Kimberly Nee - The McKenzie Brothers (10 page)

She didn’t know which aggravated her more: the fact that she was just as jealous as he suspected or that he knew she was jealous. Her face grew warmer at his hard stare. Fighting to keep from fidgeting beneath that heated amber gaze, she set her jaw, lifting her chin again to return the look as best as she could.

More than anything, she wanted him to tell her just the opposite. She wanted to hear him say that she wasn’t just a maid, not to him.

Not now.

Instead, Garrett arched that blasted brow once more, nodding as he said, “Yes. I suppose I ought to keep that in mind, shouldn’t I?”

His words were like repeated blows to her stomach, knocking the wind right out of her. She could only stare at him dumbly, jaw hanging almost completely slack. Then, she regained her composure. “Very well. May I go now?”

“Certainly. Far be it from me to keep you from your duties, Katherine,” he replied, his voice the iciest she’d ever heard him use.

“A good day to you, then, sir,” she replied crisply, bobbing her head and shoving by him to stalk out of the room.

Garrett made no move to stop her, but waited until her footsteps died away before closing his eyes and heaving a mighty sigh. He wanted to go after her, to pull her in his arms and tell her she was wrong.

She was
not
simply a maid to him.

But what was she to him? That question kept spinning about his brain, growing louder with each pass. It was one for which he had no answer.

He wasn’t looking forward to this blasted ball one bit. Never having been one to attend them if he could find an excuse to avoid them, it grated that he had to attend this one. His parents were celebrating thirty-three years of marriage and no excuse would be valid enough for him to not put in an appearance.

Despite his reluctance to attend, at least he knew he’d be able to keep an eye on Katherine. He’d spent a great deal of time these past two weeks at the harbor, but it wasn’t Eagleton that kept him so busy. Rather, he’d been asking around at the various inns and taverns along the waterfront, trying to pin down Gerald Sanders. However, the man seemed to have turned to smoke. Many could recall having come across the man, but no one knew where he’d gone to. It was as if he’d simply up and vanished.

He was the one to suggest his servants help out at the party. That way, Katherine was under his watch, although she wouldn’t realize it. No matter what, he wanted to keep her safe and would do whatever he had to in order to ensure that.

Chapter Fifteen

Katherine forced a smile as she moved along the perimeter of the spacious ballroom running of the main house at Stonebridge.

The ballroom would rival some of the finest ones back in England. The back wall was all beautiful French doors, adorned with deep claret velvet draperies and elegant pewter-colored silk panels behind them, tied back with thick pewter silk bands so the doors could be opened to let in the breeze.

Other servants hovered about, offering refreshments as the guests began filing in. Tables offering a different array of meats, breads, cheeses, delicious pastries, chocolate delicacies and other treats had been set up. Champagne and punch were flowing and the orchestra was just getting ready to play.

She sighed as the beautiful ladies in their elegant ball gowns circulated about the room. They were brightly colored jewels come to life in their silks and satins, brocades and taffetas. Colors ranged from the purest white on a striking blonde to deep plum on a delicate slip of a lady with a shining fall of blue-black curls.

Envy’s bite stung. Jealousy pulsed through her with agonizing heat as she stood there in her plain, ugly dress and ever-present apron. Of course, hers was a
fancy
apron, adorned with lace to match the silly little caps Mrs. Riley insisted the maids wear.

Katherine’s throat closed when her gaze fell on Garrett as he entered the ballroom. He wore an ink-black velvet frock coat over a waistcoat of sapphire blue. Only his shirt, stock and cuffs were white. His hair, void of pomade, fell about his face in a windswept tumble, almost blending with his coat. She didn’t miss the way ladies’ heads twisted about, the way conversations halted as he strode across the room to the bar. His brother-in-law, Julian, was already there and both men wasted no time in procuring drinks.

She jerked her head to the side as Garrett turned away from the bar and bit the inside of her cheek. A quick glance out of the corner of one eye told her that he was, in fact, watching her and doing so with the utmost intensity. Another quick glance let her know that his eyes were growing darker by the moment, a scowl playing at the corners of his mouth.

She headed back toward the kitchen, ever mindful of those eyes burning holes in the middle of her back. Katherine had no idea how difficult this night truly would be to get through. If it was this difficult to see Garrett alone, how would it be to see him with another woman in his arms?

She swallowed down the brackish taste in her mouth as tears flooded her eyes. Would word come down that he was not to be disturbed in his chambers come morning? That hurt to just think about. Far more than she ever thought it would. It wasn’t enough, having him simply for that one morning. She realized that now.

Not enough by half.

Katherine winced as hands pawed at her through her thin linen skirt. Exactly as things had been at Bayside, only now, she had no recourse. Somehow, she didn’t think it would be tolerated if she cuffed one of the McKenzie’s guests upside the head. So, she endured the gropes and the whispered suggestions.

Garrett saw each and every hand that came to rest upon Katherine’s backside and with each pat, his ire rose further. It grew so strong he actually had to set down the delicate crystal glass for fear that he’d shatter it if he didn’t.

“What’s troubling you, Garrett?” Julian joined him at the bar while his wife disappeared to check on their young daughter. “You look as if you are about to put someone through the nearest wall.”

“I’m thinking about doing just that,” Garrett growled, eyes narrowing as Bradley Jefferson and his wife Natalie stepped into the ballroom.

“Do I dare ask why this time?”

“Just watch.”

Sure enough, Katherine offered a drink to Paul Baker. He accepted with a smile and, as she moved to scoot around him, his hand came down to smack firmly against her derriere.

“Feeling jealous, are we?” Julian faced the bartender. “A bourbon, please.”

“Make that two,” Garrett added over his shoulder.

Julian took both glasses, passing one to Garrett and lifting the other to his lips. “I noticed you’ve yet to answer me. Tell me, does Jefferson still think you and he have a wager going on?”

“In answer to your first question, no. I’m not jealous. Why should I be? She is my maid. Nothing more and nothing less. As to your second question, he does, no matter how often I tell him otherwise. It’s getting tiresome, actually.”

Julian whistled softly. “If you ask me, someone’s touchy tonight. Perhaps I ought to leave you alone before
I
end up being the one to sail through the wall.”

“You can relax, McCallister. No one is going through any walls. Not yet, anyhow.”

“Well, judging by the murder I see in your eyes, I’ve a feeling that might change at a moment’s notice.”

Garrett threw back the bourbon in one swallow. “Only if Jefferson doesn’t keep his hands to himself.”

“So, anyone else is allowed to touch the girl, for the most part. But Jefferson is strictly
persona non grata
? Am I right?”

“What you are is an ass.”

Julian chuckled. “For a man who claims not to be jealous, I’m beginning to wonder.” He leaned back against the bar on one elbow. “I am more inclined to
not
believe you. I’ve a feeling I look the same way when someone dares lay a hand upon Emma.”

“Frankly, McCallister, I don’t give a damn what you believe. Why would I have cause to be jealous?”

“For the same reason I think you wish there really was a wager on her.”

Garrett stared, but couldn’t help himself. His spine went taut as Katherine moved to another clump of people. As they were all young ladies, he relaxed. “I am
not
having this conversation.”

Julian’s dark eyes widened. “I supposed
that
is answer enough. I have to admit, I’m surprised. I thought this would be long over by now.”

Garrett shook his head slowly. Confiding in his brother-in-law was not something to which he was accustomed. Their relationship was just now moving past the acrimonious stage. “There is nothing to tell, Julian.”

“Ah, but when you call me by my first name, instead of that derisive
McCallister
you seem to favor, I know you aren’t telling me the truth.”

Garrett turned to set his glass on the bar, tapping a finger against the crystal to signal a refill. The bartender filled the glass halfway and pushed it back. “I’m hardly taking Jefferson’s wager seriously. You should know that by now. Even
I’m
not so great a cad.”

“No. Don’t suppose you are, more’s the pity. I like thinking of you as some heartless ogre.”

Garrett couldn’t help his chuckle. “Only where Emma is concerned. And that will not change any time soon.”

Julian laughed. “Bygones will never completely be bygones with the McKenzie brothers, will they?”

“Not entirely, no.” Garrett shook his head.

“Well, be that as it may, I give you my word. Where your maid is concerned, my lips remain sealed.”

“Well, keep them that way. Jefferson’s heading this way.”

With that, Bradley stepped up to the bar. “Evening, fellows. I’ll take a brandy, please.”

The bartender filled a snifter and Bradley took it with a mumbled thanks, turning back to lean against the bar alongside Garrett. “Wench playing hard to get, indeed. I knew I shouldn’t have believed that nonsense you handed me. I ought to have guessed you’d steal her away, McKenzie. But tell me, how goes the pursuit?”

“It’s going just fine, Jefferson,” Garrett replied as evenly as he could. “And I’ll warn you now. Stay away from her.”

“My, my, possessive, aren’t we? Must be driving you mad then, knowing how many others there must have been before you.”

Garrett’s jaw tightened and once again, he was forced to relinquish the glass in his hand as he replied in as even a voice as he could muster, “She is working and does not need the distraction.”

“That’s all well and good, as Natalie is determined we play the happy couple this evening. Otherwise,
your
lady would be in
my
bed come evening’s end.”

That did it. Garrett spun about, grabbing a handful of Bradley’s gaudy bright green satin frock coat, and jerking him forward until their noses practically touched. “I will warn you only once, Jefferson,” he snarled. “Hands
off
.”

Fortunately, the orchestra was loud enough and the guests occupied enough that no one took notice of Garrett’s display of temper. Only those nearest saw and heard, Garrett wasn’t at all concerned.

The same could not be said of Bradley, whose eyes went perfectly round. A frightened squeak emerged as he cleared his throat. “Of-of course, Garrett. I-I thought ours was to be a friendly little wager, such as you and Drew used to have.”

“You know nothing about what Drew and I did for sport, Jefferson. And using a woman simply to win a wager never came into play.”

Bradley jerked himself away from Garrett, glaring at him as he smoothed down his wrinkled coat. “Oh, of course not. The two of you were madly in love with each and every woman you’ve ever bedded, weren’t you? Spare me the platitudes, if you don’t mind. If I wanted a lecture on morality, I’d talk to my wife!”

With that, Bradley stormed off, still smoothing out his coat. Julian whistled a third time. “Something he said strike a nerve?”

Garrett took several deep breaths, trying to calm his waking temper. “No. Of course not.”

“No need to lie to me, old man. Something tells me you’ve developed more than a passing interest in your lovely new domestic.”

“Hardly. I am simply looking after her well-being.”

“Very well. If that is the story you intend to stick with, that’s fine by me. Now, if you will excuse me, I think my wife is looking for me.”

Garrett glanced over the heads of the partygoers. Emma had stepped into the ballroom. As Julian hurried across the room to sweep her into his arms, Garrett couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy. More than anything, he wanted to do the same with Katherine — sweep her into his arms and out onto the dance floor.

He’d lost sight of her, but she was there somewhere, in that simple, if plain, black dress. She should be in the most beautiful ball gown money could buy, with her hair twisted into an elaborate coif and delicate jewels in her ears and at her throat. She would wear such finery as a queen would and would steal the breath from every man in the room, no doubt.

For a moment, he had the impulse to find her and pull her out onto the dance floor. It would create a scene and start tongues wagging, but he didn’t care. He’d gladly risk it, if it mean sharing a dance with her.

Of course, he didn’t doubt she would be embarrassed beyond all logical reason. She would fight him every step of the way. She would probably storm off the floor in a huff.

Still, the urge was there. He wanted to hold her closer than was considered proper, to feel her arms tight about him, her body flush with his. He wanted to let his hands slip down over the soft curve of her adorable little derriere, lifting her up to press her solidly against him.

He swallowed his rising groan as his body responded to the images his mind conjured up. Turning to face the bar once more, he requested another drink. Next thing he knew, he’d be wanting to whisk her into the nearest empty room, lift her skirts and bury himself deep inside her welcoming warmth.

Desire flooded him, taking over his mind, and shoving all rational thoughts into oblivion.

In short, Katherine was driving him mad.

“Pardon me?”

The soft voice, definitely female, floated over his right shoulder. He lifted his head, peering down at a tiny slip of a woman in a gleaming confection of plum-colored silk that almost perfectly matched her large violet eyes. She was vaguely familiar, although he couldn’t quite recall where he’d seen her.

“Yes?”

“Do I dare hope you remember me?” she asked in a teasing voice. “Especially after how I pestered you at Croft’s the other afternoon.”