Beth nodded, tugging her hood closer.
Chapter Ten
“We need to make a stand.”
Moving a few steps to the right Nathan listened in to the conversation between the two men before him.
“Prices are climbing, and our wages are dropping. It can’t continue; we need to make them see sense.”
Unrest was not uncommon in England. Nathan understood how great the divide between the rich and poor was. He also knew the “them” being referred to were those who sat in the House of Lords. He would need to tell Gabe about this. His brother took his responsibilities as someone who sat in the house seriously.
The voices quieted, and he rose to his toes to watch two men move to stand before the group. Clearly they were the ones who had called the meeting.
“Our families are hungry and cold. We have nothing while a few have so much.”
Nathan listened to the murmurs of agreement.
“We must take what we need if they won’t give it to us! The few sit in their fancy houses while the many are hungry and cold.”
“Aye!” The murmurs grew.
“We must take a stand!” someone roared.
He watched the big man a few paces before him place a hand on the shoulder of the smaller at his side, then lean down to speak. The smaller man shook his head. A gloved hand rose and patted the hood. He was close enough to glimpse the pale skin between the white glove and white sleeve. He also saw a flash of silver.Bracelet?Did that arm belong to a woman? Surely not. He dismissed the idea as foolish. What possible reason was there for a woman to be here?
“We must grow our numbers, must make them see reason no matter what it takes!”
“We’ve marched before!” someone roared. “Nothing’s come of it.”
“If we have the numbers, something will be done, and if not, we don’t stop till it is!”
Another round of ayes was heard, and ideas were hurled into the air for making those in power stand up and take note. They wouldn’t, Nathan knew that. And if a riot happened, it would not be those in fine houses that suffered.
“We need more people. Tell everyone you know, and we’ll meet again soon. Now this man here wants to speak with you all.”
He rose to his toes and watched the other man step forward. His face was in the shadows, as it was dark. “We need information and will pay for it.” He had an accent, and while Nathan couldn’t be certain, he thought perhaps the man was Russian.
This had the crowd’s interest, especially now they’d had their indignation roused by the previous speaker.
“We believe there are those among us that are informants for a secret group of noblemen who protect the king.”
Hell.
“He needs protection!” someone called. “Living in his fancy palace with all his fancy things!”
The murmurs started again.
“We want those names and will pay handsomely for them.”
Most were loyal to the king, but most here also wanted money. Money would supersede loyalty in this case.
This is not good. If they started searching for names, their informants could be in jeopardy. They would then no longer want to come forward with information.
“This group of noblemen are dangerous and ruthless. They have killed many just like you. Women, children! You owe them no loyalty!”
That’s a lie!They never harmed the innocent.
He could do nothing to defend the honor of those in Alexius. It went against everything inside Nathan that he must simply stand here and listen to these lies. The shorter of the two who stood just before him took a step back, placing them closer to Nathan. He leaned forward and sniffed. The scent was soft and floral.
