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

by Marti Talbott

  The Mayor ended the speech no one would remember later and after a round of applause, it was time for the bidding on the box lunches. The first three boxes went quickly at a price of $.25 each. The next one had two bidders, but one bowed out when the price reached $.67.

  The auctioneer cleared his throat and announced, “The next box belongs to a lovely lady by the name of Millie. Gentlemen, what am I...”

  “One dollar,” the sheriff shouted.

  “One twenty-five,” Prescot yelled.

  “Two,” said the sheriff.

  “Two dollars?” the surprised crowd muttered.

  Prescot narrowed his eyes. “Two fifty!”

  “Half a week’s pay?” the Sheriff asked.

  “For some of us,” Prescot answered. He tipped his hat to the sheriff and was ready to claim his prize, when another offer was made.

  “Three dollars.” Everyone turned to stare at Mr. Wells.

  Hannish dug several bills out of his pocket, peeled off a two dollar bill, walked to Prescot and handed it to him. Then he glared at Amos Wells.

  “Five dollars,” Prescot shouted, holding the bills in the air.

  Amos Wells shook his head and walked away, but by then, Hannish had lost sight of Sassy again. He walked this way and that, but still he could not find her.

  For the sake of charity, Alistair bid a dollar for Sarah’s box lunch, had no competition, and went off with her a happy man. Several other lunches were bid on and then came one no one expected.

  “Who will give $.25 to eat the lunch of Miss Charlotte Wells?” the auctioneer asked. Charlotte took a step forward. She looked pleasant enough in her stylish clothes, which were very similar to what Sassy was wearing, but then, it was the fashion of the day and most of the women were dressed that way. She kept her hopeful eyes on Hannish.

  Hannish ignored the bidding and kept walking around until he noticed McKenna standing beside him. “They are sitting on the grass eating lunch. Shall we do the same? I happen to have enough for two in this box.”

  He took the box from her and offered his arm. “We’ve not married you off yet? I thought certain a lad would catch your eye this day.”

  “Apparently, he has not yet arrived.”

  “He is a stupid man.”

  “That is what I think.”

  Hannish soon spotted Abigail, who was frantically waving McKenna over, no doubt to introduce her to a single, male friend. “I believe she wants to share your lunch, and why not, our cooks make better fried chicken.”

  “You do not mind?” McKenna asked.

  “Not at all.” He handed the box back, and then joined Donnel and Blanka on the bench. A few minutes later, nearly all the members of Marblestone Mansion had spread blankets and were eating on the lawn in front of him, even Sassy and Cathleen moved closer, although they stayed on the outer rim of the gathering.

  “We are just like a Scottish clan,” Blanka said, offering him a drumstick from her box.

  Hannish took it and nodded. “Indeed we are, but then, what is a clan but a large family?”

  “Egan and Dugan are not here,” Donnel pointed out.

  “I believe they found a lady to eat with and I highly approve. A clan must grow and for that, a man needs a wife.”

  “That he does.” Blanka agreed. “Your father would be proud of you this day?”

  “Would he?” Hannish asked.

  “Indeed he would, he was determined to uphold the family traditions and see that you did the same. He would be very proud to know you do not intend to divorce your wife.”

  “But sister,” Donnel said, “No MacGreagor ever married a wildcat before. He has the proof and I think he should divorce her.”

  “Nay, Blanka, he must do as his father taught him...even if the tradition makes him miserable for the rest of his life.”

  Hannish smiled first at one sister and then at the other. “I see what you are up too. ’Tis not the woman, but the pledge. I gave Olivia my pledge and I cannae break it.” When he glanced at her, Sassy was watching him, but she quickly looked away. Keith, he noticed was sitting not far away, trying his best to keep Sassy’s attention. He looked around for McKenna and wasn’t surprised that she was watching him too. “Tell me, did McKenna put you up to this?”

  Donnel laughed. “When have we ever needed puttin’ up to? You are like a son to us and we wish to see you happy. As I said before, your happiness will come soon...if you let it.”

  Hannish took a bite out of his drumstick and savored the taste. He assumed he knew where everyone was, but too late, he realized he’d lost track of Charlotte.

  Sassy saw her coming first and quickly got to her feet. Cathleen was almost up and so was Keith, when Charlotte hurled a full blueberry pie at Sassy. She managed to knock part of it away, but a large chunk hit her just below her left shoulder and splattered on her face. All she could do was watch, as streaks of blue began to stain her new white shirtwaist. Blueberries, the sticky filling, and the pastry slowly slid down her new skirt, falling in globs on the top of her new shoes.

  Cathleen was about to lunge at Charlotte when Keith grabbed her around the waist and held her back. “Get away from us,” Cathleen screamed.

  Charlotte looked pleased with herself when she walked away, ignoring all the people who were now staring at her.

  It wasn’t long before all the residents of the mansion were on their feet and gathered around her. “It is ruined,” Sassy muttered when Hannish reached her.

  Tears were beginning to form in the bottom of her eyes and he had no idea what to do. “Do you wish to go home?”

  She looked up at him. “I wanted to...to stay for the dancing.”

  “Of course you did,” Maude Goodwin said, making her way through the gathering crowd. “See that house on the corner.” She pointed across the street. “Mr. Goodwin built that for me and I would be pleased to take you there. I have something I think just might fit you and then you will not have to miss the dance. Will you let me help you?”

  Sassy nodded and tried to shake some of the piecrust off her skirt. More people were gathering, trying to get a good look at her, and some were even snickering. She gave up on the mess and looked up at Hannish again. “I have ruined my new clothing.”

  “You must not fret, we shall buy more,” he said.

  Hannish spotted Charlotte strolling down a long sidewalk between two rows of trees. “Keith, go with Sassy and Cathleen, and see that Charlotte gets nowhere near them again.”

  “I will, Mr. Hannish.”

  He watched Mrs. Goodwin lead the three of them through the parting crowd, noticed Millie and Prescot were trying to recover some of Sassy’s lunch and that McKenna had tears in her eyes. “If you cry, you will make me cry.”

  McKenna broke a smile and smacked his arm. “I have never seen you shed a tear, not since...” she bit her lip. “Brother, this is serious. I fear Charlotte will become more violent.”

  “So do I,” Alistair agreed. “I do not like her brother either.”

  Hannish nodded. “I have placed no more furniture orders with him; he’ll not be coming around again.”

  “Good,” said Prescot. “Millie does not like the way he looks at her.”

  Just then, Claymore spoke up, “Charlotte needs to be run out of town. I doubt the parents will want their children taught by the likes of her after this, and if I spread the word, her brother will have no more business in Colorado Springs. They will both be forced to move away.”

  “Will that not make them even more resentful?” McKenna asked.

  “Perhaps, but we will simply have to be more vigilant for the sake of all ladies,” said Claymore. “We cannot have our women assaulted—not in this city.”

  Millie tugged on Alistair’s arm. “Do you suppose Sassy has lost her appetite?”

  “Sassy? Miss a meal? Impossible!”

  CHAPTER 12

  It was the better part of an hour before Sassy and the others came back and Alistair was waiting for them at the
edge of the park. Just as he predicted, the first thing she wanted was the rest of her lunch. “The sheriff arrested Charlotte.”

  “For ruining my clothes?”

  “Nay,” Alistair answered, “for neglecting to pay for the pie before she took it.”

  Sassy grinned. “Good.”

  “Come, Sarah has your lunch and she saved a place for us on the grass.” He offered his arm and was pleased when she took it, just as gracefully as any fine lady would. And why not, she was dressed in Mrs. Goodwin’s expensive white shirtwaist, with pearls sewn into the lace, a dark blue skirt and a pair of practically new shoes.

  As Alistair carefully wove them between the wandering crowd, Sassy giggled and leaned closer. “Even the skin beneath this shirtwaist is blue.”

  Alistair pretended to be shocked, “My dear, a gentleman should never know these things.”

  “A gentleman does not know a lady has skin?”

  “Good heavens no, not until his wedding night.”

  She rolled her eyes. “What a discovery that must be.”

  The prim and proper Alistair could not help but laugh.

  *

  At exactly half past six, two men began to scatter a fine layer of cornmeal on the smooth cement to make it easier for the dancers to make their turns. It was then the Mayor called for the musicians to take their places on the pavilion. “But first,” he said, “to begin the evening activities, allow me to introduce the finest singers in Colorado Springs, The MacGreagor Quartet.”

  Never had they been so nervous, but Shepard, Prescot, Brookton and Egan walked to the front of the crowd and climbed the two steps up to the pavilion. Shepard asked for a middle “c” from the violinist and when they were ready, gave the signal to begin.

  Hannish had not heard they were calling themselves the “MacGreagor Quartet,” and it made him proud. He, along with everyone else, listened to the medley of songs “his” quartet sang, and when they ended with The Star Spangled Banner, everyone stood, even the elderly. He watched several men respectfully take off their hats and he took his off too. He missed Scotland, but it was an honor to be counted among the people of this new country. He felt a sense of pride in what they had accomplished—after all, they beat the British—something Scotland never managed to do.

  *

  As soon as the orchestra began to play a waltz, a couple of teenagers decided to demonstrate a few rag-tag steps and were, with the approval of the crowd, yanked off the dance floor by their parents.

  No one enjoyed the dancing more than Sassy, but she refused to take part in it. Cathleen, on the other hand, accepted every offer and danced until she thought her new shoes might wear out. Naturally, Alistair danced with Sarah, Hannish danced with Pearl and then Loretta and then Pearl and then Loretta, and then Pearl again. McKenna danced with the deputy and the sheriff, once he gave up trying to separate Prescot from Millie. The whole time, the sheriff mumbled about the price Prescot paid for Millie’s lunch.

  Yet, Sassy sat between Donnel and Blanka and stayed in the comfort of the two elder women she had grown to love. “If I had a mother, I would want her to be just like the two of you,” she said. “You are so very wise. May I ask a question?”

  “Of course,” Donnel said.

  “How do you know when you are in love?”

  Donnel winked at Blanka. “Do you remember sister? It has been a long time ago for me.”

  “Sister, you cannae have forgotten that. I remember as if it were yesterday. His name was Jonathan and I swear upon my mother’s grave, my heart completely stopped each time I saw him.”

  “Stopped?” Sassy asked, looking a little alarmed.

  “Aye, some say it skips a beat, but I feared the next beat would never come again when my Jonathan was near.”

  “I remember now,” Donnel said. “I greatly feared I would embarrass myself in front of Michael, and of course, I did. I missed a church step and fell flat on my face. Later, he teased me about falling hard for him, but he had such a gleam in his eye when he said it, I could not protest. He was right of course; I loved that man until the day he died. I love him still.”

  “But how can you know if he loves you?”

  “Unless he is a stupid man, he will tell you,” said Blanka.

  Donnel rolled her eyes and repeated, “Aye, unless he is a stupid man.”

  “Are most of them stupid?”

  “It would seem a good many of them are,” Blanka answered. “I suppose they have their reasons, or think they do. ‘Tis fear that keeps a man from telling a woman how he feels.”

  Sassy looked from Blanka to Donnel. “Fear of what?”

  “He is afraid the woman he wants does not want him.”

  “You mean like Keith? He hopes I will someday, but I do not care for him in that way. I have even said as much.”

  “Keith needs to meet more ladies. I shall tell Alistair to send him to town more often.”

  “Would you? I would be forever grateful. I have but one more question. Suppose the man a woman wants does not ever say he loves her? What then?”

  Donnel exchanged knowing looks with her sister before she answered, “She must wait until he has his wits about him. ‘Tis all she can do...just wait.”

  The day had been filled with excitement and all the way home, they laughed about some of the fun things that happened. The summer night air was warm and the sunset illuminated the sky in shades of pink and lavender, as if to add a touch of majesty to their almost perfect day. This time, the butlers sat next to Millie and Sarah, instead of having the men on one side of the wagon and the women on the other. That meant Hannish was on the end, and he was the first to jump down when the carriage and the wagon finally stopped.

  Hannish didn’t see her until after he and Keith helped the women out of the wagon and the men began to gather the blankets, and the empty lunch boxes. The women had walked to the front of the house, but curiously had not yet gone in, so he went to see what the problem was.

  The young woman wore a crooked hat, held a sleeping baby in her arms and had tears in her eyes. “Margaret Ann, what is wrong?” Hannish asked.

  Her lip quivered when she answered, “I have come to give you my boy, Mr. MacGreagor. I know you will take good care of him.”

  “Give him to me? Why?”

  “I cannot keep him if I am to have my position at the Hotel. He is six months and wants to crawl, not stay in his bed all day. He cries, Mister MacGreagor, and they don’t allow crying babies in the hotel, except for guests.”

  “I see,” said Hannish.

  “May I hold him?” Sassy asked, sitting down beside her on the step. “I sorely miss taking care of babies in the orphanage.”

  Margaret Ann nodded and carefully handed the sleeping baby to her. “You will take him then, Mr. MacGreagor?”

  Hannish sat down on the other side of Margaret Ann. “Of course we will care for him, but on one condition.”

  She brushed a strand of golden hair away from her face and sniffed her nose. “What?”

  “You must stay with him and work for me,” said Hannish. “They do not complain, but the ladies at Marblestone Mansion are a might weary of washing clothes. We could use a lass like you. The pay is good, you’ll have plenty to eat, a warm bed, and the laddie can crawl anywhere he likes—so long as it is safe.” He waited, but she didn’t return his comforting smile. “Have we a bargain?”

  “My hands are too painful to wring the clothes. Have you a wringer washer?”

  “A wringer washer?” He looked at Sarah, who quickly nodded. “I believe we do.”

  “Then I am pleased to do your wash, Mr. MacGreagor.”

  “It is settled, then.” He stood up and gave Margaret Ann a hand up. “Prescot, I believe we shall be in need of a few toys, a crib and...” Sassy had the baby all wrapped up in her lap, gently rocking him from side to side and when she kissed the child’s cheek, he had never seen her look more beautiful or more at peace. “Sassy, tomorrow, would you care for little...?”
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  “William,” Margaret Ann answered.

  “William, while Margaret Ann goes to town to collect their things, and to tell the hotel they’ll be needin’ another washer woman?”

  Sassy grinned. “I would love to.”

  “So would I,” said Cathleen.

  “And me,” McKenna added.

  Hannish laughed and nodded for Alistair to open the door. “I fear poor William is about to be mothered to death, Margaret Ann. Come, we shall find you a bed. Have you eaten? We have...”

  McKenna waited until they were well inside before she whispered to Sassy, “So that is Margaret Ann. She too is plagued by Charles Whitfield and I cannae help but wonder who the boy’s father is?”

  “I bet Mrs. Abigail knows, she knows everything,” Sassy said, letting Keith help her stand up now that she had a baby in her arms.

  “If it is Charles, I wager she does not know, or she would have said. I’ll not be the one to ask her either; she is already quite put out over the money Charles spends.”

  *

  The hiring of Margaret Ann began a whole host of people coming to the mansion looking for work, as though no one had ever heard of the place before. Hannish hired mostly men willing to help tend the horses and do the gardening, but when a seamstress showed up on the doorstep, he was more than willing to give her a good paying position. The baby always needed new clothes, the ballroom needed drapes and the MacGreagor ball was only a month away. Alistair and Sarah interviewed three more housekeepers, and then offered each a position, which all three quickly accepted.

  The engraved invitations went out early, especially those sent to friends in Scotland, and several accepted. They would bring their own valets and lady’s maids, who in turn would need a place to sleep and plenty to eat.

  McKenna was thrilled, but Hannish was worried about getting everything done in time.