He took it, sensing her pride would be hurt if he did not. He only hoped no one from the small group that had joined them had seen how much money was in Eva’s hand. He did not want her to come to harm, especially while she was under his protection. Several ideas came to mind about where they might have gotten those coins, but none of them were lawful.
But he did not like thinking ill of them. Mildred was dressed quite well, so perhaps she had come about the money honestly. He did not want to judge them guilty, but at the same time, the situation was highly suspicious.
Soon they came to a market town, and his men wished to look over the goods being sold.
“We shall all meet again in one hour,” Westley told them, “back at the town gate.”
They agreed and went their way toward the marketplace. Not wishing to buy anything himself, Westley followed Mildred and Eva far enough behind that they might not notice him.
They went toward the booths selling clothing and shoes. Eva took out her small purse and bought a pair of sturdier shoes for Mildred, which she needed since they’d be walking for another day and a half. She also bought some more clothes. For herself, she bought a dress and a brightly colored scarf, which she wrapped around her neck instead of around her hair.
Westley couldn’t help noticing how often men turned their heads to stare at Eva. A bald, middle-aged man leered at her, showing a couple of missing teeth. He called out to her.
“Hey there, with the red hair!” He added a lewd comment, suggesting she go home with him.
His hands clenching into fists, Westley stepped toward the man.
Evangeline’s stomach twisted at the sickening words this stranger said about her. Muriel pushed Evangeline behind her and planted her feet wide as she faced the man.
Westley stepped in front of him. “You will not trouble this young maiden. She is with me and my men.”
The bald man eyed Westley, who was much taller and broader in the shoulders. He held up his hands. “No one is troubling her.”
Evangeline’s heart fluttered, a pleasant sensation at Westley’s willingness to come to her aid. Holding on to Muriel’s arm, she sighed.
Muriel narrowed her eyes at her. Doubtless she would have something to say about Evangeline sighing over the peasant Westley. But such a noble peasant.
The bald man pivoted and walked away, holding his shoulders back as though trying to add to his height.
Westley’s scowl changed into a concerned crease in his forehead as his eyes locked on hers. She sighed again.
Muriel nodded to Westley. “We thank you for your intervention.”
“Verily, it was my pleasure.”
Without saying anything further, Muriel walked in the opposite direction. Evangeline followed her but turned and looked over her shoulder. Westley was staring intently at her. She smiled, hoping he could see how thankful she was.
Later when they were buying some bread and other provisions, Evangeline glanced over her shoulder to see Westley several feet behind them. As she suspected, he was trailing them around the market. She would have to be careful not to even whisper to Muriel and give away her secret.
Pointing at whatever she wanted, nodding for yes, and shaking her head for no worked quite well at the market. But at a bread stall, while Muriel was buying some cheese nearby, Evangeline held up four fingers and pointed at the small oat buns in a large basket.
The woman seller told her companion, “I’ve been watching her. She’s deaf and dumb. She won’t know if you ask for double the price.”
Evangeline raised her brows at the woman. She pointed at her throat and shook her head, then pointed to her ear and nodded.
The woman’s mouth fell open. Her companion laughed uproariously.
“Not only will we not charge her double, Nan, but we shall give her an extra bun. Here.” The man handed her five of the small oat buns.
Evangeline smiled and paid him. The woman pursed her lips and Evangeline walked away.
Everything at the market was interesting. There were all kinds of animals for sale, both live and dressed to cook. People were shouting, trying to bring attention to their booths and the goods they were selling. Bright colors and every kind of dress, face, and figure drew Evangeline’s eye. The only thing she did not like was the way some of the men stared at her. But Westley was watching out for her, so she felt reasonably safe. Besides, Muriel was quite formidable when she was angry, and any molester would have to go through her.
They bought a wool blanket before making their way back to the town gate to meet the rest of the group. She glanced over her shoulder again. Westley was still there.
Someone tugged at Evangeline’s skirt. She shifted and found a young woman sitting on the ground, holding a tiny baby in the crook of her arm.
“Please, miss, can you spare some food for me so I can feed my baby?”
Evangeline’s stomach clenched at the sunken cheeks of the emaciated woman who looked no older than herself. Though she had no experience with babies, the baby did not seem well. It lay still, its eyes closed and its lips dry.
“Where is your master?” Muriel asked, staring down at her.
“I have no master.”