The Resilient Lady Collins

Chapter 30: Threat (3)

’The ballroom is already being prepared for the party. The guests sent their people to take over with the decorations. We’ve put many notices that there will be a party, but still, the music is never heard where the guests are. You were right to have the ballroom moved and that old space turned to have music and a bar for guests."

Scarlet looked around at the guests staying in the hotel. There were smiles around but she still thought there was more to be done to make the hotel better. "It wouldn’t be so bad to start allowing those without reservations to pay to enjoy a drink and music. As long as it doesn’t bother the guest."

"Of course."

"Mrs. Humphrey," someone interrupted Scarlet’s talk with one of the hotel assistants.

"I am growing quite annoyed with that name," Scarlet said, turning to face three town guards. "You are quite late. Were you deciding if you should take her complaint seriously?"

Glenn Thomas, a town guard, narrowed his eyes. "You were expecting us? Then I must believe the mention of a threat was true."

"Nonsense. I just knew she was going to go crying off to you to tell lies so let us get this over with. You are dismissed," Scarlet informed the assistant.

"I have been seeing you quite often. There is always a complaint about you and most come from your relatives. We were told you threatened to kill Naomi Collins," Glenn said, hoping this time they could take Scarlet in even if she would be released an hour later.

Scarlet always had some way out of the threats she stated.

"If you don’t mind, I must continue my walk around the hotel so that I might leave soon," Scarlet said, continuing on her tour with her guards behind her. "I didn’t threaten Naomi."

"The victim said you were going to send her to be with the dead," Glenn repeated. It sounded like a threat to him.

"I did say something along those lines," Scarlet admitted.

’Then-"

"But it was for her to speak to my late great-grandfather though she wouldn’t be able to visit his grave as it is on my estate land. She wishes to have my estate so I suggest she try going back in time to speak to him or conjure up the dead. She would need to go to his grave to do it. The dead are there are they not?" Scarlet questioned, smiling as Glenn frowned.

"You," Glenn sighed, knowing she was twisting what her words meant, but what could he do about it?

"My guards were present when she was there. Speak to them if you need witnesses," Scarlet said. freёwebnovel.com

Glenn looked at the men behind her. They would agree with anything she said. "I do not wish to hear your people confirm your version. You cannot threaten anyone in town no matter how much they pester you."

"And I said that I did not. Is there nothing better for town guards to do at this time? Shouldn’t you be out trying to catch the bad people instead of bothering me?" Scarlet questioned, looking over her shoulder at Glenn.

"One would think a woman in your position would keep quiet and have a low profile. This isn’t something you should add to your plate when the town is speaking of your troubles. I’ve had enough of people like you getting away with your threats," said Glenn.

The wealthy had their ways of getting around the law and being punished.

"Then you should speak to someone about this anger. To be angry with someone you don’t know is a little weird," Scarlet replied.

"I see now why your life is like this now," Glenn said, having enough of her playing around.

’Oh, this should be good,’ Dawson thought, smiling as Scarlet stopped walking.

Scarlet turned around to face Glenn. "What I dislike is when men get drunk out of their minds and don’t listen to women telling them no. How is the search for your father? Start by getting justice for the woman he attacked and look for him before you come criticising me. You wouldn’t like it if I joined the king’s men in hunting him down."

"Now that it is understood that there was a misunderstanding, get out of my hotel. You are now unwanted guests and as guards, you should remember the town rule about what can happen to those standing on my land. Don’t try me today," Scarlet said.

Glenn reached for the strap which helped to hold his gun over his shoulder. "That sounds like a threat now."

"Well, of course it is. You are unwanted guests in my place of business. Good to see that you are learning the difference," Scarlet said, flicking her right hand to send him off. She turned to leave once more.

"Nice gun," Dawson commented, finding humour in the fact the guard’s guns were made by Scarlet’s family. It was foolish to come here over a small incident as Scarlet would never be taken in by the guards. Not with her position and connections.

While Scarlet continued with her business, not far away, Ian was watching the door, waiting for someone to send him a message that Scarlet wished to see him. It would be better if she would come for tea. ƒreewebɳovel.com

The thought of going to see her never once crossed his mind as Ian knew she would find him to be clingy for seeking her out.

Owen stared at Ian, not believing the state his boss was in. "You had a grand plan for announcing your return to town to get under your family’s skin yet you ignored it just to be with that woman. Scarlet," he corrected himself when Ian looked at him. ’At least your stepmother- Mrs. Kingsley. My mistake. Knows you are here. Is that who you are waiting for?"

Ian didn’t answer as Owen did not need to know of his plans. Ian decided to distract himself by looking at what was sent to him about the Kingsleys.

The doors opened and a guest Ian would like to avoid entered.

Monica’s eyes went to Ian right away. She had enough of crying her eyes out since Ian was nowhere to be found when she arrived at the ball and her efforts to look good that night were all for nothing. She was here to scold him for not telling her or her father in advance that he was not attending the ball or had to leave early.

There was gossip about Scarlet dancing with a man no one knew and Monica wished over and over again that it was not Ian. She had her eyes set on Ian long before Scarlet. Monica had been doing a good job of getting rid of women interested in Ian and she was not going to lose him now.

Owen was the first to notice Monica and be confused by her appearance today. He was reminded of someone but couldn’t place his finger on it. "What is with the funny look?"

Ian looked up to Monica standing on the other side of the bar. He inspected her appearance and said, "Go home and change. Those clothes do not suit you."