“He had better be,” the captain said as a last warning. “May you have a safe journey home tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Captain.” I gave a small curtsy and turned to leave, convinced my true intentions were about to be discovered. Ben left my side to talk with Henry, and I started off in the direction of the inn. Focusing on a familiar point near the road, I began to negotiate my way through the crowd when someone knocked into my shoulder and threw me off balance. Stumbling back, I put my hands out to break the fall, only to be saved at the last second.
“Ye best watch yer step.” A man pulled me to my feet. I’d started to thank him when he squeezed my waist, bringing me close enough to smell his rotten breath. “It can be dangerous out here fer a lady.”
“Release me, please.” I tried to push away. His face broke into a wicked grin, and I knew if evil spirits walked the earth, I had just found one.
“Aye, ma’am,” he said, letting me go. In mock deference he tipped his three-cornered hat to reveal the fiercest red hair I had ever seen. “Dirk Fletcher sends his regards.” Then he stepped away and melted into the crowd.
I stood frozen in place, my heart pounding like a marching drum, when Ben arrived at my side. “Are you hurt?” he asked. “You left so quickly, it was all I could do to catch up once I got things settled with Henry.” He looked around, but there was no sign of my aggressor.
My shock abated at the sound of Ben’s voice. Turning to him, I forced a weak smile. “Nothing more than a bruised shoulder.”
Ben’s patience had been tried enough by my impulsive bidding on an indentured and I didn’t want to tax him further by retelling the whole encounter with that hideous man. Besides, if he knew the man worked for Mr. Fletcher, he might insist on making an official complaint to the sheriff, and then all my plans would be ruined.
“I saw him creeping around like he was up to no good while you were speaking with the captain. If I’d known you were going to run off soon as my back was turned, I would’ve kept a better eye on him. I sure don’t know what’s gotten into you today.” Ben looked genuinely worried, but rather than questioning me further, he took my arm and led the way to the inn.
His self-restraint was admirable, though I knew it wouldn’t last much longer, probably only until we got to our rooms where he could speak his mind in private. Guessing his intentions, I cut him off at the last corner. “Get Henry cleaned up and into some new clothes,” I said. “When you’re done, bring him to my room.”
Ben frowned, clearly displeased by these orders, but I left before he could say another word.
*
I slipped in through the front door and went straight upstairs to my room, praying all the way that I wouldn’t run into Mrs. Bradford. The last thing I needed was an overprotective chaperone breathing down my neck, trying to make up for being left behind earlier this morning. Once safely inside, I bolted the door, then dropped my hat and gloves on the table. I walked over to the mirror and stared long and hard at my reflection. In light of everything, I was somewhat surprised to see my face staring back. I certainly didn’t feel like the same girl who had rushed out less than two hours ago.
Maybe it would have been more prudent to have graciously accepted my fate, but by choosing to go down this other road I had learned something valuable: irrespective of the circumstances or odds, I refused to just lie down and let life take me where it may. To discover I possessed such strength in the face of certain defeat was empowering. Regrettably, I had also found something else that proved more than a little disconcerting.