Marblestone Mansion 01 - Scandalous Duchess

you are owed.” He got up, paced twice more across the floor and stopped. “Olivia believes I am sending her back to Scotland to wait while I sell the house and settle my affairs here. If she suspects it is a trick, she might not get on the ship.” He abruptly began to pace again.
    Hannish was so enraged, he could not think clearly and his mind kept shifting to the image of Sassy bleeding and crouched on the floor. At length, he forced himself to concentrate, stopped pacing and looked at Alistair. “I cannae send her back alone and I dare not send a maid with her, not if she is this violent.”
    “ I’d not go in any case,” Millie said. “Your Grace, she can bath herself and do her own hair when she wants to. She does not truly need a maid and I doubt anyone will see her all in shambles. The duchess will make certain of that.”
    “ Then we only need a lad to take her back,” Hannish mumbled.
    “ Dugan hesitated to say it, but everyone was thinking the same. “Let Mr. Graham take her back.”
    “ I’ve something better in mind for Mr. Graham,” said Hannish. “Nay, I need a lad who will safely see her aboard ship and not let her come back. Who is willing?”
    “ I will go, Your Grace,” said Alistair. “She’ll not hurt me if I have your permission to stop her.”
    “ Of course you have my permission. Very well then, take Dugan with you and after she boards the ship, find something to occupy yourselves for another day or two. I’ve something coming from Scotland I wish the two of you to personally pick up and bring back. I shall explain it later.”
    “ Very good, Sir.” Alistair noticed Dugan did not look pleased, but at least the train ride back without the duchess would be a pleasant one.
    “ We will put her on the Denver train tomorrow…if we live through this night.” With that, Hannish went into his study and closed the door. That late at night, he was certain to find his banker hard at work in his Scotland office and placed the call. However, it would be a while before the line was connected.
    The moment Hannish disappeared, the Scots in the parlor each took a forgotten breath. “Pray God he truly means to send her back,” Blanka whispered. “He has a whole night to change his mind.”
    “ And that she stays there once he does,” Dugan mumbled. One by one, each of them went back to their duties while Alistair and Dugan went to pack their travel bags.

    Charlotte waited until all the Scots were gone before she left her hiding place behind the parlor door. Hannish was sending his wife away and she could not have been happier. Now there was a chance for her to secure his affections, and she could not hide her smile as she hurried back to the kitchen.

    While he waited for his telephone call to be connected, Hannish went back upstairs to check on Sassy. For just a moment, McKenna let him peek in her room and he was surprised by what he saw. Sassy’s hair was down, her eyes were closed and she no longer looked like a child --she looked like the striking grown woman he knew her to be. “Is she sleeping?” he asked.
    McKenna stepped out into the hallway and quietly closed the door. “Nay, she is just resting. She does not cry, but then, I suppose she has learned not to.” McKenna went into her brother’s arms. “Forgive me for not telling you about Olivia, but you had to see it for yourself.”
    “ Aye,” he whispered, “but of all the people she could have hurt, why did it have to be Sassy? Are you certain I should not send for the doctor?”
    McKenna released him and took a step back. “Nay, she does not need a doctor, but you do not look so well. I sent for two bottles from your wine cellar, one for you and one for Olivia. Let Olivia sleep and in the morning, I will help her dress.”
    “ And let her hurt you ? I will not allow that.” He leaned against the wall and took a deep breath. “She admitted paying Graham’s passage on the ship. What sort of fool does she think I am?”
    “ He has a way of keeping her calm.”
    “ I am happy to hear someone does.” Hannish took another deep breath and tried to steady his nerves. “I best go see about her.” He lightly touched McKenna’s hand. “Send for me if Sassy needs anything.”
    “ I promise.”
    Reluctantly, Hannish walked down the hall and turned the corner. Prescot was standing with his arms folded in front of Olivia’s closed door, determined not to let her out. As soon as he saw Hannish, he stepped aside.