Color of Deception

by Ruth J. Hartman

  Chapter Thirteen

  Nathaniel chortled at his cousin’s joke. When had Walter developed such a grand sense of humor? “Well, if you must know, Walter, I—”

  The front door slammed shut, and loud footsteps came toward the parlor. Everyone in the room — Uncle Gilbert, Aunt Hortense, Walter and Annabelle — stared at the open doorway.

  Stratford, seething, stood there. Hands clenched into fists at his sides. Chest rapidly moving in and out. Face a horrific shade of dark red. He glanced around the room, finally glaring at Nathaniel.

  That did not bode well.

  “Problem, Stratford?” Nathaniel stayed in his chair, hands calmly in his lap, but his insides quivered like pudding.

  “How dare you?”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  Aunt Hortense held up a hand. “Stratford, what is—”

  He cut her off with a sharp slice of his hand through the air.

  “Now see here.” Uncle Gilbert stood and set the book he’d been reading on his chair. “Please explain the reason for storming in here, frightening your mother and siblings.”

  And his cousin…

  Stratford, not bothering to look at his father as he spoke, advanced toward Nathaniel. “My issue is with him.”

  Uncle Gilbert lowered his eyebrows. “I still don’t think—”

  “Father… please.”

  With a frown, Uncle Gilbert reclaimed his seat. “At least take your anger out-of-doors where the women can’t hear.”

  “Fine by me.” Stratford stared at Nathaniel and raised one eyebrow in challenge.

  Letting out a slow breath, Nathaniel stood. He faced his aunt and inclined his head. “Please excuse us.” Without another word, Stratford left the room in a flurry of loud boot steps and cursing under his breath. Nathaniel followed, but his limp slowed him down. He knew not what the trouble could be, yet he had an inkling. The longer he followed his cousin, the stronger the feeling grew.

  This is about Kitty.

  Stratford didn’t stop until he reached the back garden, which was not visible if one glanced out a house window. Had he done that on purpose? So whatever happened between them couldn’t be seen?

  Finally spinning around, Stratford glowered at Nathaniel. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

  Knowing full well, yet loath to enter into an argument, Nathaniel gave a shrug. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  Stratford barked out a humorous laugh and stepped closer. “Of course you know. Why are you sniffing around Kitty Sullyard?” The harsh stench of liquor hung on his breath.

  “Why are you?”

  This time his laugh held some humor. “How long have you known me, Nathaniel? I live for finding beautiful women and seducing them. Bending them, figuratively and literally, to my needs. It’s all about the conquest. The chase.”

  “And you think you’re the only man who enjoys beautiful women?”

  Stratford shook his head. “Since when do you give a damn about women? How many times have I offered to help you find a woman to spend time with?”

  “Your idea of spending time and mine are vastly different.”

  “There’s my point. Where you might be content to sit and talk to a woman, I can think of nothing but throwing her on the nearest flat surface and lifting her skirts.”

  “You disgust me.”

  “And why would that be? I’m only being honest about what I desire. You, on the other hand, never give a damn about women, but suddenly, you’ve developed a tendré for Kitty. And isn’t that just the sweetest thing you’ve ever heard?” He fluttered his eyelashes like a woman.

  Nathaniel’s hands formed into fists. “Shut your mouth.”

  “Why?” He stood taller and leaned so close Nathaniel had to take a step back. “I can say whatever I wish. Always have.”

  “That’s true enough. You get away with so much.”

  “It’s not my fault that my parents are wealthy and yours were not, dear cousin.”

  Nathaniel shook his head slowly. Was Stratford really so self-absorbed that he didn’t see anything wrong with the way he seduced women and tossed them aside? “That’s not even the point.”

  “Then what is?”

  “You take advantage of… of women and…”

  Stratford snorted. “You can’t even say the words. What a clown you are. Such a joke. What woman would ever be interested in you?”

  Nathaniel’s gaze drifted down to his fisted hands, which he then relaxed. “Kitty.”

  “Now I know you’ve gone mad. She would never look twice at you.”

  “Then why all the anger?” He spread his hands. “Why are you so upset? If you’re not worried that I—”

  “You could never cause me a second’s worry.”

  “Then all this is for naught.”

  Stratford crossed his arms. Was he trying to appear nonplussed, or did he do it to hold in his anger? “I don’t for one second fear you could ever gain Kitty’s affections, but you are causing me difficulty in making a play for her myself.”

  “Why? Because I’ve spent some time with her?”

  “You’re stepping in where you don’t belong. Where you’re not wanted. Kitty doesn’t want you.”

  “And she wants you?”

  Stratford puffed out his chest like a peacock. “She longs for me. For my touch.”

  Negative thoughts crept in. Was that true? Had he misread her interest? “She’s told you this?”

  “Didn’t have to. I see it in her eyes. Hear it in her whispered words.”

  Nathaniel crossed his arms to mirror Stratford’s earlier gesture. “I don’t believe you.”

  “Believe it, Nathaniel. When she’s with me, I have her so full of desire she practically writhes in my arms.”

  An image of Stratford and Kitty holding each other and kissing nearly made him ill. “You’re revolting, speaking of her like this.”

  “No, I’m honest. You can trust my words.”

  “You’re as trustworthy as a viper.”

  Stratford grinned. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “You would,” he spat out.

  “This is getting us nowhere.” Stratford came a step closer, his warm breath fanning across Nathaniel’s face. “What I came out here to say to you is this — stay away from Kitty.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “I did not mince my words.” Stratford poked Nathaniel once in the chest. Hard. “You understood me perfectly.”

  “That doesn’t mean I’ll comply.”

  “Why are you doing this? Thwarting my plans? You’ve never done so in the past.”

  Nathaniel shrugged, trying to keep his voice nonchalant. Because if Stratford knew how much he really cared about Kitty, nothing would stop him from trying his best to seduce her. “Maybe I enjoy spending time with her.”

  “Well, stop. She’s not yours to spend time with.”

  “And you think she’s yours?”

  “I know it.”

  “One of these days your overconfidence will get the better of you,” Nathaniel uttered through clenched teeth.

  “At least I have confidence.”

  “At least I have scruples.”

  “You amuse me, cousin.” Stratford shook his head.

  “How so?” Nathaniel wanted to take a step back, not be so close to his cousin, but he also had no wish to back down from his interest in Kitty.

  “You make it sound as if having scruples somehow means something.”

  “It does to me. To most people, in fact.” Why am I not surprised it wouldn’t to him?

  “Perhaps, but does being in possession of them bring you good fortune? Help you attain your desires?”

  Nathaniel blinked. Did it? When had being the good cousin ever gotten him anywhere? Not in business, not in finance. Not in life. Certainly not in love.

  “I see I have your attention now. So hear this.” He grabbed a fistful of Nathaniel’s cravat, making it difficult for him to catch hi
s breath. “You will stay away from Kitty. I will have her. She will be mine.” He gave a small shove, just enough that Nathaniel barely caught himself before tumbling over backward. Damn his lame foot!

  Stratford straightened his own coat, smoothed his hair, and turned. His walk back to the house was much slower, much more controlled than his angry stalk to the garden had been. His words rang in Nathaniel’s ear. “She will be mine.”

  No, cousin. On that point you are wrong.