Beloved Secrets, Book 3 Read online

  “She has a point,” said one of the men. “We might well be givin’ up our peace and quiet.”

  “Aye, but the village might be more prosperous because of it too.”

  McKenna leaned against her husband and sighed. “I dinna suppose ‘tis useful to hold back the copies now that they know.”

  “Shall I get them?” Alistair asked.

  McKenna nodded. “Aye.” She held up her hand to silence the mumbling crowd. “Very well, we shall give you copies of the story, but see no reporter gets wind of it. I care not to see the MacGreagor name printed in a newspaper.”

  Most of the people nodded, but she knew it was too late. “I shall hang Charles for this,” she whispered to Nicholas as he took her back inside. Even before she could sit down, a pain began to increase in her lower stomach.

  “Is it time?” an alarmed Nicholas asked.

  “I believe so.”

  “Sarah,” Nicholas shouted as he started to help McKenna up the stairs. “Call the midwife!”

  Halfway up the stairs, McKenna stopped to wait for the next pain to pass. “I suspect I shall have to hang Charles later.”

  Nicholas chuckled. “It can wait, my love.”

  ALL OVER THE VILLAGE, people sat in their homes or at their places of employment reading the forbidden story. Some shook their heads, some gasped, and two of the women actually wept uncontrollably. As soon as Gloria finished reading it, she called Serena.

  Aghast by the news, Serena quickly hung up and called Charles at the Castle.

  The moment the telephone began to ring, Charles muttered, “What now?” He dug the key to the telephone box out of his pocket, unlocked it, and answered, “Aye?”

  “Dinna be upset.”

  “Serena, what is it? Are you hurt?”

  “Not yet, not until you kill me.”

  He smiled. “It cannae be that bad,”

  “’Tis worse than bad. I found the story on the shelf this mornin’ and took it to work with me. As I was readin’, Gloria...”

  “Oh noooo,” he moaned. “I promised McKenna I would burn it and not let another see it.”

  Serena’s tone changed from worried to upset. “Not even me? Did we not promise to share everythin’?”

  “Aye, but...”

  “Well, you should have told me about it and that you promised not to let others see it. ‘Tis all your fault.”

  Charles hung his head, “It usually is.” He paused to thoughtfully rub his brow. “Does McKenna know?”

  “Aye. Half the town demanded to see it, she gave over the copies, and now everyone is readin’ it.”

  Charles instantly turned to look up the road expecting most of the people in town to be heading his way. Perhaps they would not come. After all, there was nothing there to see... He turned to look at the graveyard where the warriors were buried and then closed his eyes. “’Tis too late now, I suppose.”

  “Are you very angry?” she asked.

  “Depends.”

  “On what?”

  “On whether or not McKenna fires me.” He slowly hung up the telephone, closed the box door, and locked it. Fortunately, the last of the flooring was laid and not even a hole remained for them to see.

  MCKENNA MACGREAGOR Mitchel gave birth to twins that day and was granted her wish – both were girls. Nevertheless, there was nothing wrong with their lungs and they proved not to be as quiet as she hoped. Nevertheless, everyone was thrilled.

  The next morning, Charles came with hat in hand to apologize. McKenna was sleeping, so he left word with Alistair, who promised to pass it along. Escaping with his job still intact for now, he went off to work. The castle’s interior walls needed finishing, there were banisters to add to the front and back staircase, and before they could hang the doors, they needed to haul the giant statue of a highlander back to where it once was – on the first landing of the front staircase. Then there were the upstairs wooden floors to wax and polish, the wallpaper to hang, and a thousand other finishing touches to add. After that, they could complete the carriage house, the cobblestone driveway and replace the round flower bed in front of the castle. It would take another six months, he estimated, barring any more interruptions.

  BY THURSDAY MORNING, McKenna was feeling a lot better, although the babies did not let her sleep much. Thankfully, she had Alistair, Sarah, and Cook Jessie to help her. Nicholas was there too, but he mostly just got in the way. The twin’s big brothers occasionally popped in to see their sisters. Charlotte came to visit and to report the news while others simply left their congratulations with Alistair. Her brothers in America were delighted and called as soon as they heard the news.

  She was grateful for all the well-wishes from everyone, but all McKenna wanted to do was sleep.

  Nicholas wanted her to rest as well, but she had to be told, so he waited until the babies were asleep again before he pulled a chair closer to her bedside and hesitantly showed her the headline of the Wednesday evening paper.

  “Oh, no,” McKenna moaned.

  “Did we not expect this?” he asked.

  “Aye, but not this soon. Whatever must be done, will you do it for me? I cannae...”

  “Of course, my darling. Should I read it to you?”

  “Nay...aye, I might as well know what it says.”

  HENDRY OR LEXINE?

  By Grant French

  “A story written in 1534 may shed some light on whose skeleton was found last week buried beneath the floor of the old Glenartair Castle in Scotland,” says a man who wishes to remain anonymous. The story goes like this:

  5 March, 1534

  I, Duncan MacGreagor, shall tell you forthwith that which was related to me by Shaw MacGreagor on the eve of his death. The days of Shaw MacGreagor were...

  MCKENNA CAUGHT HER breath. “Please tell me he dinna print the entire story.”

  “He did,” Nicholas confessed. “Every word of it. By now, half of Scotland has read it.”

  “Does Charles know?”

  “I talked to him last night. He reminded me there is nothing to see at the castle now except where the men who fought in the battle are buried, and that has but a cross to mark the place.” He folded the newspaper and set it on the table next to her bed. “Poor Charles.”

  “Poor Charles?” she shot back. “’Twas because of him the story got out.”

  “I know, but if the gawkers come, as he is certain they shall, it will delay his work on the castle.”

  “And cost my brothers more money?”

  “That it will,” said Nicholas.

  “Perhaps we should build a fence around the place or at least a gate at the bottom of the lane.”

  “I shall mention it to him.” Nicholas got up, kissed his wife on the forehead, looked in the cradle at his daughters, and went to the door. “Sleep now, my love, if you can.”

  “If I can,” she muttered.

  BUILDING A GATE ACROSS the road was a brilliant idea if Charles had thought of it sooner. Unfortunately, before he even got to work, the sandwich carts were set up and he had no doubt that the glen would soon become a parking lot once more.

  Grady and Erskine were waiting for him when Charles finally parked near the castle and got out. “Lads, we’re in for it today.”

  “Aye,” said Grady. “’Tis my fault. ‘Twas I who fell in the hole, and found the stories.”

  Charles chuckled, “I was hopin’ to find someone to blame other than myself.” The men followed him as he walked through the open Castle doorway and went to check the floor. Everything looked undamaged save for a few scuff marks. “I worry they shall try to dig up the place lookin’ for the other skeleton.”

  “Should we not call the constable to keep the people away?” Erskine asked.

  “We might have to,” Charles said. “Meanwhile, set the men to puttin’ up the staircase banisters before someone gets inside the castle, falls off the stairs, and we have another body to account for.”

  Grady chuckled. “Aye.”

 
; As Charles predicted, the people came and went, most of who were interested in the place in the graveyard where the men who fought in the battle were laid to rest. It was then Charles got an idea. Instead of trying to run the people off, he quickly cut the wood and nailed a small box together. Gloria seemed to be telling people where the specific graves were, and when he caught up with her, he handed her the box.

  “What am I to do with this?” she asked.

  “’Tis a collection box. The least we can do is give our brave lads a proper stone.”

  “A monument?” she asked. Delighted with the idea, in no time at all she was greeting the people and asking for donations.

  Charles smiled. “At least that is one expense the clan shall not expect McKenna to pay.”

  He had not managed to return all the way to the castle before Charlotte approached him. “Charles, the undertaker wants to...”

  He stopped and turned to face her. “What does he want now?”

  “Well, he thinks he might as well bring the casket...”

  “The one with the bones?” he interrupted.

  “Aye. Well, he thinks there is money to be made and he wants to display them here...where the people can see them.”

  “And charge admission?” Charles asked.

  “Naturally,” she admitted.

  Charles put his arm around her shoulders. “My dear cousin, you are well aware I dinna make the decisions around here. Tell our uncle, the undertaker, that he must have McKenna’s approval.”

  “He fears she shall say nay,”

  “As well she might.”

  “Can you not ask her?”

  “I dare not. She likes me even less than uncle just now and she hates him.”

  Charlotte giggled. “Aye, she’ll not even let me mention his name.”

  “There, I suspect you already have your answer.” He kissed her on the forehead and went back to work.

  CHAPTER 9

  LONDON, ENGLAND

  The first few days in London flew by quickly. David escorted Blair and spent the next afternoon and evening visiting with her step-mother, Lady Bayington. He was also on hand when she and Robin went to shop for suitable new shoes the day after.

  The second day of shopping proved to be delightful for Blair and Robin, and challenging for David and Robin’s butler. David had no idea Blair had so many relatives, not to mention servants, and she insisted she buy something for each of them. While the men stayed outside, the women tried on every hat in the shop. Occasionally, David glanced through the window only to find Blair looking back at him as if asking for his approval. Most hats he thought outlandish and indicated as much. She bought those especially. He did not let her see it, but it made him smile.

  “They shall love them,” Blair said when she came out of the hat shop. “Cook Halen shall especially like the blue one.” She handed the sacks to the butler and giggled when David looked at her as if she had gone complete daft.

  There did not seem to be one single store window that did not display something that suited Blair or Robin’s fancy. They rushed in but took their time coming back out. Not once did they decline to buy something, even if it was only a trinket of some sort.

  Later, of course, Blair needed a new traveling trunk to put all the gifts in. Robin’s butler seemed accustomed to the way women shopped in London, but David found it somewhat trying. In the busier stores, he went in with her just to keep Blair safe. That made it worse, for she wanted his opinion on every item she saw. He rolled his eyes so often; he feared he would soon have a headache.

  While Blair ignored the usual stares from various men, David remembered what he promised her father and kept an eye out for anyone who might think himself worthy enough to approach her. From the ‘I dare you’ expression on his face, none of them had the nerve.

  THE BALL WAS TO BE held on Friday night, so on Thursday, the women stayed home to attend to their final wedding and maid-of-honor dress fittings. Friday morning and well into the afternoon was spent doing hair, nails and getting ready for the ball.

  Blair hardly had time to herself, but when Robin was bathing, she curled up in a window seat and looked out at the hustle and bustle on the street below. She half expected to see David outside guarding the place, but he was not there. She thought it odd how much she missed him. They had not had much time to talk since they arrived in London, and he seemed attentive to her safety but rather indifferent to her. Of course, that was what he was paid to do. Still, she was beginning to realize she wanted more – much more than to just to be guarded by him.

  When a maid came to tell her David was on the telephone. Her heart leapt with such joy, she had to take a moment to calm herself before she answered. “David,” she asked. “How are you?”

  “I am well, and you?” he asked.

  “Very well.”

  “What time am I expected to pick you up?”

  Blair was encouraged. She knew very well he could have asked anyone in the house that question, but he was asking her. “I believe the ball begins at nine and Robin wishes to be properly late. A grand entrance, you know.” She heard him chuckle and closed her eyes to draw in the sound of his voice.

  “I thought as much. I shall arrive at nine then. Is there anything you need?”

  “I assure you I could not possibly need a thing. I am being well taken care of.”

  “At nine, then.”

  “At nine.” She slowly hung up the telephone and when she looked, Robin was standing in the doorway staring at her.

  “Was that David?”

  “Aye.”

  “You have fallen in love with him.”

  “Impossible,” said Blair. “Dinna forget, he is being paid to call and to be with me.”

  Robin slightly shrugged and then changed the subject. “Are you not going to bathe and dress, or do you wish to go to the ball dirty and naked.”

  Blair giggled and headed off to the bathroom.

  THE SEASON WAS OVER and the air outside had grown chilly, but even so, David came to get Blair in an uncovered carriage. As soon as she was seated, he spread a warm blanket around her legs and then sat down beside her. This time, their shoulders did not touch and she was sorry about that.

  She waited until the carriage began to move before she said, “You look very handsome.”

  “Thank you,” said he. “And you are as lovely tonight as you were the first night I saw you.”

  “Aboard ship?”

  “No, in New York. I was in the restaurant where you and your father had dinner the night before we sailed. You danced with your father that night and I confess I envied him. I hope someday to have a daughter who adores me as much as you adore the duke.”

  “You had the chore of protectin’ me even then?”

  “Even then, though I would hardly call it a chore. Since then, I have come to greatly admire you. First, for the way you obviously love your father and second, for the way you saved Robin from a disastrous marriage.”

  “It was not I who saved her, it was the viscount.”

  “The one the captain believes fell overboard?”

  “The captain was in error. The viscount was in hidin’. He came to my cabin in the night and told me what the...”

  David was astonished. “He came to your cabin?”

  Her escort clearly looked disturbed, so she quickly said, “He dinna harm me. He only wanted to tell me what the other two were up to.”

  “Yet, I failed to protect you.”

  Blair giggled. “I am certain my father would not approve of you stayin’ by my side constantly, especially in my cabin.”

  At last, he smiled. “I suspect not.” At an intersection, several carriages and automobiles were trying to cross at the same time. The carriage driver stopped, moved forward when he could, and finally managed to get across the intersection.

  “Are your accommodations at the hotel as lavish as I guessed they would be?” she asked.

  He playfully lifted his chin. “I was a bit ill-at-e
ase. I have never had anyone help me dress before.”

  “I find it a bother too sometimes.”

  “Miss MacGreagor, do you promise to let me know if you encounter any unpleasantness at the ball?”

  “Suppose you are across the room? Should I run to you or should I just stand there and scream?”

  David glanced at her sideways. “Perhaps you might just throw your drink on him, or her as the case may be. That should get my attention soon enough.”

  “Rest at ease. I am not expectin’ any trouble. Like Robin said, this is a different generation and they care not what my mother did.”

  “I hope you are right. You deserve a good evening with no one trying to marry you for your money.”

  “Aye, but no one knows about my inheritance save you, Robin and...her mother. Oh dear, I do hope Lady Forrestal has told no one.”

  “As do I.”

  THE JARRALL GRAND HOTEL had a balcony, where royalty often sat watching the dancing below, but for this occasion there were no royals in attendance so the parents of the bride and groom put it to good use.

  Tall windows were illuminated by electric lanterns on the street outside, while plants and large bouquets of flowers decorated the tables along the walls inside. The orchestra sat on a raised stage at one end of the room with a refreshment table in an adjoining room where conversation could be more easily and pleasantly had.

  A trumpet announced the entrance of the bride and groom, while Blair and David waited just beyond the door and peeked in. Military friends of the groom wore red jackets with a white shoulder strap and black pants. The other gentlemen wore black pants and black jackets, with starched white shirts and white bow ties. In their jacket pockets protruded the edge of a neatly folded white handkerchief. Wearing long white gloves, and silk and satin ball gowns of every color, were the immaculately groomed and abundantly jeweled ladies. Their gowns glistened in the light of half a dozen enormous crystal chandeliers.