SevenAs he sat drumming his fingers on the tabletop, Shelby regarded each of the hastily assembled town council in turn. Most of his attention centred on the handsome features of a middle-aged woman who sat straight-backed, bonnet set askew on her plaited golden hair, her green eyes wide, mouth full-lipped, just asking to be kissed. She caught his stare and, when he didn't look away, the colour rose to her cheeks and he chuckled, “Well, thanks to you all for coming so quickly.”
“We did not really have a choice,” said Alderman Lomax, the closest to Shelby, indignation edging every word.
“One of your roughnecks burst into my home,” said the woman.
“Certain measures had to be taken to get you all here as quickly as possible, Mrs …?”
“If it is any concern of yours, it is Hubert. What your
