Marblestone Mansion 01 - Scandalous Duchess

filled cups with fruit punch and kept clean dishes handy on one of the sideboards.
    Cathleen helped in the kitchen, but Sassy was determined not to look like she had something to hide. She kept busy collecting dirty dishes and setting them on the tray Brookton held. She ignored the guests for the most part, and Sarah stood watching just in case Sassy was questioned. It soon appeared most of the guests were not quite certain which servant Sassy was anyway. When he was not at the front door, Alistair kept a close eye on Sarah just in case one of the male guests got the wrong idea.
    Not a man in the place failed to admire Millie’s figure as she showed the ladies where the water closets were, or went to fetch this or that for them. Prescot happily served stronger drinks in the small sitting room, that is, when the men could slip away from their wives, and then pointed the way to the smoking room.
    Still, without the planned outside activities, there was little to do inside except eat and talk. Most didn’t seem to mind and McKenna was relived. She went from group to group, making sure her guests were happy. They might have been discussing it among themselves, but no one was bold enough to ask questions about either Charlotte or Sassy.
    Amos Wells knew exactly who Sassy was. She was ignoring him too, he realized, but he was not shy about watching her. Sooner or later, she would come to collect his plate and he could wait. When she at last came his way, he asked, “How are the dancing lessons going?”
    “ We have been far too busy to be dancing,” she answered.
    “ You could let me teach you?”
    “ I could let most anyone teach me, but I shall not. Alistair is a Scot, you see.”
    “ What has that to do with it?”
    “ Scots are better dancers.” She half smiled to let him know she was not completely serious, and went to collect the next discarded dish. She happened to glance at Hannish, who looked trapped between Pearl and Loretta, and when he looked at her pleadingly, she giggled. The next time she noticed him, his back was to her and he seemed in a heavy discussion with Mr. Whitfield and two other men.
    Abigail leaned closer to McKenna and asked, “Where is the other one?”
    “ You mean Sassy’s sister? Cathleen is a bit shy, so she offered to help in the kitchen.”
    “ You must bring them both to our next quilting party.”
    “ I shall.”
    “ McKenna, I have been thinking. Do you suppose orphanages are as bad here as they are in England?”
    “ I do not believe all orphanages are deplorable in England, but…”
    “ Quilting does not give me enough to do. If we could manage to establish one here, we could see that nothing bad ever happens to Colorado’s children.”
    McKenna’s eyes lit up. “You are so right. Is it possible, I mean could we?”
    “ Come, we shall ask them.” It took a moment to get Claymore’s attention and when she did, Abigail put on her sweetest smile. “My love, I have been thinking.”
    Claymore raised an eyebrow. “Hannish, it has been my experience that when Abigail says she has been thinking, it will likely cost me a fortune. Dare I ask her what she has been thinking about?”
    “ It does sound a bit dangerous, but will she leave you be if you do not ask?”
    “ You are right. My lovely Abigail, what is it you want?”
    “ We want to establish an orphanage. We could ask for donations, God knows the men in this town are wealthy enough to help and...”
    “ An orphanage?” Hannish asked.
    “ Why not?” asked McKenna. “We have little to do and…”
    “ I think it is a wonderful idea,” said Hannish.
    “ You do?” McKenna asked.
    Hannish was positively beaming. “I most certainly do. You know how I love children.”
    Claymore was not yet convinced and frowned instead. “Ladies, there is much to consider, people to hire, you’ll need an attorney, an adoption policy, a doctor on call, a place to house them, and…”
    “ Children?” Abigail asked.
    Claymore finally smiled, took his wife in his arms and kissed her lips. “Do you promise not to bring them all home?”
    “ Indeed I do. I don’t want to raise them; I only want to see they have a chance in the world.”
    “ I may well regret this, but if it makes you happy, I am willing,” said Claymore. For that, he got an even longer kiss from his happy wife.
    McKenna glanced around to make sure her guests were well taken care of and noticed that Shepard, Prescot, Brookton and Egan had their heads