Kimberly Nee - The McKenzie Brothers (7 page)

“You mean to say,
she
is the reason why we’ve been so shorthanded?”

“I think she is afraid of being overshadowed by a gaggle of maids. But, this might just be that nudge that she needs, when she has twice as much work to do.” He gave her a devilish smile. “Feel free to take as much time as you need, sweetheart. Take a week or two if you wish.”

She laughed, gripping her side as the ache started up. “Oh, you are terrible, Mr. McKenzie. It hurts to laugh.”

His eyes softened. “I look forward to the day when it will cause you nothing but happiness to laugh, sweetheart.”

She didn’t know what to say to that. Not that it mattered, for he didn’t wait for a reply. He left the room and closed the door softly behind him.

Chapter Ten

Katherine remained abed for two days before she’d had enough. She could not remember the last time she was so idle, and was afraid she’d go mad if she was forced to remain so for much longer.

Mrs. Riley had taken Garrett’s words to heart and not only hired two other maids but installed them in Katherine’s room, much to her dismay. Perhaps she’d been too hasty in thinking quiet time would lead to insanity. Indeed, the two silly chits prattled endlessly. They were full of such giggles and nonsense, that Katherine found it a blessing when both were put to work on their first morning. When either Patsy or Marie were in the room, Katherine paid them little heed, and steeled her resolve to be up and out of bed that much sooner.

She sighed as she slipped out of the bed. Her side still hurt, but the pain no longer induced the roiling nausea it had earlier. However, she still needed to get into town. She’d never be able to sleep peacefully until she knew if anyone had been asking about her.

She held her breath as she eased into the black dress and apron, then went below to find Marie and Patsy in the kitchen with Mrs. Riley. They were lovely girls, if one discounted the annoying chattering, one with dark blonde hair and velvety blue eyes and the other darker, more exotic looking with black hair and deep brown eyes. However, they ignored her as they busied themselves preparing dough for the day’s baking.

Katherine felt a slight pang of jealousy at the sight of the pretty maids. Mrs. Riley was exacting revenge for what she saw as Katherine’s inappropriate interest in Garrett.

Katherine didn’t doubt for a moment that one of these girls would catch Garrett’s eye. A heavy lump settled in the pit of her stomach.

“I’ll not dwell on that now,” she said to herself, pausing by the front door for a brief moment. “In fact, I won’t think of it at all. If it is meant to be, it will happen. If not…”

Her voice trailed off. If not, she’d spent eternity kicking herself for the blasted rib.

“He’s home!”

“Shh!”

Katherine rolled her eyes as Patsy and Marie giggled for the hundredth time that evening. It was almost suppertime and both maids were relishing the thought of bringing Garrett his evening meal. She tried to ignore the whispers as she rolled onto her belly, plumped the pillow under her head, and stared at the wall. What she wouldn’t have given for a decent book to read. She missed reading, her favorite leisure activity in London. Missed it terribly. Leaving behind her treasured books was almost as difficult as abandoning the fine gowns she’d once worn.

Unfortunately, staring at a plain wall did nothing to distract her from the other two, who acted as if she simply didn’t exist. They’d settled in comfortably, with enough toiletries between them to make her single comb and mirror downright pitiful.

They also claimed the wardrobe, smashing Katherine’s clothes into one side, crushing the linen into such wrinkled messes that earned her endless scowls from Mrs. Riley. In turn, Mrs. Riley sent her into the kitchen to heat the iron and smooth out each and every crease from the fabric.

Her first impulse was to have it out with the younger girls, but she bit her tongue. She didn’t know how Garrett would react should a serious fight break out between the maids, and she had no desire to cause such a fracas until she was more certain of her position. Besides, if she was absolutely honest with herself, she had to admit to a certain level of jealousy. She hated that her worldly possessions consisted of a shawl, several drab work dresses, and a pair of boots. This was
not
how her life was supposed to be, and that it had become so did nothing to ease her frustration, either.

Marie and Patsy were huddled at the window bed, still speaking in hushed voices. Heaven knows she felt as if her head might just explode if she had to listen to it much longer.

The slam of the front door told her that Garrett had arrived home, setting loose a flock of butterflies in her belly — butterflies with huge wings, judging by how badly they were battering her insides.

A few minutes later, Mrs. Riley was rapping on the door. “Come on, now. Time to get back to work.”

Marie and Patsy each let out one last giggle and forced themselves from the windows. “Coming, Mrs. Riley,” Patsy replied in her light, airy voice.

Marie gave Katherine a smile. “It’s
my
favorite time of day, when Mister Garrett arrives home.”

Katherine resisted the urge to roll her eyes as she forced a sweet smile to her lips. “So I see.”

Marie sniffed, linking her arm through Patsy’s. “Shall we go below and give ourselves a bit of a treat, Pats?”

“I think that sounds wonderful,” Patsy replied, offering Katherine a sly smile over one shoulder as she and Marie left the room to follow Mrs. Riley below.

She gritted her teeth, giving one last peek at the glass above the vanity. “I’d love to throttle both of them blue. Anything to stop their infernal giggling.”

With that, she left the room, her stomach twisting into nervous knots as she went below. As soon as she stepped into the kitchen, Mrs. Riley gave her a cool smile. “Katherine, you may go back up to your chambers. Marie and Patsy will suffice for tonight. I understand your side is still sore.”

A chill settled into her bones at the housekeeper’s words. “Are you certain?”

“Most certainly.” Mrs. Riley turned to face the younger maids, dismissing her from the kitchen.

Biting her bottom lip, she walked out of the kitchen, back toward the stairs. Sadness settled in as she mounted the first step. She didn’t know why she should feel so down about the change of events, but
down
was exactly how she felt.

She reached her room, sighing deeply as she twisted the knob. The room seemed even smaller than usual now, her bed even more uncomfortable as she stretched out upon it. The tick was practically flat — how she was able to sleep on it amazed her.

She rolled onto her back, staring up at the exposed ceiling beams.
It’s going to be a long night.

A sigh rose to her lips. Quite a long night, indeed.

The room grew darker, but she didn’t bother to light the candle on the table beside her bed. In fact, she barely noticed the absence of light. It came upon her so gradually, that her eyes were fairly well-adjusted to it.

Her side
did
ache a bit, and to be able to lie down was a something of a godsend, no doubt. But she wasn’t accustomed to having idle time on her hands. It had been ages since the days when she’d been able to laze about in bed until noon, or nap whenever the need arose.

No sooner did she think that than her thoughts wandered back to London. She missed her home, missed the happier days of her girlhood.

Missed the time when she didn’t know Gerald Sanders even existed.

A shudder rippled along her spine.

“No,” she whispered into the thickening darkness. “Do
not
think of that now. It’s all behind you. You’ve nothing to fear now. You are safe, old girl. Very, very safe.”

But, even as she tried to reassure herself by speaking the words aloud, Katherine couldn’t help but be skeptical. After all, she had been so certain she’d been safe in the bustle of New York City and that hadn’t worked.

How could she be certain she’d be safe there, tucked away at Ravenswood?

Chapter Eleven

“Anyone home?”

Garrett breathed a sigh of relief, set down his fork and pushed his chair back from the table. He never thought he’d be so grateful to hear Julian’s voice as he was at that moment.

If he had to listen to one more giggle, someone was going to get throttled for their trouble.

Julian came into the dining room. “Ah, there you are.”

“McCallister, what brings you here?”

Julian eyed the meal on the table. “I didn’t know I was interrupting your meal, Garrett.”

“Please, it’s a welcome interruption, to be sure,” he replied, raking his fingers through his hair. “A most welcome interruption. My housekeeper finally took some initiative and hired two more maids. Now both are driving me towards madness.”

Julian grinned. “Incompetent?”

“No. Just the opposite, actually,” Garrett said, dropping back into his chair and gesturing to one of the others. “Please, sit.”

Julian pulled one out and sat down. “So, what’s the problem, then?”

“They giggle.”

Julian flinched. “Ouch.”

“Exactly.”

Another high-pitched giggle slit through the air. Garrett winced, reaching for his wine. “See what I mean?”

“Dear Lord, what did she hire? Children?”

“If either one is a day over seventeen, I’d be amazed.” Garrett took a swallow of wine and reached for the decanter. “Care for a glass?”

“I’d love one.”

Garrett sat back, swirling the wine in his goblet. “So, what brings you down here? Emma toss you out?”

Julian accepted the crystal goblet, smiling as he brought the glass to his lips “No. Of course not. Haven’t you realized by now that your sister cannot stay angry with me? She is far too much in love with me to not forgive me no matter how furious I might make her.”

Garrett snorted, refreshed his drink, then eased the stopper back into the bottle. “I’ve often wondered how many times she’s hit her head when her horse has thrown her.”

“Now, now, I am here on business of a friendly nature. Don’t you think this adversarial relationship is getting rather stale?”

“Fair enough. I will admit to that. You make my sister happy and I suppose that is enough for me.” He sat back in his chair. “So, what
does
bring you down here?”

“I came to let you know Henry Price will sleep easy tonight. His rice arrived this morning on the
Lorelei.
Adam was in the process of going through the papers when I left.”

“Good.” Adam Stewart was his business partner and seemed to have an odd fondness for paperwork. Considering how much Garrett despised paperwork, he appreciated Adam’s partiality all the more.

“Good. Now, if only Drew would grace us with his presence.”

“We both know he will when he is good and ready. Give him time.” Julian took a sip of his wine. “The boy had his heart smashed. Allow him to lick his wounds and drown his sorrows in London a bit longer before worrying.”

“He’s been drowning his sorrows for months. It’s time he returned to the fold.”

Julian nodded. “It is and he will. When he’s ready. He’s not one to shirk his duties, especially to Eagleton. Give him another month or so. If there’s still no word,
I’ll
go in search of him.”

Garrett wasn’t entirely happy with the suggestion, but it was pointless to argue. Julian was right; it wasn’t in Drew’s nature to shirk for too long. “Very well. Another few weeks won’t hurt.”

With that came another giggle as Marie swept into the room. “Would you care for dessert, Mister Garrett?”

“I thank you, but no,” he replied, casting a quick glance at Marie. She was pretty enough but she garnered no more than a passing interest from him. “My guest might care for some.”

Marie’s porcelain-fair cheeks flushed a mottled red as she turned to Julian. That redness deepened at once, bringing a genuine smile to Garrett’s lips. It was always amusing seeing how women reacted to his brother-in-law — as if they’d never seen a man before.

The color in her face deepened. “Of course, sir.” She turned to Julian. “Would you care for a pastry, sir?”

Julian shook his head. “No, thank you.”

“Would either of you care for port then?”

Garrett nodded. “Port, please.” He glanced at Julian. “I assume two?”

“Port would hit the spot.”

Marie bobbed her head, her cheeks still flaming. “Of course, sir.”

As she moved to the doorway, Garrett cleared his throat. “Marie?”

She paused, turning about to face him again. “Yes, Mister Garrett?”

“Where is Katherine this evening?”

“Mrs. Riley gave her the night off. Told her to rest, that she was not needed.”

“I see.” He nodded slowly. “Marie?”

“Yes, Mister Garrett?”

“When Mrs. Riley is finished with whatever she is doing, would you please tell her I wish to have a word with her?”

“Of course, Mister Garrett.”

This time, he let her leave. He turned back to Julian, only to find his brother-in-law grinning at him. “What?”

“You are going to scold your housekeeper for giving a maid the night off? That will raise a few eyebrows, don’t you think?”

“Ask me how much I care,” he replied darkly, scowling in the direction the maid had gone. “I’d much rather see Katherine than listen to that chit prattle on and giggle like a fool.”

“So, things are going well, then?”

“Not nearly as well as I’d like, actually.”

“Is she still resisting the irresistible Garrett McKenzie?” Julian asked with a grin.

“Not exactly. A cracked rib came between us.”

Julian was in the middle of a sip of wine when Garrett said this. He choked, sputtering, “A cracked rib?” He coughed and cleared his throat. “Yours or hers?”

“Hers. She fell a few days ago, landed on a boot and cracked a rib. If it weren’t for that blasted rib, do you truly think I’d be sitting here now talking to
you
?”

“I’ll wager the answer is no.”

“Ah, you’d win your wager, my friend.”

Marie bobbed back into the room with a silver tray bearing a decanter of port and two glasses. “Will that be all, Mister Garrett?”

“Did you give Mrs. Riley my message?”

“I did, sir.”

“That will be all.”

She gave him an adoring smile and bobbed her head before she left the room.

Julian gave him a smirk. “It must be bloody hell, being you. All these admiring females around you, lusting for you deep in their hearts. Or, not so deep, as the case may be.”

“Don’t start.” Garrett reached for the port. He poured two glasses, passing one to Julian.

Both men sipped in silence until Mrs. Riley appeared in the doorway. Julian set down his glass and rose from his chair. “If you will excuse me? I bid you good evening, Mrs. Riley. Garrett, I’ll see you in the morning. Remember, the
Neptune
is due in from Barbados any day now and you still have the invoices on your desk.”

Garrett nodded. “You will, and yes, I remember.”

Mrs. Riley ogled Julian as he brushed by her on his way out. Then, she turned to Garrett. “You wished to see me, Mister Garrett?”

“Come in, Mrs. Riley,” he said, gesturing to Julian’s vacated chair. “Have a seat.”

The chair squeaked as she settled into it. It was sturdy mahogany, but he flinched as the wood creaked out a protest at the sudden bulk filling it. “Yes, Mister Garrett.”

He sat up, steepling his fingers together and resting his hands on the table. “I understand you gave Katherine the evening off?”

She looked slightly uncomfortable. “I did.”

“I see. Why?”

“With Patsy and Marie, we had plenty of available hands for serving supper.”

“I see,” he repeated slowly. “Tell me, who gave you permission to decide this?”

Her fair cheeks flushed. “Well, I assumed it was my prerogative to decide such matters.”

“And you thought I’d not want to know about this?” He kept his voice mild, but wove just enough incredulity into it to get his point across. Judging by how Mrs. Riley’s face paled, it worked.

“I didn’t think it important enough to trouble you with, sir.”

“Next time, Mrs. Riley, trouble me.”

“Of course, Mister Garrett.”

“Where is Katherine?”

“I instructed her to get a bit of rest. I thought her rib might be troubling her. She is still moving rather slowly, you understand.”

He thought about that for a moment. It was on the tip of his tongue to send Mrs. Riley to fetch Katherine, but decided that wasn’t the best course of action. There was no reason why he should give the housekeeper another reason to dislike the lady. “Next time, you will run your
decisions
by me before taking it upon yourself to make them. Do you understand, Mrs. Riley?”

Her lips disappeared into a thin line. “Yes, Mister Garrett.”

“That will be all.”

The chair creaked again as she jumped up to stalk from the room. He finished his port, then it was his turn to leave the dining room.

As he passed the kitchen, the chatter drifting out made it clear all three women were still in there. Putting the housekeeper and the two maids from his mind, he mounted the steps.

The steps leading to the third floor creaked slightly as he reached the top. Katherine’s room was the first to his left.

Without hesitation, he stepped up to the closed door and tapped softly against it.

A sleepy voice answered him. “Yes?”

“Katherine?”

Something creaked in her room. A pause. Then, a throaty, “Yes?” wafted through the door.

“May I?”

Another creak, then the unmistakable pad of footsteps, growing louder. The key grated in the lock, and he stood in an arc of soft light from the candle in her hand. She squinted up at him as if even that faint light was too bright. “Yes?”

He smiled down. Her hair poked up at odd angles and her eyes were heavy-lidded. “Did I wake you?”

“No. Not at all.” But as she spoke the words, a yawn rose to her lips and her cheeks flushed as she curved a hand over her mouth in a fruitless attempt to stifle it. “My apologies. Mrs. Riley said I was to have the night off.”

“I know. I’m not up here to scold you, Katherine.” He leaned against the door frame, folding his arms over his chest. “I missed seeing you at supper. Have you at least eaten?”

“No. I thought I’d wait until everyone else went to sleep. It’s obvious that my presence is not wanted.” A wry laugh. “I hadn’t intended on falling asleep.”

“Not wanted, eh? I suppose
that
would depend on whom you ask.”

A breeze stirred, setting the candle’s flame to flickering. Katherine cast a quick glance down at it, then looked back up at him. Even in the low light, her blush was visible. “Really?”

Her skin glowed ivory and he unfolded his arms, unable to resist curving one hand against her cheek. She stiffened at first, but it eased as he let his thumb sweep gently along her cheekbone. Was it his imagination, or were her eyelids heavier now? He smiled. ““Side feeling a little sore, I understand?”

“A bit, but the doctor did say it would take a while. I’ve become so accustomed to it, I don’t really even feel it now.”

“I was under the impression that it was still troubling you.”

“Well, I suppose it does, especially when I move too much. But I expect it to hurt like that for the next few weeks. Still, I wouldn’t say it’s troubling me. Not too greatly, anyhow.”

The way she looked up at him with those lowered lids did something to him, made his heart beat faster, made his breath that much more difficult to catch. It only worsened when she leaned into his touch. The need to kiss her rose up swift and he had to fight to keep his voice even as he asked, “Is that so?”

He almost groaned as she caught her bottom lip between her teeth to worry it. Without thinking, he slid his free arm about her waist and tightened, pulling her flush against him, taking care not to hold her
too
tightly. The last thing he wanted was to hurt her.

Their bodies aligned perfectly and he swallowed the sigh rising in his throat. His gaze remained on her mouth, lush and inviting. He could almost taste her kiss —

“Mr. McKenzie?”

Did she know how damn sensual she sounded? His name was like a purr on her lips, and it was enough to spur him on. He leaned toward her, whispering, “Garrett,” just before catching her lips in a smoky kiss.

“The candle.”

He’d forgotten it was still in her hand. Taking it from her, he stretched to set it on the chest. There. No chance of literally going up in flames now.

With that, he caught her in his arms again, and her surrender was a welcome surprise. She shivered against him, sliding an arm about his waist and the other about his neck, and he shivered at the stroke of her fingertips against the nape of his neck.