Marblestone Mansion, Book 6

by Marti Talbott

  “The important thing,” Prescot said, “is that we keep our opinions to ourselves and do not talk to reporters. May I have your word on that?”

  “You can trust us,” said Dugan, “after all, we dinna tell the reporters about you.”

  “What a good joke,” Prescot sarcastically said. “Back to work everyone.”

  “Who is to serve meals now?” Keith asked.

  Prescot answered, “I was hoping you would.”

  “We have a shortage of footmen now; will Mr. Hannish let you hire more?” Grace asked. “The baskets full of wet clothes get very heavy, and who will carry the bath water to the lawn?”

  “I shall ask Mr. Hannish about hiring more men,” Prescot promised. “Meanwhile, I shall help with Tom’s chores.”

  “Where is Madeline?” Cook Jessie asked.

  “Right now, she is upstairs.” Prescot lowered his eyes. “She is upset, so say nothing. He did not say goodbye to her.”

  “I did not expect that of him,” Beverly muttered. “She must be heartbroken.”

  “Aye, and ‘tis up to us to see to her,” said Jessie, heading back to the kitchen. “I say we bake a nice cake.”

  “In this heat?” Halen asked, following her fellow cook out of the parlor door. “The Dalton Gang,” she said again. “Who would have thought that?”

  *

  Hannish was almost too late. By the time he rode his horse down the street in Palmer Lake, Swinton was in front of his house, had his horse already saddled, and was tying his belongings on the back of a packhorse.

  Confused and distraught, Loretta stood outside the picket fence gate wringing her hands. “Why? Why are you leaving? What have I done?” she asked, her eyes pleading for an answer.

  “Go back inside, Loretta.” He tried to mount his horse, but Loretta grabbed hold of his arm. Swinton turned his fierce glare on her and shouted, “Get away from me!”

  “You said you loved me!” she yelled, letting go of his arm and taking two steps back.

  “Love is just a word, Loretta.”

  Again, she tried to approach, but it only served to increase his rage. He shoved her away hard enough to make her fall backward. “I said, get away from me!” He mounted his horse and grabbed the reins to his packhorse.

  Still on the ground Loretta screamed, “No, Douglas, no!”

  Spooked by her screams, Swinton’s stallion reared up and was about to trample Loretta, when Hannish grabbed her from behind and pulled her out of the way.

  “Wait!” Loretta shrieked. “Please do not go, Douglas, I love you!” She struggled to get free of Hannish’s grasp, but he wouldn’t let go of her, and all she could do was watch as her husband rode his horse down the street, and then turned up the road toward Colorado Springs.

  Hannish felt her go weak in his arms, picked up the sobbing, inconsolable woman, and carried her into the house. “Loretta, you must pack a bag.”

  Still in shock, she shook her head. “He might come back…he might.”

  “I pray he does not come back.” Hannish set her feet on the floor, waited until she had her balance and then let go and looked around. He found what he was looking for and urgently picked up the telephone. He turned the crank and then said, “Connect me with Sheriff Thompson.” It seemed like forever before the Sheriff answered. “Sheriff, Slippery Jack Walker is headin’ your way. You know him as Douglas Swinton.”

  Staring out the window not knowing what to do, Loretta slowly turned around to look at Hannish. “What?”

  Hannish listened to what the sheriff asked, and then said, “Less than a minute ago. Bat Masterson said he is wanted for burnin’ down half a town and killin’ three children.” He wasn’t a bit surprised when the sheriff abruptly hung up the telephone.

  “Is it true?” Loretta asked.

  “I fear so.”

  “Douglas murdered children?”

  “He is a bounty hunter. You must come with me, Loretta. I know not what he is capable of, and now that he is found out, he is a desperate man. Gather some of your things, and I shall take you to Marblestone where we can keep you safe.”

  Horrified, Loretta quickly disappeared up the stairs. A few minutes later, she reappeared, carrying a pillowcase full of clothes. She was so befuddled, she hardly knew what she was doing, but at least her tears had stopped. She picked up the telephone, let her housekeeper know to stay away, and then followed Hannish outside. She let him put her on his horse, get on behind her, and did not even notice all the people standing in the street watching her as they rode away.

  *

  In Colorado Springs, Sheriff Thompson called his best two part-time deputies and hurried to collect his horse from the stables. He had no time to spare, but it took several minutes for his men to join him. In all haste, they rode to the edge of town and then headed to Palmer Lake.

  It was to be the sheriff’s most disappointing day.

  They should have intercepted him before they got to Palmer Lake, and when they did not, they searched until dark in all possible directions to no avail.

  Slippery Jack Walker somehow managed to slip away.

  *

  It took less than an hour for newspaper reporter, Christopher Earl Moore, to make it to Marblestone Mansion. It wouldn’t have taken that long if he hadn’t needed to hire a buggy first. Irritatingly, it took half an hour just to hitch up the horse.

  A story from an actual member of the Dalton Gang would be big news, and could assure him of a position in a more widely read paper, such as the Denver Post. It had only been ten years since the Dalton’s last job, in which they wore false beards and robbed two banks simultaneously. If what he heard just now was true, he might just be on the trail of the one that got away. What an achievement an interview with that one would be for a budding reporter.

  With his pencil and notebook in hand, Christopher Earl Moore knocked on Marblestone Mansion’s door and waited to be invited in.

  Prescot answered, but didn’t open the door wide enough for the man to get through. “Yes.”

  “Chris Moore to see Mr. Tom Boland. Might I come in?”

  “He is not here.”

  “When do you expect him back?”

  “Never.”

  “You mean he got away?”

  “I know of no one chasing him, Mr. Moore. He left to avoid talking to reporters.”

  “Do you know where he went?”

  Prescot closed the door in the reporter’s face and walked away.

  *

  It was nearly sundown when Leesil heard voices and hurried downstairs. “Thank Heaven you are safe,” she said throwing her arms around her old friend. “I have been beside myself with worry. How are you, my darlin’ Loretta?”

  “I am furious.”

  “I can well believe that.”

  “Mr. MacGreagor explained everything and said Abigail heard it too. Is it true?”

  Leesil reluctantly nodded. “Aye, both are true.” She took the full pillowcase out of Loretta’s hand and gave it to Prescot. “Come with me. I have asked Margaret Ann to bring tea to the upstairs sittin’ room as soon as you arrived.”

  “Do you swear Abigail is not up there?”

  Leesil smiled. “I do swear it. She has no notion you are here and none of us will tell her.” She took Loretta’s hand and led her up the marble stairs.

  “I knew someday Abigail’s gossip would do harm, I just never imagined it would be to me.”

  “Or me.” Leesil opened the door, let her go in first, and then closed it behind them. “I have lost a dear friend this day, but my loss is not nearly so grave as yours.”

  Loretta walked to the window and stared at the view of Colorado Springs in the distance. “Oddly, I do not feel a great loss now that I know the truth. Perhaps I shall later. Your husband brought me on a road…a path really, I did not know existed. He is afraid Douglas will try to find me, but I don’t think he will. If he does, I might just shoot him myself.”

  “I hope he does not.”

 
; She abruptly turned away from the window. “Do you know what he said to me?”

  “What?”

  “He said, love is just a word.”

  Leesil put her arm around Loretta and guided her to the davenport. “Margaret Ann shall bring tea soon.”

  “Leesil, have you anything stronger than tea?”

  “Of course.” Leesil was about to open the door when Margaret Ann lightly knocked. “Come in.” she waited until the servant put the tea tray down and then asked, “Will you have Tom…” She quickly bit her lower lip, “I mean Brookton bring a bottle from the wine cellar.”

  “Yes, Miss Leesil.”

  Loretta waited until the servant was gone before she asked, “Has Abigail told everyone about Slippery Jack?”

  “By now, I am certain she has.”

  Loretta puffed her cheeks. “Of course she has. What am I to do now?”

  “You are to stay with us until you have wits enough to decide, and we are in no hurry to see you leave us.”

  “I wanted to talk to you the day you came, but I could not face Abigail’s probing questions.”

  “I know. Sit down, dearest.”

  “Why could I not find a husband like yours? Why did I…”

  “Loretta, please...” Leesil was distracted by the door opening for a second time, but she was not surprised to see Hannish bringing the bottle of rum and three glasses himself.

  Loretta waited until Hannish filled the first glass and handed it to her, before she curled a leg under and finally sat down. “Thank you, Mr. MacGreagor.”

  “Mr. MacGreagor? Do we not know each other well enough for first names?” He offered Leesil a drink, but she declined, so he kept it and took a seat in a chair facing Loretta. “When you have made a list, I shall send a lad for more of your things.”

  “I still cannot believe it. I let a man sleep beside me who burned children to death? I am so horrified I can hardly think.”

  “You could not have known,” said Leesil.

  “I and heartsick, lost, and confused. What should I do, Hannish?”

  “For one, you have a future to plan,” Hannish answered. “Swinton left you a very fine house and a business to run.”

  Loretta’s mouth dropped. “I cannot run a business.”

  “Perhaps not, but you can sell it.”

  “Without my husband’s permission?”

  “You forget,” said Leesil, “we have a judge in the family.”

  At last, Loretta smiled. “Indeed we do. It would serve Douglas right if I sell everything and keep the money.”

  Prescot knocked on the door and then opened it without being asked in. “Mr. Whitfield is here.”

  “Good, send him up,” said Hannish. “There is somethin’ he needs to know.”

  *

  Claymore yanked the front door of his mansion open, marched into the flamboyantly decorated parlor, and let the door slam behind him. “ABIGAIL!”

  Abigail was about to doze off in her sitting room chair when she heard him. She had never heard her husband yell before, and her eyes shot wide open. She brought her hand to her heart, jumped up, and scampered out of the room. “What is it, has someone died?”

  “NOT YET!” he shouted.

  “What do you mean? What can the matter be?”

  “You have done it this time, Abigail, and I shall never forgive you.”

  “Done what? What are you talking about?”

  “You have run Tom off.” He gave her an exaggerated nod to emphasize his point. “Oh yes, he is gone and quite possibly for good. Do you know why?”

  Her whisper was so soft, even she wasn’t sure she was speaking. “Why?”

  “Because you told everyone he was a member of the Dalton Gang and that he had been living in our house – OUR HOUSE, ABIGAIL!”

  “I never said…”

  “Of course you did, do not try to deny it. You made it sound as though we intentionally hid an outlaw. I’d not be surprised if the Sheriff comes to arrest us both.”

  “Arrest us? Claymore, I…”

  “FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE, CLOSE YOUR MOUTH! I AM SPEAKING HERE!”

  Her eyes still wide, Abigail slowly sunk down on the parlor sofa.

  “Have I not repeatedly warned you not to spread your gossip? The damage you have done this day is irreparable, and not just to us, but to the MacGreagors.”

  “The MacGreagors?” she dared ask.

  “Reporters, Mrs. Whitfield, REPORTERS, and I’d not be surprised if they come here as well.”

  “What am I to…”

  Claymore held up his first finger. “NOT another word from your mouth, Mrs. Whitfield.”

  She bowed her head and pursed her lips.

  “Furthermore, you helped Swinton escape…yes, you did. Your gossip spread faster than a crow flies and he was packed and ready to leave by the time Hannish arrived to rescue Loretta. Have you heard? Swinton pushed Loretta to the ground and she was nearly trampled by a horse?”

  Abigail caught her breath and once more put her hand on her fast beating heart.

  “She is quite fine and at Marblestone, where they can keep her safe until her husband, Slippery John something or other, is captured. You, my dear, have turned this town upside down with your gossip. Well, what have you to say for yourself?”

  “Claymore, I…”

  “Heretofore, you are to speak of nothing but children and childbirth, do you hear me?”

  “Childbirth?”

  “Are you not the one who always knows who is giving birth and precisely when? I suspect you even know the date of conception, the way you…” He hated it when she cried, and his heart instantly melted. He softened his voice, sat down beside her and patted her on the leg. “There, there, now, do not cry. You truly must learn to consider the consequences before you speak, my love. Promise me that from this day forward, you shall not listen to any conversation that is not your own. Come to think of it, you are not to talk on the telephone at all, until you have learned to control yourself.”

  At that, Abigail’s tears turned to sobs.

  *

  It took Abigail three days to get up the courage to go to Marblestone and apologize to her friends. It was tedious at first, until she told them Claymore had limited her to talking only of childbirth. Loretta began to laugh first, and soon all three of them were the best of friends again.

  “The Sheriff called this morning,” Loretta confessed. “He says Douglas…rather Slippery Jack was seen heading to the New Mexico territory. I care not where he goes as long as he does not come back here.”

  “What will you do with the house in Palmer Lake?” Abigail asked.

  “Hannish has agreed to let me trade it for one of the new houses he is building. I shall like living closer to town. The judge says he shall grant me a divorce on the grounds of desertion, and then I can sell the construction company.”

  “I am so happy to hear it,” said Abigail. “You are welcome to stay with us until your new house is ready. With Charles gone, I could use the company.”

  “Could I? I am such a bother here and…”

  “You are not a bother,” Leesil interrupted, “but we are quite full to the brim. There is hardly a quiet moment with all these children.”

  Loretta lightly hugged her. “I do hope you are not offended.”

  “Of course not, I am tempted to go with you.”

  *

  She watched for him. Every time someone came to the door or the telephone rang, Madeline prayed it was Tom. It just never was. Every room was a room he had been in, every duty something he had done, and every face, a face he loved. She could not fault him for that – Marblestone was all that she had heard, and then some. It was just that forgetting him, as she knew she must, was impossible there.

  At the train station, Hannish put her bag on the cart to be loaded with the other luggage, and then asked, “Where shall I tell him you have gone?”

  “I do not know. Perhaps I shall write when I am settled.”

&nbs
p; “Please do.”

  “He did not give me a chance to tell him, but I would have done my best to make him happy, no matter the consequences, Mr. Hannish. Is that not what love is?”

  “Aye.” He took her elbow, helped her up the train steps and then watched through the window as she found a seat. There were tears in her eyes as the train began to depart, though she tried to smile as she waved.

  “Aye, that is what love is,” he muttered. He watched until the train was out of sight, and then got back in the carriage. “Take me home, Dugan.”

  “Yes, Mr. Hannish.”

  As soon as they arrived, he burst through the door, asked Prescot where his wife was, rushed up the stairs to the sitting room and opened the door.

  Alarmed, Leesil set her sewing aside and stood up. “What is it? What is wrong?”

  “Nothing is wrong, everything is right.” He took her in his arms and held her as though he would never let her go. “I love you so, and if you want to live in Scotland to be near Cathleen, then that is precisely what we shall do.”

  Leesil drew back and looked in his eyes. “Live in Scotland? Colorado is our home, not Scotland.”

  “Then that is not what is upsettin’ you?”

  “Nay.” She smiled and lightly kissed his lips. “What plagues me shall be corrected in about six months.”

  “Six…”

  “I am hopin’ for a girl this time.”

  He could not hide his relief and didn’t try. “I would like that very much, although I will fret more over a daughter than a son.”

  “Well, you need not fret just yet. Have you no occupation? I thought we were in the business of buildin’ houses.”

  “That we are and I best be off.” Nevertheless, he took the time to show his happiness with a long passionate kiss before he went back out the door.

  CHAPTER 11

  The train from London took the duchess south to Brighton, where she boarded a sailing ship to France. From there, she caught a train to Paris, transferred to another that took her to Reims, and yet another until she reached her final destination.

  Luxembourg, a small country located between Germany, France and Belgium, gained its independence by virtue of the First Treaty of London in 1839, but that mattered not to the duchess. All she needed to know was that Luxembourg offered her the chance to meet the Grand Duke, attend his balls, and tempt all his wealthy friends with her charms. His Nephew, Yannick, and the promise she made to Lady Husher, was beside the point.