Marblestone Mansion, Book 3 Page 13

  CHAPTER 9

  The quiet and reserved evening the residents of Marblestone Mansion planned for their guests did not go off quite as expected.

  At dinner, they talked of places Cameron might enjoy seeing and of outings they had taken in the past. Hannish had just suggested taking his wife to Scotland for a visit, when the sudden sound of the brass doorbell interrupted him. “Who could that be?” He asked.

  “‘Tis likely Abigail,” Leesil said, “As you know, she has a way of showing up at dinner time.”

  “I think not,” said Hannish. “Claymore said they were to dine at…”

  Just then, the dining room door abruptly opened and Alistair appeared. “Keith is here, Mr. Hannish.” Alistair moved aside and let a haggard looking Roy Keith enter.

  Hannish quickly stood up, “What is it Keith, what has happened?”

  “I thought it best not to call, Mr. Hannish,” Keith started, quickly removing his hat. His eyes were wide, as though he could not believe it himself. “She is here.”

  “Who’s here?” Hannish asked.

  “The duchess.”

  McKenna caught her breath. “Are you certain?”

  Alistair stepped inside and quickly closed the door. At the same time, Shepard and Dugan stopped what they were doing, and nearly all the family members laid their forks in their plates.

  Keith collected his thoughts for a moment and turned his hat in his hands. “I am positive. She got out of a carriage in front of the Antlers Hotel and I watched until she went inside. I came as soon as I could get away.”

  “Did she see you?” Alistair asked, ignoring customary butler protocol.

  “I cannot be sure. I don’t think so, but maybe,” Keith answered.

  “Leave it to the duchess to ruin yet another fine meal,” Leesil muttered, absentmindedly smoothing the cloth napkin in her lap.

  “Sit down, Keith, have you eaten?” Hannish asked.

  “I have, but I could do with a cup of tea, or perhaps something a little stronger if you have it.”

  James watched Keith take a seat next to the judge and then leaned closer to Leesil. “Who is the duchess?”

  Leesil’s head was bowed when she answered him, “My husband’s wife.”

  “I thought you were his wife,” a surprised James said.

  Leesil rolled her eyes. “I am, ‘tis a long story. I shall tell you later.”

  Cameron was even more alarmed than the others. “We cannae let her see…you know who.”

  “Who?” Blair asked.

  Cameron was surprised she was even listening. “A dear friend of mine.”

  “Oh.”

  Hannish watched Shepard reach in the sidebar cupboard, retrieve a bottle and then pour a glass of wine for Keith. He finally realized he was still standing and slowly sat back down. “I cannae believe she would truly come here.”

  “Perhaps someone should kidnap her this time,” Leesil whispered. She smiled when Hannish rolled his eyes.

  “I am not surprised in the least,” Cathleen boldly said. “The duchess was in Denver a few days ago. Her picture was in the paper, but we hoped she was just passing through.”

  “Alistair, would you get the newspaper please?” Hannish asked. “It is on the top shelf in my study.” He watched Alistair nod and head out the door.

  Blair pointed at her glass of juice, looked at Cathleen and said, “Yes, please.” More than one family member smiled. Cathleen was fast becoming one of Blair’s favorite people.

  Alistair couldn’t help but stare at the picture when he slowly walked back into the dining room. “God have mercy, it is the duchess!” He handed the paper to Dugan, closed the door, remained standing and clasped his hands behind his back.

  Hannish drew in a forgotten breath. “The picture was taken at the Denver train station after a bank robbery.”

  Dugan handed the newspaper to Stafford, who looked at it, nodded and handed it to the judge. “I dinna think her brazen enough to come back.”

  “Neither did I,” said McKenna, glancing at the picture and then passing it across the table to Cathleen. “When I saw the picture I was certain it could not be her.”

  “She is not that bonnie,” Cathleen said, giving the paper to Cameron.

  “What do you think she wants?” the Judge asked.

  “What she always wants – money,” Dugan answered. He finally remembered his duties and began pouring tea for the family, none of whom were eating, except Blair.

  “She’ll not get any more money from me,” Hannish vowed.

  Nicholas thoughtfully rubbed his forehead. “This poses yet another problem.”

  “What kind of problem?” Hannish asked.

  “Well, knowing what I know, and as an officer of the court, I am duty bound to have her arrested. If anyone finds out I am aware of her crimes, my career as a Judge will be at an end.”

  McKenna quickly put her hand atop her husband’s. “We shall not let that happen. I trust everyone in this room.”

  Dugan finally gave up serving and sat down at the other end of the table next to Keith. “What about the others?” he asked. “Suppose they see her in town?”

  “He’s right,” said Alistair. “We best warn them.”

  “I say we kidnap her before anyone sees her,” McKenna suggested.

  “Precisely what I was thinking,” Leesil agreed.

  “The law forbids it, ladies,” said the judge.

  “The law has never run into the duchess, Nicholas,” said McKenna. “I assure you, they would soon make an exception.”

  “I will see to her,” said Leesil. “‘Tis time we have a chat, wife to wife.”

  “I cannae allow that,” said Hannish.

  “Nor can I,” Cameron agreed. “She is too dangerous for a lass alone to see to her.”

  “What then?” Leesil asked. “My husband refuses to pay her, we cannae kidnap her and she’ll not likely leave of her own accord. Meanwhile, she will make the whole town…” She suddenly drew in a sharp breath. “Thank God Charles is gone!”

  “Who is Charles?” James asked.

  “Her husband,” Leesil answered.

  “I see, she is your husband’s wife, and another lad is her husband.” James looked so puzzled, even Leesil laughed.

  Shepard’s jaw dropped. “Do you mean she married Charles Whitfield?” He decided he better sit down too.

  Hannish looked at Alistair. “I forgot he dinna know.”

  “So did I,” Alistair admitted. “Charles Whitfield is husband number five.”

  “That we know of,” Hannish added. He felt a twinge of pity for poor Shepard who was just now finding out. Even after all this time, it was still difficult for even him to believe.

  “Did you know, cousin?” Shepard asked Keith.

  “Not that part,” Keith admitted.

  “I wonder what name she is using this time,” Cameron muttered.

  “Sharon,” Cathleen guessed.

  “Franzelda,” Leesil suggested. “Or Princess something or other, since she thinks she is one.”

  Cathleen giggled, “Why not Queeny?”

  “Something grand, no doubt,” said McKenna. “She is quite fond of calling herself Alexandra, you know. Perhaps she has not bothered to change it.”

  Nicholas waited while they bantered a few more names around, and then directed his remark to Hannish. “A better question is, why has she come here in person? If money is her aim, why not just call or send a letter asking you to meet her somewhere?”

  “He’s a point,” said Alistair.

  “Indeed he does,” Hannish agreed.

  While everyone was considering that, Cameron took another bite of ham, chewed, swallowed and then pointed at Hannish with his fork. “She means to ruin your marriage.”

  “‘Tis just the sort of thing she would do,” Dugan agreed. He stood up, which made Shepard get up as well. If the family was going to start eating finally, the least he could do was serve their needs. “Miss Blair, do you want more?�
�� he asked.

  “Yes, please. Potatoes.”

  Dugan smiled and picked up the platter. “The cooks will be glad to hear you like them.”

  It was a small diversion and it didn’t last long.

  “What does the duchess gain by trying to ruin their marriage?” Cathleen asked.

  “Revenge would be my guess,” Cameron answered. He turned once more to his brother. “Did you not lie about the amount of money you had?”

  “I did,” Hannish answered. “I said I had little more than twenty thousand pounds left.”

  “That explains it then. She somehow learned the truth and thinks you cheated her,” said Cameron.

  “Poison,” Leesil mumbled.

  “Sweetheart, murder is against the law as well,” Hannish said. He looked down at his plate, picked up his fort and decided not to let a good meal go to waste.

  “‘Tis still against the law?” Leesil asked. “How very unkind of these Americans.”

  “We, Americans,” her husband reminded her.

  Said Cathleen, “Perhaps we can make her so miserable, she will run away.”

  “How?” McKenna asked.

  “Well, when we wished Old Mrs. Forthright to leave us be, we plagued her in all sorts of ways. She caught onto us, usually, but the duchess has no way to stop us without confessing. There are so many of us, and if we all work together, she’ll not stay a week.”

  Keith shook his head. “I forgot to say, a man got out of the carriage too.”

  “A new husband, no doubt,” Dugan muttered.

  McKenna considered that. “A husband might not take kindly to us making her miserable.”

  Cathleen shrugged. “We’ll not do anything to harm her, and if we are very clever, her husband will be none the wiser. Do you wish to hear my idea?” She smiled when they all nodded. “Well, we…”

  Cameron listened to Cathleen’s ideas with great interest. She certainly had grown up in the year since he last saw her, and her plan was nothing short of excellent. He knew the duchess well enough to know it just might work. Soon, Leesil and James were helping Cathleen plot the duchess’ demise and for a moment, he was glad he was on their good side. The three of them must have been a handful in the orphanage and if left to their own regulation, could easily be again. He exchanged looks with his brother, whom he guessed was thinking the same thing. It appeared Hannish had not yet fully discovered this side of the sisters either.

  *

  After they finished making their plans, Keith asked if he could see Margaret Ann, which delighted everyone. He found her outside, sitting in the grass watching little William run and play with Blair and the dog. Much smaller than Blair, William was having a horrible time keeping up. It seemed as soon as he reached them, Blair and the dog headed off again. At length, William looked at his mother, threw up his arms and plopped down in the grass.

  Both Margaret Ann and Keith laughed.

  Twice that week, Keith called just to see how she was, and Margaret Ann found it enduring. No sooner had he knelt down and started to say something, than William got distracted by something in the grass, picked it up and started to put it in his mouth. Keith instantly hopped up and went after the boy.

  William spotted him, dropped whatever was in his hand, shrieked with delight and took off running. Keith caught up, grabbed William from behind and swung the laughing boy high in the air. He set him down, waited until he had his balance, let go, and then continued the chase until an exhausted William finally sat down to rest.

  Margaret Ann could not have been more pleased. In her opinion, there was nothing so beautiful as a grown man playing with a little boy.

  *

  While he wasn’t so certain Cathleen’s plan would work, Hannish went outside to talk to Keith and Margaret Ann. He sat down facing her and pulled a blade of grass out of the lawn. “I am in need of your help.”

  “What can I do, Mr. Hannish?” she asked.

  “No one knows the Antlers Hotel better than you. I am hopin’ you can…” He explained the situation in detail, made his request and then waited for her answer.

  “Mr. Hannish, I cannot allow her to face the duchess alone,” Keith said, surprising even himself.

  Margaret Ann was flattered, reached out and touched Keith’s hand. “If Mr. Hannish had not come when I screamed, Wesley Bennet would have cut my throat and I would not be here to ask. There is nothing I would not do for Hannish MacGreagor.”

  Hannish tossed that blade of grass away and chose another. “I see no other way; we must know what she is up to. Margaret Ann can stay with McKenna, and the judge will be close if she needs him.”

  Keith still wasn’t sure, although he liked the idea of having Margaret Anne just two houses down. “I suppose she could always come to the Goodwins if there is trouble.”

  “Prescot will be there too and as soon as Margaret Ann calls, I shall send more Scots to town, save Blanka. I forbade her to go.” He looked up at the sky. “I might never hear the end of that.” When Hannish looked down, he noticed Keith had Margaret Ann’s hand in his. “Do you agree then?”

  Keith still wasn’t so sure, but he nodded anyway.

  *

  Hannish climbed into bed beside his wife and took her in his arms just as he always did. “Are you very upset?”

  She kissed his lips, turned over and closed her eyes. “I cannae believe she has come here.”

  “Nor can I. Leesil, do not turn away from me.”

  “I am tired, Hannish.”

  “Of me?”

  She opened her eyes, slowly turned back over and snuggled closer. “I could never be tired of you. I shall not lie; I am tired of her being forever in our lives. Just when we are the happiest, here she comes again.” Leesil drew back and played with the strings of his nightshirt. “Do you wish to see her? You did love her.”

  He pulled her close to him again. “Did I, I dinna recall that.”

  “Hannish, I am serious. I saw how you kissed her goodbye the day you sent her back to Scotland. I know you cared deeply for her.”

  He kissed Leesil on the forehead. “Do you also wonder about the night she spent in the room next to this one?”

  “Sometimes. Her constant banging did stop eventually and I thought…I wondered…I hate the thought of her in your arms.”

  “She was not in my arms, not the whole night through. When the banging stopped, ‘twas because she passed out. I went in to pick her up if she lay on the floor, but she was in bed.”

  “But you dinna want…”

  “I wanted you. It was all I could do to keep from constantly going up the stairs to see if you were all right.” He leaned down and lightly kissed her lips. “I shall never forget the sight of you that night. Your hair was spread across the pillow and I thought I had never seen anything more bonnie.”

  “You think I am bonnie? You have never said that before.”

  “Then I have been shamefully remiss. Sometimes when I wake in the morning, I just watch you sleep. You are still the most glorious thing I have ever seen.”

  “And you did not bed her.”

  “I did not.”

  Leesil smacked his arm. “You might have said so before now. I’ve fretted for nearly a year wondering what happened that night.”

  “Why did you not just ask me? You know I tell you everything.”

  “Not everything.”

  Hannish closed his eyes. “You are right; I should have told you about the house I bought for McKenna and Nicholas.”

  She snuggled close again. “You are forgiven. Let it not happen again.”

  “Would you care to see all the invoices in my study?”

  She remembered the pile she had seen earlier in the day and wrinkled her brow. “Very well then, suppose we agree to speak to each other first if we intend to spend over one thousand dollars.”

  “Done.” He stroked the back of her hair for a moment. “Are you still tired?”

  Leesil grinned. “Not in the least.”

 
; CHAPTER 10

  Cameron stood at the ballroom window and watched his daughter play in the backyard. With the duchess so close, he was more than a little concerned and was about to bring Blair in when Cathleen entered the room.

  “There you are,” she said walking to a second window to look out. “I came to ask if you mean to stay here, or if you will go with us to town? If you are afraid, Your Grace, I promise to protect you with my very life, just like in the stories Hannish tells. Or is it the lads who vow to protect the lasses?”

  He turned to face her and raised an eyebrow. “Are you asking me to protect you from the duchess?”

  “Would you? Oh, thank you, Your Grace. I am much comforted.”

  He chuckled. “I shall protect you on one condition.”

  “What?”

  “You stop calling me ‘Your Grace.’ My name is Cameron.”

  Cathleen playfully curtsied, and then opened the door. “Very well, Your Grace.”

  He was about to follow her out when he spotted James coming around the corner of the house. Cathleen’s eyes positively lit up each time she saw James and this time was no exception. She rushed to him, grabbed his hand and pulled him to the edge of the yard where the swing hung from the branch of a tree. She sat in the swing and it was apparent she was demanding James push her, but James was not taking orders. The boy folded his arms and refused. Cathleen pouted, pleated, begged and finally looked like she might cry. Nevertheless, James was not persuaded.

  “She will win…eventually,” Leesil said, walking into the large room holding her son in her arms.

  “I dinna hear you come in.”

  “I thought it about time I rescued you from my sister. She is determined not to let you have one sad moment while you are here.”

  Cameron touched the silky hair on the back of the baby’s head. “She is doing it very well.”

  “Would you like to hold him?”

  “Very much.” He carefully took the boy out of his mother’s arms, cradled him and then kissed his soft cheek. “I was not very old when McKenna was born, and mother would only let me hold her if I were sitting down. ‘Twas not long before McKenna got too heavy to hold and by the time she was two, I wanted no part of her. Thankfully, my sister has forgiven me.”