Marblestone Mansion, Book 5

by Marti Talbott

  It was just as she remembered it.

  Each year, the castle was opened and the whole clan invited in to share a meal with the duke. As a child, not once did Malveen fail to take advantage of the opportunity. Like all little girls, she dreamed of being a duchess, with all the riches and glory that went with the title. At the time, however, the duke was an old man who had no children, was a bit stuffy and paid no attention to the younger generation. Her prospects, she soon realized, were nonexistent.

  All that changed when a tragedy brought siblings, Hannish, Cameron, and McKenna, to the castle. They grew into an outgoing, fun-loving lot of teens; something was always going on to brighten everyone’s day, and nearly every merchant in the village prospered. Their love and laughter was infectious, and being occasionally invited to participate in an event, was a true joy for young Malveen.

  A scant few years later, the castle and the clan saw a second major transformation. The duke died, Hannish became laird as well as the new Duke of Glenartair, and before anyone could do anything about it, he married Miss Olivia Rutherford. A fortnight after the wedding, Hannish discovered his uncle had spent unwisely, and set out to make his fortune in America. Sadly, he left everyone at the mercy of his complicated and demanding duchess. Life in the castle was so unbearable, McKenna moved out and Cameron became scarce, especially when he was at home, keeping himself hidden away in the castle’s Great Hall where the duchess never cared to be. Friends drifted away or were made to feel unwelcome; the castle no longer opened each year to the members of the clan, the merriment stopped and the local economy suffered.

  Yet again, everything changed. Hannish decided to stay in America, built Marblestone Mansion and sent for his beloved wife. Convinced she would be happy in Colorado, he also sent for several of his faithful servants, which opened up badly needed employment at the castle for the villagers. What happened after that was a mystery yet unsolved. The duchess was not willing to live in America and stayed but one night…or so the story went. Even so, she did not return to the castle and although Hannish retained the title of Laird, he bestowed the dukedom on his younger brother, Cameron.

  Cameron MacGreagor, Duke of Glenartair, married Flora, opened the castle to the clan, began hosting events, and for a time, life in the MacGreagor clan was looking up. Unfortunately, Flora died in childbirth, and the hope of prosperity once more subsided.

  Now, the tide had come rushing in again. The Clan’s beloved laird and his new wife were on their way home from America, and the people could not have been more pleased. Daily, someone from the castle came to place orders for everything from tablecloths to carriage wheels, and with that came badly needed employment for a downtrodden little village most of the world never heard of.

  That was specifically why Malveen was there – to bring the eleven-member castle staff up to twelve. Before she had a chance to knock, one of the huge, wooden double doors opened, and the castle’s tall, slender, prim and proper butler stepped out. “Malveen, you have come to help us. I so hoped you would,” said Alistair.

  “I am happy to oblige, Mr. Alistair,” she said, as he ushered her into the foyer. As always, she was enamored by the polished wood paneling, the slender table that ran down the middle, and the three tall windows that let in plenty of light.

  “I believe you know everyone here.”

  “I do, ‘tis a small village, I remind you,” she said, admiring the high vaulted ceiling in the hallway, the red settees, the impressive chandelier, and colorful paintings on the wall. “Our beloved Cameron’s new wife has changed little, I see.” At the end of the hallway, a staircase with a hand carved wooden banister led to the second floor, and where it curved, the MacGreagor crest hung. At the foot of the staircase stood a statue of a highlander dressed in a kilt and helmet, holding a three-pronged spear.

  “You will like Her Grace,” said Alistair, patiently waiting for her to look around.

  “I am certain I shall. She seldom comes to the village, and few of us have had opportunity to become better acquainted. I, least of all, for I am seldom home.”

  “She is a bit shy and uncertain.”

  “So I have heard. When is our laird scheduled to arrive?”

  “A week tomorrow,” Alistair answered, leading the way past servants who were busy cleaning and polishing the parlor. “Come, Head Housekeeper Ruth will show you to your quarters, and Cook Emily is waitin’.”

  *

  No one was more delighted than Leesil when, at last, they boarded the new HMS Celtic docked in a New York City harbor. It was her first passage across the Atlantic Ocean, as a paying customer, that is. This time she would share a glorious first class stateroom with her husband. Furthermore, they were on their way to see her beloved sister, Cathleen, in Scotland. Leesil was beyond happy, she was ecstatic. Even so, she was a bit apprehensive. After all, the SS Camorta had just shipwrecked in early May, killing all 655 passengers and 82 crewmembers. She tried not to think about that.

  As was customary, they stood along the side of the ship, and waved goodbye to strangers on the shore. It was then that Leesil spotted a woman who seemed to be staring at her husband. “You are being admired, my love.”

  “What?” Hannish asked.

  “Have you not noticed the lass who cannae take her eyes off you?”

  Hannish followed Leesil’s gaze, grinned and waved. “You mean that lass?”

  “Aye, that one.” Leesil waved as well, which made the woman finally look away. “Just now, I’m thinkin’ there must be a way to let other lasses know you are married. A ring perhaps, with a very large ‘M’ on it?”

  He chuckled. “Shall I choose it or shall you?”

  “I shall buy it.”

  He drew her into his arms and kissed her lips. “There is no doubt in my mind. I am most happily married, and nothin’ shall ever part us.”

  “I am glad to hear it, for I would not let you go peacefully.”

  “Of that, I am convinced.” He kissed her again, only this time more passionately. When he glanced back to check on his son, Egan had Justin in his arms, and was intentionally looking away. “I must kiss you more often,” Hannish whispered.

  “Indeed you must, but why have you decided that just now?”

  “I fear such an open display of affection has embarrassed Egan.”

  She leaned to the side so she could look around her husband, and just as he said, Egan had his eyes diverted. “We forget he is not yet married,” she whispered back. “Though, I thought he fancied Miss Sutherland well enough.”

  “Did you? I dinna notice that. Now that we know she is on our same ship, I shall pay far more attention.”

  “As will I. We best say somethin’ so Egan will know ‘tis alright to look.”

  “Because, my love,” Hannish said a little louder than was necessary, “Clann is the Gaelic word for children. We are the children of the first MacGreagor, whoever he might have been.”

  He had answered that question earlier in the morning, and she was surprised he remembered. When she looked around Hannish a second time, Egan smiled at her. “Do you agree?”

  “I do,” Egan answered. “It has become familiar to spell it with only one “N,” but the proper way is with two.”

  “I see.” She hid her giggle, and turned her attention back to the people on the shore. The woman was gone.

  *

  Finally, two tugboats pushed the ship out to sea, turned it around and as soon as the giant propeller began to churn the water, they were at last, on their way. The boats, both large and small, coming and going, seemed to fill the waterway between the mainland and Ellis Island where the Statue of Liberty stood. Completed just six years before, seeing the statue firsthand was a particular pleasure for Egan, after all the newspaper articles he’d read about its construction. “The tallest lighthouse in the world,” he was heard to say by several passengers.

  Soon, the conglomeration of seafaring vessels thinned, but even after Egan took Justin inside, and most of the pas
sengers did the same, Hannish and Leesil stayed on the first-class deck. The ship seemed to glide effortlessly across the water as it picked up speed, and it was mesmerizing. The water, churned up by the enormous propeller, left a white trail behind them, the sun was bright in the sky, and it was a glorious day. As the wind picked up, Leesil took off her hat and turned around just in time to see a well-dressed, older woman head straight for them.

  “We are being sought out,” Leesil said, urging her husband to turn and look.

  “Darling Hannish, how good it is to see you again,” Lady Okerman said as soon as she reached him. Holding her flamboyant pink hat in her hand, Maude Okerman took hold of his arm, leaned forward and kissed his cheek.

  He was not happy to see her, but he quickly regained his composure and warmly smiled. “It is good to see you again, as well. Lady Maude Okerman, may I introduce my wife.”

  Maude didn’t bother to glance at Leesil. “Your wife, is she? What on earth did you do with Olivia?”

  “I threw her overboard, do you blame me?”

  “How very enchanting of you. I’d have done the same, given half a chance.”

  In his opinion, Maude wore far too many expensive jewels, spent far too much money on the latest fashions, and preferred hats that were too big to be enjoyable for any man. This day, she was dressed in a loud pink, top to bottom, except for her brown hook shoes. “Is Thorndike with you?”

  “Is he not always? What a dreary man my husband is, but he keeps himself busy and me in riches.”

  “He is a most forgiving lad. Have you not yet lost his fortune?” Hannish asked.

  “Not yet, I am happy to report. How is your poker hand these days?”

  “I have given up the sport completely.”

  She finally let go of his arm in favor to holding her wide-brimmed hat with both hands. “How alarming. I did hear something about a gold mine. How rich are you? ”

  “Not rich enough for your brand of poker.”

  Her laughter seemed a bit insincere, but then, it always did. “Are you come to stay or will you go back to America?”

  “Colorado is our home and we are happy there.”

  “Bravo,” she said even less sincerely. “I do hope you shall attend a ball while you are with us. I do so miss our dancing together.”

  “We have not yet been invited,” said Hannish. It was a mistake, he immediately regretted.

  She looked shocked. “I shall remedy that situation immediately. Will you be at the castle?”

  “Aye.”

  “Good, I shall make it my business to see you are invited, and to seek you out at every opportunity…at the ball for the dance, naturally.”

  Hannish curtly nodded his appreciation. “‘Tis very good of you.”

  She started to walk away, but then thought better of it and turned back. “Have you heard?”

  “I doubt it, heard what?”

  “Sadly, Thorndike and I were not there to hear it firsthand, but I received word last night at our hotel. Lord Stockton was to escort a woman, whom he is certain is your most excellent and beautiful Olivia, to the first ball of the season. Olivia, he says, has mysteriously vanished.”

  Hannish could no longer hide his sarcasm. “Vanished, imagine that.”

  “Well, I am intrigued even if you are not – unless of course, you tell me it could not possibly be Olivia.”

  He smiled. “Do give Thorndike my regards. I look forward to seeing him again.”

  Undaunted, Maude laughed, squeezed his arm again and hurried away.

  After she was gone, Hannish noticed the disgusted expression on his wife’s face and puffed his cheeks. “What?”

  “She is quite rude. She noticed me not at all.”

  “Sweetheart, she has not noticed another woman, married or otherwise, in twenty years. Maude and Thorndike are as high in London Society as anyone can be. She practically runs the balls. I wager there is no event in town to which she is not invited, and often consulted before the invitations are sent.”

  “And you have danced with her?”

  “‘Tis required, I assure you. She lets no man she deems of quality refuse her, lest they wish to be an outcast.” He put his arms around Leesil again and pulled her to him. “You must know I care nothin’ for her kind. I only attended the balls, so my brother and sister would be invited.”

  “At least she does not like Olivia?”

  “Do not let her remarks fool you. It was she who introduced me to the duchess and I doubt I shall ever forgive Maude for that.”

  “Nor shall I.”

  “I say we ignore what Lady Okerman has to say. Thorndike is a good lad whom I like very much, and…”

  “Aye, but must we tolerate them? I do not like her in the least.”

  “Like her or not,” Hannish said, “we must endure her. Of all the women in London, she can do the most damage to my brother.”

  “Very well,” said Leesil, “I shall do my best not to offend her…for Cameron and Cathleen’s sake.”

  *

  Their stateroom was elaborately decorated in the Victoria style preferred by most luxury liners. After playing with Justin for a while, the MacGreagors let Egan take him, and then dressed for dinner.

  “Must you look so handsome?” Leesil said, admiring her husband’s dark clothing and highly polished shoes.

  “Shall I put smudges on my face?”

  “Please.”

  He chuckled. “You look lovely, I am happy to report.”

  She slowly twirled around so he could see her pastel blue long skirt, white blouse and tightfitting blue jacket. “I am not as well dressed as Lady Okerman. Shall I embarrass you?”

  “Leesil, you could never embarrass me, and I’d not like you lookin’ like her. She is boisterous of her husband’s wealth, and ‘tis she who embarrasses her husband.”

  “Then I am comforted.”

  He buttoned his long tail jacket and then kissed her forehead. “Why all the frettin’?”

  “Hannish, I am an orphan, who became a house maid, who married a wealthy lad, and became the lady of a mansion. I have servants, all that I could possibly want at my fingertips, and a son I adore. Now, I am sister-in-law to a duke, on my way to be inspected by all the members of your clan, and I am to attend a ball, quite possibly in a palace. I...”

  When he looked at her, his eyes were the eyes of a man still very much in love. “And what, sweetheart?”

  “I dinna bring a ball gown.”

  “I see.” He put both hands on her shoulders and kissed her cheek. “The fault is mine; I have asked too much of you, and far too quickly.”

  “Can we not refuse to go to the ball?”

  “If you are so against it, then we shall.”

  “Truly?”

  “On one condition?”

  She frowned. “What?”

  “You promise never to buy a pink hat.”

  She giggled and patted her husband’s arm. “Feed me, I am starved.”

  *

  Of the three available first class dining rooms, the MacGreagor party of two chose the smaller, hoping to avoid Lord and Lady Okerman their first night out – at least, until Hannish had time to explain a few things about the Kingdom’s high society to his wife.

  Even so, the smaller dining room had gold inlay frames that held pastel paintings, and a high, pink-pearl tinted ceiling. Square tables with lace tablecloths held place setting of find china, silverware, and crystal goblets. It reminded Leesil of Abigail Whitfield’s brand of flamboyant decorating. Hannish chose a table in the far corner, hoping for as much privacy as the room would allow.

  “I do hope Moan and Elizabeth can manage while we are gone,” Leesil said, as they were served spirited drinks for the first course in an eight-course meal.

  “They shall do fine, my love. Moan is a good secretary. Winter delayed the delivery of lumber, and there is little for the men to do until it arrives. Besides, Claymore is there should anything go amiss, and Prescot agreed to organize the
builders if we are not back in time. The new houses shall be built and all will be well.”

  “And our home?”

  Hannish sipped his drink and set it down. “That, I am not so certain of. I hate to say it, but I am relieved to be away from Moan’s daughters. They seem content to argue over the least little thing.”

  “Perhaps they shall want a home of their own soon.”

  “If we are very, very fortunate, the girls shall all be married off by the time we return.”

  Leesil giggled. “That I should like to see. They were so pleasant when they first came to us, but now they are unruly even when they go to town. They hardly have any prospects that I am aware of.”

  “Three brothers should do it.”

  She looked at him through the top of her eyes. “Tell me you are not up to somethin’.”

  “Me? I am shocked you would suggest such a thin’.”

  She didn’t believe him, but she let it go for now and glanced around the room. “How very pleasant this is…just the two of us. I do not believe we have eaten alone since our honeymoon.”

  The next course was soup. Hannish waited until the waiter was gone, and then leaned closer to his wife. “There is much I must explain.”

  “About what?”

  He intentionally lowered his voice. “About some of the Kingdom’s nobility. Most have little to do and they do not always bed those they married.”

  Leesil’s eyes widened. “You mean …they commit adultery?” she whispered.

  “Not openly, I assure you. So long as they are not caught, and pretend a fine family life, they do as they like.”

  “Not the lasses, surely the lasses do not.” She was even more horrified when her husband nodded. “Their husbands dinna object?”

  “The husbands encourage it. That way, they can enjoy themselves as well.” Hannish watched his wife lower her gaze and stare at her plate. “Leesil, what are you thinkin’?”

  “I am thinkin’ I do not fancy being one of them.”

  “Good, nor do I.”

  It was not until fresh asparagus with a cheese sauce, and a new wine was served that she asked, “What happens when they are discovered?”