Kimberly Nee - The McKenzie Brothers by The Pursuit Read Free Book Online

scowled, drawing the back of her hand across her forehead, fighting the urge to sigh. “I’ll do that now.” She turned to the fruit, hating it more by the moment and vowing to never so much as sniff a peach again.
    Peach by peach, she drew her knife through the fruit until she’d finally finished. “Is this acceptable?”
    “That’ll do. Now, run along and lay out the items Mister Garrett will need for his bath.”
    “Am I to bathe him, as well?” Katherine blurted out thoughtlessly.
    Mrs. Riley looked as if she were about to take her to task once more for her cheek, but she merely pressed her lips together and shook her head. “Of course not. He is more than capable of washing himself. You need only set out soap and toweling. Sidwell will see to his clothing. When you are finished, you will have enough time to freshen up and serve supper.”
    The thought of having to lift even the lightest of bowls was enough to bring a groan to her lips. Her arms ached from being held in the same position as she peeled those blasted peaches and her hands were sore from numerous cuts. The only thing she wished to do now was to drag herself off to her little room and crawl beneath the bedclothes.
    “Very well,” she replied, easing out of her chair. “Where will I find soap and toweling?”
    “In the cupboard in the water closet,” Mrs. Riley responded without looking up from the dough she was rolling out. “Go on. Get.”
    “ Go on. Get ,” Katherine parroted under her breath as she left the kitchen to make her way to the front of the house. All was quiet now. She didn’t know where either of the men was, but she knew they’d both left the house.
    She mounted the steps with leaden feet, unable to remember the last time she’d felt so tired. Miller might not have been the easiest man in the world to get along with at times, but at least her duties were shared by seven other barmaids and her days didn’t begin until late afternoon. She wished she could go back there.
    Almost.
    Of course, even if Garrett fired her, there was no way she could ever set foot back at the Bayside. Not after seeing Sanders there not once, but twice. Going back there was impossible. It would make it far too easy for him to finish what he had begun —
    “No!” she whispered to herself as she made her way down the hallway towards the water closet. “He cannot touch you here. It’s impossible. And besides, he would never know where to even begin looking for you. At least you were smart enough not to tell Miller where you were going.”
    She shoved the unpleasant thoughts from her mind as she jerked open the cupboard to find stacks of freshly laundered linen towels folded and waiting for use. She took down a large towel, and a small, square one as well. The soap on the lower shelf brought a smile to her lips. Pears soap. She recognized the gentle floral scent from when she was a girl. She scooped up a small bar, plunked it atop the stack of towels and slammed the cupboard door shut.
    Garrett’s chambers were located at the far end of the hallway, towards the front of the house. She hadn’t had the opportunity to venture within. Her belly fluttered as she crossed the threshold and stepped into his private chamber.
    The room was lovely and one of the few that was completely furnished. The walls were covered with rich, pale blue silk, the wood a satiny polished oak. Beneath her sturdy house shoes, the oak floor gleamed beneath a coat of wax.
    It was simply furnished and the large bed dominated the room, the feather tick covered with fresh linens, plump pillows, a royal blue quilt and hangings, now tied back with thick gold braid. Without thinking, she crossed over to lay a hand atop the quilt. A sigh rose in her throat as her fingers brushed the soft fabric.
    How many female visitors had passed through this room? She hadn’t been given any specific instructions as to Garrett’s morning routine, hadn’t been told if there were any circumstances