Marblestone Mansion, Book 7 by Marti Talbott

Author:Marti Talbott [Talbott, Marti]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: M T Creations
Published: 2014-02-10T05:00:00+00:00

*

The next week was filled with phone calls to and from Scotland, but it was not until the week after that the family became fully aware of what was happening. Alistair and Sarah were still residing as guests of Provost MacGreagor, but they were eager to head for America. Instead of a convenient handset telephone, the one on Provost MacGreagor’s wall was a wooden box with a short cord to the earpiece, making it necessary for Alistair to stand up when he talked.

“I managed to recover a few thin’s from the castle…silver trays and such that are not too badly damaged,” Alistair reported. “Your Grace, the villagers want permission to put them on display.”

“On display?” Cameron asked. He had just finished eating breakfast with the family, and went to the parlor telephone to take the call. “Are they not comin’ to America?”

“They cannae fully decide,” Alistair answered. “One moment, they are ready to pack up and the next, they think not. Provost MacGreagor insists on bringin’ his cannon and his cow.”

Incredulous, Cameron sat down. “His cow?”

“Aye. Your Grace, the article in the newspapers brings adventurers to see the ruins.”

“Trespassers, you mean.”

“Forgive my impertinence, but ‘tis just what the village needs. Provost MacGreagor thinks to sell food and drinks, and charge admission.”

“What? Do you mean the glen is to become little more than a circus ground?”

“There is hardly any way to prevent it from bein’ overrun anyway. They are comin’ by the carriage full, and we cannae stop them – unless we build high fences and you hire the lads necessary to guard it.”

Cameron thoughtfully rubbed his brow for a moment.

“Your Grace,” Alistair continued, “the trespassers, as you call them, are buyin’ from all the shops. ‘Tis…”

“‘Tis precisely what the village needs to survive?” Cameron asked.

“Aye.”

“Can the graveyard be protected at least?”

“The lads can build a fence around it, and prevent them from enterin’ what remains of the castle. Provost MacGreagor thinks they can make enough to pay the guards. ‘Tis much needed employment for the village, Your Grace.”

“That is true. Alistair, tell them how much I…we, regret not bein’ there.”

“I shall. Do you think to rebuild?”

“We have talked about it.”

“Then why not let the villagers make a profit until you do?” Alistair asked. Tired of standing in one position, he shifted his weight to the other foot.

“You fancy this idea?”

“I do. Your Grace, if you could see how forlorn they were before the visitors came, you would fancy it too.”

“Where are Moan and his family?”

“Mr. Moan suspects young Mr. Wade set the fire, and he is beside himself with grief. He has taken his family to live with a sister in London.”

“I see. Did Wade set the fire?”

“I dinna ask. There was no point.”

“You are right, what is done is done.” Cameron paused to think for a minute more. “Tell Provost MacGreagor to go ahead with his plans. I doubt the visitors shall come for very long, and then perhaps the clan will decide to come to America. Did you tell them we have houses for them to live in?”

“I have told them repeatedly.

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