'Now, Miss. Stuart, those are frightful charges' -- 'They are true
charges.'
'But don't you see, Miss. Stuart, you'd have to go into a court of law
against this man. And you'd have to charge him in Wiltshire, and like
you said ...' His voice trailed away. 'Why don't you think of heading
back east, Miss. Stuart?'
She was up on her feet instantly.
'Head back east? I have never been east, Colonel. I was born here in
Texas.
My grandparents helped found Wiltshire. And the little bit of town that
yon Heusen doesn't own yeti still do. I have no intention of turning it
over to him! Colonel, there's nothing else that I can tell you. I have
had a rather trying few days. If there's some place where I might rest,
I'll be most grateful to accept your hospitality for a night or two.
Then, sir, I have to get home. I have a ranch and a paper that need my
expertise.'
The colonel was on his feet, too, and she sensed that, behind her, Jon
and Slater had also risen. She spun around, feeling Slater's eyes,
certain that he was laughing at her again.
But he wasn't laughing. His eyes were upon her, smoky and gray and
enigmatic. She sensed that she had finally gained a certain admiration
from him. What good it could do her, she didn't know. The colonel had
been her last hope.
Now the battle was hers, and hers alone.
'Miss. Stuart, I'd like to help you if I could'
'Nonsense, Colonel. You don't believe a word I'm saying,' Tess told him
sweetly.
'That's your prerogative, sir. I am very fatigued ...'
'Miss. Stuart can take the old Casey place while she's here,' Jori said.
'Doily Simmons is there now, with linens and towels.'
'I shall be most grateful to the Caseys,' Tess said. 'No need,' Slater
drawled.
'Casey is dead. Caught a Comanche arrow last year. His wife went on hack
east.' He was taunting her, and she smiled despite it.
'I have told you all, Lieutenant, I've never been east' -- 'Oh, not that
east, Miss. Stuart. Mrs. Casey and the kids went to live in Houston,
that's all.'
'Well, I rather like the area I live in,' she said sweetly, then she
turned to the colonel.
'If I may, sir ... 7'
'Of course, of course! Jamie, you and Jon will please escort the young
lady to her quarters. And Mis~ Stuart, if it's Wiltshire you're
insisting on reaching, I'll arrange you an escort just as soon as
possible.'
'Thank you.'
Jon opened the door. Tess sailed through it. Slater followed her.
'It's this way, Tess,' Jon told her. He'd never used her first name
before, and certainly not as he did now, intimately, as if they were old
friends.
There was a bright light to his striking green eyes, and she realized
