The Widow of Hallam County by Tony Masero

Author:Tony Masero
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: thriller, action, ranch, western 1870s
Publisher: Tony Masero

Chapter Ten

Supper that evening was a chill affair and it was not just because the broken windows were still open to the elements. Robert Lee could see by Lady Jane’s expression that she was not pleased with the present company.

Stephen had superseded Lady Jane’s place and taken over the head of the table. He sat with his napkin tucked under his protruding Adam’s apple and a knife and fork held ready in each hand as if he was eager to go for it even before the dish was placed in front of him. His wife, Lorelei, sat alongside and stared vaguely off into a corner of the ceiling with that same distant gaze she had worn before.

Lady Jane brought out the food and introduced her brother-in-law to the men, ‘This is Stephen Street, brother to my late husband and his wife, Lorelei.’ She then promptly sat herself at the opposite end of the table.

‘Howdy, to all,’ said Stephen, with a broad grin on his face. ‘Pleased to make your acquaintance.’

‘Yes, pleased to make your acquaintance,’ echoed Lorelei vaguely.

There was a low rumble of greeting from the others and Stephen had his fork filled and into his mouth before Lady Jane could interrupt him, ‘We usually say Grace, Stephen.’

‘Of course, of course, by all means.’

After Lady Jane’s swift Grace was over they all tucked in.

‘Got to say, Lady Jane,’ said Stephen with his open mouth full of food. ‘This is mighty fine.’

‘He’s talking with a mouthful,’ perked up Susan Allen in critical mode.

‘Hush up, little one,’ admonished Lady Jane.

‘But you said….’

Lady Jane stilled her with a withering look.

‘Have no fear, child,’ said Stephen. ‘I’m not about to choke on it but pleasant to see you care so much for your uncle.’

‘This is most unusual,’ observed Lorelei. She had barely touched her plate and kept her fan going constantly as if the air in the room were unbearably hot even though it was a mild evening.

‘What’s unusual, Lorelei?’ asked Lady Jane.

‘To have all the work hands sitting at table with you,’ Lorelei answered, with a faintly haughty look at the gathered cowhands. ‘I don’t think we would do that, would we, husband?’

Stephen sucked at some food between his teeth and looked over the men, ‘I dare say not, wife, but different strokes for different folks and all that. One must live and let live.’

‘You have a place nearby?’ asked Robert Lee.

‘Indeed,’ said Stephen, wiping his lips with his napkin. ‘Some miles north, my wife and I run a few hundred acres. But tell me, Lady Jane, what happened here? Was the terrible fire accidental?’

‘No,’ said Lady Jane, looking up from her plate. ‘It was caused by some villains under the pay of my neighbor.’

‘Indeed,’ said Stephen with surprise. ‘And who might that be?’

‘A man called McGregor, he owns the adjoining property, the IX Ranch.’

‘McGregor? McGregor? Where have I heard that name before, wife?’

‘Why, in Honeywell Junction as we passed through just today, dear.’

‘That’s it, that’s it. There are posters everywhere, it appears this McGregor is running for town sheriff.

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