"Still in bed," Sassy answered. "That awful banging kept her awake."
"I am sorry, I dinna consider how it was keeping everyone else awake. Sassy, you need not work today. I would rather see you outside in the sunshine or perhaps you might read a book. There are a few in the library you might enjoy." Before she could argue, he turned to Prescot. "We are to receive a visitor from Scotland this afternoon, a Mr. George Graham. Take him to the study and then notify me of his arrival.
"What do you mean to do to him?" McKenna asked, walking to the table and sitting down.
"I mean to delay his return to Scotland, nothing more."
She wasn't certain she believed him, but did not pursue the matter. She did give Prescot a pleading look as if to beg him to stay close at hand when Graham came. "Brother, will you be needin' me to do anything this morning? I am hoping we might set a date for the ball today and I've invitations to order."
Sassy joyfully clasped her hands together. "A ball?"
"Aye, Sassy, and I shall need you to help me. Are you willing?" McKenna asked.
Sassy thought about it and frowned, "Well, no, Miss McKenna. I know nothing of balls. Millie would do much better, or Donnel. Come to think of it, even Keith would be more help than I." She made everyone laugh and she meant to. She had come to enjoy putting a smile on everyone's face, especially with the spiteful duchess in the house.
A bell began to ring and everyone looked at the bell board on the wall. McKenna gasped. "Olivia found the bell in the water closet, Hannish."
Hannish set his cup of tea down. "I best see to her, she had nothing on the last I saw of her."
*
For the next hour and a half, the tension was thick in Marblestone Mansion. Something could still go wrong and everyone held their breath. Olivia managed to fix her own hair and dress herself, but not pack her things. So while Hannish took his wife outside to enjoy the fresh air, Millie and Sarah made haste to throw everything in Olivia's travel bag and steamer trunk - everything except her dreaded wooden brush. As soon as they were finished, Keith and Ronan carried the luggage down the stairs and loaded them on the wagon. At the same time, Alistair and Dugan added their travel suitcases and got aboard. Both had shed their uniforms for more informal clothing. Once everything was finished finally, Ronan got set to drive the carriage and Keith got ready to follow with the wagon.