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She couldn’t believe it and sat her Butch for a moment as she composed herself. Slowly, she moved her free hand beneath her skirt and retrieved the little pistol from its strap around her leg, a promise she had made to Vern recently to keep it near when riding alone.
She was surprised that Farley would dare approach her during the daylight and waited, wondering what he was about to do.
Farley displayed his toothless grin as he slowly walked his horse directly at her and Star felt a tension rivet her spine. She wouldn’t show him that she was afraid. She would stand ready to shoot him if need be. She had never shot anything but targets in her life. Could she shoot a man? She would have to shoot to kill, because if she didn’t, Farley would turn into an enraged animal and come at her in the future. She had to be resigned to hold her ground and take him unawares, for she was sure he was up to no good.
As he got closer to her, he draped the reins of his horse across his saddle, leaned forward and tipped his woolen cap at her, making a show of bowing his head. As he straightened up he said, “Well and good day to ye, Miss Berkley. Fine bright afternoon, is it not?”
“So it is, but you have the advantage of me, as you know my name and I do not know yours,” Star spoke as haughtily as she could muster.
Farley rode up closer, too close for her comfort and said on a low hard note, “Oi have a feelin’ ye know m’name, but Oi’m happy to remind ye of it. Farley…that’s right and ye and me…well now, Oi’m thinking it wasn’t so very long ago that we met.”
“You are mistaken, Mr. Farley. I have no notion who you are and have never met you.” Star lied without guilt, but even so felt a twitch take over one eye.
“Here now, no cause fer alarm, just yet that is. Oi’m an acquaintance of yer brothers’ Oi am, so wait till ye have heard me out.”
She poised herself regally, “I am sorry, but I am not in the habit of talking to strangers alone in a field. If you are a friend of my brother’s, he has never mentioned you.”
“Aw now,” he leered. “Oi knows better Oi do. Oi know ye were in a most disreputable inn not so long ago…and met with me and m’lads.”
“I have no notion of what you speak.” She started her horse forward, but he kicked his horse to move in front of her and got in her way. He reached out and audaciously tried to get hold of her reins.
If she had a crop she would have given him another scar.
At that moment, she was so outraged at his audacity, that she forgot to be frightened and pulled out her gun, aiming it directly at his heart. She seethed and said, “Release my reins and get out of my way, or you will regret this, I promise you.”
“Full of pluck ain’t ye?” He eyed her, “Oi’m thinking ye won’t shoot me…Oi’m thinking ye will hear me out, cuz if ye don’t Oi’ll tell everyone yer brother sent his sister to meet with me and the lads, Oi will.”
“As I said you are gravely mistaken…and do not think I will not shoot you, for I was taught early on just how to use this.”
“Oi told ye, Oi knows yer brother. Ye see, he and me… we have had dealings together, and Oi mean to have more. Whot would yer fine society do, if Oi set it about that ye and yer brother were in cahoots with me and mine?”
“I know that my brother frequents the Mermaid, as do most of the men in our lovely Rye. There is nothing untoward in that. I, however, do not frequent it. I advise you to get out of my way Mr. Farley, for I won’t stay here with you another moment.” She was sure he was bluffing. He had no proof it was her and no one would believe such an outrageous claim.
“Oi have more to say Missy and ye won’t be leaving until Oi says it.” He yanked hard on her reins pulling them completely out of her hold and made her horse spook to one side.
Butch was unused to such rough handling and went into the air with a high pitched screa
m and for the moment it was all Star could do to keep her seat and hold onto her gun!
* * *
Sir Edward had pointed his horse away from Berkley Grange and started west. His determination to avoid seeing Star Berkley was only exceeded by his need to see her. He grappled with himself and suddenly found that his hands worked the reins without consulting his brain. He turned his horse back toward Berkley!
As he trotted along, a sound over the rolling hill caught his attention. It sounded like a horse in trouble and he hurried up the slope and found a scene that both startled and infuriated him all at once.
He heard Star yell, “Get out of my way or die!”
A burley man laughed outright and bellowed, “We both know ye won’t shoot me!”
Sir Edward moved into action without thought and his gun was out of its saddle holster and aimed at Farley as he brought his horse’s gallop to a resounding stop only a few feet away. “She may not shoot you, but I, sir, will blow your head clean off with great pleasure.”
Star turned grateful eyes to him, as she got her frightened horse under her and clamored to keep control of her own gun. She murmured, “Sir Edward…oh thank you.”
“Get behind me, Miss Berkley, at once!” He returned sharply never wavering his gaze from the brute before him. “Now, what shall it be?” He asked the toothless man whose eyes had narrowed as he contemplated his situation.
“Oi mean no harm. The young lady got spooked…that’s all.”
“Is that so? Let me tell you what is going to happen now. You will turn yourself about and get off Stamford land. Furthermore, you will never cross Miss Berkley’s path ever again on Berkley or Stamford land, for fear of your life. I shan’t bother to bring you to trial for trespassing this time. Perhaps if you are so unwise as to dare a next time, I shall simply shoot you as a poacher and be pleased to do so. Do you understand me?”
