Yes, Gemma wanted to be out of there 'now'. But if she was to avoid another half-dressed parade down the main street of Four Corners she had to employ all her patience into putting the dress on. Her success was half-baked. The dress needed an extra pair of hands and Gemma was working it half-present. She would pull up ribbons and fabric with force and attention only to freeze in reliving the words Ezra spat to her. Flashes of the night before mixed with that morning. Her mind was so intent on making sense of the sudden change that it was hard to focus on the dressing task she was also eager to execute. All Gemma wanted was to get home and crawl in a dark corner of her room. She would not cry before that and tears that she was holding back created heavy pressure at the top of her chest. When her dress looked like it would hold up at least long enough to reach Monty who would then put her in the carriage and care for her until the whole scene felt like a very bad dream, Gemma darted out of the room without a second glance.
Now that her mind was free from the puzzle of putting on her dress, her thoughts landed squarely on Ezra's hurtful words trying to solve the more complex problem. It was difficult all the more as pain and defeat clouded any reason that could be arrived at. Gemma walked down the main staircase of the town saloon blind to the world. Had she had the sense to take in her surroundings, she wouldn't have walked down straight into the lion's den. A strong grip on her elbow roused her to reality. And it was too late.
Montgomery Senior pushed her out into the street through the closed saloon door. She fell on her knees and knew what was coming next. She was prepared for the blows that followed, but it took time to realise Montgomery Senior must have come to the saloon after his morning ride. He was standing above her, arm flailing wildly around her. He was using his riding cane.
It was too much to bare. The young woman couldn't control her voice at the strikes. She could make out that the street had filled with people, but none moved to help her. None until Vin and Nathan came out of the sheriff's office and she had to focus now to save them. Vin was pointing the Mare's Leg at Montgomery Senior when she shouted desperately:
"Leave it! Leave it Vin!"
Another strike. She cursed the man because she needed to get the message across and he wasn't going to make it easy.
"Do not..." Another strike. "Do not get involved!" And another. "Please, don't! He will destroy you if you do!"
She became aware that Montgomery Senior was also shouting obscenities between blows. Words that caused her deep shame and distress. Words she wouldn't care to repeat or hear ever again. She could tell that although Vin relented for a moment, he wasn't going to heed her warning much longer. At that moment, a long protracted 'no' came from the direction of the hotel. Montgomery Senior struck with renewed energy at the sound of his son's protest and before Junior managed to push his father of his wife, the cane broke across her left arm.
"You let this whore dishonour you in front of the whole town," Montgomery Senior's words carried a threat. If you can't control her I will.
"I'll handle this," his son announced to the street. "Get the carriage," he addressed Jason and pulled up his bruised wife to stand.
Gemma's legs could barely hold and her dress clung weakly around her. The only thing propping her up was fear of more shame and trouble. Out of nowhere the carriage appeared and Montgomery Senior and his lackey mounted their horses Monty did his best to get his wife in the carriage where she could slump into the plush seat with her husband next to her. The driver sped out of town filling the air heavily with dust, questions and gossip.
