"The three of you have done nothing but lie, " he said. "I honestly don't know who to believe."

"I'm telling you the truth now. I wasn't there."

"At this point I don't care if you were there or not. The judge has ordered all three of you to Blackwater, and that's where we're going as soon as the coach arrives."

"Why are the others going? " "I just explained that Judge Rafferty wants all of you there."

"Will he put me in jail for lying?

" The thought of her behind bars was so outrageous, he lost some of his anger.

"You've got bigger things to worry about than jail. Come on. You're going back upstairs to wait in your room until the coach gets here. "

She shook her head. "If I must go . . . " "You must."

"I don't want to wait for a coach. Can't we go by horseback? The sheriff told me it would be quicker because we could take some cut throughs." He smiled.

"Shortcuts, " he corrected.

A stout, elderly woman was pushing her way through the crowd toward Grace. Daniel noticed her out of the corner of his eye and moved to put himself in front of Grace.

"I beg your pardon, " the woman said. "Please get out of my way. I wish to speak to Lady Winthrop." Grace gave Daniel a little nudge and stepped forward. "Good morning, " she said.

The woman made an attempt at a curtsy. "It's an honor to meet you, "

she said. "My name is Winifred Larson, " she added with a blush. "And I couldn't help but notice your lovely hat. Could you tell me where you purchased it? I would like to get one just like it. Would you mind if I looked at it more closely? " Grace smiled and handed the hat to Winifred. The straw brim was covered in lace and flowers, and there were two purple plumes feathering up and out on one side.

"It's exquisite, " Winifred declared. "I must have one just like it.

I have a purple dress, you see, and it would be lovely with it." A tall, thin man with a receding hairline came over to join them. She quickly introduced him. "This is my husband, Lionel, " she said. In a loud whisper she told her husband to bow to Lady Winthrop.

"That isn't necessary, " Grace said.

"Do you mind telling me where you purchased this divine creation? "

Winifred asked again.

Grace explained. "I purchased the basic straw hat, but I decorated it.

" "Then there's not another one in all the world like it? " "I know where this is headed, " her husband interjected with a chuckle.

Grace didn't understand. "Excuse me? " "When Winifred gets a notion she wants something . . . " "May I buy it from you? " Winifred blurted out. "To own a Lady Winthrop creation would be so thrilling for me. I simply must have it. How much will you take for it? Will five dollars do? " Grace was incredulous. She glanced at Daniel to see how he was reacting and smiled because he looked genuinely puzzled.

"Actually, Mrs. Larson, I hadn't considered selling . . . " "If it's an original, Mother, " Lionel whispered loudly, "you've got to offer more."

"Yes, yes, you're right. Ten dollars then. Will that do? " Daniel decided it was time for him to interfere. Grace's face was turning pink, and he figured she was embarrassed.

"I don't think the lady wants" "Sold, " Grace blurted out. "For ten dollars." Lionel quickly paid her. She tucked the money into her pocket, told Winifred she hoped she enjoyed the hat, and then bid them good-bye.

"Shouldn't we go to the stables now? " she asked Daniel.

From the glint in her eyes, Daniel knew she was determined to get her way. "You're in no condition to ride a horse. You should sit inside a coach and try to rest."

"I don't need to rest." He still felt compelled to argue with her for several more minutes before giving in.

In the back of his mind, he kept thinking that if they took the shortcuts and didn't follow the winding roads, they could possibly reach the train station in time to board the late afternoon train. If they didn't make it in time, the next train wouldn't come through until the following morning.

He stood there, hesitating, as he studied her. Her hair was down around the sides of her face, and he gently lifted a silky strand away to look at the bruise near her temple. It didn't look as bad as it had last night.

His fingers trailed down the side of her face. "Are you sure, Grace?

" She gently removed his hand. "I'm sure." He was staring intently at her, and she thought he might be looking for a sign of weakness from her. She straightened her shoulders, smiled, and suggested once again that they get going.

"Is there time for me to stop by the wagon? I must get another hat, "

she explained. "A lady should never appear in public without her head covered. It just isn't done."

"Then why did you sell the one you had? " "Daniel, it was ten whole dollars." He grinned. "It took you by surprise, didn't it? " "Not really, " she admitted. "It's the third hat I've sold since I arrived, and I didn't even try, " she added. "The poor ladies here don't have the shops we have in London.

They must order through the catalog, but quite often what they think they're buying and what they get are two different things. It can be very disappointing."

"I'm sure it can be, " he said dryly.

She laughed. "Hats are important to ladies, but not to men. Isn't that right? " "Come on then, " he said. "The wagon was moved to the stable. You can get another hat out of your boxes there." He took hold of her arm and tried to go out the front door. She pulled away.

"It would be rude to leave without saying good-bye to Jessica and Rebecca."

"They've already left. Jessica went with Cole yesterday to take Caleb to a friend's house, and Rebecca left with Marshal Cooper.

You'll see them again in Red Arrow, " he explained as he picked up her valise, grabbed hold of her arm, and headed out the doorway again.

"Are we going to run to the stables? " He immediately slowed down.

Once they were outside, his full attention was directed on the street.

"Do you think we'll be able to catch up with Jessica or Rebecca? "

"No."

"It would have been nice to sit with them on the train."

"Even if we took the same train, I wouldn't let you sit with them."

"Why not? " "I'll explain later, " he hedged.

She pulled her arm away from him. "Daniel, it's rude to look away when you're speaking to someone." He smiled over the censure in her voice.

She sounded like a teacher explaining simple manners to a little boy.

"Grace, I'm trying to make sure no one takes a shot at you, but if you would rather I looked at you . . . " "No, no, I would rather you watch the street. Do you think there's someone waiting to shoot me? "

"Besides me? " "That isn't funny." They arrived at the stable a moment later. The wagon was in the back, and Grace went through the crates until she had found three more hats to take with her. She stuffed two inside her valise and kept the third one with her. Daniel made her stand away from the door while he went to ready his horse.

The owner, a short, squat man with a thick neck and a round belly, came forward to introduce himself. He had a sincere smile and smelled of horses. "My name's Harry, and I'd shake your hand, Miss, but it's real dirty. Can I be of assistance? " She smiled at the eager young man.