Kimberly Nee - The McKenzie Brothers (21 page)

Heather sipped her champagne. “And does the same go for McCallister men as well?”

Emma nodded emphatically. “Oh, most definitely. Do you honestly think Julian’s head would still be attached to his neck if it wasn’t?”

Heather leaned back to gaze up at the clear night sky. It wasn’t that long ago that she and Drew there under those stars, making love with only the sound of the river rushing by. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt so happy.”

Emma reached down to pat her knee. “That’s a good thing, since you’ve already agreed to marry Drew.”

Katherine also leaned her head back, turning to smile at Heather. “They are charming, the McKenzie boys, aren’t they?”

“That does not even begin to describe it.”

Emma poured more champagne for them. “Do tell. I
never
have the opportunity to find out the details where my brothers are concerned.”

Katherine winked. “Nor will you find them out now, I’m afraid. It’s a bit personal, don’t you think?”

“Oh, at least tell me they are both skilled and generous. I should hate to think of either of them as selfish boors.”

Heather caught Katherine’s eye and couldn’t help her giggle. “Very well. I will concede that much.”

“As will I.” Katherine lifted her glass once more. “To skilled, unselfish men.”

“Ah, ah, call them what they are, my English sisters.” Emma held up her glass. “Rakes.”

“Reformed rakes,” Katherine and Heather chimed at the same time before dissolving into peals of laughter.

“They are the stuff of which dreams are made,” Emma sighed, as they all three clinked glasses once more. “But, I have to admit, the two of you are fortunate in that you knew what you were getting
before
your marriages. I had to hope for the best.”

“Did it work out for you?” Katherine wanted to know, trying to keep the smile from her face but failing miserably.

“What do you think?”

The warm feeling of friendship, of sisterhood, sank into Heather she felt both Katherine and Emma’s acceptance of her. “I have no idea what you are talking about.” She tried to sound stern as she shook her head. “Drew’s not laid a hand upon me.”

Both Emma and Katherine snorted, then burst out laughing. “Of course, just as Garrett laid not a hand upon me, either,” Katherine managed between peals of laughter. “Please, do you think either one of us believes
that
nonsense?”

Emma filled their glasses a third time and dropped the empty bottle onto the ground. “Even if I were inclined to believe that — which I’m not, by the by — you should only see how red your face is, Heather.”

Heather frowned. “Drat it all, am I blushing again?”

“Trust me, I think no less of you. Just as I think no less of Katherine and I
know
she knew Garrett well before they were married.”

“What’s
that
supposed to mean?” Katherine demanded, taking another sip.

“Please,” Emma sniffed. “I knew almost as soon as you went to work down there.”

“Well, for your information, that didn’t happen for several weeks.”

Emma looked impressed. “You resisted
my
irresistible brother for that long?”

“I did.” Katherine’s face melted into a smile again. “Because I cracked a bloody rib on a bloody boot and could barely walk upright!”

More laughter rose up into the air and Heather wished the night would never end. This was so perfect, in so many ways, and she wanted it to last forever.

Chapter Thirty-One

They were making their way back into the ballroom when Emma grabbed Heather and Katherine by the arm and said, “Careful, ladies, we are about to be pounced upon.”

An older woman with sharp blue eyes and iron-gray hair was striding toward them. Emma swore under her breath, then pasted a smile on her face. “Miss Lydia! How lovely to see you!”

Lydia Baker tapped her arm with her black lace fan. “I say, Emma, it’s lovely to see you this evening.” Her eyes went to Katherine. “Miss Katherine, you are looking quite lovely.”

Heather had to fight to keep from fidgeting as Lydia’s blue-eyed gaze fell on her and the older woman frowned. “I don’t believe we’ve met, dear. I am Lydia Baker. And who might you be?”

Panic flashed through Heather. “I’m Heather Morgan, Miss Baker. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Lydia’s eyes clouded somewhat. “Morgan…Morgan. I’m afraid I’m unfamiliar with that name, dear.”

With that, Katherine linked her arm through Heather’s. “She’s Brunswick’s best kept secret, Miss Lydia. Now, you must keep this quiet for now until Rebecca makes her grand announcement, but — ” She lowered her voice, leaning close to Lydia. “ — she is Drew’s intended.”

Lydia gasped, a smile spreading over her lined face. “
You’re
the girl everyone has been whispering about? Oh, how lovely to meet you!”

Everyone had been whispering about her? Heather’s mouth went dry. “It’s lovely to meet you as well.”

“Lydia! What are you gossiping about now?”

Heather groaned as another woman joined them. She was close to Lydia’s age, with silver hair and deep green eyes. Lydia turned to the woman and said, “This is the child what stole Drew McKenzie’s heart, Bets.”

“Oh, my! So that wasn’t just another baseless rumor! She really
does
exist!”

Heather felt distinctly uncomfortable as both women turned to stare at her. Lydia elbowed Elizabeth. “Isn’t she just the loveliest thing you’ve ever laid eyes upon? It’s no wonder that boy went so mad for her.”

“Oh, she certainly is. And such a nice breath of fresh air after that horrid Monroe trollop he was so fond of!”

“Yes. Yes, indeed. You’ve said a mouthful there, Bets.”

Elizabeth fanned herself with a sapphire lace fan that perfectly matched her ball gown. “Oh, absolutely. But then, it doesn’t surprise me in the least. McKenzie men don’t settle for anything less than beautiful young misses.”

Emma rolled her eyes and Heather had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. Neither of the older women seemed to have noticed, as they were still too busy gushing over her and the fact that they were the first to actually speak with her.

Katherine cleared her throat. “If you will excuse us, Miss Lydia, Miss Elizabeth, but I do believe our husbands — ” She cast a grin at Heather. “ — and husbands-to-be are looking for us.”

Lydia nodded. “Oh, of course. Bets, Abbie Penrose is simply going to go pea-green when she hears. I can hardly wait to tell her.”

“Remember,” Emma warned over one shoulder as she, Katherine and Heather started toward the dance floor. “This is to be kept to yourselves. Not a word until Momma makes her announcement. You know how she loves to surprise people.”

Both women hastily swore to keep the secret and Emma smiled as she gave a gentle tug on Heather’s arm. “I’ll wager that everyone knows before this evening is over, whether Momma’s made that announcement or not.”

Heather smiled. “It’s hardly a secret. I thought it was the reason for this ball in the first place?”

“Oh, it is. But Momma didn’t put
that
into the invitations. You will see soon enough. My mother loves to spring surprises on people. She thinks it’s such great fun to get one over on everyone.”

As the hour grew late, those who would be staying over began to retire to the second floor for the night. Drew planned for them to stay as well, but Heather had no idea where she was to sleep. Drew had disappeared with his brother once more, and she wasn’t certain who to ask.

Emma solved that problem for her, crossing over to lean up against the wall beside her.

“I think I’m just about done in.” She smothered a yawn. “Katherine’s already gone up to Garrett’s former room. How’re you faring?”

“I’m afraid I’m done in as well,” Heather replied, smothering a yawn of her own. She was suddenly terrifically exhausted, feeling as if she’d been up for days. “Oh, excuse me,” she said, covering her mouth with a delicate hand. “I’m just so sleepy.”

Emma linked her arm through Heather’s. “I can imagine all of the whirlwind of the past week has been most hectic for you. Let’s get you settled then, shall we? Forget Martha. I know where you can sleep.”

She didn’t protest as Emma steered her out of the ballroom and along the hallway toward the front of the house. From there, Emma guided her up the narrow staircase to the second floor.

Emma smiled. “Be very quiet now, and follow me.”

Although she was incredibly curious, Heather remained silent as Emma pulled her along the narrow hallway, to a bedroom at the very end. She pushed open the door and gave Heather a gentle push.

Without Emma saying anything, she knew she was in Drew’s chambers. She turned to her and said, “Oh, no, Emma. This is
not
a good idea. Not a good idea by half.”

“It’s a fine idea. My room is right across the hallway, and the room next to this is Garrett’s, so you will have plenty of privacy. Nobody comes to wake Drew, so it’s perfect.” She offered up a knowing smile. “Besides, I assume you’d prefer snuggling up to him than up to just a pillow.”

Heather flushed. “Well, I…”

“Please, I can completely understand. Now go. Make yourself comfortable. Besides, what’s the harm? The menfolk’ll be gone for hours if they found another game of whist. It’ll be at least dawn before they turn in for the night.”

Before Heather could protest any further, Emma pulled the door closed, leaving her alone in Drew’s inner sanctum. She turned to lean back against the door, her eyes slowly moving over her surroundings.

His room was at the front of the house, in the eastern corner. Both the north and east walls were mostly windows, with cranberry red draperies, which were now tied back to let in what little breeze the humid air would cough up.

The floor was bare beneath her feet, with only a small, colorful area carpet beneath the mahogany four-poster bed. The bed caught her eyes immediately. It was a work of art, the mahogany polished to brilliant shine, piled high with plump pillows, covered with a cranberry and hunter green quilt.

It was odd, being in his bedroom. It was such a personal area she almost felt like an intruder. After a few minutes, she rose from the chair to peruse the barrister’s bookcase beneath the windows.

No books of poetry to be found here.

The bureau held the usual trappings — comb, brush, Macassar oil that she couldn’t remember ever seeing in his hair, a razor and colognes. Her gaze fell on a small crystal dish holding several pairs of cufflinks and a curious gold medal on a fine gold chain — something else she couldn’t recall ever seeing on him.

A mirror was mounted above the dressing table, scraps of parchment tucked into its frame. A small sketch had also been tucked in amongst the notes. She plucked it free and frowned, leaning closer for a better look. “Oh, my.”

It was a drawing of her.

It was definitely her, in Drew’s cabin on board the
Triton
and she was amazed by the detail in the drawing. It was good. Quite good.

“I had no idea he was an artist.” Unexpected tears pricked at her eyes. The drawing made her feel even closer to him, as if she’d just discovered another side of him. It touched her, that he’d taken the time to draw her, even more so that he’d brought it from his ship and kept it tucked into the mirror.

She yawned again, exhaustion washing over her.

“I need to sleep,” she murmured, turning back to face the bed. A smile played at her lips as she undressed down to her chemise and pulled down the bedclothes. “No memories here to compete with.”

She slipped beneath the light linen sheet, her head sinking into the fluffy pillows. It was like being embraced by the very essence of him, lying there in his bed, with his sheets pulled up around her, and it was not long before she drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Heather woke with a start as the bed suddenly dipped. She gasped, yanking the sheet to her chin as she sat upright.

“What the devil?” Drew sputtered.

She squinted as the room was suddenly ablaze with light, peering up to find him standing above her. Her cheeks burned as she realized he’d removed every stitch of clothing and was about to climb into the bed.

“Heather? What’re you doing here?”

She shielded her eyes with one hand. “What are you doing here?”

“It’s my room,” he chuckled, slipping into the bed beside her. “But I wasn’t expecting to find you here.”

“It was your sister’s idea.”

“Why am I not surprised?” He extinguished the lamp and lay back, draping an arm about her. “My parents would explode if they knew you were in here, you know.”

“Then, perhaps I ought to go.”

He held her as she tried to sit up. “Oh no, love. I don’t think so.”

“Drew!”

“Shh…” His voice became a throaty whisper as he pinned her beneath him. “Let’s live dangerously, shall we?”

“I thought you were going to be gone all night. Emma seemed to think it’s what would happen, if you men found something to compete over,” she murmured, trailing her fingertips up over his back.

To her amusement, he actually shivered. “Emma only thinks she knows us all so well. Actually, she’s most likely right, save for the fact that Julian and Garrett were both in a bit of a mood.”

She gave him a confused look. “Fighting, were they?”

He arched an eyebrow. “Not
that
sort of a mood, love.”

The sudden pressure against her thigh made her grin. “Oh, I see.
That
sort of a mood.”

He nuzzled her. “They aren’t the only men in this house in
that
sort of a mood, love.”

Her eyes closed at the gentle brush of his lips against her neck. “Oh, that feels nice,” she whispered, wishing she weren’t quite so sleepy. “But I am afraid I’m simply worn out, Drew.”

He pulled away to kiss her tenderly on the lips. “Motherhood already taking its toll, is it? Ah, well, more’s the pity, I suppose.” He shifted to lie beside her once again, propped up on one elbow, his hand coming down to press against her belly. “That’s too hard to believe, Heather, that a child sleeps here.”

“Oh, just wait a few more months. Then it won’t be so hard to believe.”

“You will look adorable when you become all round, you know.”

She gazed up at him in the darkness, just able to make out his features. Would he truly think so when the time came, or would his head be turned by beautiful young ladies without any roundness to their figures? “I certainly hope so.”

“Ah, trust me, love. You will. I cannot imagine a more beautiful sight to behold than you round with my child.” He pulled her close. “So tell me, how much snooping did you do up here?”

“I looked about perhaps. But no snooping took place.”

“It’s quite all right if you did, love. I’ve no secrets.”

“Well, I wasn’t snooping, but I did see the drawing tucked into your mirror. It was a surprise, I must admit.”

“It sounds a bit strange, I know, but you were asleep and I’d just come into the cabin late and, it was a spur of the moment sort of thing. I was trying to update the ship’s log, but the next thing I knew, I had that.” He kissed the top of her head. “What did you think?”

She snuggled into his arms. “I think it’s good. I didn’t know you were an artist.”

“I think
artist
would be stretching it. The subject matter fascinated me.”

“I’d love to see anything else you’ve drawn.”

“That is about it, love. I don’t keep many of my scribbles. They don’t quite fit the image I wish to convey to the world.”

“I suppose no one would ever see you tossing your niece about either, then?”

“I hardly keep that a secret. Children reduce me to mush. I love them. Always have, always will. You’ll see soon enough when ours arrives. Everyone will think I’ve gone completely mad.”

“A bit of good news to hear,” she said teasingly, rolling onto her side. Then she sighed. “There’s still so much about you that I don’t know, Drew.”

“Ah, but think of the fun you’ll have getting to know me. Now, you’re sleepy. I’m sleepy. The sun’ll be up in a few hours.” He lifted one arm to slip about her shoulders, holding her close as he covered her hand with his. “Don’t let me keep you awake. You need sleep much more than I do. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone yawn as much as you are now.”

“I apologize.”

“Don’t. Sleep. I’ll wake you in the morning before anyone else rises and we can sneak you out of here.”

“Hmm…” She sank into him and closed her eyes. All was right as she drifted off into the most peaceful slumber she’d had since being on board the
Triton
.