Taking a chance, she dove into a thick cluster of stalks, her body rigid as she held her breath as best she could as Frederick ran by her.
Her body relaxed for only a moment.
He stopped.
Silence filled the night.
“Oh, Kitty. You really don’t think you can hide from me, do you?”
Her hand stifled her lips, holding in a cry. She’d been lucky to get as far as she had with her skirts in the way. She wouldn’t get much farther.
Frederick circled in the canes. “Come now. You’re only making it worse by dragging it out.”
She closed her eyes. She wouldn’t make it out of here alive. She could fight with her last breath, but she knew it wouldn’t be enough.
Warren. Why had she been so stupid? Why hadn’t she told him she loved him? That she wanted to be with him?
All of her reasons to fight their relationship were foolish. They loved each other, needed each other. Her background, his wealth, none of it mattered. Why had she seen that too late?
Silent tears tracked down her cheeks. She didn’t want to wait in the stalks to die. Bending low, she scooped up several stalks, testing out their ends for sharpness. One would suffice as a weapon, but none were lethal.
She stepped out onto a cut path the workers used to tend the crop, hiding the stalk in her skirts as she watched her half-brother sift through the canes. “I’m here, Frederick.”
He swiveled toward her. “You’ve stopped hiding? It doesn’t matter now. You kept me waiting too long.”
Her chin notched up.
He ran toward her, and once he was within reach, she plunged the stalk into the flesh of his shoulder.
She whirled, running before he recovered, but it wasn’t enough.
He howled and charged after her. The stick hadn’t slowed him.
She screamed when he grabbed her, yanking her hard into him. “You little witch.” He punched her in the face, holding her up for another blow. “I’ll make sure you suffer now.”
Another blow knocked her down into the mud. She cried out, the pain blazing in her jaw.
His boot connected with her stomach as he kicked her on the ground, ranting about their father, but his words started to float away as everything became hazy.
“I’ll teach you to—” Frederick paused as a squeal sounded. “What the hell was that?”
A second squeal, more loudly this time, sounded a moment before Frederick screamed.
A boar charged from the canes, its tusks twisted with dried blood, piercing Frederick in the leg before taking him down to the ground, shredding him from gut to neck.
Kitty held in her screams at the sickening sound of flesh and bone tearing as Frederick’s bloody screams filled the air.
If she couldn’t escape before the boar finished with Frederick…
She inched away, praying the animal would stay distracted long enough for her to hide.
Her elbow snapped a twig, and her eyes closed when the boar’s head reared up.
She was dead.
Chapter Eighteen
Warren charged into the cane field when Kitty screamed.
He’d arrived at her house only a moment before to find the door flung open and no trace of Kitty.
He had to get to her. His arms pumped faster as he listened for her. She was in here. Somewhere in the damn maze.
He stopped, listening, waiting.
When a man’s screech filled the air, he took off down a path to the right. His adrenaline surged higher. Blood raced through his ears. A person screamed like that for only one reason.
Death.
He skidded to a stop as a nightmarish scene unfolded before him. His mouth gaped as a boar shredded a man on the ground a few feet from Kitty.
When the boar’s head reared up, ready to charge Kitty, Warren raised his gun, shooting without hesitation.
The shot connected with the boar’s head, taking it down.
“Kitty!” he yelled, running toward her.
“Warren?”
“I’m here. You’re safe.”
A whimper escaped as he cradled her face, turning her toward the light. Her swollen eye, already bruising filled him with rage.
He glanced over at the lifeless body, lamenting there was no way to bring him back to life just to kill him again.
“I’m all right,” she whispered. “I’m all right now.”
He turned his attention back to her. Shaking his head. “I’m sorry, Kitty.” A tear escaped his eye. “I should’ve protected you better.”
“Shh.”
He shook off her hand. He didn’t deserve her affection or forgiveness. “Let me get you home.” He wrapped his arms around her, gently pulling her to her feet.
She gasped in pain at the contact.
The sound lanced through him. “What is it?”
“My ribs… I think one might be broken.”
His jaw clenched as he ground his teeth. “Wrap your arms around my neck, love.” Tears tracked down her cheeks, and he could only imagine the pain she was in. “I’ll get you out of here.”
“My brother—”
“We’ll take care of him later.”
“No. He told me…” She inhaled sharply.
With a bruise already forming on her jaw, he knew it was painful for her to speak. “You can tell me all about it after a doctor looks at you. Try to rest and hold still.”
She nodded softly against his chest as he cradled her in his arms.
She didn’t argue when he loaded her into his wagon instead of taking her into her house. He was grateful. There was no way he was letting her out of his sight again. Ever.
Warren cursed as she passed out on the way to Castle House.
He couldn’t lose her. He wouldn’t.
* * *
Kitty’s eyes blinked open. Her stomach roiled from the pain bolting through her head. She would not throw up. The pain in her jaw wouldn’t allow it.
A tear streaked down her cheek as memories flooded her. Her brother. The boar.
A disheveled Warren came into view. “How are you feeling?”
“Pain.” Even saying that much hurt.
He nodded. “The doctor checked on you. He said nothing is broken, but you’re bruised. He left something you could take for the pain. Do you want it now?”
She nodded. She’d take anything to make the hurt ease.
He helped her sit up, cradling her in his arm as he held a small cup to her lips. The syrup was sickly sweet.
He laid her down carefully. “That will help ease the aches. It shouldn’t take long. Can I get anything for you?”
Tired eyes searched hers. She lifted a hand to his bristled cheek. “I love you, Warren.”
His hand rose to hold hers over his cheek, his eyes shuddering closed. “You don’t need to say that.”
“Of course I need to. I love you.”
“I don’t deserve you.”
Her fingers slid to his lips. “Why do you say that?”
“Because I didn’t protect you.” His voice was raw, filled with the anguish.
Her heart ached. “There’s nothing you could’ve done. We had no idea Frederick was coming.”
“I did.”
Confusion filled her heart. “You knew?”
“Tonight, my mother confessed to speaking with the man who was looking for you. I came to find you immediately, but I was too late.”
“And how is that your fault?”
“It was my mother. I should’ve known. I should’ve done something about her sooner.” His head hung in shame.
She notched his chin up, love filling her heart. “There’s nothing more you could’ve done. You came to me the minute you heard. You saved me.” She stopped him when he shook his head. “You saved me. That boar would’ve killed me if you’d arrived a second later.”
He let out a shaky breath.
“I love you, Warren. I love you so much it hurts. I’ve been stupid. Nothing matters except you, except us.
I want to marry you. More than anything in the world.”
“If I’d lost you…”
“You didn’t.”
His hands cradled her face gently. “I love you. More than life itself. I never want to go on without you.”
Tears brimmed in her eyes. “Say it again.”
“I love you.” He brushed a soft kiss against her lips, gently so there was no pain. “Don’t ever leave me.”
“I won’t. Ever.”
She tugged his hand, pulling him next to her on the bed. “Hold me until I fall asleep?”
“Forever. You’re never getting rid of me.”
As the pain medicine took effect, she floated away into blissful dreams, knowing she was finally safe.
Warren’s love had set her free.
Epilogue
Kitty smiled as she watched Warren interact with his employees from the window.
They’d married three months ago, as soon as her injuries had healed, and couldn’t describe the level of happiness she felt.
Her inheritance surprised Warren, but he hadn’t cared about the money. She was the true prize, he’d said. And with the financial threat looming over Warren’s mother’s head, she hadn’t caused any more problems for them or Castle & Snow.
Warren glanced up at her window, his eyes growing hot as he looked at her.
Her stomach flipped. She didn’t think she’d ever get used to his desire for her.
She’d been blessed, more than anyone she knew. And she’d never forget it.
She’d gone from running from her brother, hiding in a clothing factory, to here, mistress of Castle House and married to a wonderful man. She only hoped her friends were as lucky.
She’d neglected writing them for far too long. She needed to know how Lessie, Josie, and Maddy were faring in their marriages and update them about what had happened with her brother. They’d never believe it.
Sitting at her writing desk, she pulled out a piece of paper and fountain pen. Time flew by as she wove her tale, starting from her journey across the Pacific and the horrible seasickness she’d experienced.
As Kitty leaned back to let the ink dry on her letters, Warren walked in.
Kitty laughed. “I thought you were going to busy all day.”
He locked the door, a grin on his face. “But then I saw you in the window and decided we needed a break.”
Kitty squealed, jumping from the chair. “You can’t be serious, Warren!”
“I’m always very serious.”
“But the servants will know.”
“They knew this morning and that didn’t stop us.” He grinned devilishly.
She ran around the room until he caught her, both flushed with laughter and desire.
She kissed him, holding him tight in her arms. “I love you.”
He kissed her lips softly, staring into her eyes. “I love you too. More than ever.”
They came together then, basking in their love, their lives, and all the time they’d have together.
They were lucky indeed.
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Titles by Janelle Daniels
Scandals & Secrets
Scandal of Love (Scandals & Secrets - Book 1)
Masquerade Secrets (Scandals & Secrets - Book 2)
Secrets in Mourning (Scandals & Secrets - Book 3)
A Kiss with Scandal (Scandals & Secrets - Book 4)
A Christmas Secret (Scandals & Secrets – Book 4.5)
The Witches of Redwood Falls
The Witching Moon (The Witches of Redwood Falls - Book 1)
The Witches Craft (The Witches of Redwood Falls - Book 2)
Single Title Romance
Sunkissed
My Only Wish
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Kitty: Bride of Hawaii (American Mail-Order Bride 50) Page 14
