Oldroyd looked at Heyes and the Kid, his face showing some distaste as he turned to speak to Mrs Hanley. "I only wished to congratulate you on your win Sarah, you can tell these...people to stop looking at me like I am not to be trusted."

The Kid snorted at the comment and said with only mild irritation. "We're right here Mr Oldroyd, you can tell us yourself."

"If you can bear to talk to the hired help of course. I can promise we ain't carrying anything nasty." Heyes' tone was dry and sharp as he raised an eyebrow at the man.

Oldroyd looked down his nose at him as he said. "I would thank you to keep a civil tone young man."

The Kid's limited patience with the man reduced even further, so he too added sharply. "You'll have to excuse my partner, he gets a bit upset when he's whacked on the head by idiots."

"How he chooses to spend his nights is of no consequence, and should not affect how he speaks to his betters."

The Kid blinked at the man's arrogance, and as his patience unravelled and his annoyance grew, he found himself subconsciously taking his gunfighter stance, his hands slipping down to rest on his gun-belt, as Heyes said. "You're an arrogant man Mr Oldroyd, and either incredibly brave or downright stupid, and I think I'm falling more on the side of stupid with what you attempted."

"I beg your pardon?" Oldroyd had started to turn a rather florid red, and his hands had drawn into fists, as he took a step forward. The Kids right hand drifted to his gun as he saw Heyes tense in reaction to the man's tone.

Mrs Hanley's voice broke into the rising tension as she said firmly. "Now George, I know you hired two men to harm Boadicea and without Mr Heyes and Mr Curry they would have succeeded."

Oldroyd's face turned from red to white, his shoulders slumping slightly as he took a step back. The Kid thought he resembled a particularly ugly fish as his mouth dropped open before slamming shut, then opening again, his breathing becoming heavier as he said faintly. "Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry?"

The tension easing out of him as he realised this man was no threat to them, the Kid grinned and with a small wink carefully tipped his hat to Oldroyd in acknowledgement of the names. Suddenly conscious of the ache in his right arm, instead of folding his arms across himself, he let them fall loosely by his sides instead. The Kid despite everything still found some pleasure in the fact he had his own name again, and knew Heyes felt the same way, because he was always very eager to introduce them, when he felt it would be to their benefit. And the Kid was pretty sure that he'd think that this was definitely one of those times.

That belief was quickly was confirmed when Heyes laughed lightly before saying with a wink of his own and a smug smile. "That's us." He paused then added with a wicked grin. "Now I know rich people do things a little different than us ordinary folk, but if you're willing to take some advice, I'd suggest that hiring thugs to damage a lady's valuable and well loved horse, isn't exactly the best way of convincing her to marry you." Oldroyd coughed and spluttered, but said nothing, only looked quickly round him, his face showing a great deal of anxiety, no doubt fearful that someone would overhear what was being said and his reputation would be ruined. Heyes also taking a look round , found himself slightly disappointed that there wasn't anyone close enough to listen to the conversation, as the man was an arrogant idiot. He knew by the disappointed sigh he heard from the Kid that he felt the same.

After a moment Oldroyd came to the same conclusion as them and let out a sigh of relief, looking back over at Mrs Hanley, as she stepped forward and said calmly. "Yes, George the men you hired talked quite freely when my men prevented them from harming Boadicea. Now with your money and influence, I am sure you will be able to buy yourself out of this mess, but please stay away from my ranch and myself, as we have nothing more to say to each other. Believe me I won't hesitate to set my dogs on you if you come within a yard of my land."

"Now Sarah, I am sure there is some mistake here. I have been travelling for a while and been out of contact with my people for over a week, so maybe this is just a simple misunderstanding."

Heyes snorted. "No Sir, I do believe you were clearly understood by the men you paid to harm Boadicea. They just weren't a particularly wise choice of help on your part."

Oldroyd spluttered but said nothing and Mrs Hanley into the silence spoke sharply. "Please George don't add to your stupidity by lying. We're all fully aware of exactly what you attempted and why, so if there is any further incidents I will know the source of them and will not hesitate to ensure that everyone else does too."

Oldroyd looked at them, his face ashen, but he said nothing, simply turned and walked quickly away as Heyes turned to Mrs Hanley his face serious. "You sure you're happy to let him get away with what he tried to do? I'm know given some time I could find a way to..."

Mrs Hanley interrupted him politely. "I think I can handle George Oldroyd from now on, but I appreciate your offer. Now you boys should collect your winnings and I'll go speak to my people to thank them. We'll meet back at my carriage in a couple of hours."

"Thank you Ma'am. But you're sure you don't one of us to come with you?"

Mrs Hanley turned to smile at the Kid and shook her head. "No thank you Mr Curry, I'll be quite safe and I think you've earnt some time to yourselves."

"Thank you Mrs Hanley. Now come on Kid, lets go make ourselves six hundred dollars richer."