Marblestone Mansion, Book 4 Read online

  *

  Her personal transformation was not easy for the duchess. She had an explosive temper and had to bite her tongue several times, but once she managed to keep herself under good regulation, life became considerably more pleasant. The women began to share treats brought to them by family members on visiting day, which the duchess sorely needed if her thin figure was to fill out enough to be enticing when she got out.

  The mending was just as tedious, the hours passed slowly, but at least they passed. Occasionally, someone would ask where she came from and how she knew so much about the world, but the duchess kept that to herself. What they didn’t know could not hurt her later on. After all, she had a reputation to maintain once she got back to London. As long as no one knew she’d been in prison, life rubbing elbows with London’s highest society could go on just as if she never left the country.

  There were a few minor problems, such as having to recover the ball gowns she sent from San Francisco, the home of her sixth husband, to the home of the now deceased second husband, Mr. Sinclair. She was certain that wouldn’t take very long. Getting an invitation to a ball or one of London’s glorious parties would be a little more challenging, yet she didn’t truly believe her male acquaintances would turn her down. Why would they – she had been more than friendly to some of them, even some of the married ones. Those, she was certain, would happily send her an invitation.

  All she had to do was get out of prison and back to London somehow.

  *

  It was after church on Sunday and just as the service was letting out, that Douglas Swinton approached the MacGreagors. His manners were impeccable as Hannish introduced him to Moan and his family, and his smile was especially warm for Paulette.

  “I am hoping you will allow me to take Miss Paulette MacGreagor for a ride up the Manitou Incline,” Swinton said. He glanced at her, noticed Paulette’s nod and waited for Moan’s answer.

  “Alone?” Moan asked. “I hardly think that appropriate.”

  “Then I shall take you all,” said Swinton.

  “What is the Manitou Incline?” Elizabeth asked.

  “‘Tis a train ride halfway up the side of Pikes Peak,” Leesil answered. “The view of the valley from up there is quite astonishing.”

  “You can see half of Kansas,” Cathleen added.

  “It sounds dangerous,” Elizabeth said.

  “Not at all, Mrs. MacGreagor,” Swinton assured her.

  “Can we go, Father?” Janna asked.

  Moan lifted his hat, ran his fingers through the side of his hair, and then put his hat back on. “I hardly think they need sisters tagging along, but perhaps Mr. Swinton would be so good as to take Lenox.”

  “Perhaps David should go too,” Elizabeth suggested. “Four is always better than three in situations such as these.”

  “I quite agree,” said Swinton. “At two o‘clock then?” he asked.

  “Today?” Hannish asked.

  “With your approval. I fear the weather will change soon and I hope to go before snow begins to cover the mountain.”

  “Perhaps tomorrow would be better,” Hannish suggested.

  Swinton smiled and tried not to make his excuse sound as if he was bragging. “I believe my gold mines will require my attention for the rest of the week.”

  “I see,” said Hannish. “Mr. Swinton bought the mines at Cripple Creek from Mr. Whitfield,” he explained to an astonished Moan.

  “Well, I see no reason to deny you, Mr. Swinton,” said Moan finally. “Two o’clock then and dinna be late.”

  “I promise,” Swinton said. He tipped his hat to the ladies, went to his carriage and climbed inside.

  “Gold mines,” Elizabeth whispered to her husband.

  “I wanted to go, Father,” Janna moaned.

  “So did I,” said Mary.

  Cathleen watched Paulette and her disappointed younger sisters hurry off to the wagon, and then leaned a little closer to Cameron. “I know you do not like the lad. Why did you not say something?”

  “I do not like him, particularly where you are concerned, but others might find him honorable. ‘Tis not my place to interfere.”

  *

  At two o’clock sharp and just as he promised, Douglas Swinton came in his carriage to pick up Paulette and her two older brothers. Again, his manners were impeccable to each member of her family when they went outside to greet him. He even congratulated Cameron on his upcoming marriage. Paulette’s two younger sisters bemoaned being left behind again and Wade thought to capture Mr. Swinton, but the man moved too fast. Young Mr. Wade only had a finger for a gun and much to his disappointment; Mr. Swinton paid him no attention at all.

  Hannish, on the other hand, adored watching the boy and felt a bit sorry for him. What he didn’t expect was Traitor’s reaction to Swinton. The dog showed his teeth and growled, until Cathleen took him back in the house. Traitor had never reacted to anyone that way before, and it was not the first time Swinton had come to the house. Hannish was perplexed, could think of no reasonable explanation, and then dismissed any concern he might have had.

  Everyone wished them well, and soon the carriage pulled out of the yard and turned up the road to Manitou Springs.

  *

  By nearly six o’clock in the evening, when they had not returned, more than one member of the family was concerned. The later it got, the more upset both Hannish and Cameron became, although neither of them let it show. They were about to sit down to their evening meal, when the carriage arrived and Moan’s children finally came home.

  Paulette and David were laughing when Prescot opened the door for them, but Lenox, Paulette’s twin was not. He went to the dining room, waited for his sister to sit, and then took his place next to his mother at the table.

  “Well?” Moan asked, leaning forward to look around his wife at Paulette. “Was it a pleasant time?”

  “Very pleasant, Father,” she answered.

  “Did Mr. Swinton not want to come in?” Hannish asked.

  “Apparently not,” Lenox abruptly said.

  “Son, is something amiss?” Moan asked.

  Lenox looked thoroughly disgusted. “Indeed there is, Father, he held her hand…twice.”

  Moan smiled. “You were not expecting that? Do you not intend to hold the hand of a pretty young lass when you begin to court?”

  Lenox lowered his gaze. “‘Tis different when ‘tis your sister.”

  “You dinna like him?” Cameron asked, taking a slice of bread off the platter and putting it on his plate.

  “I liked him,” Paulette said before her brother could answer. “Would you care to hear what happened?”

  “Of course we would,” said Elizabeth.

  Paulette put her hands in her lap and grinned. “It was very pleasin’. First, he took us to Manitou Springs and then to see the ‘boilin’ springs. The boilin’ springs are in a canyon with forest all around and it is quite peaceful. There is a rumblin’ sound in the earth I found a bit unsettlin’, but no one has ever been harmed by it. ‘Tis the rising of the bubbles from very far down, some believe. Mr. Swinton is well versed in the history of the place. He said whole Indian tribes came in bygone days and left gifts in exchange for soda water. They believed the water helped their sour stomachs and healed their dry skin. Even Daniel Boone’s grandson went there to rest his tired bones.”

  “Who?” Elizabeth asked, dishing potatoes for both herself and Wade off the platter Brookton held.

  “I dinna know who he was either,” Paulette admitted. “Do you know, Leesil?”

  “A pioneer, I believe,” Leesil answered. “Perhaps you should ask Abigail, she will know.”

  “I shall,” Paulette said. “Next, Mr. Swinton took us to the train. You tell it, Lenox, you can say about that better than I.”

  Lenox had finally gotten over his annoyance enough to continue the story. “Father, the engine is built at a slant to keep the boilers level on the incline. I don’t mind sayin’ I found the tracks a l
ittle too close to the cliffs, but no one else seemed to fret.”

  “And then we had tea at the Halfway House Hotel,” David added.

  Paulette said, “You are right, cousin Leesil, the view is breathtakin’. Mr. Swinton says you can see clear across Kansas from there. Oh, and in town, there is an enormous clock built by a man named Wheeler. It has Roman numeral numbers and on the top is a statue of the goddess Hebe.”

  “Who is Hebe?” Mary asked.

  “Some goddess or other,” Paulette answered.

  “Did Mr. Swinton really hold your hand twice?” Janna wanted to know.

  Paulette blushed. “He did.”

  *

  Cathleen said little during the meal and Cameron noticed. When they went outside to watch the sunset from the ballroom balcony, he asked her about it, “Something is bothering you, am I wrong?”

  “Perhaps I am a little tired. So much is happening so quickly, I find it hard to catch my breath.”

  He took her hand in his. “I am sorry to rush you, but I must get back to my business and Blair. Did you hope for a big wedding?”

  “‘Tis not that at all. Everyone I care about shall be there, save those you left in Scotland. I have no desire for more.”

  “What is it then, you said not a word at dinner.”

  “You will think me silly.”

  “I shall never think you silly. Tell me. Otherwise, I shall worry I have done somethin’ wrong.”

  She smiled, leaned closer and kissed his lips. “I cannae imagine you ever doing anythin’ wrong.”

  “Then what is it?”

  “You are right about Mr. Swinton. I am now as bothered by him as you have been. Yet, like you, I cannae say what disturbs me. Furthermore, you said we should not interfere.”

  He paused to think about that. “Perhaps I am wrong. Perhaps she should be warned.”

  “Then I have your approval? I feel I must say something.”

  “You do not need my approval. Do as you think best. Now, my love, what would you like for your wedding present?”

  “A wedding present? Are you not about to give me a title, a daughter I adore and a castle to live in? What more could I possibly want?”

  “I have spoiled you already?”

  “Indeed you have.”

  “Perhaps a horse of your own?”

  “A horse?” Cathleen muttered. “I forgot to tell you, Hannish dinna give me a horse for my birthday. Leesil wouldn’t let him. She claims I dinna know how to ride well enough yet.”

  “That’s it then, riding lessons.”

  Cathleen giggled and playfully smacked his arm…just before he kissed her again.

  *

  Things were different now than they had been when the duchess first arrived at the prison. The men’s prison turned out not to be nearby and stern, buxom women replaced all the male guards. Everyone was pleased with that arrangement, except Sweet Suzie. She hoped to make a great deal more money before her release, by giving her favors to the male guards.

  If Sweet Suzie suspected anything when Ethel abruptly changed her attitude, she didn’t let on and before long, they became fast friends. Of course, that was part of the duchess’ plan. To get out, she needed help and who better to help her than Sweet Suzie, whose term of internment was about to end? The two shared a past far more colorful than most and the one thing they had in common, although Sweet Suzie didn’t know it, was that both of them used men to get what they wanted.

  “There are other ways to obtain a good living,” the duchess mentioned as they walked around the dirt yard for exercise.

  “You mean like working in a hotel as a laundry maid? No thank you, I tried that once and I can make far more money doing much less work.”

  “Yes, but that can’t be very gratifying…unless you like it, I mean.”

  “Like it? I hate it, but my brothers count on my income.”

  The duchess was surprised by that confession. Sweet Suzie had never mentioned her brothers before. “How do they manage while you are inside?”

  “They work, I suppose. Or steal, possibly. I never asked.”

  “Why not?”

  “I dare not rile them. They get mean sometimes.”

  “Then you are far better off without them?”

  “I would be, if only I could escape them. They force me to live in Cripple Creek, in a rundown shack in the cottonwoods not far from town. The place smells of lamp oil and the roof of the lean-to, where I sleep, leaks when it rains. I have to bathe in the creek, and…”

  “Why can you not escape them?”

  “I have, several times and even made it to Kansas City a time or two, but they always find me,” Suzie answered.

  “Because they know where to look?”

  “Yes, the brothels are the only thing I know. This close to home, they will likely be waiting outside when I am released.”

  The duchess kept walking beside her friend, while she considered that unexpected circumstance. “Suppose you tell the warden you do not wish to continue your evil ways, but your brothers will force you to. Perhaps you could get out a day early. I hear there is a carriage that takes released prisoners to the train and…”

  Suzie scoffed, “An old beat-up wagon, you mean.”

  “Whatever it is, it is transportation. From there, you could go to Colorado Springs and get off.”

  “Why would I want to get off in Colorado Springs?”

  “Because there is a very, very wealthy man there.”

  Sweet Suzie stopped walking and stared at her. “You want me to bed him?”

  The duchess giggled, “I doubt you can, but of course, if he is willing, be my guest. What I have in mind will bring us both a good deal of money. So much so, you can live anywhere in the world you like and never have to see a brothel again.”

  “Truly?”

  “Truly.”

  “What do I have to do?”

  The duchess was pleased with herself. Sweet Suzie was playing right into her hands, and the more she explained what she had in mind, the more excited Sweet Suzie got. This was going to be perfect - the duchess could already visualize the magnificent day of her release from prison.

  *

  With all the wedding plans finally set, Hannish decided to gather the family for the reading of the stories. The sky had turned gray earlier in the afternoon, so McKenna and Nicholas came for dinner and planned to stay the night. With their baby due in the not too distant future, there was no point in taking chances if it snowed.

  Warm cider and apple pie was just the ticket as they gathered in the downstairs sitting room to enjoy the fire in the hearth. The room was decorated in fall colors, blankets were available should the fire not keep them warm, and enough chairs were brought in from other rooms to make everyone comfortable.

  Hannish held the large, tattered book in his lap, turned from one page to another and studied the writing. Someone had gone to the trouble of having the pages bound, but it was obvious the more faded parchments were very old. “‘Tis a bit hard to decipher,” he said at length.

  “Aye,” said Moan. “Some is in the English of old and some in Gaelic. Would you like me to read it?”

  Hannish didn’t hide his relief as he passed the book to Moan.

  Moan accepted the manuscript and put on his spectacles. All secretaries had spectacles whether they were needed or not, and wore them proudly as a sign of distinction. “The first story, as you might have guessed, is of Kevin and Anna.”

  Moan finished that story, took a sip of cider to wet his mouth and read the next. For nearly three hours, he read, pausing only to sip more cider until he finally came to the last story. By then, Justin was fast asleep in Hannish’s arms and Wade’s eyes drooped until he slumped against Lenox’s shoulder and gave up the fight to stay awake.

  When Moan removed his spectacles and rubbed his eyes, Hannish asked, “Shall I relieve you?”

  “Nay, I will simply tell it instead of readin’.” Moan put his spectacles aside and took a dee
p breath “‘Tis the worst story of all, for war finally claimed the lives of many MacGreagors. It was a generation or two after the clan decided which triplet was to be the next Laird. The Laird when war beset them was…”

  “Triplets?” Leesil gasped.

  Moan chuckled. “Aye triplets, and they were born so quickly, the midwives neglected to mark which came first. They grew to be as big and as strong as their father, and most could not tell them apart. By then of course, the MacGreagors lived in the wide glen near a river and a loch.”

  “Where the castle stands now,” Cameron added.

  “Does it?” Moan asked. “I dinna realize that.”

  “You must come see us someday. The place shall make the stories come alive,” said Cameron. “Please continue.”

  “Is the loch close to the castle? The stories make it sound as if it is,” Elizabeth asked.

  “Aye, though ‘tis not likely as full as it once was,” Cameron answered.

  Hannish squeezed Leesil’s hand. “Perhaps we should all go back come spring.”

  “Why not?” Leesil agreed. “Shall I reserve our passage or shall you?”

  Hannish looked at her through the top of his eyes. “I will do it; you might send us off to India instead.”

  When everyone laughed, Leesil rolled her eyes. “Nay, I would only send you to India.”

  “I shall miss you, my love,” Hannish teased. “Moan, please continue. My wife and I shall settle this later.”

  Moan cleared his voice and began again. “Very well. What the MacGreagors dreaded most was not a war with another clan over land, herds or even lasses, but a war with the English. It was inevitable, or so they believed, but it dinna turn out quite the way they expected.”

  Cathleen asked, “Do you mean William Wallace’s war? I read about that in one of our history books.”

  “Aye,” Moan answered. “‘Twas a loathsome time for the Scots.”

  “From what I read,” said Cathleen, “the accounts given by the English and those given by the Scots were not quite the same.”