Marblestone Mansion 01 - Scandalous Duchess

letting the deep pimples in her cheeks show. “Never you fear, we got her back.”
    “ How?” Keith asked.
    “ The poor soul fell off the walkway into the pond and bruised her very own backside on the rocks. She could hardly sit, even with pillows beneath her.”
    Halen smiled and then wrinkled her brow. “How did you escape the orphanage?”
    “ Had I knowed how easy it ‘twas…”
    “ Known,” Keith corrected.
    She looked at him for a long moment and then decided to ignore him. “‘Twas easier than I thought, getting over the wall I mean. The wall was not to keep us in; ‘twas so the good folks dinna know we was there. James let me stand on his shoulders; I climbed right over the top of the wall and jumped down the other side. I was a wee bit fearful, I dinna mind tellin’, for I knew not where to go on the outside. There I was, staring at ladies in fancy dresses and gentlemen all decked out in their best. I thought it must be Sunday.”
    “ What did Sunday have to do with it?” Hannish asked.
    “ Well, I sneaked a peek at Old Mrs. Forthright’s newspaper the day afore, and read that the ships sail to America on Friday. I thought I had missed it, you see. I was wrong, thank the Good Lord.”
    Charlotte wrinkled her brow. “How did you get aboard the ship?”
    “ That was easy too. I offered to help a lass carry her travel suitcase aboard and then forgot to get off. I hope James dinna suffer too much from my standing on his shoulders. I worry about that.”
    “ I am certain he is fine, Sassy,” Hannish said. “Come sister, I believe Ronan has our breakfast in the dining hall and I love bacon as much as Sassy.”
    Sarah watched them leave and then took hold of Sassy’s hand. “No one will hurt you here, I promise.” Perhaps it was the mother instinct in her, but Sarah felt protective and understood when Sassy only nodded and went back to devouring bacon, as though she didn’t believe her. There were too many cruelties in the world, and Sarah had seen several, including the death of her little brother in the Russian Flu epidemic. She was alone too, but now Sarah had someone special who needed her.

    McKenna had only just begun sorting through some of her clothing, when she heard a light knock on the door of the bedroom she was temporarily using. “Come in.”
    “ Miss MacGreagor, I…”
    “ Sarah, is it not?”
    “ Yes, Miss. I do not mean to disturb you, but…”
    “ Sarah, come in and sit with me. I wish very much to get to know you better.” McKenna laid her wrinkled dress back in her traveling case and sat on the bed. She admired Sarah’s professional manor as well as her appearance. Sarah had a pleasant face, looked to be about thirty, and sat up straight in the chair. She wore her hair pulled back in a loose bun, which allowed the sides and top to frame her face perfectly beneath her small satin and lace bonnet. “I understand you are the head housekeeper.”
    “ I am happy to have the position. I worked for the Goodwin’s for several years, taking care of their children. Most of them are grown now, so Mrs. Goodwin loaned me to your brother and he asked me to stay.”
    “ I am pleased he did. What did you wish to talk to me about?”
    “ I should not have, but while Sassy took a bath, I looked in her drawers and she has nothing but a brush, a night shirt and a change of undergarments.”
    “ I know. The poor dear was wearing a filthy tattered dress that was far too large when I found her. I saw her steal an apple, followed her and discovered she’d been living in a broom closet. Millie, the lady’s maid you have not yet met, gave her the frock she wears now, but she will need much more.”
    “ Outer clothing will not be a problem. Mr. MacGreagor anticipated the need and had a seamstress in town make several uniforms. They only need altering.”
    “ Good. My brother’s attention to detail often amazes me. I gave Sassy the nightshirt and the undergarments, and tried to give her more, but she is proud. She has lived on charity all her life and now she wishes to pay her own way. I do not know what to do to help her.”
    “ I see.” Sarah paused to think for a moment. “She has been with you more than two weeks now?”
    “ Aye.”
    “ Is it not time for her pay?”
    McKenna’s eyes lit up. “You are dead right brilliant, Sarah. Would you be willing to take her shopping?”
    “ I would be more than pleased; I need a few things myself.”
    “ Splendid, I shall