Marblestone Mansion, Book 10 Read online

  That night, Brookton stayed in the only hotel.

  CHAPTER 5

  In the woods down the hill from Marblestone, Earl built a small fire, spread his bedroll out on the ground next to where Willis spread his, and then got an apple out of his backpack. When he took a bite and noticed the look on Pete’s face, he was disgusted. “You didn’t bring any food either?”

  Pete had not even sat down yet, and stood with his hands shoved in his pants pockets. “I did not think…”

  “What about you, Willis?” Earl asked.

  Willis pulled a cloth sack out of his backpack. “I brought half a loaf of bread. My Ma sure is going to be mad when she finds out.”

  “Do not give Pete any,” Earl said.

  “Why not?” Willis asked.

  “Because you will need something to eat in the morning. Besides, some people need to learn how to plan ahead. Let him go into town and buy something to eat.”

  “With what?” Pete pouted.

  “I might have known,” Earl mocked. “You are such a great thief, go steal something to eat.”

  Pete stared at Earl for a long moment and then headed for his horse. “You coming, Willis?”

  “Do not go. He will get you in trouble,” said Earl.

  Willis looked confused. “He is my friend and friends help each other. That is what my mother always says.”

  “He is not your friend.” Earl was too late. Willis had already mounted his horse and followed Pete back toward the main road. Eventually, Earl smiled. With any luck, they would get lost. They wouldn’t rob the place without him, of that much he was certain. He had the only gun. The chance of them stealing guns was not a concern either. These days, men didn’t leave guns just lying around.

  Satisfied that his plan was all worked out, even if he had to do it alone, he climbed into his bedroll, turned on his side and went to sleep.

  *

  When Earl woke up, both Willis and Pete were back. Apparently, they had not been very successful, for Pete lay on the ground, with nothing other than his clothes to keep him warm. As quietly as he could, Earl got up and checked to make sure his other apple was still there. It was. He took it out of his backpack, and took a big bite.

  The warmth of the sun rising in the east felt good after a chilly night. The fire was out, but he didn’t bother to build another one. There was nothing to do but wait until time for the MacGreagors to go to church, so he sat back down on his bedding and finished his apple. He was disappointed that Pete hadn’t gotten hungry enough to take off, or got caught trying to steal something. More importantly, he wondered if either of them managed to get a gun. He didn’t see one lying next to either man and rightly guessed they hadn’t.

  *

  All three men lay on their stomachs watching the activity in front of Marblestone.

  Keeping his voice low, Pete said, “Maybe they will take the dog too.”

  “If they all leave,” Willis whispered, “think they will lock the doors?”

  “I do not think they ever lock the doors. That old woman walks in whenever she pleases,” Earl answered.

  Pete yawned. “I just hope they do not take the girl with them.”

  Annoyed, Earl turned his glare on Pete. “Whatever you are thinking, you best think again. We are here for the money and that is all!”

  “Says you,” Pete argued. His stupid grin turned to disappointment as he watched Blair come out the front door, and then climb into the front seat of the second automobile. “Looks like money is all we will get today. I might have to come back for the girl later.”

  Earl ignored him, shook his head and went back to watching the mansion.

  *

  Early Sunday morning, the inhabitants of Marblestone enjoyed a quick breakfast and then went off to dress for the day. Lady’s maids brushed and styled hair while footmen helped the male members of the family get ready, including making certain all the little boys had clean faces. Once more, Prescot manned the front door, opening and closing it as each member went outside to wait for the others. Almost the last to leave, his wife and children walked into the foyer.

  “Is everyone ready?” he asked. He took a moment to admire Millie’s new hat and bright red hair.

  “Tell me again why you cannot come with us?” she asked.

  He smiled and wrapped his arms around her. “Because, my dearest, Alistair and I drew sticks and I got the short one this time.”

  She giggled. Her green hat matched her new summer print dress. “I really must teach you how to cheat at sticks.”

  “Why have you not suggested that before?” He didn’t wait for an answer, and instead lowered his lips to hers. It was unusual for him to kiss her so passionately where everyone could see, but Millie didn’t mind. She was sorry when he released her. He picked up one daughter, kissed her on the cheek and then did the same with their youngest daughter. Both had their mother’s red hair, but they had his blue eyes. “Go along now, before I start to cry.”

  “Oh, Father,” the oldest mocked, “men do not cry.”

  He patted her on the head and then reached for Millie again. “I miss you already.”

  “And I you.”

  He kept his arm around her, as they walked to the door. He opened it, walked out with them, and then helped his little family be seated in the back of the large MacGreagor carriage. He stood back, did a quick scan of the participants and realized which were missing. “I wonder what is keeping Mr. Hannish and Miss Leesil.”

  *

  Sitting at her dressing table, Leesil was dressed in her new pale yellow dress with ruffles on the short sleeves and on the bottom of her full skirt. “Scotland?” she asked, as she carefully pushed in the final pin, to securely hold her hat in place. “Very well, when do we leave?”

  “I mean to go alone.”

  She turned in her seat. “You would sail without us?”

  “Sweetheart, the children are in school, we’ve no place to live in Glenartair, and…”

  “And what?”

  All he had left to do before he was fully dressed was to put on his shoes and jacket. “I am their laird and I have been away from the clan far too long. It is time I go home.”

  She turned back around and stared at his reflection in the mirror. “Is this not our home?”

  “Of course it is, but that is the home of my ancestors. I am responsible for it.”

  Leesil remembered the look in the black stallion’s eyes, the foreboding she felt when she saw it, and shook her head. “Nay, you must not go.”

  Hannish chuckled. “And why not?”

  “Daily, we hear of ships that dinna make it from one shore to another. ‘Tis too dangerous to constantly sail across the ocean.”

  He finished buttoning his left shoe and reached for his right. “This is the perfect time to go. We must wait for supplies before we can build new houses and I shall be back within the month – six weeks at the most. I assure you nothin’ will happen to me.”

  “You cannae know that.”

  He finished putting on his other shoe, stood up, fastened the cufflink in one sleeve and started on the other. “You fret far too much.”

  “You do not fret enough. Do you not understand? If your ship goes down, I want to go down with you.”

  “Blatherskite,” he whispered.

  Her temper was starting to flare, and with good cause. “I dinna talk nonsense. If you go, we all go.”

  “Nay, you are needed here for the children’s sake. I see not what the fuss is about. You will see…I shall make arrangements to rebuild the castle and come back directly.”

  “If you come at all,” she insisted.

  Hannish rolled his eyes. “What is wrong with you?”

  The tone of his voice further irritated her and she raised her voice accordingly. “There is nothin’ wrong with me. ‘Tis you who does not see the error of your thinkin’. Not once have we been apart, not since the day we married, and I shall not allow it now.”

  He was astonish
ed and stared at her for a long moment before he turned his attention back to the cufflink. “Wife, I am goin’ whether you allow it or not.”

  She stood up and put her hands on her hips. “I forbid it!”

  He grabbed his coat off the chair and took a step toward her. There was fury in his eyes when he said, “You forbid it? Dare you forbid me anythin’?”

  “I do dare it when I am right. Do you love Scotland and the clan more than you love us?”

  “Of course not. Be reasonable, Leesil. The home of our ancestors is in Scotland and we must rebuild the castle. Otherwise, it shall rot away like all the other abandoned clan castles. The MacGreagor Clan shall rot with it.”

  “Now who talks nonsense? Scotland is not going anywhere. The ruins shall not rot for years to come and once a MacGreagor – always a MacGreagor.”

  “And in the meantime, tourists shall walk on the graves of my father and mother.”

  “You know very well the clan watches over the graveyard. Can you not wait until the children are grown? Then I shall go with…”

  “And how long will that take? Are you done havin’ children, at long last?”

  A look of pain crossed her face. “How unfair you have become. Have you not always wanted me to fill this house with children?”

  He regretted what he said and bowed his head. “Leesil, I…”

  She turned her back to him. “Hannish, just go. The children have looked forward to the parade for weeks and they are waitin’.”

  “You are not comin’?”

  “You might have waited to tell me you were leavin’ until after the parade. Now, ‘tis ruined for me.” She finally turned back to face him. “Nanny Beverly and Cathleen are stayin’ home, and so shall I.”

  “Why is Cathleen stayin’ home?”

  “She fears Thomas has a fever.” When he tried to take her in his arms, she moved away. “Go, just go.”

  He stared into her hurt eyes a moment longer, and then without so much as a goodbye, he walked out of the room. “You forbid it,” he muttered as he hurried down the stairs. He let Prescot open the front door for him and stormed out.

  His apparent foul mood made Prescott raise both his eyebrows and as soon as the butler closed the door, he went into the parlor and looked up the marble staircase. Apparently, Leesil was not going. That had never happened before.

  *

  The twenty-seventh of March 1910, marked Easter Sunday and churches all over town were set to welcome people they hadn’t seen since Easter Sunday last. Coaches and carriages were shined and polished, horses were groomed and the attire of the ladies added color to the fluttering, lime green leaves on the town’s trees. Even men who could not afford nicer clothes, cleaned and polished their work boots, washed and ironed their shirts and overalls, and felt just as welcome as anyone else.

  Whole families came to church together and not once did anyone consider how vulnerable their homes were to thieves. Such a thing was simply unheard of. They were far more interested in having a picnic in the park, and then attending a parade that promised marching bands and floats. It was a tradition, and a fine one at that.

  At Marblestone, two automobiles and two carriages filled with people waited for Hannish to come out of the house. When he did, finally, it was clear he was upset about something. He got in the driver’s seat of his new, red automobile and then got right back out. He went to the last carriage, opened the door and then held out his hand to Cook Halen.

  “I am in need of a lass to care for the children on the way to church.”

  Halen was surprised to hear that. It meant Leesil wasn’t going, but from the frown on his face, she knew not to ask any questions. She let her friend and employer help her step down, walk her to the automobile, and then hold the door for her as she sat in the passenger seat. She glanced at the children in the back, saw that they were seated properly and waited until Hannish got in.

  “It is about time,” she said, as she held her handbag in her lap with one hand and her hat on with the other.

  “Time for what?” he asked as he began to start the engine.

  “This is my first ride in an Automobile.”

  Hannish’s jaw dropped. “Truly?”

  “Truly. Ten years of cooking you meals, and not once…”

  Hannish removed his hat, leaned over, and kissed the older woman with hair that was almost gray, on the cheek. “You know…I have always been keen on you.”

  Halen rolled her eyes and playfully swatted his arm. “You are forgiven. Care to talk about it?”

  “Nay, I only care to give you a ride in my shiny new automobile with red upholstery.” He got the engine started and to the delight of the family, they were off.

  Bringing up the rear, Dugan lightly slapped the reins against the backs of the second set of horses in a team of four. The float wagon lunged forward and the bells Tristin tied to the harnesses began to jingle. Atop the cloth skirted wagon were at least a thousand crepe paper bows, the picnic baskets, the signs the children were to hold up, and a chair for Provost MacGreagor to sit on. Dugan began to sing Greenfields and soon everyone joined in…everyone except Hannish.

  Once there were green fields kissed by the sun

  Once there were valleys where rivers used to run

  Once there were blue skies with white clouds high above

  Once they were part of an everlasting love

  *

  In the upstairs sitting room window, Leesil watched until the float wagon went out of sight, and then came away from the window. She removed her hatpins and her hat, and set them on the table. When she noticed the worried look on her sister’s face, she smiled, sat down and picked up the sock she was darning. The wooden darning ball was already in place, the needle was threaded with yarn, and it was easy to begin where she left off.

  “Sister, why did you not go with them?” Cathleen asked.

  “I dinna care to discuss it just now. I am too angry.”

  “Very well.” Cathleen rubbed her sleeping son’s back another time or two before she pulled the blanket up on the day bed and covered him. He was sound asleep, finally and it appeared his upset stomach was nothing to worry about. Next, she went to the crib to check on Bridget, the newest member of the family. The baby was napping peacefully, so she returned to her seat in the chair opposite her sister. “Beverly is bringing tea and the cooks left fried chicken in the icebox for us.”

  Leesil hadn’t heard a word her sister said. “Hannish thinks to sail to Scotland without us,” she blurted out.

  “When?” Cathleen asked.

  “Directly. He means to begin rebuildin’ the castle and I…I forbid him to go.”

  Cathleen tried not to look too disapproving. “You did?”

  “I did. He was quite angry when he left, but then, so am I. My worries might be misplaced, I grant you, but I dinna think so. Truly, sister, he cannae go without me. Suppose his ship sinks?”

  “Suppose it sinks and all of you are with him?”

  “I would rather die with him than live without him. Think of how bereaved poor Laura is with Edward gone. I cannae bear life without Hannish.”

  “I would find it intolerable without Cameron, but think of the children. They have…”

  Nanny Beverly opened the door, set a tea tray on the table and began to pour.

  “What say you, Beverly?” Leesil asked. “Would you allow Dugan to go to Scotland without you?”

  The nanny rubbed her extended stomach. “I dinna think I would find bein’ in a tossing ship enjoyable just now, but nay, I’d not like it if we were separated, particularly now.”

  Leesil nodded. “There, you see sister, we are in agreement. I am right to forbid my husband to go.”

  Beverly’s mouth dropped. “You forbid Mr. Hannish to go?”

  “He is not a king,” Leesil sneered. “He is…”

  *

  Still on their stomachs hiding in the bushes, Earl slowly raised his head so he could see the mansion better. Next, he c
hecked the windows on the second and third floor. When he again didn’t see any faces, he said, “They are gone.”

  “Not all of them,” Willis countered. “That butler that almost saw us yesterday has not come out. He must still be inside.”

  “You did not tell me about that,” said Earl.

  “Yes we did…I think,” Willis said.

  “Just one left inside?” Pete asked. “It is our lucky day, gents. We can make him tell us where the money is. No time like the present if you ask me.” He sat up, reached in his pocket and pulled out a square, red and white bandana. He folded it corner to corner, put it over the bottom half of his face, and then tied it behind his head.

  Earl and Willis did the same and then Earl pulled his gun out of the holster. “Okay,” said Earl, “do it just like we planned.”

  “Right,” said Willis. Still keeping his body low, he followed Earl through the bushes to the side of the house. The two of them hid again and watched the windows above, while Pete made his way to a place in the back where he could see the backdoors.

  As soon as Earl thought they had waited long enough for Pete to get in position, he slipped across the path on the side of the house, laid his back against the wall, and then peeked around the corner. The coast was clear, so he slowly began to make his way to the front door. With Willis right behind him, he was careful to duck below the windowsills and then quietly walk up the steps.

  *

  In the back of the house, the swing was swaying back and forth, but to Pete’s relief, no one was there. He took a moment to admire the black colt and then paid attention to the back of the house again. Just then, he spotted the dog laying on its belly chewing on something. He couldn’t tell for sure, but he guessed it was the kid’s baseball. Watching the boy try to get the ball away from the dog was the only thing Pete enjoyed about the whole job. How sorely he wished he had a gun. If he did, he would break in the back and get this all over with.

  Suddenly, he realized Earl and Willis were having all the fun while he was sent to watch a stupid dog. Pete put his hand inside his shirt and scratched his shoulder. Suppose Earl and Willis got the money and left him there? It would be just like Earl to do that. Pete considered it for another minute before he turned around, and headed back to the side of the house.