Marblestone Mansion, Book 2

by Marti Talbott

  “They give me potato soup always and I am tired of it.”

  “Then tell them what you want.”

  “I cannae, it will hurt their feelings.”

  “Leesil, you are mistress of this house. You must learn to run it for me. Take the catalog, go to the kitchen, tell them what you want to eat and make a list of things to order for the baby. Blanka is usually in the kitchen these days and she will love helping you.”

  “But the potato soup?”

  “With all these hardy lads to feed, it will not go to waste. Eat something and see if it takes your sadness away. If not, come back and I shall do my best to make you feel better.”

  She quickly kissed his lips, got up and headed for the door. “You already have.”

  As soon as she was gone, he took a deep breath and picked up Keith’s letter again. There were very few hints in it, but something was up. He went to the door and asked Shepard to find Dugan. A few minutes later, Dugan entered and Hannish handed the letter to him.

  At length, Dugan handed the letter back and sat down. “What does it mean?”

  “I do not know, but he suspects us of something. The question is why?”

  “He thinks I did away with…Mrs. Whitfield. He must. You gave me money, I got on the train and she disappeared.”

  “Aye, but what reason does he have to suspect it was not just a coincidence?”

  “I cannae guess. Someone has said something, but who? Who even knows the duchess married Charles?” Dugan reached up to stroke his mustache, realize it was no longer there, and quickly put his hand down.

  Hannish stared at the floor. “McKenna and Leesil know. Cathleen might know, but I can’t imagine any of them would say a word. Alistair and Prescot know. I sent then to the train station in Denver to intercept her and they might have told their wives.”

  “Aye, but none of them would tell. Who else?”

  “There is your wife. Does she know?”

  Dugan considered that. “Beverly knows I tried to give money to a lass at the boat dock, and later gave it to her on the train, but she does not know who the lass is. I made Beverly pledge not to tell anyone about it, and I cannae think she would break her pledge. Yet, I dinna know her that well.”

  “Does she know the lass you gave money too is married to Charles?”

  “Nay, she does not know that either, but she might have heard that his wife went missing in St. Louis and suspect. The sheriff put a notice in the newspaper and she reads the paper every day. What should I do?”

  “You must ask her. We need to know precisely what was said. Did Charles see you on the train?”

  “I dinna let him see me, but he might have. I know he dinna see me talking to the duchess, but he might have seen me otherwise. We had to change trains in St. Louis and once she was gone, Charles searched everywhere. He might have told the sheriff he saw me.”

  “Perhaps that is it. Find the others and send them to me, then take your wife for a long walk. We must know if any of them said anything.”

  *

  Dugan found Leesil in the last place he looked – the kitchen.

  She set her egg sandwich on her plate, followed him to her husband’s study and was surprised to see the others there. Dugan opened the door for her, but did not follow her in.

  Hannish quickly stood up, gave her his chair, and then began to explain. “The sheriff is asking questions. It seems he finds it suspicious that Dugan was out of town when Mrs. Whitfield disappeared. He is also asking questions about the duchess. I accuse no one, but if by chance any of you said something, I must know precisely what.” He was met by blank stares until his wife suddenly drew in a sharp breath. “What?” he asked.

  “Lillian,” Leesil answered. “Cathleen and I caught her listening outside a door once.”

  “That does not surprise me,” said Sarah.

  “Nor me,” Prescot agreed. “And there is this as well -- the whole town thinks the Sheriff means to marry her.”

  Hannish puffed his cheeks. “I will see to her.”

  “Nay,” said Leesil standing up. “I will do it.”

  “You? I cannae abide that,” Hannish said. “She might…”

  “Mr. MacGreagor, did you not just say I am the mistress of this house?”

  “Aye,” he answered.

  “And was Lillian not a housekeeper here?”

  “Aye, she was.”

  “Then ‘tis my place to deal with the housekeepers, am I right?” Leesil didn’t wait for him to answer. “Husband, call for the buggy, I am going to town.” She ignored the look of shock on all their faces and left the room.

  As soon as he had his wits about him again, Hannish said, “Not half an hour ago, she was sad. Now she is off to save the world. Alistair, find Dugan and tell him it was not Beverly. Then go to town with my wife.”

  “Yes, Sir.” Alistair hid his smile until he was halfway across the parlor. Mrs. MacGreagor had just become a force to be reckoned with, and it was just what his friend and employer needed. Sassy was back and Alistair was very happy to see it.

  *

  When someone knocked on the upstairs sitting room door, McKenna answered, “Come in.”

  “Oh, I was looking for Miss Leesil and Miss Cathleen,” said Beverly. “‘Tis time for their lessons.”

  “Leesil has gone to town and the last time I saw Cathleen, she was outside playing with the dog and little William. Come and sit down, I grow quite lonely sometimes.”

  “So do I.” Beverly decided on sitting in the rocking chair. “What are you making?”

  McKenna smiled. “Abigail is determined to teach me how to knit blankets for the baby. Every lass in Scotland knows how to knit, but I simply cannae make my threads right. Some are too loose and others are too tight.”

  “I have seen many wonderful sweaters made by the knitters in my village.”

  “Do you knit?”

  “I have never learned either. My father was a widower and I had no mother to teach me. There will be time to learn later, I suspect.”

  “Why are you lonely?” McKenna asked. “You have a husband, or is our Dugan not very attentive?”

  “Not very. We made an agreement and he has taken it to heart.”

  “What sort of agreement?”

  “A silly one, to be sure. I agreed to let him kiss me once in the morning and once at night, but not bed to me for a year. Only, he does not come for either kiss. I see him only at meals.”

  “You wish him to come for his kiss?”

  “I do, sometimes. I fear he does not find me pleasing.”

  “Perhaps he waits for you to tell him you want to be kissed.”

  “How can I do that? Should I blurt it out at dinner, for it is the only time I am with him?”

  McKenna giggled. “That, I should like to see. If I know Dugan, he will kiss you in front of everyone.”

  “Then I pray it does not come to that.”

  “Do not fret, dear one, it will happen. He needs a bit of encouragement is all. You will think of a way, I am sure of it.”

  *

  While Alistair and Egan waited for her outside, Leesil marched under the Antlers Hotel archways, through the door, across the lobby, up to the counter and rang the bell. A startled manager rose up from behind the counter and instantly noticed the fury in her eyes. “What is it, Mrs. MacGreagor?”

  “I demand to see your housekeeper, Lillian!”

  His eyes widened. “Yes, Mrs. MacGreagor. Let me take you to our private room and then I will find her.” He waited for Leesil’s nod, led her to a small room and was about to ask if she wanted anything, but her glare told him not to ask. He quickly closed the door.

  The room was sparsely furnished with only a small table and two chairs, but she didn’t bother to sit. In just a few moments, the manager showed Lillian in.

  “Leave us,” said Leesil. He was hesitant, but did as she commanded, and as soon as he closed the door, she said, “Lillian, you are a thief.”

  “What?
” Shocked at first, Lillian soon became bold. “I have stolen nothing?”

  “Aye, but you have. You have stolen our happiness. You heard something said in private and told the sheriff. Do you deny it?”

  “Why should I? Someone needed to tell him what kind of people you are.”

  Leesil’s glare got a little hotter. “And who are you to judge what sort of people we are? You may have no high opinion of us, but ‘tis you who has betrayed the trust of an employer. Very well then, I am forced to tell the manager of this hotel what sort of person you are. I say you are a thief!”

  “You cannot do that. He will think I have taken money.”

  “Do you mean he might misunderstand? That is none of my concern.”

  Lillian’s mouth dropped. “But I…”

  “You misunderstood what was said in my home, and now the sheriff is asking questions.”

  “I heard what I heard. Your husband said the fault was his and it was up to him to get rid of her.”

  “Get rid of who?”

  “Mrs. Whitfield.”

  Leesil was taken aback for a moment. “Why would my husband wish to get rid of Mrs. Whitfield? We have not yet even met her.”

  “You…he didn’t say why. I only know what I heard.”

  “Lillian, you misunderstood and you have let the sheriff think we have harmed her. Unless Mrs. Whitfield is found alive and well, he will always suspect us. Furthermore, the whole town will hear of it.” She finally softened her glare as well as her voice. “We will, of course, deny it for we have no reason to harm her…and you shall look a fool.”

  Lillian blinked twice. Even though Leesil’s words stung, she was still defiant. “What about the duchess? Why was I told not to say a word about her?”

  “That too you misunderstood. My husband gave his father an oath not to harm a lass or a child. In turn, he asked for the same oath from the duchess before he married her…and she gave it. She broke that oath and he banished her.” Leesil suddenly began to get tears in her eyes. “I assure you, no harder thing has he ever done. He loved her with his whole heart…he built Marblestone Mansion just for his duchess, and in one short night, she destroyed all his hopes and dreams. We dinna speak of her, for it causes him great pain.”

  Leesil had said enough, opened the door and started to walk out.

  “Mrs. MacGreagor?”

  She stopped, but didn’t turn around. “Aye.”

  “Are you going to say I am a thief?”

  Leesil ignored her and walked into the lobby. She tried to ignore the manager too, but he soon caught up with her.

  “Mrs. MacGreagor, you are upset. Is everything alright?” he asked.

  “‘Tis just a misunderstanding.”

  “Come with me, your husband will have my head if I send you away in tears.” He took her arm and guided her into his office. Behind him, Lillian watched from the doorway of the small meeting room. Once they were out of sight, she feared the worst, dreaded what was about to happen and closed her eyes.

  CHAPTER 12

  Alistair had a bad feeling about letting Leesil go inside the hotel alone, but there was nothing he could do about it. She was the master’s mistress and what she said was what he had to do. Yet, he feared she would get too upset, especially in her condition. He was about to disobey and go into the hotel anyway, when he spotted Sheriff Thompson walking toward him. That was the last person he wanted to see. “Sheriff,” he said, tipping his hat.

  “Mr. Alistair, how long have you been in the employee of the MacGreagors.”

  “Since I was old enough to spit. My father was a MacGreagor butler afore me.”

  “You knew the duchess, then.”

  Alistair did not quickly answer. “Sheriff, we dinna talk about the duchess.”

  “Did she die?”

  Alistair ignored him and walked back to the buggy. Unfortunately, the sheriff followed and by the time Alistair climbed in, the sheriff had another question.

  “Mr. Alistair, how old are you?”

  “Old ‘nough,” he answered, crossing his legs.

  “In years, Mr. Alistair, in years.”

  Alistair’s accent got thick. “I be hither to sixty-eight by half and not a blatherskite like ye be.” He turned his glare on the sheriff.

  “Just one more question. Would you kill if Mr. MacGreagor asked you to?”

  Alistair was so incensed; it was all he could do to keep from coming out of his seat and socking the man. “I dinna yet, but I be considerin’ it. Where might ye be later?” Just then, he saw Leesil come out of the hotel and quickly hopped out of the buggy. He held the door for her, helped her in, got in beside her and nodded for Egan to drive them away. When he looked back, the sheriff was still watching them. It was then he noticed Leesil’s red eyes. “I promised your husband I would not let you get upset.”

  “It could not be helped,” she managed to say. She leaned closer to him so Egan could not hear. “Lillian does not know it all.”

  “I am relieved. Now tell me what made you cry?”

  “If I tell you, I will only cry again.”

  “I see. Well, we cannae have that. We must be all smiles when we tell him the good news.”

  They were almost home when Leesil got her emotions under control and asked, “Alistair, does my husband ever speak of the duchess?”

  “Speak of her?”

  “Does he miss her?”

  “Ah, so that is what troubles you.”

  “A little. She is so beautiful and…and he was quite beside himself when he sent her away. He must think of her sometimes.”

  “I have known him all my life and I have never known him to lie. When he says he loves you, he means it.”

  “I know, but does he love me the same way he loved her?”

  “Nay, he loves you better.”

  “Better? Why do you say that?”

  “From the very beginning he admired your courage and determination. A bonny lass can turn a lad’s head, but she cannae touch his soul the way you have touched your husband’s. The duchess is nothing to Mr. Hannish now…you are everything.”

  She laid her head against his shoulder. “Thank you, Alistair, and I forgive you for not remembering he lied to the duchess.”

  Alistair smiled. “I am caught.” For a moment, he tried to think of an excuse, but then decided it would be better to change the subject. “Mrs. MacGreagor, we are all waiting.”

  She sat up straight. “For what?”

  “For you to make Marblestone your home. You cannae love everything the way it is now.”

  “Well, there are a few things…”

  “Good. I suggest you start in the parlor.”

  “The parlor? Come to think of it, I do hate that settee. ‘Tis very uncomfortable, altogether the wrong color, and…”

  *

  Alistair had been oddly quiet since he came back from taking Leesil to town, and even during dinner in the servant’s dining hall, he said not a word. He ate well enough, but thoughtfully bowed his head often and everyone noticed. Even when the lively subject of the wars between the English and the Scots came up again, he did not participate.

  Finally, Sarah put her hand on his arm. “My love, are you ill?”

  “Nay,” he answered.

  “Then what is wrong?”

  “The Sheriff asked about the duchess today,” Alistair answered.

  “The sheriff? Why?” several asked at the same time.

  “I dinna know, but ‘tis bothersome,” Alistair answered.

  “What did you tell him?” Prescot asked.

  “What I hope we shall all say -- we do not speak of her.”

  “Well, that be the truth,” said Jessie.

  Cook Halen rolled her eyes. “Are we never to have her out of our lives?”

  Beverly wrinkled her brow, “Who is…?” Just then, Dugan took hold of her hand under the table. It was the first time he had done that and it surprised her.

  “If you are finished eatin’, will you walk
with me?” Dugan asked. He was afraid she would refuse, and he would have to insist, but she nodded. He let go of her hand, stood up and then held her chair so she could rise. In a little while, they were out the back door and strolling across the lawn. Even then, he waited until he was too far away for anyone to hear.

  “Beverly, do you like Millie?”

  She gave him one of her rare smiles. “I like her very much.”

  “So do I. In a fit of rage, the duchess threw hot tea in Millie’s face.”

  Beverly was stunned. “Did it burn her badly?”

  “It scalded her good, but thankfully she suffered no scars. The duchess is Mr. MacGreagor’s first wife. She kept many secrets from him when they married; secrets I am about to tell you. First, I must ask if you will keep your marriage vow to honor me.”

  “Honor you how?”

  “By keepin’ silent and talking only to me when you have questions about the duchess. In exchange, I will honor you by holdin’ nothin’ back. Do you agree?”

  She narrowed her eyes. “You have done somethin’ very wrong, have you not? And now you wish me to conceal it? Has this to do with that lass on the train?”

  Dugan stopped walking, took hold of her shoulders and turned her toward him. “Do I have your pledge or no?”

  She supposed if she was going to find out what was going on, she would have to give it. “I’ll not protect you if you have harmed that lass.”

  “I have harmed no one.”

  She hesitated a moment more before she decided he was telling the truth. “Then I will honor you.”

  He quickly kissed her on the forehead, released his grip on her shoulders and then took a deep breath. “Thank you. The lass you saw at the boat dock, and again on the train was the duchess.”

  For nearly an hour, he told her everything he knew including the various injuries she caused to the servants, and the child the duchess had hidden from the world. When he was finished, he held the swing until she sat, and then began to gently push her. He had not yet learned how to know what she was thinking, and although he was sure she believed him, she hadn’t said much.

  At length she asked, “Dugan?”