Kimberly Nee - The McKenzie Brothers Read Online Free PDF Page A

If you wish, we do not have to do anything tonight. We can wait until you are a bit more settled,” Drew said, setting down his silverware.
    “You’d not mind?”
    “I can wait a few more evenings.” Although his voice was mild, she didn’t miss the reluctance. She couldn’t fault him. He certainly didn’t part with thirty-five thousand pounds to escort her to the opera.
    Sally told her a sure way to impress a man was to show interest in him, so she forced a smile to her lips. “Tell me, Captain, are you in London on business alone?”
    His long, tapering fingers stroked the stem of his wine goblet. “Not entirely, no. I enjoy Europe. There are some beautiful cities to visit, both here and on the Continent.”
    Envy pricked at her insides. She dreamed of traveling, of venturing far beyond London. “I went to Glasgow once, to visit my father’s family. It’s so wild up there, so open. Such a far cry from London.”
    “I can imagine.”
    “Have you been?”
    He shook his head. “No. The wild is not exactly where my interests lie. I prefer the bustle of the cities. If I wanted wild, I’d stay in America.”
    “I imagine that is quite the wilderness, indeed. I’ve never been to America, but I imagine it to be overrun with savages.”
    “Oh, hardly. Quite civilized. In fact, we even have cities over there, and they aren’t much different than London. You would be amazed.”
    Perhaps he hadn’t meant to be so sharp, but she felt upbraided. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
    “No. I’m the one who should apologize. I should not get so defensive. I suppose that beastly American ideal bothers me more than I let on.” The irritation in his voice melted away. “Shall we finish? I understand the cook prepared apple tarts for dessert.”

    The cook had baked wonderful apple tarts and Drew was quite content as he sipped a glass of port. Even Heather seemed more at ease. Perhaps she looked forward to the remainder of the evening as much as he did.
    A smile pulled at his lips. When she finished her port, he’d whisk her above, peel her gown from her body, and slowly, teasingly, kiss her —
    “Excuse me, Captain McKenzie?”
    Drew turned to see Mrs. Markham standing in the doorway. “Yes?”
    “Mr. Stewart is here to see you. He says it’s urgent.”
    “Adam is here?” Drew was surprised. Adam Stewart was another Eagleton partner, although he preferred America to the oceans. He rarely sailed these days, so his arrival could mean he was there to deliver bad news.
    “Yes, sir. I asked him to wait in the drawing room.”
    Drew turned to Heather, pushing his chair away from the table. “If you will excuse me.”
    She didn’t look very happy, but nodded just the same. “Of course.”
    He followed the sour-faced housekeeper from the dining room, hurrying toward the drawing room.
    Adam Stewart was pacing the small, square room, pulling a hand relentlessly through his sandy blond hair. He looked up just as Drew stepped into the room, his gray-blue eyes troubled.
    “Adam what are you doing in London?” Drew asked, not bothering with greetings. “Has something happened back home?”
    Adam gave him a reassuring smile. “No. Everything is fine, Drew. I know my appearance is a bit of a surprise, but all is well. Garrett sent me abroad to check on things at the offices here. I think he had an inkling that you were here as well. Since no one has heard from you in nearly a year — well, I think you can figure that out for yourself.” He halted his relentless pacing. “It’s a good thing I popped into the office. There is a problem with one of the shipments.”
    Drew groaned. “Don’t even tell me Dixon is haggling over prices again.”
    “I see you’ve had this problem with him before.”
    Albert Dixon was determined to be the greatest thorn in Drew’s side. Dixon’s scheme was to quote one price for a cargo but then attempt to inflate it until it bordered on the obscene. Should the shipper