Kimberly Nee - The McKenzie Brothers (4 page)

“Mrs. Riley told me that, since you’ve no cook, I had to help her. Split the duty with her, she said.”

“No, no, no.” He shook his head again, sitting down at the table across from her and frowning. “If I wanted you to cook, sweetheart, I’d have hired you as a cook.”

His scolding brought her nearly to tears. He didn’t raise his voice, but she felt as if he was raking her over the coals. “That’s what I told her! But she insisted I learn all the same!”

“She did, did she? Well, you can be assured that you’ll not be setting foot in this kitchen again unless you are fetching something for me. Do you understand?”

“Do not yell at me! I’ve had quite enough with being yelled at for one day, I can assure you!” She was so tired, so bedraggled, and she didn’t care if he grew angry with her sour disposition, as Mrs. Riley continued to call it. “Quite enough, sir.”

“I am not yelling at you,” he said calmly. “But it was not my intention to have you cooking either. You are to keep the house clean, fetch me things as I need them and see that any guests are cared for as well. I do not want to see you in here again. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

He curved a hand near his ear. “I’m afraid I didn’t hear you, sweetheart. What was that?”

Katherine lifted her head. “I said
yes
.”

“Good. Now, go on up and bathe. You look like something the cat dragged in.”

Relief washed over her at the thought of scrubbing the grime from her skin. She rose from the table and moved to the doorway, where she paused. “Mr. McKenzie?”

He glanced over his shoulder at her. “Yes?”

“That’s twice now you’ve addressed me inappropriately. You are taking liberties no employer ought to.”

He looked shocked that she would take him to task over what he chose to call her. For a brief moment, her stomach knotted over his stare. But he smiled, saying, “Yes, I suppose I am. Get used to it. You’ll soon learn I’m not much one for conventions.”

His smile made her toes curl in her shoes and sent a heat rushing through her that she knew had nothing to do with the temperature of the room. “It
is
a bit improper. Don’t you think?”

He rose from the bench to face her, taking a step closer. “Let me tell you something, sweetheart,” he said slowly, his grin growing wider. “The last thing I am concerned with is being a bit improper. There are far more important things to worry about.” As he spoke, his voice dropped to a low, seductive purr. “And somehow, I doubt you mind all that much. I find most ladies don’t.”

“Do you make it a habit to attempt to seduce those who work for you?”

He was far too close for her liking, addling her senses in a way they’d never been addled. When she grew nervous, she tended to speak without thinking and this was one of those times.

“You would be the first.”

A wicked chill tore down her spine at his husky growl. “I ought to box your ears for your cheek, sir.”

He smiled again and she almost groaned at his sensual promise. “Box away, lady. There is almost nothing I enjoy more than a challenge.”

She flattened up against the doorframe as he took another step towards her. “Mr. McKenzie, please…”

Garrett continued his approach. “Please what, Katherine?”

Her name rolling off his lips sent blood smoking through her veins. She had the horrifying feeling that he was going to kiss her. He was certainly close enough, practically pinning her up against the wall alongside the door.

A slow, teasing smile lifted his lips as he brought his hands up to rest on the wall on either side of her. “Is there something you want, lady?”

His eyes were smoldering dark gold as his gaze held hers. She didn’t know if she was more terrified that he was going to kiss her, or that he wasn’t.

She should move, should duck beneath his arms. Once upon a time, she would have done just that, and made it quite clear she wanted nothing to do with him. Ladies did
not
allow men to pin them to walls and try to kiss them — at least, not without some sort of protest.

But she was no longer a lady, was she? Somehow, she didn’t think men considered barmaids to be proper at all, given what she witnessed while working at the Bayside. Why should Garrett be any different?

Still, she was his maid,
not
his —

“No.” She winced as what she thought would be a forceful protest emerged as a breathless whisper instead.

He brushed her nose with his, tilting his head as he made his approach. “I’m going to kiss you now, Katherine.”

“Please don’t.” she breathed, still holding his gaze.

“Oh, yes, sweetheart.”

“Mister Garrett?”

Mrs. Riley’s shrill voice came from the hallway behind Katherine. Garrett shifted only slightly, but it was enough for Katherine to gather her wits about her and duck beneath his arm to dash out of the room.

Chapter Five

Katherine managed to avoid Garrett for several days following his attempt to kiss her. Each time she thought about that moment, she felt a mixture of irritation and curiosity.

Irritated that he would be so bold, so
arrogant
, to assume that she would simply fall into his arms and let him seduce her.

Curious because she had to admit, he was the sexiest man she had ever beheld.

She couldn’t help but wonder if he would deliver those delights his unusual eyes promised.

Finally, the heat wave broke in the form of a tremendous thunderstorm. Katherine was grateful for the relief as cool air flowed in through the open windows at Ravenswood. She was also grateful for the long-sleeved, high-necked dress as the temperatures returned to normal.

She hummed softly as she bustled about the dining room with her feather duster. This particular chore took almost no time, as the house was only partially furnished and he owned very few knickknacks. That wasn’t the only reason it remained one of her more preferred chores. Rather, the dining room shared a wall with the parlor, which was still under construction. She might not have seen Garrett, but she certainly knew when he was there. Day after day, she could hear him and his brother-in-law pounding, sawing, sanding and, occasionally, arguing.

The previous afternoon, Katherine had been brave enough to steal a peek around the corner. She recognized Garrett’s brother-in-law from the tavern. How could she forget him, when the dark-eyed gentleman was nearly as striking as Garrett? She had been surprised when Mrs. Riley told her that Garrett had built the house almost entirely by himself. She never would have guessed he was so skilled. In fact, he struck her as a dandy — such as members of the peerage she’d known in passing back in London. For some reason, it was quite nice to find she’d been wrong about that.

A sudden crash from the parlor made her jump, dropping her feather duster. A loud oath echoed throughout the entire first floor, followed by Garrett’s shout.

“
Damn it!
Watch where you’re swinging that thing, McCallister!”

“Well, watch where you’re stepping,” McCallister grumbled back. “Haven’t got eyes in the back of my head, you know.”

She had the wildest urge to dash around the corner to make certain Garrett was all right. She stopped herself after the first step, slapping a hand to her forehead. Why on earth did she want to check on him? He was nothing to her, simply her employer.

Besides, he sounded as if he were still in one piece.

“Bloody hell.” She bent over to retrieve the duster from beneath the table, where it had rolled when it hit the floor. “All I can think about is that bloody kiss that wasn’t.”

“Katherine?”

She jerked her head upright, peering over the tabletop to find Mrs. Riley frowning at her from the doorway. “Yes?”

“How many times are you going to dust in here?” she asked sharply. “I need your help in the kitchen today.”

“But Mr. McKenzie told me — ”

“
I’m
telling you that I need your help in the kitchen. This room has not had dust in it in five days and before you wear away the wax on the tabletop, you’ll be helping me in the kitchen.”

“Very well.” Katherine gritted her teeth, muttering, “Bloody twit,” under her breath as she gripped the feather duster to jerk it out. Standing upright, she smoothed the wrinkles from her skirt. “I’m coming, Mrs. Riley.”

The housekeeper frowned. “You seem to spend quite a bit of time in here, don’t you?” she asked, bustling toward the kitchen.

“Not particularly.” Katherine had to take care not to plow over the short, squat woman who took two steps for every one of Katherine’s.

Mrs. Riley gave her a knowing look over one shoulder. “Let me give you a bit of advice, Katherine. Looking is fine. Going beyond looking would be a fatal mistake once other servants are brought in.”

“I’ve no idea what you mean.”

Mrs. Riley she moved to the cupboard and took down a large earthenware bowl. “I’m talking about Mister Garrett. It’s fine to look. He is quite handsome, so it’s only natural, I suppose. But you are to keep your distance from him. It isn’t so bad now, as it’s only you and me. Before long, there will be a household full of maids and you’ll quickly fall out of favor with them should you share his bed. That would not bode well for you when you fall out of favor with him.”

Katherine’s stomach tightened. Mrs. Riley moved to the pantry to fetch a sack of flour. “I can assure you, you have nothing to worry about. I have no interest in Mr. McKenzie at all. None whatsoever.”

Mrs. Riley snorted, toting the sack over to the table and tugging it open. “You don’t truly think I believe that, do you?” She scooped flour into the bowl before glancing up. “Then why all the dusting in the dining room?”

“I am not spending all that much time in there. I wish to make certain I do a thorough job.”

Mrs. Riley reached for a spoon and thrust it into the bowl. “You aren’t the only one, Katherine. There’s plenty of young ladies in Brunswick whose heads have been turned by Mr. McKenzie.”

“I can assure you, mine is
not
one of them.” Katherine lifted the sack to return it to the pantry. “What are we making anyhow?”

“We are making tarts for dessert this evening,” Mrs. Riley replied, gesturing to the bowl of peaches waiting to be peeled. “I’ve already blanched them, but — ” She pointed to the hearth, where a kettle hung over a small fire. “There is water in that kettle if one gives you trouble and you need to blanch it again. Use this.” She pointed to a pair of long-handled tongs propped against the hearth.

Katherine stared at the kettle. The thought of plunging anything into boiling water unsettled her. “Let’s hope there are no troublesome ones.”

Mrs. Riley shot her a look. “You’re to peel and pit those. We need to have these done as soon as possible so they have time to cool. Although — ” She cast a glance at the open window, through which a refreshing breeze was blowing. “ — in this weather, I don’t think that will be a problem.”

Katherine eyed the bowl overflowing with large ripe peaches. “I have to peel
all
of them?”

“Peel
and
pit. You’d best start to work now. It’s going to take a while.”

Katherine picked up the small paring knife and lifted one of the still-warm peaches from the bowl. “Just so you’re aware, I’ve never peeled peaches before. I hope I don’t make a mess of them.”

“It isn’t difficult, Katherine. I should think even you can manage. Now get to work.”

Swallowing her aggravated sigh, Katherine pulled out a chair and threw herself into it with a rustle of crisp linen. The paring knife’s sharp blade sank easily into the peach and as she worked it around, the skin slid from the fruit. Of course, it wasn’t entirely smooth; the blade jumped several times, gouging the cooling peach.

Mrs. Riley glared at her. “No, not that way. Work the blade
away
from yourself so you don’t stab yourself should you slip. Goodness, Katherine! You were not joking when you said you had no skills, were you?”

“I was not to be put to work in the kitchen. Gar — I mean to say, Mr. McKenzie — told me that just the other day. In fact, he seemed a bit upset that I was even there to begin with.”

“I told you that you are to help out where you are needed. And, remember this — you basically are my charge.
I
say where you will work.”

“Is that so?” Katherine couldn’t stop the retort bubbling to her lips.

“That is.” Mrs. Riley, one hand on a thick hip, wagged the forefinger of her other hand at her. “I’ll not tolerate any more sass from some slip of a maid. Now, get to peeling.”

Slip of a maid?
Katherine almost burst out laughing. Instead, she stood up, drawing herself up to her full height — almost eight inches over Mrs. Riley. “And I’ll not be scolded for doing my job!”

“Well!” Mrs. Riley sniffed, her chin rising abruptly. “You can be assured I
will
be speaking to Mister Garrett about your utter lack of respect for your betters.”

“You do that. And while you are at it, please do tell him I’ve been in the kitchen,
peeling
fruit
!” Katherine’s voice rose to a shout as she slammed down both paring knife and peach, which squelched beneath her palm.

The parlor had gone silent. The little hairs prickled along the back of her neck and icy dread washed over her. It grew worse as Mrs. Riley’s eyes flicked up over her shoulder, and a satisfied smirk lifted the corners of her mouth.

Turning slowly, Katherine bit back a groan. Garrett stood in the doorway. He leaned against the frame, arms folded over his broad chest, which made her think he’d been there long enough to have heard everything. Of course, he’d have to be hard of hearing to
not
hear her shout.

He wasn’t scowling, but he didn’t look happy either. He arched one dark brow and asked, “Is there a problem in here, ladies?”

“A problem, Mister Garrett?” Mrs. Riley’s voice rose with each word, becoming shriller as it did. “Yes, as a matter of fact, there
is
a problem. I need to speak with you about it at once.”

His jaw tightened, then eased. It happened so quickly, Katherine wasn’t certain she’d really seen it.

However, a slight smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “I would like to have a word with you as well. Shall we step into my office?”

Mrs. Riley nodded. “Of course, sir.”

Garrett’s gaze flicked to Katherine over the housekeeper’s head. “You might want to think about getting back to work, Katherine.”

She gritted her teeth as his smile faded, tightening her fingers about the hilt of the paring knife. “Of course, Mr. McKenzie,” she replied stiffly, forcing a smile to her lips.

He said nothing but left the kitchen, Mrs. Riley behind him. Katherine
tried
to put the scene from her mind. It was difficult, as she couldn’t help but wonder just what Mrs. Riley was saying to him.

“Whatever it is, I only hope I am given the chance to defend myself,” she muttered to the somewhat flattened peach.

Concentrating on the fruit was difficult, and she tossed the now-thoroughly mangled peach into the bowl set aside for the skins and stones. The knife clattered against the battered oak tabletop. Her fingers ached, her back ached and she’d had enough.

The floor creaked and the door swung open. “Mister Garrett wishes a word with you.”

Katherine swallowed hard at Mrs. Riley’s smug expression. “Did he say why?”

“Need you really ask?”

“Oh.” She rose from her chair, a knot slowly twisting in her belly. She left the kitchen and made her way to Garrett’s office.

The door was open and she peered around the corner. “You wished to see me, Mr. McKenzie?”

He sat behind an imposing mahogany desk, his hands folded atop one another. “Yes. Come in, please.”

She swallowed hard at the seriousness in his eyes. There was no sign of the devilish sparkle she’d seen before. She’d overstepped her bounds with Mrs. Riley and he would be well within his rights to fire her on the spot. Fortunately, his staff consisted of only herself and Mrs. Riley. Had her display of disrespect been witnessed by other servants, he would have no choice but to fire her.

His expression remained impassive as he gestured to the chair before his desk. “Sit.”

She sank into the chair, her hands in her lap, her fingers crimping the heavy black skirt. “Yes?”

“You do understand, Katherine, you were out of line with Mrs. Riley? I can’t have my staff bickering amongst themselves.”

“I understand.” Hopefully her cheeks weren’t nearly as red as they felt. Her entire head felt like puffs of smoke should be wafting up from it.

“Very well. At least we understand each other.”

“Is-is there anything else?”

He surprised her by grinning. “Would you like there to be something else, lady?”

That smile surprised her, as did his teasing
lady
.
This
was her admonishment? Surely it couldn’t be. “I beg your pardon?”

He leaned forward, his smile now alarmingly sensual. “I believe you heard me, sweetheart. Otherwise, why would you blush as becomingly as you are doing now?”

Oh!
Was
everything
a suggestion with him? If he kept at it, she would surely go mad. Taking a deep breath, she said, “I do believe you are being rude, Mr. McKenzie.”

“Not at all, sweetheart. Not at all. I happen to think a blush is one of a lady’s more endearing traits.” His gaze dropped. “The lip biting is growing on me as well.”

She released her lip.
Damn!
It was a habit she’d been trying to break since childhood. Well, she’d simply have to work at it harder now.