Kitty: Bride of Hawaii (American Mail-Order Bride 50) by Janelle Daniels Page A

You’ll be mingling with the cream of society. It won’t last. Whatever Warren’s fascination is with you, it will fade. Just as it has with all the other women he’s taken a fancy to. If I were you, I wouldn’t get too comfortable here. He’s been generous enough, providing a roof over your head, food, even a new wardrobe. Take what you have and leave before everything falls apart.”
    What a spiteful old woman. Warren had his hands full. “Thank you for your advice, but I’m afraid I’m unable to follow it. I have a job to do here, and I’ll see it done. Now, is there anything else we can do for you? Cook and I have much more to discuss.”
    Red mottled Mrs. Castle’s cheeks. “You’ll be sorry. Believe me. You might feel all high and mighty here, but you and I both know what you really are. So will others. They’ll shun you.”
    The cantankerous woman spun around, marching out in a huff.
    “Well, that was pleasant,” Kitty remarked. Rubbing her arms with her hands, she forced away a chill the woman’s words gave her.
    “I’m worried.”
    Kitty waved away Cook’s concern. “Don’t. She can’t do anything. She’s only venting her frustration. Nothing more.”
    “Mrs. Castle is vicious. Please just keep an eye out for her. I’d hate for you to get hurt by her nastiness.”
    “I will. Mrs. Castle can’t hurt me.”
    Kitty believed that with all her heart. Warren’s mother might be difficult to get along with, but there wasn’t anything she could do to Kitty without hurting her own son.
    No, Kitty wasn’t worried about a thing.
----
    H er nerves rattling , Kitty made her way to Castle House and its kitchen early the next morning, her checklist in hand. There were a number of things to see to before the party, and Kitty planned on finishing each and every one.
    Sobbing met her ears as she stepped in the kitchen.
    “Cook?”
    The older woman sobbed into her apron. “Oh, miss. It’s just as I said. It’s ruined.”
    A lump settled in Kitty’s stomach, but she forced her voice to remain calm. “What’s ruined?”
    “Everything.”
    The kitchen staff stood alongside the room, agreeing with Cook’s assessment.
    “Ruined? How can that be? Everything looks in order.”
    Sniffling, Cook fetched a fresh spoon, scooping out a sample of chicken salad. “Taste this.”
    Accepting the spoon, Kitty settled the mixture in her mouth. Her eyes widened as she spit out the salty concoction. “Good heavens! What happened to it?”
    Cook’s eyes filled yet again. “It’s as I said. It’s ruined. All of it.”
    Kitty’s eyes flitted over the other bowls of fillings. “All of them? How can that be? Was there an accident?”
    “I check them myself last night. When we pulled them out this morning and tested them, they were either too salty, too sweet, or some other variation. There’s only one way that could have happened.”
    Kitty’s fist clenched. Cook didn’t need to say anymore. It was obvious what had happened.
    Sabotage.
    And only one person hated her enough to go to this length. With only a few hours to spare, remaking the fillings was out of the question. They had no food to serve the guests.
    “What will we do?”
    Kitty paced the kitchen. “What about the fruit? The tarts?” She had to ask, although she feared the answer.
    “Same as the fillings.”
    Kitty swallowed hard. “I’ll be back in ten minutes. Remove the ruined food and keep everyone on hand.”
    Cook’s chin wobbled, but she quickly sprang into action as Kitty walked out the door.
    She didn’t know where she was headed, but she needed the outdoors, the fresh air. Besides her brother, never in her whole life had anyone done something so cruel to her.
    Kitty had underestimated the woman. She’d assumed Mrs. Castle would never hurt her own son, but she had. What kind of mother would do that? She had to know how much his business, their livelihood, counted on these parties.
    Could she honestly be so vindictive?
    If one