Jori was staying with her. And still, she was furious. Jamie was
demanding half her land and he wouldn't even stay around to meet his
adversary.
'Lieutenant, if you head into town, perhaps you should stay there for
the night,' she snapped. They all stared at her. She had to control her
temper.
She had to quit caring.
He grinned, 'Why, Miss. Stuart, do you think there'll be enough there to
keep me occupied all night?'
'I imagine, Lieutenant, that that is entirely up to you. Do what you
feel you must.'
She turned her back on him as quickly as she could. He was a free man,
she thought furiously. He could do whatever he wanted to do, drink
himself silly, consort with whores, gamble his life away. He sure as
hell wasn't going to do it on her property, though!
He was going to do it, though. He didn't even enter the house, but
turned and rode away. Tess tried very hard to look back, not to let
anyone see that her eyes had misted with her are and frustration.
Damned Yank. Damned Yank.
'It's a nice place you've got here,' Jon complimented as they entered
the house.
'Beautiful!' Dolly exclaimed.
It wasn't exactly beautiful, Tess thought. But it was nice, and it was
livable, too. The parlor into which they entered was vast, and it was
combined with a big dining room that held a heavy carved Mexican table
that could seat fourteen for dinner. To the left of the dining area,
against the rear wall, was the broad staircase that led to the second
floor.
Nearer the door was Joe's desk, on a dais, perched on a cow skin. His
large wing-chair was behind it, and two heavy leather chairs were
situated before it. There was a spittoon in the corner for those who
felt they absolutely must chew tobacco. In the center of the room, on a
beautiful hooked rug, was a. large, soft, brown leather sofa. It sat
next to the fire, with matching chairs across from it and occasional
tables beside it. There were bright Indian flower vases on the tables.
There were flowers in the vases, and Tess smiled. Hank and Jane had kept
up, no matter what.
'Well!' Dolly said.
'Now this is nice! Tess, where would you like us to stay?'
'Oh!' She had forgotten that even though Jamie Slater had ridden away
the moment they arrived, she had other guests to attend to.
'I'msorry. Upstairs, Dolly. Hank, we can wait a while on the other
things, but let's bring up Dolly's trunks. Come up, please!' She urged
Dolly and Jon forward.
When they reached the second-story landing, they looked down a long
hallway with doors on either side and a big-paned window with velvet
draperies at the end.
'There are eight rooms up here,' she murmured.
'We shouldn't be wanting.'
Jane, who had followed her up the stairs, cleared her throat softly.
