Marblestone Mansion 01 - Scandalous Duchess

porcelain figurine he left there for her to find. Intentionally leaving the door open, he leaned against the side and just watched her. Sassy tucked her feather duster under her arm, gently picked the figurine up and turned it over so she could admire the other side. At length, she realized he was there and set it back on the shelf.
    “ Was it not you who marked it in my catalogue?” he asked.
    A little defiantly, she answered, “I was much younger then.”
    He smiled, “Much younger, indeed. Are you sorry everyone knows how old you are now?”
    “ Not so very sorry. I am forced to grow up, I suppose.”
    “ Your growing up is coming along splendidly.”
    “ Do you think so?”
    “ I do.”
    “ Mr. Hannish, I have not thanked you properly for bringing Cathleen to America. I would be pleased to pay her passage.”
    “ You wish to pay me?”
    “ Would a dollar a month do?”
    “ Sassy, I paid the fair for all the Scottish servants and they are not required to pay me back. If I allow you to, the others would feel beholden to pay me also. Besides, we need Cathleen to help keep the place clean, just as McKenna needs you to see to her needs. I am sorry you are asked to help with the cleaning as well.”
    “ Miss McKenna requires little and I do not mind. I like staying busy and it keeps Donnell and Blanka from working too hard.” She took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “How then do I repay your kindness? There must be something I can do.”
    “ You can keep being Sassy. Do you not know what a delight you are to everyone? You brighten our days, especially mine…” He realized his mistake and quickly added, “and McKenna’s.”
    Sassy pulled the duster out from under her arm and began running it across a shelf still empty of books. “Cathleen and I are very happy here, Mr. Hannish. We both thank you.”
    “ You are both welcome.” He watched her for a moment more before he said, “Sassy, I believe I owe you an apology.”
    She stopped dusting and looked at him. “For what?”
    “ I dinna know Mr. Wells asked you to the ball. If you fancy him, I shall…”
    “ Fancy him? I could never fancy him, Mr. Hannish. I confess I want to see a ball and even go to one someday, but not with Charlotte’s brother.” She paused for a moment, trying to find the right words. “Cathleen says Mr. Wells only cares for me because he thinks I am willing. Is she right?”
    He was not prepared for that question at all, and it took him a moment to answer. “‘Tis possible.”
    “ Will other men think the same?”
    “ Other men do not believe Charlotte.”
    “ But they might. I mean, they would not admit it if they did, would they?”
    “ Probably not, but I will not let anything happen to you.”
    “ How will you prevent it?”
    He looked long into her eyes and then lowered his gaze. “I shall find a way.” Hannish turned around and abruptly left the library.

    Mrs. Olivia MacGreagor was not happy when she heard the ancient doorbell ring in the ancient Scottish cottage she was forced to live in. She sat at her dressing table in the horrid bedroom of her husband’s horrid parents and stared at her face in the mirror.
    “ Lady Bayington to see you, Mrs.,” said the butler.
    Olivia cringed. “Send her away, I am busy.”
    The butler, who also served as footman and gardener rolled his eyes. “So am I.”
    She gripped her new brush tightly, slowly turned to face him and glared. “I shall send you away if you disobey me.”
    “ You cannot. I work for the duke, not for you.” With that, the butler left the room.
    Olivia went back to staring at her reflection in the mirror. She waited for the front door to open and close, but when it didn’t, it was obvious her guest was still waiting. With no choice, she put on her fake smile and went to the parlor. “My dear Lady Bayington, how good of you to come.”
    Lady Bayington was expensively dressed, as always, and adorned with enough jewels to be the envy of all of London. She sat on the edge of a chair that was anything but new, displaying a fake smile of her own. “I’ve a devil of a time finding you, I do not mind saying. How are you, my dear?”
    “ Very well, thank you.”
    “ My, but this is a cozy cottage.”
    “ Lady Bayington, do get to the point of your visit. We have not been the best of friends lately, and I admit I am curious as to why you visit me now.”
    “ We had a disagreement years ago, that is all. It does not mean we cannot be