Marblestone Mansion, Book 1 (Scandalous Duchess Series, #1)

by Marti Talbott

  “Very good, Sir.” Sarah watched the newly arrived Scots climb out of the wagon. They looked very tired, especially the two older women with gray hair and dark circles under their eyes.

  McKenna couldn’t seem to take her eyes off the enormous mansion. Concerned, she looked over the staff and then looked up at the mansion again. “Shall these be enough to tend such a large place?”

  “If not, we shall find more. There are two more lads and their wives living in cottages in the back. The lads tend the horses and the grounds.” Hannish turned his attention to his American butler. “Prescot, see the Scots are settled and that they rest before dinner. We shall all eat together in the dining room this night.”

  Prescot was taken aback. “Servants in the dining room, Sir?”

  Hannish smiled, “Just this once. If you dinna tell, none will hear it from me.”

  Prescot returned his smile, hurried up the last step, and opened one of the large double doors. He did not see the look of great displeasure on the Scottish butler’s face. Prescot previously worked for a distinguished eastern family, was a man of medium stature with a kind face and a no-nonsense attitude. His dark hair and eyes often attracted the attention of the women, but he had yet to find the one of his dreams.

  Uncertain what he should do, the English butler finished helping the women out of the wagon and then decided to help the men unload the baggage. Once the women were all gathered, Sarah led them around the corner of the mansion to the side door the servants would be using – all except Sassy, who was determined to stay close to McKenna. She followed her mistress through the front door, and ignored Prescot’s obvious disapproval.

  The spacious foyer protruded from the northern side of the mansion and once inside, Hannish found his sister’s speechless expression rewarding. She slowly turned to admire the high ceiling and then the large blocks of white marble on the floor. Fresh flowers in marble vases sat on a long, thin marble table in the center of the room. Marble slab window seats had been placed just under the sills of tall windows that let in plenty of welcoming light. “‘Tis glorious,” McKenna whispered.

  “It needs a spot of color, but I thought to leave that to Olivia’s taste. A painting or a tapestry should keep it from looking so lonely. The coatroom is through that door and I keep a loaded gun in it, just in case. The parlor is this way.” He ushered her through the wide opening into the next room.

  Behind him, Keith set two traveling cases down and watched Sassy. He could hardly keep his eyes off her as she slowly turned all the way around to admire the foyer. She had dimples in her cheeks when she smiled, which he found very appealing, not to mention her auburn hair and bold blue eyes. When she finally looked at him, her eyes seemed to completely captivate him and he could not look away. Yet, there was a problem; she looked to be only thirteen or fourteen, far too young to think of marriage. Reluctantly, he went back out the door to see what more needed to be brought in.

  *

  “There is much to be done still,” Hannish said, as he escorted McKenna into an enormous parlor, where a marble, grand staircase curved upward toward the bedrooms on the second floor. The parlor held only one settee that faced the unlit marble hearth, two upholstered chairs, two small tables beside the chairs, and a plant stand complete with vine leaves dangling down the sides. “I hope to complete it in time for winter. The second floor is ours. I have a bedchamber ready for Olivia, but you will use it until one is prepared for you.”

  “At the other end of the house?” McKenna asked.

  “If you like. The third floor is for the servants, naturally.” He guided her to the settee and motioned for her to sit down. “There is a convenient sitting room on the second floor, plus this and a smaller one in the back of the house. Then there is a library with too few books, my study, the dining hall, and a ballroom complete with a balcony. The kitchen is in the center of the house and of course, you are free to wander about until you become familiar. Just now, I have a problem I need help solving.”

  It was only then that he realized Sassy had followed them. “Lady...I mean, Miss MacGreagor’s bedroom is on the second floor. You’ll not have trouble finding it, for it has the only made up bed, save mine, which is next to it. Perhaps you might see to unpacking some of her night things, but do no more. Tonight, all of you must rest.”

  “Aye, Sir.” Sassy half curtsied and started up the stairs, unaware that houses that size always had a second staircase in the back for the servants to use.

  Hannish smiled at her boldness. He had a feeling he was going to enjoy that one. He noticed, however, that her skirt was too big around the waist and that her belt was not holding all of the extra material in properly. As soon as Sassy was out of hearing, he sat down beside his sister. “As I was saying, I have a problem.”

  “Only one? I am shocked,” said McKenna.

  “Only one that needs my immediate attention. Of all people, I dinna expect Alistair to come. The last I heard, he vowed never to leave his beloved Scotland. I like him very much, but I already have a butler. Prescot is a very good man and very attentive to the needs of the place.”

  “You do have a problem. Let me think...perhaps they might pitch horseshoes, race on horseback, or draw swords.”

  “I am serious.”

  “In that case, tell them you cannae decide and perhaps they will work it out in their own good time,” she said.

  “My dear, the position of butler is a very coveted one. Neither will want to give it up.”

  “Then divide the duties between them somehow. On the train, Alistair hoped for a place to plant a rose garden. Perhaps he might be butler over the grounds.”

  “Good, I shall ask him. Now, my darlin’ little sister, you look tired and a nap before dinner will do you good. Off you go.” He stood, offered his hand, helped her up, kissed her on the cheek again, and then watched her start up the stairs.

  Only then did his smile fade. Hannish turned, walked to a window, and stared out at nothing at all.

  A Scotsman by birth and a Duke by inheritance, he soon learned the title came with very little fortune and if he were to survive, he would have to make his own way in the world. A scant two weeks after they were married, he met a man in Scotland desperate to sell Idaho’s Lost Junction Silver Mine. He was skeptical, but with few other choices, he borrowed all the money he could, paid the price, left his wife in Scotland, and caught the first ship to America.

  To his relief, the mine did indeed exist and he quickly learned there was nothing easy about mining silver. In fact, the bitter winters, the dangers in the mine, the small mining town nearby, and the miners, were more trouble than he cared to endure. Yet fortune fell on him and two years later, he sold the mine for over three million dollars, making him one of the richest men in the American west.

  He could have gone back to Scotland, and considered the idea long and hard before he decided to build Olivia a mansion in Colorado. The truth be told, he admired the Americans for winning their freedom from the British, settling their internal disputes in a Civil War and more recently, beating the Spanish in a battle that lasted only 100 days. The Americans were hardy men, unafraid of hard work and quick to enjoy an occasional brawl. He had taken a swing at one or two men in a brawl himself and found it invigorating. It was somewhat like the old days when the Scots used every opportunity the fight the English.

  The railroad finally stretched across the Continental Divide, connecting the east to the west now, and he fully intended to take his family to see Oregon and perhaps California someday. That very morning, he dreamed of doing it, but that was before Olivia failed to arrive.

  Now, his arms were empty and his heart was slowly breaking.

  CHAPTER 2

  Cook Halen was proud of her spotless kitchen, with its two large coal stoves, vertical dish racks, cupboards and a handsome array of pots and pans hanging on the wall. A serving bar separated the kitchen from the servant’s dining hall, where Sarah and Charlotte sat at the long table waiting t
o be needed. Halen lightly touched the side of the heating teakettle. “She’ll be wanting tea soon, I wager.”

  “I am sure she will,” Sarah agreed. As head housekeeper and with so many rooms to keep clean, Sarah was thrilled to see new help arrive. “She’s a beauty, that Miss MacGreagor.”

  “As beautiful as he is handsome,” Charlotte agreed. “I could gaze upon his face for hours, if he would sit still long enough.”

  “He already has a wife,” Sarah reminded, revolted once more by Charlotte’s flaunted infatuation with their employer.

  “I know.”

  Shepard carried a tray to the sink and began to set several dirty dishes in the deep metal tub for washing. “What a pity his wife did not come. He must be so disappointed.”

  “You’ll not be sayin’ that for long,” Sassy said, poking her head in the door. She boldly walked to the table, took a seat next to Charlotte, and put her hands together as if to pray. “I am starved to the bone. Have you a crumb for a hungry Scot?”

  Cook Halen liked her immediately and reached for a bowl. “You’ve come to the right place. Have you had no lunch?”

  “We ate on the train, but I never seem to get full.”

  “That be the truth of it,” Alistair said, appearing in the doorway. “Sassy makes up for all the meals she missed on the ship.”

  Sassy narrowed her eyes. “Dinna say all you know right off, Alistair. I hope to charm one or two afore they find out.”

  “Beggin’ your pardon,” Alistair said. He winked at Halen and watched her place a bowl of soup and a roll in front of Sassy. “She’ll have you cookin’ day and night if you let her.” He pulled out a chair and sat down opposite Sassy.

  Charlotte let Sassy finish a few bites before she asked, “Why do you say he’ll not be happy to see his wife when she comes?”

  Sassy looked at Alistair’s stern expression. “I should not have said it.”

  “Indeed not,” Alistair agreed.

  “You know ‘tis true, but...” Sassy argued.

  Alistair was still frowning. “Sassy, we are not to speak ill of the duchess. Did we not agree?”

  “I suppose we did, but...”

  “But nothing, Sassy,” said Alistair. “Dinna make me talk to Lady McKenna about it.”

  Sassy rolled her eyes. “As you wish...as you always wish, Alistair.” Reluctantly, she went back to eating and kept quiet.

  The vast dining room in Marblestone Mansion was more complete than most rooms, with a long oak table, ample tall back chairs, a buffet, and two sideboards. White curtains were tied back on each side of three large windows. A gold-rimmed mantle clock sat on one of the sideboards and two electric floor lamps gave the room plenty of soft light.

  “It smells divine,” Hannish said. He helped McKenna sit and then remained standing at the head of the table. With the men lined up on one side of the table and the women on the other, the servants seemed reluctant to sit, all except Sassy who sat down next to McKenna right away. It made him smile. “Please sit down. Tonight, you are my honored guests and I assure you, my sister and I are quite capable of passing bowls and platters. Sit, I wish to hear all about the voyage.”

  The servants finally did as they were told and carefully passed the full platters and bowls toward the head of the table, where Hannish held each for his sister, helped himself and passed it on. “May I assume you all introduced yourselves? He glanced at their nods and then passed another platter to his right. “Sassy, did you like the voyage?”

  She vigorously shook her head. “Not at all, Sir, I greatly fear the water. ‘Tis sink or swim, but swim to where, I be askin’.”

  The others smiled and Hannish chuckled. “I am not fond of it myself. Were the accommodations satisfactory?” he asked them all. To that question, he only received slight nods from the Scots, found it a bit odd and decided to ask Alistair about it later. He passed the platter of sliced roast beef down and asked, “Are there no questions you wish to ask me?”

  Jessie, the Scottish cook, hurried to pass the bowl of carrots before she spoke up. “What shall we do...with two cooks, I mean?”

  “Aye,” said Alistair, “and two butlers?”

  “I assure you, there will be work aplenty for you all, and I do not intend to send anyone away. There is a great deal yet to purchase and since the shop owners are familiar with Prescot, I will need him to go to town often. Two butlers means each of you will have more time to see the sights. There is a place called, ‘the Gardens of the Gods,’ you all must see. ‘Tis red, blue, and purple sandstone formations that can take a breath away. As well, there is a place or two not far from here where a man can enjoy a drink and watch a friendly fistfight.” Hannish expected Alistair’s eyes to light up and was not disappointed.

  “Still, one of us must decide who is to do what,” said Prescot. “Which will you choose?”

  “How can I choose between two such fine lads?” Hannish put a spoon full of beans on his plate. “Allow me to think about it for a day or two.”

  “And the cooks?” Jessie asked.

  “By my count, we are nearly twenty to cook for, or will be when my wife arrives. The canning for winter must be done, and ‘tis far too much for any good woman to do alone. Perhaps, we might have a morning and an evening cook. The morning cook might do the baking and the evening cook might make our mid-meal. I trust the two of you can talk it over and strike a good bargain.” It was not a request, but a command and he was glad to hear no argument from either Jessie or Halen.

  They finished serving themselves and ate in silence for a while before Hannish spoke again, “Heretofore, no one is to give my sister twenty pounds.” Everyone stared at him until, as he hoped, McKenna finally had something to say about that.

  “He means, he wishes you to help him keep me from getting my hands on the money. I have only come to collect the twenty pounds sterling he borrowed, and once I get it, I intend to go back to Scotland.”

  Sassy’s eyes grew large and her voice began to rise. “Back to Scotland? Back across all that water? Miss McKenna, you’ve plumb lost your wits!” When she realized everyone was laughing at her, she became suddenly shy. She slumped, leaned her head against McKenna’s arm, and looked up pleadingly. “You’ll not truly make me go, will you?”

  McKenna patted the young girl’s hand. “I‘ll not truly be going either, but let’s don’t tell him, shall we?”

  Appeased, Sassy’s shyness instantly disappeared. She sat up straight again, and went back to enjoying her meal.

  Hannish took a few more bites before he said, “We should get to know each other better. Dugan, you begin; why did you choose to come to America?”

  Dugan carefully set his sterling silver fork on his bone china plate and folded his hands in his lap. Cousin Egan and I both wished to come, so we drew sticks and I won.”

  “Drew sticks?” Hannish asked; his brow wrinkled. “Why did you not both come? I arranged for twenty and only eight of you came?” He watched Dugan bow his head and it appeared the footman needed nudging before he would explain. “Dugan?”

  McKenna drew in a long breath. “Olivia would not let them all come.”

  “What?” Hannish studied his sister’s eyes for a moment and then lowered his gaze. “I see.” He set his fork down and then rubbed the back of his neck.

  “She brought but six with her,” McKenna pointed out. “Donnel and Blanka came with me.”

  Seated at the other end of the table, Alistair studied the pain in his employer’s face. “It dinna mean she’ll not be stayin’.”

  Hannish couldn’t help raising his voice a little, “Why else would she leave servants in Scotland?”

  “Perhaps she arranged for them to come later,” McKenna tried.

  He took his sister’s hand to comfort her. “McKenna, I love you fiercely, but all of you must say the truth, even if it concerns my wife.” He let go of her hand and picked his fork back up. “Ronan, were you forced to draw sticks as well?”

  Ronan cleared h
is throat. “I would have come no matter the short stick, Sir, but the duchess said I was chosen to come.”

  “I see,” Hannish took a deep breath to calm himself. He noticed Donnel watching him and tried to smile. “I need not ask why Blanka and Donnel have come. They have been with the family for years and are like cherished aunts to my sister and I.” He nodded to each and then turned his attention to the one he knew least about. “Sassy, where are you from?”

  “I am Scottish born and English raised, if you can call it that in an orphanage.” She looked at McKenna and then at Hannish. “Must I be completely honest?”

  “I insist upon it,” Hannish answered.

  “Well, I dinna...exactly pay the fare when I got aboard that ship.”

  Keith’s jaw dropped. “You are a stowaway?”

  She glared at Keith. “Never you mind about that. Lady...I mean, Miss McKenna found me. She asked if I would pretend to be her lady’s maid. She promised to feed me real good if I would do her the honor, so I agreed and here I be.”

  “And pleased we are to have you,” Hannish said. “Now let us hear a bit from the Americans.”

  Shepard spoke next. “Keith and I are cousins. We come from Pennsylvania and we tried the mines a time or two, but when you said you needed help here, Mr. MacGreagor, we came straight away. We are happy in Colorado, am I right, Keith?”

  Keith nodded. “We are indeed. We have never been more content than we are this day.” For cousins, Keith and Shepard didn’t look much alike except for matching brown eyes. Keith had a round face and curly dark brown hair. Shepard’s face was oval, his hair was straight and it was a lighter shade of brown.

  Hannish only half listened to Sarah and Charlotte explain which State they came from and how they ended up in Colorado. Yet when Jessie mentioned Olivia, he paid far more attention.

  “I mean to say it and I dinna care if I do,” Jessie said as if to warn the others not to interfere. “I told the duchess I’d be doin’ no more cookin’ in her kitchen whether she let me come or not. I’ve enough of that one, I have. You wait, you’ll see, there be no way a pleasin’ the Duchess, no way at all.”