All Bedlam Courses Past (part one hundred fifty-eight)

All Bedlam Courses Past

Chapter Six

Short Days

(part one hundred fifty-eight)

Jumping out of the wagon, Lawrence shot a glance more appraising at Domino…really a dark brown, socks to the knee. Domino was not Dancer. He had found it wholly likely Richard would spirit away Miss Gremot’s horse.

“Well, I’m gonna bet you you can’t move yourself along before I run you off.”

“Be serious…sir. Beg pardon, I had not been informed of your new station in life. Why aren’t you happy to see me, my brother Lawrence? Do I have my hand out? Have I offered to make trouble for anyone? Do you own this patch?”

Not only was the speech theatrical, funny altogether, but making it, Richard had knocked his hat off, rolled it to his wrist, flung it spinning overhead and caught it. Samuel rocked on the seat of his pants, mouth open.

“Looks like,” Lawrence said, to make himself clear, “Samuel just put his own hands in the store, and you got yourself dinner.”

“Put a price on it.”

“No.”

Lawrence took the time, which for the stoutness of his build was a fair time, to settle on earth, fireside. His brother was a rough character anymore. He was also this other thing, this fancy talker in accents never heard in Cookesville…

Leaving aside Crownhaven. Richard could pull a knife, throw a gut punch…

Or he was joking.

“No. You’re welcome. Where you headed?”

“With you, may as well.”

May as well not remained unsaid. Another animal’s hooves clopped into earshot, its rider guided by lantern.

“Who’s out there?”

“Farmer Everard!” Lawrence called back.

“I’m looking for Pinster.”

The stranger reached their firelight. His hat was low; his head turned side to side, mouth drawn deep at the corners.

Richard said, “Fear not, good Orson. My companions are my brother and nephew.”

“Only takes two to strike a bargain.”

“But. Since you went advertising for the bargain, you’ll be happier making it than losing it.”

Richard caught Domino’s bridle, and Orson walked his mount alongside, the two easing off into darkness. Murmuring voices, but not the bargain in its particulars, came back.

“Is Uncle Richard selling that horse? Then he won’t have a horse.”

“Probably,” Lawrence said, “he can have one when he wants.”

169

Bedlam

All Bedlam Courses Past (part one hundred fifty-nine)

(2024, Stephanie Foster)