Kitty McKenzie Blurb:
1864 - Suddenly left as the head of the family, Kitty McKenzie must find her inner strength to keep her family together against the odds. Evicted from their resplendent home in the fashionable part of York after her parents’ deaths, Kitty must fight the legacy of bankruptcy and homelessness to secure a home for her and her siblings. Through sheer willpower and determination she grabs opportunities with both hands from working on a clothes and rag stall in the market to creating a teashop for the wealthy. Her road to happiness is fraught with obstacles of hardship and despair, but she refuses to let her dream of a better life for her family die. She soon learns that love and loyalty brings its own reward.

Excerpt

“Kitty. Kitty!” Mary’s urgent whispering had Kitty rushing to her side and they both stared as an enormous carriage, pulled by four, proud, black horses, halted outside the shop windows. The frantic murmurings behind hands at the other tables held Kitty’s attention for a moment, but it was soon diverted back to the front entrance. A small, plump, elderly lady, dressed in a coffee-colored gown of silk with a large hat decorated in red feathers, walked in. Her hair was light gray and beautifully arranged under her hat, but it was her eyes that drew Kitty’s attention for they were the most brilliant blue.
“Would you care to be seated, madam?” Kitty nearly curtsied such was the woman’s regal manner.
The older woman ignored her for a moment while she took a good look around the premises. Some of the other ladies seated nodded their heads in acknowledgment, but no one spoke.
“I do believe these rooms look quite adequate,” declared the grand lady, “and you, miss, what is your name?” She turned an inquisitive gaze to Kitty.
“Miss Katherine McKenzie, madam.”
“And these tearooms are yours, no doubt?”
“Indeed they are, madam.” Kitty nodded, wishing with all her heart she had gone with Ben to Australia. She didn’t know how long she could cope with such scrutiny.
“I do confess this table here will do nicely, yes?” She looked at Kitty for confirmation.
Kitty stepped forward and pulled out a chair for her. “If madam wishes it.”
The proud little woman sat at the table by the window. She then turned to the two ladies sitting behind her. “Mrs. Pollock, and you, Mrs. Seymour, is this establishment to your liking?”
Kitty closed her eyes and held her breath.
The two ladies, surprised by the question, hesitated. “Well, yes, Mrs. Cannon. We find it most agreeable,” they parroted each other.
The old woman nodded, turning back to Kitty and Mary, who hung a little behind. “Miss McKenzie, I’m Mrs. Dorothea Cannon, of Cannonvale Park. How do you do?”
“Very well, thank you, Mrs. Cannon, and you?” Kitty forced a smile.
“Fine enough at the minute, though I shall die of thirst any moment.” She frowned, but Kitty saw a twinkle in her eye and managed to grin back.
“Would a pot of tea be to your liking or maybe coffee perhaps?”
“Coffee, I think. Make certain it is fresh and of good quality.” Mrs. Cannon waved a hand towards the display counter. “An array of those dainty little cakes too, if you please.”
“Of course, madam.” Kitty walked away with Mary at her heels. Going into the backroom, Kitty nearly collided with Connie and Alice who stood listening in the doorway.
“Who’s she?” Connie whispered.
“A Mrs. Cannon, now help me make some fresh coffee.” Kitty rushed into the larder. “Mary, go out front and fill a small stand for Mrs. Cannon.”
For half an hour Mrs. Cannon drank her coffee and nibbled at the cakes Mary placed before her. It was not until the other ladies seated behind her rose, paid for their tea and left that Mrs. Cannon beckoned Kitty over to her. “Sit down, girl,” she demanded airily, with a wave of her jeweled hand to the opposite chair.
Kitty sat, not at all sur

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