The men entered. Her cousins through one door, they had obviously stopped to clean up. Her uncle and Vance through another, coming from the hall and the parlour.

A shuffling of chairs as everyone took their seat. Lillian adjusted her napkin on her lap and then looked up. She found herself facing Vance. On either side her cousins in law sat. He commented on having the best seat, charming both the women at his sides and even getting a show of flattery from her aunt. Mabel smiled, giving him a good natured shake of her head as if to say he was full of nonsense.

The slight clattering of silverware was interrupted by a question then a compliment.


Before she could really answer him her uncle announced that Vance would be working for the ranch as their night security and would live on the property. Mabel agreed to the arrangement and said she would make plans to have it swept for him. 

The table went back to eating. Lillian paused in her meal. “In regards to your inquiry, “ Lillian lifted her dark eyes to meet Vance’s. “Yes, I did. My hair was falling from its previous-”

“I suppose that was Jenny’s influence. Trying to get you from your mourning to be her social partner. Maxwell, you really should get better control of your wife.” Johnathan shook his head and ate a spoonful of soup.

“I will have you know that Jenny needs no controlling. She is a well spoken, educated and independent woman. Things are changing John, perhaps you would see that if you put down your cards and picked up a newspaper.”

The sound of Johnathan’s spoon dropping into his bowl signalled the beginnings of an argument between the boys. Their values were constantly at odds. Johnathan saw traditional to be the way  while Maxwell was more modern, liberal. 

Both Jenny and Anna were agitated. It was not the first time such an argument occurred between the men.

“Excuse me.” Lillian put her spoon down and folded her hands in her lap. “If I may interject for a moment. Anna is the one who helped me. I like it and found nothing wrong with the style. Mr Hamilton’s - Vance’s compliment confirms the style is fetching.”  A blush stained her cheeks. “I thank you for the compliment.”

“Anna?” Johnathan looked across the table at his wife. “You know she is in mourning.”

Jenny huffed. “But she is free to stop. If she were a man she would have already taken a new wife and would have been patted on the back for taking care of his home by putting a new woman in it. Why shouldn’t Lilly choose when her mourning period is over? She is young, has means and good standing. She should be able to enjoy life.”

Lillian licked her lips. She appreciated Jenny sticking up for her but it was sure to just resume the previous argument.

Johnathan looked around the table as if looking for confirmation that Jenny had turned into a monster before his eyes. “She is married and the mourning period should be a year to show respect for that.” He hissed the words at Jenny.

“If I may, again. As I am the topic of this conversation it might be pertinent to ask me my thoughts on the topic?” The family looked at Lillian. Since her arrival at the ranch she had been quiet, rarely engaging family discussion and debates. This felt different. Perhaps because she was the focus, perhaps because they had a guest. 

“My apologies Vance, my family seems to desire to discuss my private life in front of a guest and ruining a perfectly lovely meal.” To add to the statement Mabel clucked out a noise of annoyance and agreement. Her children were being ill mannered indeed.

“As for my status, since you all seem to have decided that it should be discussed, I would have you know my feelings on it. I will, slowly, end my mourning. I am not ready to cast it off as if it did not matter but I believe that Bruce would not have wanted me to spend my life in black and in the shadow of his memory. If that had been the case he would not have left the estate for me to run.”

Jenny grinned. “So does this mean we can look at dresses for the party?” 

Lillian looked thoughtful. “Yes, we can but I reserve the right to decide I am not ready.”

“Of course!” Jenny excitedly went back to her food. Anna smiled into her soup. Johnathan looked as if his soup had soured. Her aunt and uncle proceeded through their meal as if nothing had happened.

The conversation turned to the nursery preparations, the need for a new mattress for Maxwell and Jenny. Mabel made note that she would order a new one for the Cottage House as well. 

“When will you start your position here Vance?” Lillian, her soup done looked up at him. The bowls that were empty were being cleared and plates with hard cheese and some fruit put out for them. 

"Yes and will you stay here, in the guest room as the Cottage House is prepared?" Jenny chimed in on the conversation. She wanted to learn more about the man. She also hoped he might throw some compliments her way instead of her widow cousin in law.