Hannish only half listened to Sarah and Charlotte explain which State they came from and how they ended up in Colorado. Yet when Jessie mentioned Olivia, he paid far more attention.
"I mean to say it and I dinna care if I do," Jessie said as if to warn the others not to interfere. "I told the duchess I'd be doin' no more cookin' in her kitchen whether she let me come or not. I've enough of that one, I have. You wait, you'll see, there be no way a pleasin' the Duchess, no way at all."
Hannish bowed his head. "I should not have left you."
McKenna gently put her hand on his. "It could not be helped. The place would have crumbled had you not sent back the wages to repair it. I can see no other way for you to have done it."
Ronan quickly swallowed the bite of roast beef he had in his mouth. "On the ship, Mr. Graham said..." As soon as he said it, Ronan caught his breath and looked around. Everyone was staring at him, and Alistair was clearly not pleased.
"Mr. Graham?" Hannish asked. "George Graham, the stonemason I hired to do the repairs was on the ship with you?"
It was too late now and McKenna reluctantly answered, "Aye."
"And did he come with you on the train, or is he in New York with my wife?" Hannish waited, but no one spoke and the answer was clear. "I see."
McKenna said, "It does not mean…"
"What does it mean?" Hannish interrupted, his voice rising again.
"Perhaps Mr. Graham has business in New York," said his sister.
Hannish considered it and again took a deep breath. "Perhaps you are right. I must not think the worst and I will not let it spoil a perfectly good dinner. Have the Scots no questions for the Americans?"
McKenna began by asking all sorts of questions about America and was relieved to learn they had seen an end to the Indian battles. Next, she encouraged the Scots to tell about the things they had seen on their journey. She knew her brother well enough to know he heard little of it, although he pretended to.
It was not until the meal was finished and the room grew quiet that Hannish spoke again. "We could all use a good night's sleep. Tomorrow, my sister may choose a bedroom and the rest of us will see she is made comfortable. Keith, you will ride to town in the morning and send a telegram? Alistair, where is my wife stayin' in New York?"
"I believe she secured rooms in The Plaza, Sir."