Page 45 of Catnapped

May’s mouth drops open.

“Are you sure that wasn’t some sort of an act? Maybe they were secretly–”

Mrs. Farrol lets out a belly laugh and sits up to take her drink from the flight attendant. “The only thing Sorcha wanted to secretly do to Alfie was knife him.” She giggles more, her face taking on an almost girlish look.

May cocks her head at Mousey, then her eyes light up. “It was you!”

“Me?” Mrs. Farrol asks, her eyes still crinkled with amusement. “Me what?”

“It wasyouthat Sorcha wanted! Not Alfred!”

“What? No. We were just friends. We never …” Mrs. Farrol allows the flight attendant to fasten her seat belt as the descent begins in earnest. “It wasn’t like that … Well, I mean,” sheamends, her eyes going a bit misty. “There was that magical spring in the Alps. We hiked–can you believe it? We hiked through the most beautiful meadows you could imagine.” She reaches up and brushes her fingers along her hair. “She braided flowers here, bright blue ones. Like a crown on my head. She told me I was the most beautiful woman she’d ever seen, like a nymph from ancient times, sent to lure foolhardy men to their deaths.”

I clear my throat and try to stow my incredulity. “And you were justfriends?”

“I mean, of course we enjoyed each other’s bodies.” She shrugs as if that’s a throwaway fact. “We were young then, just girls. But she knew I had to marry well. My family expected it. Though, I admit”–she sighs—“I was never happier than when I was with her. Those moments–I think of them often. Even when things went sour between us. Even when she hated me. I still … I still thought of her fondly. Foolishly, of course. Especially now that I know she kidnapped my sweet Fitzy. She’s my greatest enemy. The one who’s hoping for my downfall.”

“She wanted to marry you,” May blurts. “That’s why she was glaring in your wedding photo. That’s why she was so bitter and resented you. Not because she hated you, but because shelovedyou, and you broke her heart!”

The plane touches down with the lightest of bumps, and Mrs. Farrol shakes her head slowly. “I don’t think …” She gulps her martini, and when the flight attendant offers another, she turns it down.

We roll to a stop.

“I’ve had quite enough conjecture. This is all nonsense created by the runaway mind of a gifted cat psychic. Sorcha is guilty of stealing my beloved prince. This is a vendetta, nothing more. You’ll see. She’ll probably attack me the moment we set foot at her chateau.” She glances at me. “Be ready. You’re the muscle.” Mrs. Farrol wrangles herself free from her seat belt. “Now, let’s go get my boy.”

26

MAY

“Iknow I’m right.” I take Carson’s hand as he helps me down the stairs. “I justknowit.”

“I don’t doubt you, babe. I never will.” He squeezes my fingers.

Mousey jumps onto the tarmac and runs to one of the waiting limos, jumping in quickly.

“Diva,” I laugh, then squeal as Carson takes my waist and sets me down onto solid ground.

“Let’s get you in the car. It’s too cold.” He hurries me forward.

“Carson!” Mrs. Farrol chirps. “A moment?”

“Get in. I’ll be right back.” He drops a kiss on my head then trots over to Mrs. Farrol’s car. “What do you need?”

I follow Mousey’s path into the back seat of the warm limo and scoot over to leave room for Carson. The driver closes the door before I can protest, then he slides into the front seat.

“Get out! You have to get out!” Mousey’s muffled cries come from somewhere up front.

Alarm raises my hackles. “Where are you?” I lean between the seats and see her fur poking out between the seams of the glove box. “Mousey!”

“Let’s go for a ride,” the driver says in a distinctly non-French accent.

“Let her go–Oh!” I yelp and fall backwards into the seat as he floors it and turns the limo hard to the left. Then, he’s speeding away from the plane, away from Carson.

“It’s the greaseball from–”Mousey hisses as the driver takes another hard turn and I’m thrown across the back seat.

“Lennie!” I grab the doorhandle and hold on as he speeds onto a roadway and really floors it.

“You remembered. How sweet.” I can hear the grin in his voice.

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