Read Online Kitty: Bride of Hawaii (American Mail-Order Bride 50) by Janelle Daniels - Free Book Online

cheeks, and a thrilled raced through his veins. As much as she might deny it, she couldn’t ignore her reaction to him any more than he could to her.
    “What do you think?” Warren asked as they walked up the steps.
    “It’s the finest house I’ve ever seen. Absolutely beautiful.”
    “I’m glad you like it.” He wanted her to. Her approval mattered.
    He escorted her up the steps and opened the front door, allowing them access inside. “Makano,” he nodded to his butler, “please inform Laka we’ll need a room readied for a guest this evening. Miss Jones will be staying with us.”
    His butler bowed his head, before taking her hat and gloves.
    “Please have refreshments brought into the parlor.”
    “Very good, sir.”
    When Makano left to see to Warren’s wishes, Kitty asked, “Laka?”
    “My housekeeper. You’ll get used to Hawaiian names quickly.”
    Divested of their outerwear, Warren led her into the formal sitting room. He’d never taken time to notice the expensive decor, the thick rugs on the floor, the curvy furniture imported from the continent. No fire lit the grate, but that was for practical reasons. It already sweltered outside. He wondered if it met with Kitty’s approval. “Have a seat.”
    Sitting in a chair, Kitty smoothed her skirts.
    Was she nervous? She had to be. With the future so uncertain, any woman would worry.
    He knew what he wanted to ask, what he wanted her to agree to, but it was too early to push again. And although she was free from her promise to Banner, there were still things in her past she refused to share, things that prevented her from agreeing to marry him.
    After a maid delivered a tea tray laden with fresh biscuits and sweets, he took a seat opposite her. “Before we discuss anything else, I want to offer the option of returning East.”
    Her hand froze above the teapot. “I have no money.”
    “I’d be willing to fund your trip. You came for a husband, and I’m partly responsible that you don’t have one. He was working in my fields when the accident happened.”
    He did feel responsible. Every single thing that occurred on his property happened under his care. He reaped success from his worker’s input, but he also harbored the responsibility when things went wrong.
    Her hand shook as she retracted it from the pot. “That’s generous, Mr. Castle. But I’d prefer to stay in Hawaii.”
    Relief swept through him. He’d made the offer because it was the right thing to do, but had she taken him up on it, he would’ve worked to persuade her to stay. He didn’t plan on letting her get away, and her desire to stay in Hawaii made things a little easier.
    “Will you not call me Warren?” he asked quietly. He wanted the easy companionship they’d shared while on the ship. If he could resurrect that, perhaps she’d be open to more between them. “Even if only in private?”
    She gulped. “I’m not sure I’m comfortable with that.”
    “I do not think of you as Miss Jones any longer.”
    “You may call me Kitty, if you prefer.”
    He leaned forward. “I do. And I prefer you call me Warren. We’re friends, aren’t we?”
    She hesitated a moment, his breath freezing until she nodded. He wanted so much more than mere friendship, but it was a place to start.
    Her hand returned to the pot, pouring two steaming cups, but she didn’t glance up to meet his eyes again. “Do you really think you can help me find a position?”
    His hand smoothed over his chin as he leaned back into plush cushions. “Yes. I’m well acquainted with members of society here and should be able to find something quickly.” He waited until her eyes met his. “I would prefer to marry you, but as you mentioned on the ship, it isn’t possible.”
    “It isn’t.”
    His jaw clenched as unwilling frustration poured into him, but he asked calmly, “Why not? As a mail-order bride, you didn’t know Mr. Banner and therefore had no feelings for him. Yet you were willing to marry