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

weeks.”
    Drew thought about his mother and felt a slight pang of guilt. “Well, then most definitely tell her. I don’t wish her to worry any more than she has to.”
    The salty breeze wafting through the window let Drew know they’d reached the harbor. He stifled a sigh as the carriage rocked to a halt and prepared to do battle with the greedy merchant and his overpriced wares.

Chapter Six
    Heather slowly spread blackberry jam on her toast, trying not think about where Drew might be.
    It was funny. When he’d agreed to give her time to settle in, she’d felt relieved for a moment, then disappointed. This was as far as she would go in life now. She would forever be relegated to the status of mistress. Still, being Drew’s mistress had to be better than where she’d been a little over twenty-four hours earlier. Far better indeed.
    Besides, how bad could it be, being his mistress? He was handsome, he was desirable and he was a gentleman in every sense of the word. He was in London alone, but did a wife await his return back in America?
    She nibbled at her toast and smiled. She could still see him, standing before her, partially undressed, giving her a hint of the masculinity that lay beneath the fine clothing. Every time that image sprang forth, butterflies awoke in her belly.
    These were not nervous butterflies. Rather, they were the same as the ones she would feel as a child when her birthday drew near and she knew a gift was forthcoming. The anticipation of being in Drew’s arms elicited that kind of flutter. She was nervous, true, but couldn’t help her smile just the same. She looked forward to more kissing. Even with her limited kissing experience, she enjoyed the feel of his lips on hers.
    She sat there long after she finished her toast, staring out the window, lost in her thoughts.
    “You’re still eating, Miss Morgan?”
    Heather jumped at Mrs. Markham’s unexpected question. Only crumbs remained on her plate, yet she didn’t recall eating a bite. “Have I been here long?”
    “Nearly an hour.” Mrs. Markham bustled about, stacking dishes on trays.
    “I hadn’t realized how much time passed.” Heather squinted at the clock on the mantel. “Has Captain McKenzie returned?”
    “Not yet.” Ellen Markham’s voice was clipped as she rang the delicate china bell in the center of the table. Two maids hurried into the room and finished clearing the table and sideboard.
    Mrs. Markham turned to her. “If it pleases you, Miss, I’ve arranged for you to spend the day shopping in Town. Captain McKenzie has accounts set up with most of the merchants. I was told to tell you that you are welcome to make use of them.”
    “Shopping?”
    “Aye. Apparently Captain McKenzie is not pleased with the four gowns you selected yesterday. I received a very unpleasant scolding because you did not select more. I have been given a list of items he feels you need.”
    Heather accepted the sheet of paper from the housekeeper. She might have gone too far in the number of gowns she’d selected, not wanting to take advantage of his generosity. Instead, she’d given the housekeeper yet another reason to dislike her. “I’m sorry you were blamed, Mrs. Markham. I didn’t feel right, ordering more than that.”
    The housekeeper did not answer, but sniffed and stalked out of the room. Heather swallowed the sour reply on her lips. It wouldn’t do to shout it after her, and it wouldn’t make Mrs. Markham respect her, either. That wasn’t about to change.
    Pushing Mrs. Markham from her mind, Heather unfolded the list and set it down on the lacy tablecloth.
    “That woman would not last a week in my house.” She glanced down at the list and gasped at the number of items.
    She rubbed her forehead, feeling the beginnings of a headache. Still, she didn’t want to spend the entire day alone with only the stern-faced Mrs. Markham for company, so she tried to forget the pain. Perhaps shopping would make it disappear