Marblestone Mansion 01 - Scandalous Duchess

again. He walked this way and that, but still he could not find her.
    For the sake of charity, Alistair bid a dollar for Sarah’s box lunch, had no competition, and went off with her a happy man. Several other lunches were bid on and then came one no one expected.
    “ Who will give $.25 to eat the lunch of Miss Charlotte Wells?” the auctioneer asked. Charlotte took a step forward. She looked pleasant enough in her stylish clothes, which were very similar to what Sassy was wearing, but then, it was the fashion of the day and most of the women were dressed that way. She kept her hopeful eyes on Hannish.
    Hannish ignored the bidding and kept walking around until he noticed McKenna standing beside him. “They are sitting on the grass eating lunch. Shall we do the same? I happen to have enough for two in this box.”
    He took the box from her and offered his arm. “We’ve not married you off yet? I thought certain a lad would catch your eye this day.”
    “ Apparently, he has not yet arrived.”
    “ He is a stupid man.”
    “ That is what I think.”
    Hannish soon spotted Abigail, who was frantically waving McKenna over, no doubt to introduce her to a single, male friend. “I believe she wants to share your lunch, and why not, our cooks make better fried chicken.”
    “ You do not mind?” McKenna asked.
    “ Not at all.” He handed the box back, and then joined Donnel and Blanka on the bench. A few minutes later, nearly all the members of Marblestone Mansion had spread blankets and were eating on the lawn in front of him, even Sassy and Cathleen moved closer, although they stayed on the outer rim of the gathering.
    “ We are just like a Scottish clan,” Blanka said, offering him a drumstick from her box.
    Hannish took it and nodded. “Indeed we are, but then, what is a clan but a large family?”
    “ Egan and Dugan are not here,” Donnel pointed out.
    “ I believe they found a lady to eat with and I highly approve. A clan must grow and for that, a man needs a wife.”
    “ That he does.” Blanka agreed. “Your father would be proud of you this day?”
    “ Would he?” Hannish asked.
    “ Indeed he would, he was determined to uphold the family traditions and see that you did the same. He would be very proud to know you do not intend to divorce your wife.”
    “ But sister,” Donnel said, “No MacGreagor ever married a wildcat before. He has the proof and I think he should divorce her.”
    “ Nay, Blanka, he must do as his father taught him…even if the tradition makes him miserable for the rest of his life.”
    Hannish smiled first at one sister and then at the other. “I see what you are up too. ’Tis not the woman, but the pledge. I gave Olivia my pledge and I cannae break it.” When he glanced at her, Sassy was watching him, but she quickly looked away. Keith, he noticed was sitting not far away, trying his best to keep Sassy’s attention. He looked around for McKenna and wasn’t surprised that she was watching him too. “Tell me, did McKenna put you up to this?”
    Donnel laughed. “When have we ever needed puttin’ up to ? You are like a son to us and we wish to see you happy. As I said before, your happiness will come soon…if you let it.”
    Hannish took a bite out of his drumstick and savored the taste. He assumed he knew where everyone was, but too late, he realized he’d lost track of Charlotte.
    Sassy saw her coming first and quickly got to her feet. Cathleen was almost up and so was Keith, when Charlotte hurled a full blueberry pie at Sassy. She managed to knock part of it away, but a large chunk hit her just below her left shoulder and splattered on her face. All she could do was watch, as streaks of blue began to stain her new white shirtwaist. Blueberries, the sticky filling, and the pastry slowly slid down her new skirt, falling in globs on the top of her new shoes.
    Cathleen was about to lunge at Charlotte when Keith grabbed her around the waist and held her back. “Get away from us,” Cathleen screamed.
    Charlotte looked pleased with herself when she walked away, ignoring all the people who were now staring at her.
    It wasn’t long before all the residents of the mansion were on their feet and gathered around her. “It is ruined,” Sassy muttered when Hannish reached her.
    Tears were beginning to form in the bottom of her eyes and he had no idea what to do. “Do you wish to go home?”
    She looked up at him. “I wanted to…to stay for the dancing.”
    “ Of