Marblestone Mansion 01 - Scandalous Duchess

feared we had not seen the last of that one.”
    “ You feared right.”
    Hannish looked sideways at Sassy, “Why are you not dancing?”
    “ No handsome stranger has asked me.”
    “ Must he be a stranger?”
    She rolled her eyes. “Of course, I’d not like embarrassing myself in front of you and Miss McKenna. Alistair will teach me later, he promised.”
    “ I see.” He watched the two dancing couples for a moment more and then went to ask Cathleen to dance.
    McKenna felt so comfortable with Prescot, she hardly noticed they were dancing. He was a good man and she began to wonder just what sort of woman would complete him. Millie, perhaps or… She stopped dancing and looked at her brother. “Hannish, why did April not come?”
    “ I do not know. Shall I try to find her?”
    “ Yes please. I do hope she is not still in Olivia’s employ.”
    “ So do I.”

    Upset, McKenna didn’t bother to knock, walked into the study and sat down in a chair facing her brother’s desk. “Abigail has called twice this morning and I cannae claim a headache much longer. I will have to take her call soon.”
    “ I know.”
    She rubbed her forehead for a moment. “Charlotte’s accusations are bound to be talked of and we cannae let what she said go uncontested. Sassy will hear of it sooner or later and then what?”
    Hannish puffed his cheeks. “I have thought of nothing else half the night and all this morning. I’ve not the slightest idea what to do. We have become a scandal.”
    “ We cannae just hide from the world. I have already sent the invitations to our garden party, which I remind you, is only three days away.” She stood up and paced across the room twice before she stopped. “Suppose someone questions Sassy at the party? We must warn her, but what can we say…that she has been accused of…oh, I cannae even say the words.”
    “ Sassy has not been accused, I am the one accused.”
    “ I doubt this society will know the difference and it shall fall on Sassy to deny it.”
    Hannish puffed his cheeks. “Perhaps it is time they knew the truth about what happened that night.”
    “ Not without her permission, surely.”
    “ Shall I talk to her?”
    “ Nay, I will do it. If she does not understand how her reputation will be ruined, she will not ask you the right questions. Order the carriage for me. I will talk to Sassy and then go see Abigail.” With that, McKenna left the room as abruptly as she came.

    “ What?” Sassy asked, rising up out of the rocking chair. “Mr. Hannish carried me up to bed because I was hurt. You remember, you were there!”
    “ Of course I remember, but Charlotte neglected to explain that part. She let them think you…I mean he…”
    Sassy’s eyes widened. “He bedded me? Miss McKenna, he loves his wife. I saw how he kissed her when he sent her away.”
    McKenna took a deep breath. “Sassy, you and I both know nothing happened. That is not the problem. The problem is, others…the whole town in fact, believes otherwise.”
    “ Then tell the whole town the truth.”
    “ Sit down, Sassy and calm yourself. It is precisely what I intend to do, but not without your permission.”
    She had not realized she was standing up, went back to the rocking chair, sat down and folded her hands in her lap. “I am listening.”
    “ I must tell them you are the one Olivia hurt.”
    Sassy stared at the floor for a long moment. “Mr. Hannish said not to tell what happens here.”
    “ I know, but this once he has given his permission. Sassy, once they know more about you, they will not listen to Charlotte’s lies. Is there anything you wish to keep secret?”
    “ I am who I am, and what happened, happened. I see no reason to hide anything, do you?”
    “ I do not.”
    “ Tell them Miss McKenna and tell them Mr. Hannish would never do such a thing. He loves his wife still.”
    After Sassy was gone, McKenna closed her eyes. Twice Sassy said Hannish loves his wife, as though she needed to remind herself. It was too late, Sassy was already in love and she suspected her brother was too.
    Abigail clung to every word as McKenna sipped tea in Abigail’s sitting room, with its yellow floral print wallpaper and white drapes. She explained how she found Sassy in a broom closet on the ship, and described the miserable condition she was in. “…and Sassy was so excited to take a bath in clean water. In the orphanage, the younger children are bathed first and the older ones get the dirty