Kimberly Nee - The McKenzie Brothers

by Playing

  She stood by the window, watching as the sun faded and twilight crept in. Her stomach fluttered when the door opened. Drew stood in the doorway.

  He gave her a smile. “Ready to go, love?”

  She nodded. “I am.”

  He gestured toward the door with one hand, while offering her the other. “If you are ready then, it’s time to go, love.”

  “I’m ready.” She slipped her hand through his arm, gave one last look around, and let him escort her from the cabin.

  Beyond the ship’s berth rose a large, weathered warehouse whose side of the building bore the image of an eagle in full flight with an E and an I entwined on the bird’s belly. Eagleton Imports.

  Two other ships were moored alongside them, one being loaded, while men unloaded the other. Although the harbor was smaller than London’s, it was just as busy, with not nearly as many beggars and strumpets. There were some, of course, but Drew ignored them, just as he had in London. He kept a firm grip on her wrist as he plowed through the throngs of people toward the waiting carriages. He helped her in, climbed in to sit beside her and thumped on the ceiling to alert the driver that they were ready to move. The carriage rocked along the rough road from the harbor to the town of Brunswick.

  Heather peered out the window as they rolled down River Road, Brunswick’s main street. Shops lined either side of the street, and despite the late hour, many still did brisk business, as people bustled about from place to place. One by one, lights began to flicker behind rippled panes of glass as evening rolled through town.

  They traveled west, away from the center of town and her eyes went wide as the houses grew larger, the land more open and the trees thicker.

  “Is this all Brunswick?” she asked, turning away from the window.

  He nodded, leaning over to peer over her shoulder. “Quite a change from London, don’t you think?”

  “It certainly is. We had to travel quite a distance to find estates such as these.”

  “Oh, these aren’t estates. If you look closely, you can see smaller houses, nestled back from the road.”

  She leaned closer to the window, mindful that they could hit a rut at any moment. Through the thickening dusk, she finally spotted cozy little houses tucked among the oak and maple trees. “Oh, yes. There they are.”

  She didn’t respond, too absorbed in the views rolling by the window to really hear him. Two boys shrieked with laughter as they darted through a stand of white pines alongside a small, black-shuttered house. On the porch, two women sat, watching the boys as they chatted. It reminded her so much of home that an unexpected lump rose in her throat.

  Towering oaks and slender silver maples lined the roadway, clumps of wildflowers gathered around their trunks like small children begging for attention. Their brilliant orange and red blossoms broke up the monotony of lush green fields for as far as she could see. The sweet scent of honeysuckle filled the coach’s interior, teasing her nose as she turned away from the window and sat back.

  In the darkness, it was easy to let her imagination run away. She and Drew set up a home in that black-shuttered house. Dark-haired, dark-eyed children dashed about under their feet as they chased the blinking fireflies.

  Wistfulness crept over her. Such a lovely scenario. If only it could happen in reality.

  Drew leaned close again, interrupting her reverie. “Take a look now.”

  She twisted again to take in a brick house with a large round stained glass window set above a double front door of dark gleaming wood. A small, white marble balcony reared out below the window.. Four white columns, two in the foreground and two in the background, flanked a large square portico. The house separated into two wings. Each wing was three stories high and lined with windows.

  The front lawn sloped from the gracefully curved drive to the road. Beyond the drive, a lush expanse of green led to the house.

  She turned to see him smiling at her. “Who lives there?”

  “I do,” he replied. “Stonebridge is my family’s home.”

  “How lovely.” Heather turned back to the window. She had no idea he’d been reared in luxury, and it was such a far cry from what she’d imagined. She knew his was a life of privilege, but she’d naively assumed American privilege would pale in comparison to the life of the British peerage.

  “Not quite what you expected?”

  “Well, no. Not really,” she confessed rather sheepishly.

  His lips brushed her ear. “Not quite the beastly American after all, eh?”

  Her breath caught at the unexpected tickle against her ear. “I suppose not.”

  She hadn’t expected them to turn up the curving drive, and they didn’t. Instead, they rolled past and down a small hill. There, nestled in the trees, was a three-story white house almost as large as Stonebridge. “Who lives there?”

  “Ah, that would be my brother, Garrett,” he chuckled, shaking his head. “Looks as though he’s finally finished the place. About time, as he’s been working on it forever.”

  The carriage rolled past the woods, down and around a bend. There, the trees gave way to fields, where she could just make out a small herd of deer gazing. Flashes of yellow light poked holes in the dusk as fireflies began their nightly courtship ritual and the music of crickets rose from the grass. All in all, it was a wonderful, tranquil moment.

  Before long, another house emerged from the darkness. Judging by the numerous lights gleaming, the house was larger than Stonebridge, its wings stretching into the night. “Do you know who lives there?”

  “Hunter Grove,” he explained, tapping a finger to the window. “Home of the infamous Darcy Penrose. Whatever you do, keep her distance from that one.”

  “Why?” She was surprised to hear the venom in his voice.

  “She is a bitch, Heather. A viper with the face of an angel. Trust me, you do not want to cross her path.”

  “Very well. I will stay away from her.”

  “Trust me,” he repeated. “She tried to ruin my sister. Almost succeeded. She has a soul as black as pitch. Gossip is her middle name and there is nothing too sacred for her to prattle on about.”

  “She sounds lovely.” Her voice was soft as they rolled past that house.

  The woods grew thicker still, the houses farther apart, until it seemed they’d left Brunswick. She turned to him. “Where are we going?”

  “We are almost there,” he replied. “A friend of mine lives out here. This is where you will stay for now.”

  Until when? The question almost burned her lips, but she held it back. “A friend?”

  He nodded. “Jeremy’s sister. He stays here when we are home. She’s a widow, so it’s perfectly acceptable for you to stay here for a while.”

  Heather wasn’t so certain she liked the idea. “So you are going to simply push me off on a stranger?”

  “Heather, this is the best solution I could think of. If I was to secure you a room at Bayside or WindSwept or any other inn, I would be recognized and rumors would burn like wildfire through town.”

  She sighed. “The rumors.”

  “The rumors.” He agreed with a nod. “So, we are going to tuck you away with Christina for now.”

  “Tuck me away?”

  “In a manner of speaking.”

  “I am not so certain I like the sound of this.”

  She fell silent as both carriages veered left into the drive. They drew up to a cozy, softly lit two-story house. It looked pleasant enough, with gleaming whitewashed shingles and lacy curtains wafting in the gentle breeze.

  The carriage rocked to a halt and the driver pulled open the door. Drew climbed down, then helped Heather from the coach. Jeremy came up to them just as the front door opened and a tall, slender woman appeared onto the porch.

  Heather found it hard to believe this woman was Jeremy’s sister. He was so dark, and she had white-blonde hair. Her eyes were an unusual shade of blue — so pale they were almost clear — but they were warm and friendly as she smiled.r />
  “Jeremy!” She laughed, rushing to her brother and throwing her arms about his neck. “I thought my eyes were deceiving me!”

  “As you can see, they aren’t,” Jeremy squeezed her and set her back on her feet. He turned to Drew and Heather. “Of course, you remember Drew, don’t you?”

  Her gaze flicked up to Drew and she shook her head. “As if anyone could forget this scamp,” she replied, hugging him. “Welcome home, wanderer.”

  Drew chuckled. “I only hope I receive so warm a welcome at Stonebridge.” He broke free from her embrace to join Heather again. “Heather, this is Jeremy’s sister, Christina Anderson. Christina, I’d like to introduce you to Heather Morgan.”

  Christina turned those crystal blue eyes to Heather and smiled. “A pleasure to meet you, Miss Morgan.”

  “And a pleasure to meet you as well, Miss Anderson.”

  “Oh, please, call me Christina,” she replied warmly.

  Jeremy cleared his throat. “Tina, I need to ask a favor.”

  “What might that be, Jeremy?”

  “Well, would you be so kind as to put Heather up for a few weeks?”

  Christina’s brow furrowed as she looked back at Heather. “Why?”

  Drew cleared his throat. “Well, I cannot bring her to Stonebridge, and — ”

  Her smile was all-knowing, showing off pearly little teeth. “I understand. Of course you are welcome to stay here, Miss Morgan.”

  Heat stung Heather’s cheeks. She twisted a small fold of her skirt between her thumb and forefinger as Christina gave her a knowing look. “Thank you.”

  “There is no need to thank me,” Christina replied, giving Drew a conspiratorial smile. “Everyone in Brunswick knows what a rake this one is.”

  Heather glanced up at Drew, who now looked distinctly uncomfortable. “Rake?”

  He combed his fingers through his hair. “So, shall we get you settled?”

  She swallowed her sigh as he turned to help Jeremy with the trunks. Now she was on his home territory and she was learning more about him than she really wished to. A rake? How could she be surprised? He was young, handsome, wealthy and unmarried. There was no reason why he had to refrain from dallying with as many ladies as he wished.

  But had that changed, or would he return to his ways now that they were in Brunswick?

  She kept her troubling thoughts to herself as she followed Christina into the small house. It was a bit cooler than outside, but not by much. However, what struck her was the amount of clutter in the parlor. There was not a whit of empty space. Oil lamps flickered on tables, lace doilies draped over the arms and backs of the furniture, and assorted bric-a-brac littered the tables, mantelpiece and shelving, creating a suffocating atmosphere. Heather didn’t know if she would ever feel comfortable amongst the neatly ordered disorder.

  Christina smiled. “Come along, Miss Morgan. I will show you to your room.” She flashed her smile at Drew. “You might wish to follow. So you know where to find her.”

  He had the good grace to flush at that. “You know me too well, Christina.”

  She gave him a playful nudge. “I ought to.”

  A knot formed in the pit of Heather’s stomach. Christina teased him the way only a former lover would. She had no inkling how uncomfortable it would be, being in the presence of a woman who knew Drew’s body with the same intimacy as she herself did.

  She remained silent as she followed them up the short, narrow flight of steps. Christine and Drew fit together so well, as she was tall and slender. Her pale coloring complemented Drew’s dark good looks perfectly. Compared to her, Heather felt tiny and insignificant. Drew would not have to worry about a crick in either his back or his neck with a woman like Christina. Did he prefer that over her own over her diminutive stature? Would it matter, now that he had the choice?

  Christina led them down a short hallway, stopping at a door at the end. “Here we are. I think this shall suffice.”

  Heather peered into the room. It was small, but like the rest of the house, cozy. A vanity, a settee, a low chest of drawers and a small, narrow bed were crammed into the room. Christina obviously felt the need to fill every bit of space with knickknacks.

  This room is going to keep me awake at night.

  She couldn’t very well say that, so she smiled. “It’s lovely, Christina. Thank you.”

  Christina set her candle on the vanity. “It’s no trouble. Shall I leave you to get settled?”

  “If you wouldn’t mind,” Drew replied.

  “Now for you, Drew, anything.” She gave him another playful nudge as she moved back toward the steps. “I’ll prepare some tea.”

  “Thank you.” Heather stepped into the room and shook her head. “There is so much — so much — ” She couldn’t quite find the best word to describe the mess about her.

  “Clutter?” Drew offered.

  “Exactly.”

  He closed the door, stepping up behind her to slip his arms about her waist. “This is only temporary.”

  “Hmm…”

  “What’s troubling you, love?”

  “How well do you know Christina?”

  Her gut tightened at the long silence that followed her question. She glanced over to find him staring out the window, rubbing the back of his neck. His actions spoke volumes and a sour taste rose in her mouth as he finally said, “I know her well enough.”

  “I see.”

  He took a deep breath. “Heather, it was a long time ago. A very long time.”

  “You owe me no explanation,” she replied crisply, easing from his embrace to cross to the window.

  The room overlooked the trees in front of the house, where she could just barely see a family of deer grazing in the twilight. She wished she could feel that sort of peace. Her emotions were a tangled knot within her belly.

  She cast a sideways glance at Drew through her lashes. Just the sight of him sent a rush through her. Her blood warmed as it bubbled through her veins, but now she was also troubled by images she’d rather not see. Knowing he’d visited other beds was one thing, sharing a home with one of those former occupants was something entirely different.

  The floor creaked behind her. “Heather — ”

  “Really, Drew. You owe me no explanation.” “Still — ”

  “This is your home,” she went on as if she hadn’t heard him, “and I suppose there are many women who will look at you with a special, shared expression that only you will understand. Or who will take liberties that a stranger would never dare. I understand that. And it’s fine.”

  He let out an exasperated sigh. “Jealousy does not become you, my lady.”

  “I am not jealous,” Heather scoffed. She turned to face him, only to see that he didn’t believe her words any more than she did. “Why should I be jealous?”

  “Exactly. There is no need,” he replied shortly. “Christina is in the past. Very far in the past.”

  “How far do you consider that, then?”

  “Far enough.”

  “I see.”

  “No,” he broke in heatedly, “I don’t think you do, Heather.”

  She turned away to look out the window once more. “Drew, you are free to do as you wish. I’ve no claim on you.”

  She wished more than ever she had the nerve to tell him what he’d said in the grips of his fever. But, as he hadn’t spoken the words since, she was too afraid to find out his words were from the fever and not his heart.

  “Of course you do.”

  “What did you say?”

  He didn’t answer immediately. Then, he moved to take her in his arms. “I said, you can lay claim to me, love.”

  “I can?”

  He gave her a crooked smile. “Of course. I told you, Christina was a long time ago. Another lifetime, if you will.”

  His lips came down to claim hers, his arms tightening about her. Heather felt a hundred pounds lighter as she melted into him, wrapping her arms about his waist to lose herself in his kiss.
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  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Heather settled in quickly. While they waited for supper to be ready, Drew suggested a walk along the river. The rush of the Raritan River rose to meet them as Drew led her along the bank, around the leaning trunks of swamp maples and the thick trunks of red oaks dotting the muddy riverbank.

  Strolling along the water was so peaceful. She tucked her arm through Drew’s as they ducked beneath the draping limbs of white pines. The trees bristling needles tickled Heather’s cheek and the back of her neck. Drew broke the tranquility by asking, “You never did tell me why you were in a place such as Coal’s to being with.”

  “Nothing too exciting, I’m afraid.” She slid her arm free and stopped to face the wide ribbon of almost black water. “My mother died when I was a girl and my father never quite recovered He was always a bit of a wastrel, as far as I can remember, and he only worsened after she died. Or perhaps he was always that bad and she simply chose to look the other way. I don’t know.

  “What I do know is that everything came back to haunt him finally. No one would extend his credit and they all wanted to be repaid — much to his foolish surprise.”

  Her throat squeezed shut. She hadn’t allowed herself to think about the events leading her to Coal’s door for so long. Doing so now stung more than she expected.

  Swallowing hard against the painful lump, she continued, “He sold almost everything we owned. But we didn’t own much, and what we had wasn’t enough. He thought he could win the rest at Coal’s tables. Unfortunately, his luck refused to return and Mr. Coal made himself clear. He wanted his money and my father wouldn’t like what would happen if the debt wasn’t repaid. And since I was all he had left — ”

  “He sold you.”

  She nodded. “Exactly.”

  Drew’s jaw tightened as he bobbed his head. “Your father should thank providence you didn’t tell me this back in London. I wouldn’t have left until I’d removed his head from his body and hurled it across the Thames.”

  “Which would have accomplished nothing,” A large oak had fallen in their path, its trunk thick enough to sit on, so she did just that. “I’m not angry any longer. Things turned out for the best.”