Marblestone Mansion 01 - Scandalous Duchess

there was a gent on the other end. Old Mrs. Forthright read a list of numbers and foods to him, and it took considerable thought before I figured out what she was telling. Finally, I understood. The two of them had found a way to put the orphanage money into their very own pockets, by saying they paid for more food than was delivered.”
    “ The scoundrels,” Prescot muttered. “I’d have tanned a few breeches over that one.”
    “ What did you do, Sassy?” asked Charlotte.
    Sassy put her hands on her hips. “Twas a grave mistake teachin’ me how to write, for I wrote a very long missive to Queen Victoria. I begged the postage and sent it off just afore I sneaked…boarded the ship. I ‘spect she got it by now.”
    “ Suspect,” Keith reminded.
    “ I suspect it too,” Sassy said, sticking her tongue out at him.
    Hannish chuckled. “Just in case she didn’t, will you allow me to place an inquiry or two on your behalf? ’Twould be a fine thing to catch them in the act.”
    Sassy found the prospect exciting. “’Twould indeed, Mr. Hannish.”
    “ Good, write down the name of the place and I will see to it.”
    “ Should I tell about another time Old Mrs. Forthright fell in the pond?”
    Keith frowned, “Did you push her?”
    “ I might have; cannae say for sure, as we was all pushing and shoving. There she be, all wet with her hair hanging down, shaking her fist at us. We run fast as lightning and…”
    Hannish checked the pocket watch he kept on Scotland time, and left the room to make the first of many telephone calls to come.

    All was set and the night before Olivia was scheduled to arrive, Hannish finally began to calm down a little. He ate a leisurely dinner with McKenna in the dining room and smiled far more often than he had in days. Behind them, Ronan clasped his hands behind his back, waited to clear their plates and then to serve a sweet custard for desert. After that, his chores would be finished and once brother and sister went into the parlor, he hoped to find Sassy downstairs with the others telling more of her tall tales about the orphanage. Unfortunately, Hannish felt like talking and forgot to dismiss Ronan.
    “ You shall meet General Palmer soon. He fought, and bravely so I am told, in the American Civil War. He was a railroad surveyor when he happened upon this valley, secured funding, and built the rail line from Denver. As for the town, he hoped to lure the English here and has been successful, I am happy to say. For a time, they called the place ‘Little London.’ When we are prepared, we will request to be notified of who is coming. That way, we can fill this place with dinner and tea guests.”
    “ How delightful. I’ve a few friends I hope to invite to stay with us.”
    “ Good, give me a list and I shall see to it.”
    “ I would much rather write the invitations myself.”
    “ Very well.”
    “ How far is Cripple Creek, I would like to see it?” McKenna asked.
    “ Not so very far, but it is up in the mountains and not a pleasant place for a lady to be, nor is Colorado City. I would rather you not go.”
    “ Colorado City? Is that where the saloons are?”
    “ So I have heard.”
    McKenna rolled her eyes, “I believe that is where you took Alistair and Prescot, and I wager you saw all the saloons long before that.”
    “ Perhaps I did, but you’ll not hear me confess it. Colonel Palmer bought up all the land between Colorado City and here -- to prevent the building of more saloons.” He believes alcohol makes a man unmanageable and has forbidden it in this county.”
    Finally finished with desert, she watched Ronan clear the dishes away. “So you’ve not a drop in the house?”
    “ My dear sister, a man must have his medicinal comforts.”
    “ Medicinal, I see.” McKenna noticed Ronan was still waiting and got up from the table. “Shall we talk in the library? I’ve a hunger for reading lately and I wish to see what is available.”
    “ Very well.” Hannish stood up, nodded to Ronan and followed his sister. “I suspect you mean you would rather read a book than spend time with my wife.”
    She waited while Shepard opened the door and then walked into the library. “Olivia and I have very different views.” McKenna walked to the sparse bookcase and began to read the titles allowed, “ Moby Dick , Weathering Heights , such an ugly book…oh, you have Seven Brothers . There’s a book I have not yet read.”
    Hannish took a seat and