Kimberly Nee - The McKenzie Brothers (21 page)

Chapter Thirty

Katherine gritted her teeth as Marie gave a sharp tug on her hair. “If you don’t mind, I’d rather not have a bald spot for supper.”

“My apologies, Miss Katherine,” Marie muttered, instantly easing up on her mistress’s hair. “You look quite lovely this evening.”

“I thank you. It was an excellent choice on your part.” She smoothed a hand down over the skirts of her deep burgundy silk gown. The color suited her, brought out the green in her eyes and the dark red in her hair.

The gown was lovely — edged in gold with elaborate embroidery on the boning of the bodice, as well as the cuffs. Marie was carefully pinning Katherine’s thick curls up and away from her face, securing them with pins dotted with rubies.

Katherine was a little nervous about dining with Garrett’s family. The thought of stepping into Stonebridge, of being faced with the stares and questions was nearly enough to make her want to lock her door and refuse to leave her room.

Since she had yet to move her belongings into one of the other three bedchambers on the second floor, she had no choice but to ready herself in the room she shared with Garrett. But he was nowhere to be found; he’d dressed earlier in order to minimize contact with his wife.

She resisted the urge to sigh as she sat before the mirror fastened above the oak vanity he’d bought shortly after their wedding. Her heart felt heavier each time she thought about her husband. She wanted to cry every time she thought about Garrett, every time she thought about the nights she’d spent in his arms, feeling like the most adored woman in the world. When Marie had finished, she left her mistress alone in the room. Katherine sat on the embroidered tapestry bench, staring at her reflection for a long moment. Behind her, the bed loomed like a silent, mocking giant, reminding her of the passionate encounters she and Garrett had shared, how he’d brought forth a woman she hadn’t even known existed.

Her eyes moved to his desk, heat climbing into her cheeks as she remembered how, only last eve, they made love in that bloody chair.

Made love? Bah!

Her back stiffened at the grating of the door handle. Garrett was suddenly reflected in the mirror. “May I?”

“Of course,” she replied stiffly, willing her heartbeat to return to its normal, slower pace. “It’s your room, after all.”

He stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. “It’s
our
room, Katherine. Or, at least, it will be again when you get over being so angry at me for such a silly reason.”

“I am happy you think it silly. I, however, see nothing silly about one man’s betting another over who can take a lady to his bed first. I find that utterly appalling.”

He sighed deeply, leaning back against the door. “Very well. Stay angry at me as long as you wish, then. It changes nothing. You are still my wife.”

“In name only.”

“Be that as it may,” he continued, as if he hadn’t heard her, “this is still
our
room.”

Her heart gave a small leap as he strode over to stand behind her. She could almost feel the heat rising from his body as he leaned over to lift her fall of auburn curls from her nape. “What are you doing?”

“I thought you might like something to adorn your neck this evening, sweetheart.”

His voice was the softest of whispers, his breath skimming her skin like a feathery caress, and her eyes at once felt heavy. He withdrew a small case from the pocket of his frock coat to set on the vanity before her.

She stared at it for a long moment, trying to decide if she ought to be insulted that he assumed a mere gift would make it all go away, that it’d make her anger, her shame, vanish in an instant.

Biting her bottom lip, she murmured, “This changes nothing, Garrett.”

“I did not expect it to,” he replied in a gruff voice. “I simply thought you would like it and it would look beautiful on you.” He cleared his throat. “Go on, then. Open it.”

Katherine reached for the box, her heart fluttering in her chest as she slowly opened it. Inside, on a bed of the purest white velvet, lay a beautiful, glittering choker with a sparkling, flawless ruby mounted in the center.

“Garrett, I don’t think — ”

“It’s yours, so you might as well wear it. I have no ulterior motives other than you are my wife and the only jewelry you own is your wedding ring.”

Part of her wanted to snub him, but a bigger part coveted the lovely piece, as she’d never owned anything so beautiful. “I don’t suppose it would hurt. And it
is
lovely.” She lifted her gaze to meet his in the mirror. “Thank you, Garrett.”

“There is no need to thank me.” He took the choker from its resting place to set it against her throat. As she lifted a hand to hold it in place, he caught the ends to fasten it round her neck, his fingers warm as they brushed her nape.

She fought the urge to lean into him, to sigh softly and melt against his strong body. He caressed her bared shoulders, his fingertips pressing into her.

His fingers lingered against her. She’d never wanted anyone the way she did him. To make it more frustrating, she didn’t want to want him. Not one bit. It infuriated her, powerless she was when it came to this damn attraction.

But it wasn’t to be. It was all a farce. A
wager
. The word did much to stomp down her desire. Much, indeed.

He let her curls slip through his fingers. “I suppose we ought to go, love.”

She nodded, rising from her bench and smoothing her skirts. “Do I look acceptable?”

Garrett smiled, his gaze slowly moving over her. “You look absolutely beautiful, Katherine.”

Although she was furious with him, she had to admit it pleased her to know that he found her beautiful. “Thank you.”

“Thank me? For speaking the truth?” He offered her his arm. “Come along, love. We do not wish to be late.”

She hesitated for a moment, but then slipped her arm through his. “No. I don’t suppose we do.”

Katherine squeezed Garrett’s arm as they made their way up to the front door of Stonebridge. “I feel dizzy,” she whispered, a sudden wave of nausea sweeping through her.

“There is no need to be frightened, sweetheart. I’ve a feeling we’ll not have a repeat of the last time we were here.”

She wished she could be as certain. Her stomach was a mess of painful knots as they stepped inside and the sounds of voices reached her ears. Although she knew they were welcome, she was apprehensive as he led her to the parlor.

She was practically clinging to his arm as they stepped over the threshold into the family gathering. Rebecca looked up from her chair and Katherine breathed a sigh of relief as the matriarch smiled warmly at them.

“Oh, please, do come in,” Rebecca greeted them, rising. “Katherine, it’s so nice to see you again.”

“Thank you, Madam McKenzie,” she said, hesitating slightly over what to call Garrett’s mother.

Rebecca’s smile grew warmer still. “Oh, there will be none of that, Katherine. Please, you are family and there is no formality in this family.”

With that, Rebecca embraced her warmly. Katherine stood stiffly in her arms, not at all certain how to respond. Her warmth was odd, considering she’d shown so little of it at their previous meeting.

Still, she did not wish to spark animosity again, so she quickly returned the hug. Over Rebecca’s shoulder, Katherine saw Emma beaming at her and she wondered what Emma had told her mother that caused Rebecca to welcome her so graciously.

Garrett greeted his mother with a kiss and a hug as well, before turning to the rest of his family. He kept Katherine’s arm tucked firmly through his and although she was still furious with him, she made no move to pull free. She would not be the one to ruin this night. As far as anyone was concerned, they were every bit the loving couple.

If only that were true. Every time she glanced up at him, fresh anger seared her heart. Each time she thought about how he bet that awful Jefferson fellow he’d be the one to lure Katherine into his bed, sadness welled up. It hurt so badly to think that he used her in such a manner. Knowing she loved him only made it worse for her. Trying to hate a man she loved with every part of her being was more difficult than she imagined.

She managed to keep it at bay as she chatted with Emma and Mary, heard several amusing anecdotes from James regarding his eldest child, and did not miss the way Garrett’s gaze kept flicking in her direction. Each time those topaz eyes fell on her, heat swept through her and she had to look away. She was determined that he not draw her in once more. She would not let him do that to her again, would not give him that hold over her.

Garrett fought to keep his temper in check. Katherine acted the loving wife, but he felt the ice lying just beneath the warmth she displayed to his family. Her eyes remained dark and cool each time they met his, and she was quick to look away.

He’d known it would take more than the necklace to soothe her bruised pride and wounded feelings, but he was at a loss as to what he could possibly do to make it up to her. Every time he envisioned Bradley Jefferson standing before Katherine, telling her about the bet — with a smug smile on his face, no doubt — it was all Garrett could do to remain at Stonebridge. What he really wished to do was ride into town and teach Jefferson a lesson he wouldn’t soon forget.

That would come later. First, Garrett needed to put things right between him and his wife.

After supper, Rebecca had insisted on going into the library to begin planning the grand nuptial ball she wished to host for them. Emma and Mary were chattering away to Katherine about the plans as the women left the dining room.

James McKenzie came around the table to ease into Mary’s vacated chair. “What’s on your mind?”

Garrett looked over at his father. “Nothing pressing.”

“Is everything all right between you and Katherine?” James’s voice was low with concern, his dark brows knit into a frown. “I sense a bit of a chill between the two of you.”

Garrett debated about spilling, but hesitated. “Everything is fine.”

“If you say so.”

“I do.”

“Far be it from me to butt into matters that do not concern me, Garrett. I am only concerned with your best interests.”

“I am telling you that everything is fine.”

James didn’t look even remotely convinced. However, all he did was slap his hands against his thighs. “Very well. I’ll not press. But, should you feel the need for a bit of soul-baring, let me know.”

“I will.”

James rose from his chair then, stretching. “I think I’ll go up to bed. Bid your bride a good evening for me, will you?”

Garrett nodded, eyes still on the port. As James moved to the doorway, Garrett suddenly said, “Have you ever done something that you thought Momma might not forgive you for?”

James paused, turning back to him as he nodded. “More than once, certainly. What happened?”

Garrett rubbed his forehead with one hand as James returned to his chair. “What was the worst thing for you?”

James gave him a rueful grin. “I shall take it to my grave, Garrett. It’s nothing I wish my son to know, for I am still extremely ashamed of it for even happening at the time.”

“That sounds very familiar.” Garrett let out a rueful chuckle of his own. “I made a wager with Brad Jefferson regarding Katherine, back when I first met her.”