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 course you did," Maude Goodwin said, making her way through the gathering crowd. "See that house on the corner." She pointed across the street. "Mr. Goodwin built that for me and I would be pleased to take you there. I have something I think just might fit you and then you will not have to miss the dance. Will you let me help you?"
Sassy nodded and tried to shake some of the piecrust off her skirt. More people were gathering, trying to get a good look at her, and some were even snickering. She gave up on the mess and looked up at Hannish again. "I have ruined my new clothing."
"You must not fret, we shall buy more," he said.
Hannish spotted Charlotte strolling down a long sidewalk between two rows of trees. "Keith, go with Sassy and Cathleen, and see that Charlotte gets nowhere near them again."
"I will, Mr. Hannish."
He watched Mrs. Goodwin lead the three of them through the parting crowd, noticed Millie and Prescot were trying to recover some of Sassy's lunch and that McKenna had tears in her eyes. "If you cry, you will make me cry."
McKenna broke a smile and smacked his arm. "I have never seen you shed a tear, not since…" she bit her lip. "Brother, this is serious. I fear Charlotte will become more violent."
"So do I," Alistair agreed. "I do not like her brother either."
Hannish nodded. "I have placed no more furniture orders with him; he'll not be coming around again."
"Good," said Prescot. "Millie does not like the way he looks at her."
Just then, Claymore spoke up, "Charlotte needs to be run out of town. I doubt the parents will want their children taught by the likes of her after this, and if I spread the word, her brother will have no more business in Colorado Springs. They will both be forced to move away."
"Will that not make them even more resentful?" McKenna asked.
"Perhaps, but we will simply have to be more vigilant for the sake of all ladies," said Claymore. "We cannot have our women assaulted -- not in this city."
Millie tugged on Alistair's arm. "Do you suppose Sassy has lost her appetite?"