Color of Deception (Sullyard Sisters Book 1) by Hartman Ruth J

Author:Hartman, Ruth J [Hartman, Ruth J]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2020-01-19T16:00:00+00:00

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 when afraid it might go in an undesirable direction. She glanced up at him, his warm smile causing her own lips to curve upward.

The coachman had the carriage parked a few yards ahead. Great-aunt Anne hurried toward it. Was she afraid she wouldn’t miss a nap if she didn’t get there in time?

A loud screech made Kitty jump. The sound 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 may 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.

Calm, immediate and startling in the sudden lack of the cat’s howls, 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. The sound grew louder the more Nathaniel stroked the matted fur.

“Extraordinary.”

Nathaniel startled and blinked as if he’d 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 sound of 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?” With a glance around as if caught doing something wrong, Stratford stepped closer.

Nathaniel eyed his cousin but didn’t bother to stand. “This poor cat has gotten itself caught in the stone.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.