Kimberly Nee - The McKenzie Brothers (17 page)

Chapter Twenty-Five

“Miss Katherine?”

Katherine looked up from the book that lay open in her lap. Marie stood in the doorway of the library, that same cold, remote expression on her face that had taken up residence there for the past week. “Yes?”

“Madam McCallister is here to see you.”

Katherine closed the book to set on the pale blue velvet sofa beside her. “Please, show her in.”

Marie bobbed her head. “Yes, Miss Katherine.”

Katherine bit the inside of her cheek to keep from groaning with frustration. For the last week, it was the same thing no matter which servant she spoke to. Marie and Patsy were coldly formal, showing no emotion whatsoever as they said,
Yes, Miss Katherine
and
Of course, Miss Katherine.
It drove her mad.

A moment later, Marie was back with Emma behind her. “May I get you anything, Madam McCallister?”

Emma shook her head as she eased off her white gloves to tuck into her reticule. “No, thank you, Marie. I am fine.”

“Miss Katherine, may I fetch you anything?”

“No. That will be all.”

“Yes, Miss Katherine.” Marie left the room, pulling the doors closed behind her.

Katherine gave Emma a slight smile. “They are none too pleased that I married Garrett.”

Emma didn’t return the smile, but some of the coldness did seem to fade from her blue eyes as she sank into jade green damask armchair. “Yes, I imagine it was quite the surprise for them.”

“That does seem to be the general consensus,” Katherine replied softly, refusing to look away under Emma’s direct stare.

“Surely you must know why we are all so surprised, Katherine. It’s Garrett, of all people. Half of Brunswick is abuzz with this. No one can believe it’s the truth.”

“I can understand that,” Katherine said, shifting to tuck her legs up beneath her. “But, it
is
the truth.”

“Why?”

“I beg your pardon?”

Emma didn’t look the least bit apologetic. “Katherine, you seem forget, he is my brother. I know for a fact that he was most content being a bachelor. That he had no intention of giving that up. And then he marries on a whim? What else are any of us supposed to think?”

“I know it must seem odd, but you must believe it isn’t anything for anyone to worry about.”

“Is that so?” Emma asked mildly. “I do hope you’ll forgive me if I don’t entirely believe you.”

Katherine sighed softly. “Emma, it isn’t what you are most likely thinking.”

“And what am I thinking?”

“That I am trying to swindle your brother out of anything. I’m not, you realize.” Katherine sat back against the sofa, shaking her head.

“Then what
are
you doing?”

She had no choice but to tell her the truth. “Your brother is in no danger from me. I give you my word on that.” She rose from the sofa to cross over to the doors. She slid them open, peered up and down the hallway, and closed them once more. “I’d rather not be overheard.”

“Of course,” Emma replied, nodding solemnly. “I can understand that.”

Katherine returned to the sofa, curling up onto it once more. Taking a deep breath, she told Emma the entire story, ending with, “Your brother offered me the protection of his name through marriage.”

Emma shook her head. “But I don’t understand what Garrett gets out of all of this?”

Katherine had no answer for that. “I’m not really certain. He didn’t leave me a choice, you understand. The idea was his, as was his insistence we do it right away.”

“
That
sounds like Garrett. He is one for orders, very little explanation, and even less refusal.”

Katherine didn’t know how to respond to that. At first, she would have agreed with Emma. But lately, Garrett seemed to be in such a wonderful mood. He was every bit the attentive husband and she felt very much the cherished wife.

She looked up at Emma and shook her head. “He’s not the tyrant everyone seems to think he is.”

Emma’s eyes brightened, a devilish sparkle leaping onto them. “Garrett? Not a tyrant? You mean to tell me that these walls aren’t vibrating from his temper?”

“I keep hearing about this temper, but I’ve yet to see it.” Katherine smoothed a hand over her skirts. “I’ve heard him raise his voice a bit on occasion, but that is the extent of it.”

“You must be working magic on him then, Katherine, for the Garrett
I
know instills fear in most everyone whose path he crosses. Why, I even heard that he attacked Bradley Jefferson right on the front porch of his house!”

“What?”

Emma nodded. “
That
is my brother. Hot-headed, quick to temper, and even quicker to throw a punch. My husband could tell you plenty about the McKenzie temper. He’s fallen prey to it from more than just me.”

“Why on earth would Garrett do such a thing? I thought that man was a friend of his.”

“Apparently he is no longer.”

“When did this happen?”

Emma’s brow furrowed for a moment. “Let me think. Rose was still in Philadelphia, so it wasn’t
this
week.” She tapped her forefinger against her pursed lips. “Ah, I know! I heard about it on Friday, so it must have happened either Wednesday or Thursday.”

Katherine thought back to the morning after their wedding, when she and Garrett were walking up to Stonebridge and she noticed the back of his right hand had been terribly banged up. Was
that
the true reason behind it?

“He told me he banged his hand against a desk,” she muttered.

“That is not what I heard. In fact, several people were witness to the scuffle, if it could even be called that. Seems Jefferson did not even put up a fight, but let Garrett pummel him.” Emma fell silent for a moment, then said, “I owe you an apology then, don’t I?”

“I suppose so, were I seeking one, which I am not. I can understand why your family would be suspicious of me. Were I in your place, I would most likely do the same.”

“But, yours isn’t a love match?”

“Not at all.”

“And there is
nothing
going on between you and Garrett? Nothing more than a marriage of convenience?”

Katherine thought about lying, but judging by the smirk emerging on Emma’s face, it seemed lying would serve no purpose. Her blasted cheeks betrayed her too easily. “Well…”

“Oh, I suppose I know the answer to
that
.” Emma’s smirk evolved into a genuine smile and with it, grew her resemblance to Garrett. “At least you
both
benefit, then.”

“Yes, I suppose we do.” Katherine couldn’t help her soft chuckle.

“You can be assured I’ll
not
tell my family that. Although, I do owe Julian a huge
I told you so
. He told me I ought to mind my own business.”

Katherine agreed with Julian, but thought it best to not say so. Instead, she said, “I do hope this means the door’ll not be slammed in my face.”

“Oh, we’d never do that. You’ve nothing to worry about. Everyone was surprised because — well — because it’s
Garrett
.”

As she spoke, Emma rummaged in her black lace reticule, coming up with her gloves. She drew them on and rose from her chair. “I suppose I ought to be heading back. I hope you’ll not hold this against us. We’re lovely people, you know.”

“I wouldn’t. Katherine unfolded her legs once more to rise from the sofa. “As soon as things settle around here, we will invite you down for supper.”

“That would be lovely,” Emma said as they moved to the doors. “And I am certain my mother will beginning planning the ball to end all balls once I tell her that you somehow made Garrett fall madly in love with you.”

“But, I did nothing of the sort,” she protested, pulling open the doors.

“Oh, but you will have when
I
tell her. If Garrett had wanted us to know the reason, he’d have told us that morning up at Stonebridge. Since he didn’t, I can only assume he wishes everyone to think he’s married for love. Besides, you never know. It could always turn out that way. Lord knows it did for me.”

This came as a surprise to Katherine. “I beg your pardon?”

Emma gave her another grin and leaned close to whisper, “Ask Garrett about how I came to be married. But be warned, something just may fly through the air.” She pulled away with a chuckle. “Now Julian and I love each other to distraction. So, stranger things have happened.”

Emma left with that parting comment, her heels echoing against the wood floor as she strode to the front door to pull it open.

Katherine stood there in the doorway for a long moment, thinking about what Emma had said.

There had been a time when Katherine dreamed of marrying for love. In fact, as a young girl some of her favorite stories had been those about ordinary, common girls who found their princes and fell in love with them. She had spent a good portion of her childhood imagining a prince like the ones she read about.

Then Gerald Sanders stole those fantasies from her, crushing them with as much force as he could. Until meeting Garrett, she thought her hopes to ever even marry were gone forever.

She sank back down onto the sofa and picked up her book. Normally, she loved reading Shakespeare, and
Macbeth
was one of her favorite plays. Now, however, the book lay ignored in her lap as she couldn’t stop thinking about Emma’s words.

Chapter Twenty-Six

“A message for you, Miss Katherine.”

Katherine looked up from
Macbeth.
Victoria stood in the doorway to the library. “A message?”

“Yes.” The cook smiled at her, holding out a folded sheet of creamy ivory stationery. “One of the boys from Stonebridge just came by to drop this off for you and Mister Garrett.”

Katherine returned her smile as she closed her book. “Thank you, Victoria.”

“You’re welcome. Would you care for some tea?”

Where had the others had got, leaving the cook to ask her if she wished a spot of tea?

“I am going to have to have words with Mrs. Riley again. She needs to tighten her authority over those two.”

Victoria nodded slowly. “Of course, Miss Katherine. Would you care for some,?”

“Actually, I would. I’ll take it in the kitchen.”

“Of course.”

As she followed Victoria down the hallway, Katherine cracked the wax seal and unfolded the note. “It’s from Miss Rebecca.”

“Really now?”

“Yes. An invitation to supper at Stonebridge.”

“Well, that is good, is it not?”

“Yes, as it includes me as well as Garrett.”

“That
is
good, then. By the by, where is Mister Garrett?” Victoria asked as she pushed open the door to the kitchen and made her way to the fire to put the kettle on.

“I do believe he is bathing at present,” Katherine replied. “That’s most likely why Patsy and Marie are nowhere to be found. I would wager they are hovering about the closed door, praying he will need a towel or some other such nonsense.”

“Oh, Miss Katherine, you’ve nothing to worry about.”

Katherine sank into one of the straight-backed chairs at the table. “I am not worried. Merely annoyed. I’ve been trying to see things from their point of view, but after three weeks, it’s growing old.”

“If you don’t mind my saying, Miss Katherine, I believe both are jealous.”

“Well, I cannot fault them, I suppose. After all, it wasn’t so long ago I
was
one of them.” She didn’t know why she was confiding in the cook this way, but couldn’t stop herself. She was fond of Victoria and the feeling seemed to be mutual. She offered comfort by being such a wonderful listener, not to mention that she offered up good advice when asked.

“I don’t think it’s that, Miss Katherine.” The kettle began to steam, so Victoria quickly lifted it from the fire and brought over to set in the middle of the table. “Then what is the case? I’ve done nothing to cause such hostility.”

“But of course you have,” Victoria replied softly, bringing over two cups and the sugar. “You married Mister Garrett.”

“I realize that, Victoria.”

“No, no,” the cook shook her head, “that’s not what I meant. I think they feel the same sense of loss as other women in Brunswick.”

“Loss?”

“Of the most eligible man in town.” Victoria scooped tea leaves into the small mesh bag, lowered it into the teapot, and poured boiling water from the kettle into the teapot. “They work for him, but they are not immune to his good looks either. Nor his charm. And let us not forget, his family’s fortune. I would not be surprised if each of them has harbored the fantasy that has become your reality, Miss Katherine.”

“No, I don’t suppose they are immune.” Katherine glanced down at the missive in her hand again. “I will always have to cope with that.”

“Most likely. That’s what happens when you become the wife of the man every lady in town wished to marry.” Victoria grinned and she reached out to pat her hand. “Now, tell me what your invitation says.”

Katherine smiled. Emma must have painted a wonderful picture for her family, for the invitation was friendly. “It asks that we join them for supper tomorrow eve.”

Victoria poured the tea into both cups. “Perhaps they are coming around now.”

“Perhaps.” Katherine pushed back from her chair. “I’d best bring this to Garrett’s attention. Excuse me.”

Without waiting for Victoria’s reply, Katherine left the kitchen and made her way upstairs to the room she now shared with Garrett.

A flutter of nervousness darted through her. Was she being too bold? No, he was her husband. It was perfectly acceptable now.

Garrett was in the brass tub, his back to her. She closed the door, her eyes on him the entire time, taking in the glorious scene.

She bit her lower lip. His hair was wet and slicked back, curling at his nape. Water beaded on his neck and shoulders as he ran the cloth up the slope of his neck. A thin veil of steam rose from the water’s surface and he groaned appreciatively as he sank back into the tub.

It was far too inviting.

Not wanting to startle him, she cleared her throat before saying, “Garrett?”

He turned to see her hanging in the doorway and smiled. “Come in, love.”

“Victoria just handed me an invitation for us to dine up at Stonebridge tomorrow eve.”

“Really?” He sat back against the side of the tub, still smiling at her. “Katherine, it’s all right if you come over here. It isn’t as if you’ve never laid eyes upon me.”

She wondered if he had any clue as to the mind-rattling images he evoked with his brazen attitude toward being undressed. He had to know how the sight of his naked body wrought havoc upon her senses.

“No,” she admitted with a sheepish smile. “I don’t suppose it is.”

Water dripped from his hand as he lifted it from the tub’s rim. Crooking his forefinger, he gestured for her to come closer. “Come, love. Help me wash my back, the way a wife should.”

As he spoke, he held out the small cake of soap and the cloth he’d been using. A nervous flutter erupted in her belly at the thought of doing so intimate a chore. Gathering up her skirts to tuck about her legs, she knelt beside the tub and leaned over. It accommodated his big body perfectly. The water sloshed above his hips as he shifted forward to rest his elbows on his bent knees, his head falling forward.

She released the cloth and the soap, letting both fall into the tub with a soft
plop
. Instead, she leaned forward and, ever so lightly, flicked her tongue out to taste one of the droplets beading on his right shoulder.

He groaned softly and she grew braver still. Slipping her arms about his shoulders, she rose up to lean into him, swirling her tongue up the length of his back, up the curve of his neck, to catch one earlobe between gentle teeth. Her hands flattened against the broad planes of his chest, her fingers slipping through the soft hair covering it.

Garrett reached for her, his fingers curling about her upper arms, biting into her flesh as he tugged her around from behind. He ignored the water sloshing over the sides of the tub as he wrapped his wet arms about her waist. His mouth came up to capture hers in a soulful kiss.

He stood, spilling more water over the tub’s rim. It splashed on the floor, dripped on her feet, but she didn’t care as he lifted her. Bathwater soaked into the front of her gown, into her chemise, then trickled across the floor when he stepped effortlessly from the tub to spirit her to the bed. Ignoring the fact that they were now both soaking wet, Garrett pressed her into the feather tick, covering her body with his.

“Ah, but you are a lusty vixen, Katherine.” He reached down to caress her slender calf dragging her skirts up as he did so. “Seducing a man in his bath — how bold of you.”

Her laughter was breathless as his fingers pressed into her thigh. “I did no such thing.” “Oh, but you did, love,” came his whispered response, his fingers now caressing the sensitive flesh where her thigh and hip met. “Next time you should join me in the tub.”

“I could nev — ”

His lips caught hers to halt the protest. His teeth gently tugged her bottom lip, muffling his, “You could. All you needed to do was lower yourself astride me. There is more than one position for making love, you know. Quite a few more, actually.”

A shudder tore through her at the thought that one day she might discover exactly
how
many there were. She smiled up into his amber eyes. “And you would not think me brazen?”

“I most certainly would. Brazen and bold and incredibly erotic. It would make me weak in the knees, knowing my wife desires me as much as I desire her. It would be something I’d never forget, sweetheart. The sight of you taking charge over me.”

Those words, accompanied by a lusty smile, sent a piercing flare of heat coursing through her. “And that would not horrify you?”

“On the contrary.” He kissed her again, his tongue sweeping over her bottom lip in a heady caress. “Makes me want you all the more.”

An airy sigh bubbled to her lips as the fingers that had been stroking her thigh were now slipping into the curls between them. “Garrett…”

“What, love?”

Before she could answer, he slid a finger inside her and her breath hitched as fire slowly built where he stroked. Heavenly. There was no other way to describe it, and before long, words refused to form in her mind.

Speaking was impossible. The fire burned brighter with each stroke. She wanted to make him feel the desire he brought to life within her. She sought out him out, her hand closing about him gently.

He groaned, but made no mood to pull away from her, and she smiled. Her fingers tightened, and she moved faster, savoring his sharp intake of breath.

“This is all right, then?”

He opened his heavy-lidded eyes as he caught her gaze and managed a smile. “It’s magnificent, love.”

His husky encouragement emboldened her and, as he shuddered against her touch, she felt a rush of pleasure at the notion that she was giving him the same enjoyment he gave her.

Garrett reached down then, gently prizing her fingers away from him. He braced himself above her, beginning his slow entry into her welcoming heat, groaning as she surrounded him completely.

His gaze darkened to fiery amber and held hers as he made love to her. Pleasure engulfed her, and as his name found its way to her lips, it was with lusty surrender she gave herself entirely to him.

A gentle breeze wafted in along the corridor, draping about her like a silk wrap, gliding over her skin, then sliding free to go on its way. She neared the doorway to Garrett’s office, then hesitated. He’d come down here earlier, muttering something about a never-ending headache Eagleton. Although he hadn’t requested he not be disturbed, she let him be just the same. But as time passed, she could no longer ignore the urge to interrupt him the way she had earlier.

Peace wrapped around her with tender arms. For the first time in forever, she had no urge to peer out into the darkness, had no fear Sanders lurked there. He couldn’t touch her. He could never touch her again. Garrett made certain of that.

A low curse wafted on the breeze and she paused. Perhaps interrupting him wasn’t such a good idea after all.

She peered around the corner to see Garrett at his desk, shirtsleeves rolled to his elbows, dark hair mussed from his habit of raking his fingers through it. He sat bent over a sheaf of papers, but looked up as if he sensed her presence. His expression softened and he set down his pen. “Haunting me, are you?”

“I don’t mean to interrupt.”

“No need to worry about it, Kat.” His chair squeaked as he leaned back. “Is something troubling you?”

“Not at all.” She gestured over her left shoulder with one hand, in the general direction of the library. I’m a bit sleepy. I am going to fetch my book and go read up above.”

“I’ll be up in a bit.” His eyes glittered with promise in the low light. “Stay awake if you can.”

“Garrett!” A warm blush stung her cheeks and she shook her head. “Again?”

“With you, sweetheart? Always.”

The blush spread through her entire body, and her belly did a delicious flip of anticipation. “Very well.”

His smile, so full of sensual promise, stayed with her as she made her way above. Would she ever become accustomed to her husband and his amorous streak? Would she always have that wonderful fluttering in her belly at the thought of his touch, of his kiss? Was it possible she’d finally found happiness?