Marblestone Mansion, Book 3

by Marti Talbott

  It was then Jedediah saw a man he recognized. He hurried her across the grass, approached a man talking to three other men and waited for a break in their conversation. “Mr. Whitfield, I am Jedediah Tanner and this is my wife, Caroline.”

  The duchess froze. The older man looked just like Charles and it was all she could do to tear her eyes away. Had the MacGreagor’s said anything about who she was to Charles’ father? She held her breath.

  “Mr. Tanner, it is a pleasure to meet you. May I introduce Mr. Goodwin, our banker, Mr. Mabs and Mr. Miller.”

  Jedediah greeted each and then turned his attention back to Claymore. “I worked for you for a time, Mr. Whitfield.”

  “Did you? I fear I do not recognize you, Mr. Tanner. I am getting on in years, I regret to say, and never was good with faces.”

  Jedediah smiled. “You might remember if I were all dirty and wearing a miner’s hat with a sticking tommy.”

  “A what?” McKenna asked, suddenly appearing beside Claymore.

  Claymore grinned and wrapped McKenna’s hand around his arm. “A candle, my dear, Mrs. Mitchel. A sticky tommy is attached to the miner’s hat so they can work in the dark.”

  “Oh, I see.” She listened as the men talked, ready to flash the duchess a warning look, but the duchess didn’t look at her. Instead, Mrs. Caroline Tanner worked her charm on the men her husband wanted to become acquainted with; nodding and asking what she hoped were interesting questions. Her questions, naturally, were directed at Banker Goodwin, until Jedediah squeezed her hand. Apparently, her robber husband didn’t want her asking too many questions about banks.

  CHAPTER 12

  Nicholas, Cameron and Cathleen stood not far away watching the duchess. There was little they could do with Claymore so close. At length, the mayor climbed to the top of the podium, gave another one of his speeches that few listened to, and the three of them joined in the hearty applause as soon as the mayor was finished. Still the Tanners continued to talk to Claymore, which made all of them nervous. At last, the Tanners went on their way and McKenna came back.

  “Mr. Tanner wishes to mine for coal outside of town,” McKenna reported. “He is convinced there are many more rich veins to discover.”

  “Has he the money?” Cameron asked.

  “Apparently so,” McKenna answered.

  Cathleen was horrified. “They mean to stay?”

  “I fear they do,” McKenna answered.

  Cathleen put her hands on her hips. “Well, I’ll not hear of that!”

  She started to head for the duchess, but Cameron grabbed her around the waist and pulled her back. “You promised we wouldn’t harm her, remember?”

  “Just one good punch in the eye, Your Grace, just one!”

  “You promised,” Cameron said.

  She struggled to be free of his grasp. “I have changed my mind.”

  “Change it back.” He insisted.

  Cathleen turned in his arms and looked him in the eye. “You be worse than James.” Just then, she was reminded. “Where is James?”

  Cameron let go of her, looked around and then smiled. “I believe he has discovered Pearl and Loretta.”

  “More likely the chocolate cake. I best go see if he will give me a bite.”

  “Promise you will not attack anyone and I shall let you.”

  Cathleen gave him her best sickeningly sweet smile. “I promise.”

  He didn’t completely believe her, but Cameron nodded and watched her walk toward James and the table loaded with sweet desserts.

  McKenna and Nicholas watched her walk away too and then exchanged glances. It was good to see Cameron getting over the loss of his wife, but was something happening neither Cathleen nor Cameron realized?

  *

  With little William well cared for, and keeping Blair company back at the mansion, Margaret Ann and Keith enjoyed their time alone together – especially doing what they could to plague the duchess. This time when they walked by, Margaret Ann said, “I hope they catch the bigamist soon.”

  “So do I,” Keith agreed.

  Jedediah watched until they were out of sight and then stared at his wife. Something very strange was definitely happening.

  “What on earth are you looking at?” the duchess asked.

  “Nothing…I guess.”

  The duchess was exhausted. She left his side, found a park bench and sat down. The medicine for the headache she didn’t really have was beginning to wear off, and a real headache had begun.

  Jedediah decided he was imagining things, sat down beside her and picked up a folded Denver newspaper someone left on the bench. He opened it to the front page, caught his breath and stared at the headline:

  TRAIN ROBBERS CAUGHT!

  “Two men, suspected of taking part in a train robbery last month outside of Denver, were caught spending their ill-gotten gains at the Diamond saloon and gambling hall in Colorado City. The Denver Sheriff said they have confessed to the crime. The men are identified as…”

  Jedediah quickly folded the paper and put it back where he got it. He was careful not to tell any of the gang his real name or where he went between robberies, but just the same, their capture made him nervous. Cautiously, he began to look around to see if anyone was paying particular attention to him. To his horror, several people were watching him…or were they watching his wife? He couldn’t quite tell.

  McKenna grabbed Cameron’s hand, led him around to the back of the bench and got close enough for the duchess to hear. “Poor Charles, he’ll never find his missin’ wife in England. I’ve a good mind to call and tell him she is here,” McKenna said.

  The duchess didn’t have to look around to see who was talking; she would recognize that irritating voice anywhere. If anyone could make her head pound more fiercely, McKenna could.

  “Shall I place the call for you?” Cameron asked, playing along.

  McKenna stared at the back of the duchess’ head. “Poor Mr. Sinclair, passing so suddenly the way he did.” McKenna saw an unmistakable jerk of her head and knew for certain the duchess was listening.

  What the duchess thought of first was of her ball gowns. What had become of them? Lost, all lost, she supposed. She hung her head.

  “Mr. Sinclair was her second husband, you know. Of course, back then, she called herself Alexandra.” McKenna said.

  Cameron exaggerated his words. “Number two out of six, all of whom Alexandra deserted?”

  “Seven,” McKenna answered. She paused to listen as Mr. Tanner asked his wife if she was okay. The duchess didn’t answer, so McKenna continued, “Hannish got a call from a Mr. Nelson in San Francisco. His wife is missing too.”

  “I am shocked,” said Cameron. “Seven husbands and no divorces.”

  “Seven that we know of. Mr. Nelson is in shipping and when he returned from Seattle, his wife was simply gone. His only hint was a newspaper clipping announcing the birth of Hannish’s son.” When Jedediah turned around to look at her, McKenna guessed she had said enough, took Cameron’s arm and urged her brother away.

  Jedediah stared at his wife. She looked pale and even older than she had earlier in the day. Was he mistaken or had pieces just fallen into place – in the puzzle that was Caroline? Didn’t she call someone named Sinclair her husband, didn’t she say she was from San Francisco and wasn’t her dead husband in shipping?

  “Caroline, is it true? Am I your seventh husband?” She refused to look at him. “Caroline?” he tried again. Again, she didn’t answer. She seemed to be somewhere far away “Alexandra?”

  “What?” the duchess answered.

  Jedediah Tanner stared at her for a long moment before he slowly stood up. Even then, she did not look at him and there was nothing more to say or do. Without another word, he headed across the park.

  The duchess held her hands together in her lap and stared at the lush green grass at her feet. Mr. Sinclair was dead. Of all her husbands, he had been the most kind, the most loving and the one she was the fondest of. She
was not in love with him, she knew that now, but she did love him, in her own way. He certainly loved her enough to take the daughter she never wanted and raise Blair as his own.

  The duchess narrowed her eyes. This was all Charles Whitfield’s fault. That silly Charles had taken her away from England and kept her from being there when her beloved Mr. Sinclair was dying. She would have gone to him…she would have moved heaven and earth to get to Mr. Sinclair…had she known.

  Now what was she to do? She intended to start over when she got back to England, but how could she with no glorious ball gowns? Perhaps she might just stay in Scotland this time. Still, there was nothing like London Society to make a woman feel exceptional. Perhaps Lady Bayington would lend her a ball gown or two. Yes, she probably would. After all, there was a time when they were the best of friends and probably still were. Was it not Lady Bayington who gave her the money to go to Paris?

  If the duchess had looked, she would have seen McKenna and Cameron watching her, but she didn’t look. In fact, she saw nothing at all. Did she remember to tell her beloved Sinclair that she loved him the last time they talked? She couldn’t remember. Then again, how dare he die and leave her all alone in the world.

  Had the duchess looked, she might have seen Jedediah standing near the edge of the park watching her. But she didn’t look and a few minutes later, he was gone. She should not have married John Nelson, the duchess decided. With the money Hannish gave her, she could have gone back to England months ago. That wasn’t really her fault either, the train took her west instead of east.

  There was nothing she could do about that now.

  What the duchess needed was a new plan. The least she could do was put flowers on Mr. Sinclair’s grave. Yes, that was it. She would go back to England and put flowers on his grave every day for a fortnight. First, she needed a new name. She did so love the name Alexandra, but she supposed that was out of the question. Oddly enough, just now she couldn’t think of a new name. Her mind seemed muddled somehow, but it would clear, it always did.

  *

  “What is she doing?” Cathleen asked. Several people walked in front of them and she had to wait to get a clear view of the duchess again.

  “I have no idea,” Cameron answered. “I have never seen her like that. She has not moved a muscle for nearly twenty minutes.”

  “I think she has catatonia,” said Cathleen.

  “What is that?” he asked.

  “I read it in a book once. Her senses are dulled beyond measure and she finds herself dumb-struck, you see.”

  “Will she recover?”

  “I hope not,” Cathleen said.

  “How many books do you read a week?” Cameron asked.

  “As many as I can. There is little else to do.”

  “Perhaps I should send you some.”

  She looked up at him and smiled. “Would you? I have read all we have and I am forced to borrow from Mrs. Goodwin.”

  “Consider it done. I have a few favorites you might like.”

  Cathleen’s attention was soon drawn to a man making his way through the crowd toward her. She smiled pleasantly and waited until he was closer. “Mr. Swinton, may I introduce my brother-in-law’s brother, Mr. Cameron MacGreagor.”

  Swinton nodded and reached out his hand. “Mr. MacGreagor, it is a pleasure.” He released Cameron’s hand and turned to her. “Miss Cathleen Covington, I believe you have tricked me.”

  She looked shocked. “Tricked you? How so, Mr. Swinton?”

  “I was led to believe the box with the green bow was yours.”

  “Mr. Swinton, perhaps you only presumed it was mine. Did I not say I was too young to marry? The purpose of a lass puttin’ her lunch box up for bid is to find a husband.”

  “I see. Forgive me, I did not know that.”

  She smiled sweetly. “You are forgiven.”

  She was lying and Cameron knew it. “Mr. Swinton, there are several coming to tea and games on Saturday at Marblestone, might you be available?”

  “Games?” Cathleen asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “I shall be delighted,” said Mr. Swinton.

  Cathleen added, “Pearl and Loretta will be there. You may bring a guest, if you desire. Will you be bringin’ someone?”

  “Will you be there, Miss Covington?” Swinton asked.

  “Of course, ‘tis where I live.”

  “Then I need not bring anyone. I am looking forward to it.” Swinton tipped his hat and walked away.

  Cathleen ignored the grin on Cameron’s face and turned her attention back to the duchess, who still hadn’t moved. “I do hope Leesil will not mind. We have managed to invite guests without asking her first.”

  “Shall I say ‘tis all my fault?”

  “Would you?”

  “Nay, I will not.” Cameron grinned and walked back to McKenna and Nicholas.

  *

  It was quite some time before the duchess realized Jedediah was no longer with her. She quickly glanced around, and just as she feared, the MacGreagors were still watching her. Suddenly alone and exceedingly worried, she stood up and hurried across the park. Twice, she looked back to make certain they were not following her. None of them were. She did notice a man standing on the corner reading a newspaper, but she ignored him. She turned at the corner and then walked the four blocks to the hotel.

  Her intention was to go home to England, and to do that, she needed to get away from Jedediah, which she suspected would not be easy. Her heart might truly break; having learned finally, what it was like to love a man. She would miss his smile, the fierce passion in his kisses and the way he tilted his head to the side when he didn’t quite believe her. Even so, she had to go home and not even his dangerous eyes could stop her.

  At the hotel, the duchess rushed past the doorman, flew across the lobby and stopped to look at the clock. It was nearly three and if she hurried, she could make the four o’clock train. She climbed the stairs, turned the corner and walked down the hall. “Jedediah?” she said as she yanked open the unlocked door.

  Stunned, she drew in a sharp breath.

  The room was in shambles. Her clothes were strewn about and her hatbox lay open on the bed. “No,” she breathed. Slowly, she walked to the bed, picked up the empty hatbox and turned it upside down. All her money, the money she needed to pay her passage home – was gone.

  As if in slow motion, she looked for her satchel. It too was left open and when she dumped the contents out on the floor, her jewels were gone too. “Thief…” she managed to whisper. Next, she went to the closet and just as she suspected, all his clothes were gone.

  Defeated, she sat down on the bed. “How shall I get home, I have nothing left.” For a moment more, she fretted, but then she realized she did have something left – her wedding rings and her pearl handled pistol. She wasn’t about to part with the pistol, but perhaps the rings were enough to at least get her out of Colorado, and possibly all the way to New York.

  It was then she realized Margaret Ann was standing in the doorway watching her. The duchess stood up, smoothed her skirt and wiped an odd tear off her cheek. “I must sell my rings. I cannot leave without at least some money.”

  “How much?” Margaret Ann asked without hesitation.

  The duchess scoffed, “Far more than they are worth. Tell Hannish I promise never to come back. It was not my idea to come here to begin with, Jedediah insisted.”

  Margaret Ann walked to the table phone, picked up the earpiece and called Hannish. “She has been robbed and wishes to sell her rings so she can leave town. Are you willing?” There was a long pause before Margaret Ann said, “Very well.”

  “What did he say? Will he help me?”

  “I am to give you fifty dollars.”

  “Fifty dollars? Is that all? It will hardly…”

  Margaret Ann interrupted her. “Perhaps you prefer to walk.”

  The duchess closed her eyes and hung her head. “Fifty dollars will at least get me far, far away from here.
”

  “You will find it at the manager’s desk in the lobby. The train to Denver leaves at four.”

  “How well I know,” the duchess muttered.

  “You best hurry.” Margaret Ann held out her hand. “The rings?”

  “Oh.” The duchess thought to pretend they wouldn’t come off, but what was the use. She desperately needed that fifty dollars. She handed the rings over, watched Margaret Ann walk out and then began to stuff her clothes in her satchel.

  *

  Just as promised, an envelope waited for her at the desk in the lobby and Keith waited outside with a buggy to take her to the train station. She didn’t question it; she only got in and then got out at the station. She paid a whole dollar for a ticket to Denver, found a seat inside the train station and waited. A few minutes later, the train pulled in, she boarded, took a seat, folded her hands in her lap and stared straight ahead. She had already seen quite enough of Colorado Springs.

  *

  Jedediah was devastated when he slowly walked his horse down Millionaire’s row on the north side of town. The homes were as grand as any he’d seen, and it was here he planned to build his wife a fine house where they could raise a family. Now, all that was gone.

  At the end of the street, he turned north, rode past several farms and then galloped along the railroad tracks until he found the place where he normally entered the Black Forest. His dreams were shattered, his heart was broken and his emotions constantly shifted between grief and rage.

  He heard a faraway clap of thunder but he thought nothing of it, nor did he pay any attention when the train rumbled past. Instead, he dismounted and looked for the mark he made in the wood. When he found one, he began to dig handfuls of leaves and pine needles out of the hollow trunk of a tree.

  His gunnysack was gone.

  In a panic, he raced to find another marked tree stump, whipped the leaves out it and at last, took a deep breath. That sack was still there. Nevertheless, it was obvious someone has been watching him and he didn’t like the feeling. He pulled the sack of bills and gold coins out, set it on the ground and drew his gun. For a long moment, he listened, but all he heard were the usual sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves.