Kitty: Bride of Hawaii (American Mail-Order Bride 50) Read Online Free Page A

crusty bread. “Can I get you anything else?”
    “Not right now, Robert. Thank you.”
    The first taste of stew hit him like a ravenous man. It was spiced to perfection, and the meat practically dissolved in his mouth. Whatever he was paying the cook, he was worth it and more.
    She sampled the stew, dabbing at her lips in a way that caught his attention. Full. Gorgeous. Enticing. His body clenched. What would she taste like?
    She cleared her throat. “I have no husband yet, but I am on my way to Hawaii to be married.”
    It took him a moment to tear his eyes away from her plump red mouth and refocus on what she’d said. “Yes, I’d heard that. Mr. Banner, if I’m not correct?”
    She nodded shakily, sampling more stew.
    “How do the two of you know each other?” he asked, already knowing the truth.
    She shifted in her chair. “We don’t exactly. Not well, anyway. I answered an advertisement for a mail-order bride. Mr. Banner was in San Francisco for a time and was able to come to an arrangement with me rather quickly. He’s the one who arranged travel on the Castle Crown .”
    “So you two have never met?” He prodded for more information as questions assailed him. If she was a lady from a good family, wealthy enough to send her to finishing school, what was she doing becoming a mail-order bride? He found it impossible to believe that no man in the East would want her. After spending five minutes in her company when she was ill, he was having thoughts about a future he never thought he’d want.
    She shook her head, but wouldn’t meet his eye. “No. We have never met. I admit it’s strange, but my circumstances made it necessary.”
    “What circumstances?”
    When haunted eyes met his, he cursed under his breath. “Forgive me. I did not mean to pry.”
    But now he wanted to know more. The seed of curiosity had been planted, and he wanted to demand she answer each and every question he had about her past and circumstances. The more he found out about Kitty Jones, the more questions he had. None of it made any sense. A refined, educated lady from the East, traveling without family across a continent and an ocean to marry a man she’d never met?
    It didn’t add up.
    She smiled weakly. “There’s nothing to forgive.”
    “Well, I’m grateful you’re dining with me. The voyage can get quite tedious without company, and I’d hate to do something to drive you away.”
    “You’d have to ask much more impertinent questions to drive me away, Mr. Castle.”
    Her smile caused warmth to curl low in his stomach. “Perhaps you’d be willing to join—”
    The ship shifted sharply, sliding their dishes precariously close to the edge. His hand shot out for her goblet as it tilted near the edge, but instead of feeling the cool smooth texture of glass, his hand settled over hers.
    She’d reached for the cup at the same moment.
    A shock shot up his arm at the feel of her skin against his, and his fingers tightened over her hand, holding it in his grasp as hers gripped the cup.
    Her eyes shot from their joined hands to his face, glazing over with a desire echoed in his blood. Their bond wasn’t affecting just him. He could see it clearly in her eyes, in the way her breath hitched, as color tinged her cheeks. She was as affected by him as he was by her.
    A moment passed, neither willing to remove their hands, even though the ship had steadied.
    Clearing her throat, she tugged her hand free and averted her eyes. But desire still hung thickly in the sea air.
    She picked up her spoon and ate a chunk of beef before asking a bit too casually. “And you? Is there a wife or fiancée waiting for you in Hawaii?”
    A rueful smile curved his lips. Infidelity was all too common in his social sphere. Men and women thought little of staying faithful in their marriages, but Kitty didn’t know him well enough yet to be sure he’d never behave in such a way. “No. There’s no wife, fiancée, or any other type of significant