Chapter Twelve
When Nathaniel offered Kitty his arm, she took it gladly. Spending time with him was becoming a very pleasant habit. Though he’d done some things rakish in manner, somehow she didn’t mind as much. Why was that? When other men had behaved in that fashion, she’d backed away, afraid it might go in an undesirable direction. She glanced up at him, his warm smile causing her lips to curve upward.
The coachman had the carriage parked a few yards ahead. Great-aunt Anne hurried toward it. Was she afraid she would miss a nap if she didn’t get there in time?
A loud screech made Kitty jump. The noise had come from around the corner of a small building. As they made their way closer, she noticed a stone wall. She gasped and tugged on Nathaniel’s arm. “Oh my. It’s a cat.”
Nathaniel’s brow lowered. “I believe it might be caught in something.” He let go of her hand and hurried toward the wall that stood a few feet high.
Following in Nathaniel’s wake, Kitty rushed to see for herself. The poor cat did appear to have its paw stuck in a crevice between two stones. Kitty longed to reach out and comfort the animal and try to free it.
As soon as she knelt down beside Nathaniel, the cat screeched louder.
“He’s scared,” she said.
“Yes.”
Before she could lay her hand on the white fur, Nathaniel’s large hand pressed lightly on the cat’s back. With his voice kept low, Nathaniel spoke encouragingly, telling the animal that everything would be fine.
The cat’s howls ceased. Sudden calm surrounded them, even as people walked past on the path. Huge green eyes peered up at them from a dirty, white face.
A low rumble came from the cat, growing louder the more Nathaniel stroked the matted fur.
“Extraordinary.”
Nathaniel startled and blinked. Had he forgotten she was there? “What’s extraordinary?”
I spoke that aloud? She bit her lip. “Just… how you seem to have a way with the cat, calming it.”
A slight frown came over his face, and he gave a small shake of his head. Was he irritated at her words? “It must be… well… perhaps the cat is partial to men. Yes, that must be it.”
Was Nathaniel ashamed for Kitty to have witnessed his display of tenderness? It appeared to have come naturally to him even though he also acted the part of a rake. Why would that be?
“Why do I keep finding you two together?”
Kitty turned at the familiar voice. Stratford, arms crossed, stood behind them with a fierce scowl.
“Good day, Mr. Bexley.”
He stiffened at her address but surely he didn’t expect her to call him Stratford in public? “Good day.” He waved a hand in their direction. “What have we here? Why are the two of you crouched near the ground?” Stratford stepped closer.
Nathaniel eyed his cousin but didn’t bother to stand. “This poor cat has gotten itself caught in the stone.”
“So?”
So? Kitty stopped herself before letting her mouth drop open.
“Yes,” said Nathaniel. “And our hope is to free it.”
“You and your sensitivity.” Stratford barked out a laugh.
Sensitivity? Kitty regarded Nathaniel, whose face had gone suddenly red.
He didn’t remove his hand from the cat but kept glaring at Stratford. “That is neither here nor there. A creature is suffering, so help it we must. What would you have me do, simply allow it to stay here and starve to death? Even you—”
“Such a waste of time, Nathaniel. When there are far more pleasurable pursuits to be had.” Stratford eyed Kitty, but his eyes didn’t stay on her face for long.
Her skin nearly burned as the intensity of the man’s gaze roved slowly over her. Didn’t he care that there were people close by? That his own cousin could witness the way he leered at Kitty?
All she wanted to do was clout him, hard, for his words about the poor cat. How dare he?
“Stratford.” Nathaniel’s voice came out so loud, so sharp, that even those passing by paused to stare. Finally, he stood, helping Kitty to stand, as well. Giving his attention back to his cousin, he stepped closer to the other man. When they stood side by side, Kitty was once again struck with their resemblance. Remarkable, really. Since they weren’t even brothers. She and her sisters were all so different in appearance. “If you’re not of a mind to lend assistance, perhaps you should go.”
“Go?” Stratford’s chest puffed out, and his jaw tensed.
Oh no… are they going to fight? Here?
“Listen,” Kitty stepped between them. “Why don’t we help the poor cat and be on our way?” She lowered her voice when she noticed that some of the passersby had stopped and were openly staring at the exchange.
Stratford blinked and peered down at Kitty. “If that’s what you wish, Miss Sullyard.” Why did his voice come across as so stern, so distant? Had she angered him?
With a nod, she stepped away, hoping the two men would end the tension and move apart. The cat behind them squalled. Was it frightened again now that Nathaniel wasn’t calming it?
Nathaniel ignored Stratford but gave Kitty a brief smile. “Now that the drama is past, let’s free the cat, shall we?” He held out his arm to her. With a brief glance at Stratford’s glowering expression Kitty accepted Nathaniel’s arm.
Crouched near the ground once again, Kitty suddenly wondered why Nathaniel hadn’t simply asked a zoo worker to perhaps take care of the cat. Their job was to see to animals’ needs, after all. But when she glanced at his face, she had her answer. His features had changed from his aggravation with Stratford, to a softening, a… could she say a tenderness?
What a captivating idea. Could it be that Nathaniel was more than a rake? More than she’d originally thought? Or was he simply a lover of all creatures and couldn’t stand seeing one suffer?
Nathaniel reached toward the cat again, so slowly Kitty had to concentrate not to miss the movement. “Here, little one,” he said. “I’m only trying to help you.” As Nathaniel grasped the paw, the cat gave a hiss.
Poor creature, how his paw must pain him.
Kitty touched the cat’s head, gently rubbing the fur between its ears. “It will be fine, kitty.”
A chuckle caught her attention. One side of Nathaniel’s mouth rose as he said, “Do you realize you just called the cat by your own name?”
“I…” She glanced back to the cat. “Oh.” She giggled. “Unintentional, I assure you.”
“Adorable, none the less.”
Adorable?
“Now.” He leaned down a little more. “I’m going to give a tug and try to make it quick. No need to scare the poor thing more than he already is.”
She moved closer.
“If you would, please gently grasp the cat around its middle. Be ready to hold on when the paw comes loose. Ready?”
She swallowed. “Ready.”
Quick as lightning, Nathaniel tugged the paw free. The cat yelped. Kitty did as instructed and held on tight. Paws and a tail went in five different directions as Kitty pulled the cat away from the stones. But when she pressed the cat close to her chest and petted the soft fur, Kitty felt the animal go limp.
“Ah,” Nathaniel reached out to rub the cat’s nose. “Finally relaxed?”
She sighed. “Poor dear. How scared he must have been, caught like that.”
“He appears a trifle thin too. Let’s get him to the carriage. I may have a morsel or two of food somewhere. I’m guessing he’s hungry enough to eat just about anything.”
As they headed toward the Bexley carriage, Nathaniel’s hand touched the small of her back and slid lower to rest just above her tailbone. A few moments ago, a sweet, caring rescuer of cats, and now a rake once more.
Kitty shook her head. The man was a conundrum. But an enticing one. She’d never felt drawn to a man like him before.
She glanced over her shoulder. Stratford stood there, arms crossed, a glower on his face. It was as if a bucket of cold water had be
en poured over her bare flesh. She needed her position. Irritating the owner’s son wouldn’t do her any favors. Much as Kitty disliked him at the moment, she needed to get back in his good graces.
Kitty cradled the cat even closer. “What shall we do with him?”
“I know not.” Nathaniel touched the cat’s pink nose.
“Perhaps you’d like to take him to your office? He could keep you company at your desk.”
Nathaniel was shaking his head before she’d even finished. “You saw how Stratford reacted to the cat.”
Indeed.
“Maybe you should take him?”
What would Robert think of that? Probably would hate it. He despised the stray cats that she and her sisters fed out in the yard. But if Kitty told him Mr. Bexley — she needn’t say which one — suggested it, Robert just might go along. “I think I will.”
The cat let out a contented purr, like he knew he’d just found a home.
“What will you name him, Kitty?”
“No. I won’t name him Kitty.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean—”
Try as she might, Kitty’s lips quivered.
“Ha!” Nathaniel pointed to her mouth. “You’re having sport with me.”
“Maybe a little.”
“All right, then. What will the name be?”
“Hmm. I think I’ll have to spend a little time with him before I decide.” She took a step away from Nathaniel, intent on putting some distance between them physically and otherwise. She’d need to make it clear that she was interested in both cousins for her job’s sake but that she didn’t want anything more. Now she was starting to regret her impulse to have drawn the horse for Nathaniel. What had she been thinking? As much as she’d like to think he’d have an interest in her, he was a rake. If she allowed herself to get too deeply involved with him, it would be even harder to walk away when her work for the magazine was concluded.
Nathaniel blinked and frowned. “Certainly.”