(Art by me)
He surveyed the bride-to-be. "Whatever else the man is, he is palpably no halfwit."
A sequel to scene 12
Unbolted sniggering saluted her words. Her Irish hissy fit was to the tilt triggered now. "Well if you spurn to help me—I shall have to make arrangements myself. I heard a woman's voice across the street as we came in." She oscillated around—leading the way for the door but was stopped before she went two steps.
A hand clamped down on her shoulder—constructively fastening her to the floor. She couldn't dislodge an inch. Gabriel was serious now—no soupçon of gaiety in his features. "I am petrified that this would be wrong-headed, Miss Agathe. This is not Boston or Philadelphia or some enlightened little hamlet back East with ice creams socials and a Ladies' Aid society. This is Greenwood Junction: there are no ladies here."
"But I heard…."
"What you heard, my dear Miss Agathe, was not a lady. There are several women in Greenwood Junction, but as I've already said, there are no ladies." He held her arm in his stiff grasp and watched understanding dawn.
"Oh!" Agathe's eyes fattened.
"Yes. 'Oh!''' He unchained her promptly. "You will have to put up here. There's no alternative. Just stay in the hotel and keep the door bolted when you're in your room. I'll see that no one troubles you. Louis will show up soon." He surveyed the bride-to-be. "Whatever else the man is, he is palpably no halfwit."
Even though infuriated by the state of affairs—she hit on that she had no option. Flouting Gabriel—who slumped against the counter as if anticipating further glee at her expense—Agathe addressed the clerk in her most annihilately de régle schoolteacher's tones.
"When Mr. Louis arrives—you will show him to another room for the night. I will take the room that was booked." And paid for. She signed the register with a flourish. "And now I believe I would like to freshen up from my travels."
"Yes, ma'am. Just follow me, ma'am." She nodded distantly to Gabriel—who was still grinning. "Thank you, Gabriel. You have been most helpful."
The scout sprung up to his goodly height and bowed—a tight tiny smile on his lips. Dismissed like a servant, by God!