Sweat broke out on Kitty’s palms. There was a tremor in Christine’s voice Kitty recognized as panic. And while other ladies might overreact to certain news, Kitty had become familiar enough with Christine to know she didn’t ruffle easily.
“I just heard a rumor that’s swirling around. There’s talk about your past, my dear. That you’re illegitimate.”
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Warren gripped Kitty to his side as blood drained from her face. “Who mentioned it?” he asked.
Christine held up her hands helplessly. “Frankly, everyone. Everyone is talking about it. I thought you should know.” She glanced worriedly at Warren.
He nodded hard. “Thank you for telling us.”
“I’m happy to cause a distraction if you’d like to make a hasty departure.”
Kitty nodded numbly. This is exactly what she’d feared would happen. Everyone who’d befriended her would no doubt want nothing to do with her now. “Oh, heavens.”
“Come on,” he whispered before escorting her away.
Although he had his arm around her, there was nothing he could do to fully shield her from the narrowed gazes and snide remarks.
“Ignore them,” he said gruffly.
But she couldn’t. She’d exposed him to a nasty fact of her life, and now that they were engaged, he was as affected by it as she.
Once they were loaded back in the carriage, her body wracked with shivers. “I’m sorry,” she gasped. “I’m sorry.”
He immediately moved over to her bench, pulling her into his arms. “This is not a problem. Your past doesn’t matter.”
“It does!” She tried to jerk away but had little success. He held her too tightly.
“It doesn’t. It was bound to come out, and now it has. Right now it’s news, but tomorrow something else will happen, and no one will even care.”
She wanted to believe his words, but she’d lived with the stigma long enough to know that gossip never fully went away. “I wish that were true.”
“It is.” He notched her chin up so she was forced to look at him. “Believe me. I know what it must have been like for you back East. But it isn’t like that here. Circumstances of a person’s birth don’t rule their life here. There are too many illegitimate people for it to matter. The Hawaiian culture doesn’t look at fidelity and family the way westerners do. This won’t be a problem.”
Kitty: Bride of Hawaii (American Mail-Order Bride 50) Page 11