[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
happily going about their business. This is their home too and they are
quite used to it and its pleasures. I was simply taking a few minutes to
attend to my correspondence.
Serena gazed around the little room. You must be proud of yourself,
achieving to dupe Miles into marrying you?
Dupe Miles? Kitty chuckled. What drivel. Miles is the least of men
one could dupe.
Miles and Blue Water were mine. Serena s harsh words cut the air.
Then why are you not sitting here instead of me? Come, Serena, if
Miles wanted you for his wife then he would have asked you.
You took them both from me!
She stood and Serena s eyes narrowed at her swollen stomach. Go
home, Serena. It does you no good to torment yourself by coming here
anymore, and why you do it is beyond me.
Do not dare to pity me. Serena gripped a book on the desk. You
think you are so clever, but look at yourself and your family. Why, your
brother is a wastrel and your sister is married to a man who has more
mistresses than clean shirts!
Kitty jerked. What are you saying?
-228-
Kitty McKenzie s Land
Serena sauntered around the desk. Timothy Ascot is a scoundrel
and a drunkard.
What do you know of him? Kitty whispered, dreading the words
Serena would delight in speaking.
Oh, now that would be telling, would it not? Serena stared, laughter
filling her eyes before she strolled out of the room.
Kitty followed her into the hall. Wait, Serena!
Is everything all right, Kitty dear? Blanche stepped out of the sitting
room opposite.
Serena went out through the front doors and Kitty sighed in
frustration. Do you know where Miles is, Blanche?
I do believe the men have just come in from their ride. They are out
on the veranda having a cool drink. Shall we join them?
Kitty nodded and linked her hand through Blanche s arm. She
desperately wanted to see Mary and she needed to discuss it with Miles.
However, it wasn t until they were preparing for bed later that night
that she managed to speak of her problem. Kitty, clad in only her
nightgown, brushed out her long hair. Miles, I must go to see Mary. I
know Goulburn is a long way from here, but I feel that I must go before
the baby is born.
Turning to face her, Miles grinned as he climbed into their four-
poster bed. The situation is in hand, Kit. I have written to Mary and her
husband, inviting them to stay with us. I should receive a reply by next
week.
You have? Kitty stared in amazement. What made you do that?
I thought you both needed to forgive and forget. Besides, I wish to
meet my sister-in-law.
She lowered her hairbrush. Why did you not tell me?
He shrugged and scratched one naked shoulder. I wanted to
surprise you.
-229-
Anne Whitfield
Kitty moved to the bed and folded back the crisp, white sheets. I
worry about her, Miles. Serena indicated, and reaffirmed my initial
feelings, that Timothy Ascot was not
Miles pulled her to him and kissed her tenderly, effectively cutting off
her flow of words. Enough talk, Mrs. Grayson. Your husband wants
you.
But, Miles& She groaned as he nibbled her neck. Warmth coiled
like a spring in the pit of her stomach. All thought of Mary and Timothy
Ascot fled her mind as she surrendered to her body s demands.
Kiss me, wife& His nose nudged hers and she sought his mouth as
tingles of desire fired her blood. She felt his need of her hard against her
thigh and reveled in the power she had over him. Sometimes he seemed
awed by the fact that she wanted him just as much as he wanted her.
Despite her pregnancy, they made love frequently. Miles would hold her
gently, almost reverently, never demanding anything, though sometimes
she wished he would. She pushed away the thought that the only time
they were close was in bed. She had to make that enough and not want
his heart too.
Kitty bent and pulled out a rogue weed growing in the rose bed.
Lass, stop bendin and fussin in your condition, there s enough
gardeners here ter see it. Connie shook her head and steered Kitty along
the path. Let s walk by the river.
Kitty sighed. It is pleasant to have the house to ourselves again,
although I will miss Clara and Joe. She chuckled. I like our other
visitors too, but it s nice when they go.
Aye, that Serena is a nasty piece of work. I m glad ter see the back of
her.
Indeed.
-230-
Kitty McKenzie s Land
Shame Miles has gone away for a few days. What s it all about
anyway?
He is riding the boundary fences with his men. There have been
frequent spates of cattle stealing in the far reaches of the property, so
Miles and the men are camping out in the bush to try and apprehend the
thieves. They knew it not to be the local aboriginals for some of them
work for Miles and they told him the thieves were white men.
Well, I hope he s careful.
They paused at the riverbank and gazed at the flowing water. On the
opposite bank, a platypus dived into the shallows.
Kitty raised her face to the warm sun. The head butcher s wife, Delia
Trent, has asked us over for tea tomorrow.
Oh aye? Connie threw a pebble into the water. Tis grand how
everyone has accepted us.
Yes, we are fortunate. She linked her hand in Connie s. Apparently,
Mrs. Trent makes wonderful scones.
I hope she medd fresh cream an all.
Kitty laughed and looked over to where Mrs. Morris rushed across the
lawn towards them.
The housekeeper waved a piece of paper in her hand. Oh, Mrs.
Grayson!
Mrs. Morris s agitation surprised Kitty and at once filled her with
dread. What is it?
It just arrived. Mrs. Morris puffed, handing a telegram to Kitty.
The blood drained from her face as she read it.
Connie instantly moved closer to her. What s up, lass?
Stunned, Kitty raised her gaze to Connie. Mary is very ill, close to
death. That is all it says.
Nay, lass. Connie s hand flew to her throat.
-231-
Anne Whitfield
Mrs. Morris, organize for my things to be packed immediately. Also
have the carriage brought around, I must get to Grafton straight away, I
cannot lose any more time.
The housekeeper s eyes widened. Mrs. Grayson, I beg you to wait for
Mr. Grayson. I can have a man sent for him right away.
No, I cannot wait. It would be hours before a man could locate their
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]