By now they were gaining attention on the street.
Ned’s hat had been knocked off when he’d scrambled down from his horse. He ran an exasperated hand through his hair and said, “Mrs. Estep, stop this.”
“Howdareyou,” was her answer. She picked up another egg.
He held out his hand to ward her off. “Dare what? Why are you doing this?”
“Oh, you know. You know exactly what you did.” She started to pull her arm back.
“I don’t have a clue what you are talking about.”
Her arm came down. “I don’t believe you. I don’t believe any of you. However, this waspetty. Childish even. I will never let one of you through The Garland’s door. Not while it is in my name.” She threw her egg.
Ned managed to duck from this one and then he rushed her. She’d grabbed another egg and let down her skirts, so this had to be her last one.
Before she could let it fly at him, he reached for her arms and captured her by the wrists. She struggled against him, an angry wasp of a woman. His boots protected him from her kicks but he had to jump from side to side from her knee.
“Stop this,” he ordered.
Of course, she didn’t listen.
“What is this about?”
That caught her attention. She pulled back. “Oh, youknow.”
“I don’t know.”
“Youhaveto know. They wouldn’t have done it without your permission. What infuriates me is that it is so spiteful. Especially after I was attacked the other night and youknewabout it. I can’t believe you put them up to this.”
“Put them up to what?”
Her answer was to glower mightily at him.
“I don’t know what you are talking about,” he said. Her eyes narrowed as if she was measuring the truth of his words.“I don’t.”
“Someone, or someones, entered The Garland last night and filled it with chickens.”
Ned didn’t believe he’d heard her correctly. “Chickens?”
“Yes, chickens. Over a dozen of them. And a rooster.”
“Someone gave you chickens?” he repeated, trying to make sense of what she was saying.
“They didn’tgivethem to me. They turned them loose inside the building. The place is a mess. All my hard work is for naught. And I think we know who would play such a mean prank.”
“Who?” Ned was baffled.
“Youand yourSociety.” She bit the words out. And then, taking advantage of his loosened grip on her wrists, she slammed her last egg into his chest.
Ned released his hold, feeling the crunch and the slimy wetness through his shirt. “Why did you do that?”
“Because it pleased me.” She turned on her heel and went walking to The Garland with her head high.
Close at hand, a woman said, “Oh, dear.” Ned looked up and was shocked to see how many villagers stood on the street gaping at him. But he wasn’t going to let an audience stop him. Mrs. Estep’s behavior was outrageous and she needed to answer for it.
He went after her. He scattered a little gathering of chickens and caught her just as she was entering the front door. “What are you talking about?” he demanded.
“See for yourself.” She pushed open the door, and his jaw dropped in surprise.
