Kitty: Bride of Hawaii (American Mail-Order Bride 50) (11 page)

W
eeks had flown by
, and their marriage loomed on the horizon. Kitty would blink, and she’d be walking down the aisle as the new Mrs. Castle.

She tucked a centerpiece next to the others on a table laden with wedding decor. Warren gave her a room in the main house to store it all, and she was grateful. It wouldn’t fit in her house.

The wedding would be massive. Everyone who was anyone was coming. A fact that pleased Warren but worried her.

There’d been a few hiccups along the way. While most were supportive of her and Warren’s decision to marry, there were those that staunchly disagreed. It embarrassed her that she’d subjected Warren to such gossip, but she had warned him. Besides, he’d been right. Overall, she’d been accepted.

Her back to the door, she heard the rustle of skirts and the light step of someone entering. “Cook, I’ll kiss your toes if you brought refreshments.” The smile on Kitty’s lips died as she swiveled and found Mrs. Castle instead of Cook. “Excuse me. I thought you were Cook.”

Mrs. Castle’s skirts swept the floor as she glanced over the decor, sniffing in distaste. “It seems you’ve been spending a little too much time with the servants.”

“They’ve been extremely helpful to me. And I appreciate their company.”

“Yes. Well, it’s not a surprise you get along so well, because you’re one of them. A servant,” she added in case Kitty didn’t understand the insult.

Oh, but she understood. Mrs. Castle was bitter and cruel. She didn’t care about anyone but herself, and that included her son. Her behavior in the time Kitty had been here was atrocious.

“Mr. Castle might have employed me, but that is no longer the case. Once I agreed to marry him, I continued on with my duties without pay.”

Mrs. Castle fingered the pink silk bows on the table. “Yes. Still the social secretary. How is that working out, by the way? Have you helped him secure more customers? Have you saved orders from going elsewhere?”

A small part of Kitty wondered the same thing. From everything she’d seen, it was as if she hadn’t had any effect on Warren’s business. Had he really needed her? Had she done her job well enough that Warren’s company flourished?

She and Warren hadn’t talked of such things. He’d always told her what a great job she’d done, and those words of encouragement had been all she needed. After all, he would tell her if she was doing something wrong, if something else needed to be done, wouldn’t he? “Warren seems more than pleased with the work I’ve done. His business is doing well, from all I’ve heard.”

Mrs. Castle smirked. “Yes, Warren would want to protect you, wouldn’t he? It’s sweet really, even if it’s also pathetic.”

“What do you mean?”

“Castle & Snow have lost quite a few clients recently.”

Dread pooled in her stomach. “Have they?”

Mrs. Castle tsked. “Yes. A shame really. It could’ve all been avoided so easily.”

“How so?” Kitty asked, but she shouldn’t have. The pure look of malicious joy on Mrs. Castle’s face scared her.

“It’s because of you, dear. Didn’t you know? When word of your less-than-desirable past surfaced, several of the long-standing customers of Castle Sugar pulled their orders.” The older woman shrugged. “If it wasn’t for Warren’s connection to you, all those accounts would’ve been saved.”

Kitty gasped. Was it true? Had she caused Warren to lose business because of her past? He’d assured her that it didn’t matter, but had he lied to protect her? Had he shielded her from the ugly truth that they weren’t a good match?

Heavens, how many more customers would pull out? How many more would they lose because of the circumstances of her birth?

And why had he kept it a secret? Did he regret his decision to marry her?

She wanted to cry, to deny it, but Kitty knew Amelia Castle spoke the truth. However, the older woman never did anything out of the kindness of her heart.

Kitty’s spine straightened. “Obviously, Warren still sees value in our connection. Although honorable, Warren would’ve come to me if there were indeed such problems. I thank you for informing me, however. Knowledge is power, after all.”

Mrs. Castle’s eyes narrowed. “You stupid girl. Can’t you see you’re bringing him down? You’ll be the end of Castle & Snow.”

The woman’s comment’s sliced across Kitty’s heart, but she refused to let it show. She was sick to death of letting Warren’s mother push her around, but she had held off from confronting Mrs. Castle out of respect for Warren. That ended now.

Kitty’s chin notched up. “I doubt that. Warren seems pleased enough with my work. You and I both know that no one could manipulate him into doing something he didn’t want to. I understand you’re angry and jealous that I’m here. You feel it’s your right to be mistress of Castle House, and you might be right. But the fact is, Warren doesn’t trust you. That wasn’t something I did. You are responsible for your relationship with your son, and I’m sick of bearing the brunt of your dissatisfaction. If my relationship with Warren has caused a problem with business, I’m sure there’s something we can do to fix it.”

“What do we need to fix?” A masculine voice entered the conversation.

Kitty spun to the door. “Warren, I didn’t know you were there.”

He hovered in the doorway, his eyes narrowing as he looked between his mother and Kitty.

Mrs. Castle stepped toward him. “Oh, we were just talking. I came to see how the wedding preparations were coming along.”

Kitty flushed under Warren’s stare. What must he think of her? Did he blame her for losing business? As much as she wanted to avoid the topic, she had to know. “Your mother was kind enough to inform me about a few developments with Castle & Snow.”

He stepped toward her. “And what development was this?”

Kitty glanced to Mrs. Castle as she preened on the side of the room. “She told me several of your long-standing clients have pulled their business because of our connection. Is that true?”

He swore, lacerating his mother with his gaze before returning his eyes to her. “It’s not as bad as it sounds.”

Mrs. Castle sniffed prettily as she headed toward the door. “Excuse me. I’ll give you two a moment alone.”

Warren glared at his mother’s retreating back. “We’ll talk about this later,” he promised.

His mother never slowed her pace down the hall.

Kitty waited until they were completely alone before her shoulders lost a little of their strength. Now that Mrs. Castle was gone, she didn’t have the energy to hold the facade in place. “It’s not as bad as it sounds? You haven’t lost business because of me? Because of my past?” His jaw clenched, and it was then Kitty realized how true Mrs. Castle’s information was. “Tell me, Warren.”

“There has been some loss, but even more has been gained from all you’ve done.”

Hollowness filled her. “I see. Well, thank you for telling me.” Finally. Although she had no doubt Warren wouldn’t have told her if his mother hadn’t brought it up.

“Kitty—”

“No.” She held her arms out, warding him off. “Don’t come any closer.”

“I want to make this right.”

She laughed humorlessly. “Which part do you want to make right, Warren? The part that I’m illegitimate? The part that our connection is driving away business, which was the whole point in marrying me?”

“All of it.”

She paled.

“Damn it.” He raked a hand through his hair. “That’s not what I mean. You know that. I don’t care that you’re illegitimate.”

Her heart shattered. She knew by marrying him there’d be risk because of her background, but she had no idea how much damage it could do. And this was only the beginning. He hadn’t actually married her yet. “If we don’t marry, this can be repaired.”

His mouth fell open. “Of course we’re getting married.”

“There’s no ‘of course’ about this. I can’t marry you when I know I’ll bring you down. What kind of marriage would that be?”

He grabbed her hand, bringing it to his chest. “You can’t mean that. You don’t want that. We’re meant to be together.”

Her eyes stung. Didn’t he see how much this hurt her? Couldn’t he understand she didn’t want this? “Things that are meant to be sometimes don’t happen.”

His fingers tightened on her hand. “I’m not letting you go.”

“It’s not your choice.”

“I love you, Kitty.” She gasped, but he ignored it. “And damn it all, I have some control over this.”

“That isn’t fair. You can’t just say that to me.”

He wrapped his free arm around her, still holding her hand to his heart. “I can say it because it’s true. I love you. You’re not leaving me.”

Her lip trembled as she searched his eyes. He meant it. She could see it. She loved him so much it hurt not to say it back, but she couldn’t. She loved him, truly loved him, and because of that, she wouldn’t force him into something that would destroy him. Even if that something was marrying her.

She pushed slowly out of his arms, refusing to acknowledge the hurt in his eyes. “I need to think.”

His lips firmed before nodding. “All right. You’ll have all the time you need. But don’t leave.”

“I won’t. Not yet.”

It wasn’t much, but if she could give him anything, it was that. She wouldn’t run from him, disappearing in the night as she had back East. She’d tell him when she was leaving. She owed him that much.

She just wished it didn’t hurt so bad.

Warren’s eyes darted around her face, trying to read her, but she held firm. “Will I see you tomorrow?” he asked.

“Of course.”

But as Kitty left, she didn’t know what tomorrow would bring.

“
A
nd here I am
, summoned to your office again like a child called to the strap.”

Warren was done with his mother’s dramatics. After the stunt she’d pulled with Kitty, he wouldn’t take any more from her. “Come in and close the door.”

“So dour, Warren.” She sequestered them before sauntering to his desk.

He took a deep breath, hoping it chained the hounds within him demanding his mother’s head. “Sit down.”

She looked smug, comfortable. As if she knew she’d gotten away with something. It actually astonished him. How could she think he’d ever allow her to continue on in such a way? He’d warned her that if she did anything to hinder his relationship with Kitty, she’d pay for it. She’d already gotten away with a few things due to a lack of evidence, but her time was up. “You know why you’re here.”

It wasn’t a question. It didn’t need to be. His mother was too cunning by far to misunderstand.

She descended into a chair like a queen, her chin notched high. “I assume it’s because I informed Miss Jones of current business news.”

“Yes. Only the latest thing you’ve done to drive a wedge between my fiancée and me.”

Her mouth formed a pretty O, but he wasn’t fooled. Her eyes stilled gleamed in delight.

“You can’t think that I had any motive whatsoever to hurt Miss Jones. In fact, I’d hoped for the opposite. If she knew what her reputation has done to Castle, then she can correct it. Nothing can be fixed if she’s left in the dark.”

“And why would you take it upon yourself to see to such a task? Castle is mine. You’ve never taken an interest in its welfare.”

She glared. “Castle Plantation is just as much mine as yours. I have every right to take an interest in whatever I choose.”

“Not under the law. Castle is mine, and mine alone. Whether you choose to accept that or not, it is a fact.”

He stared at the woman who’d given birth to him. She’d always been around, but never approachable. Not the type of mother to nurture her own child. For a moment, Warren wondered how things might’ve been different had she been any other woman. What would it be like to have a close bond with one’s mother? But as he looked at the brittle facade of the woman in front of him, he resigned himself that he’d never know. “It brings me no pleasure, but you’ll be removed from Castle House in the morning and taken into town where you’ll stay in the hotel’s suite until other accommodations can be made for a permanent residence.”

She gasped, and he held up his hand, his eyes lowering in warning. “You will be provided with an income that is both generous and scalable. The better your behavior, the more money you will receive. However, if you continue to make my life, or Kitty’s life, difficult in any way, I will cut you off.”

She bounded out of her chair, rage flushing to her cheeks. “You think you can get rid of me? Dump me off at some hotel and all will be well?” She laughed harshly. “You’re so naive, Warren. How I ever birthed such a spineless fool is beyond me. It’s a shame I was faithful to your father back then. If I’d taken lovers, at least there’d be a chance one of them fathered you, but there’s no hope for that. You’re your father’s son through and through,” she spat.

Her damaging words didn’t have the effect she’d hoped for. In fact, they were the opposite. He’d loved his father. And while he hadn’t been the most affectionate man, he’d been a great example. He’d given his son everything he needed to succeed. It was more than he could say for his mother. And the fact that she knew without a doubt who his father was filled him with strength.

“That’s wonderful, Mother. I always love hearing of your infidelity. Now, you may stay here tonight, but in the morning, you will be taken into town with whatever you’ve managed to pack. Everything else can be boxed and sent to you. But you may never step foot on Castle land again, unless expressly invited by Kitty or myself.”

Her hand flew through the air, slapping him across the cheek.

Warren’s face moved with the force, but he didn’t step away from it.

“You bastard!”

He clucked. “I think we’ve firmly established that I am most assuredly my father’s son.”

“You think you’re so smart? So brilliant? Well, there’s something you don’t know, Warren.”

He ignored the sting in his cheek and leveled his tone. “I doubt that. There isn’t anything you can do to hurt me now.”

Harsh laughter filled the air. “Shows how much you know.”

“Then please, enlighten me. Or just leave. Either way, I don’t care.” And he didn’t. He had zero interest in whatever venom and lies she planned to spew.