“What can I do for you, madam?”
If she was surprised at Isabella’s attire, she didn’t so much as blink an eye.
“I need to purchase boots for my husband.”
“Do you have his measurements?”
“Uh, no, but if you have some that are pre-made, perhaps I might take a look at them?”
“This way,” she said, gesturing for Isabella to follow.
She showed Isabella several pairs of well-made boots and Isabella chose the ones she thought would be the closest fit for Merrick.
“Madam,” she said, halting the woman as she had begun to make her way back to the front of the store.
The woman turned and looked questioningly at Isabella.
“I wonder if you would be willing to collect some supplies for me. I’ve only one thing to pay with but I assure you it will be worth your time.”
The woman eyed her suspiciously. “How much you got?”
Isabella pulled the signet ring from her pocket and handed it to the woman. “This is worth far more than what I will ask you for. You may sell it and keep yourself in comfort for years to come.”
The woman’s eyes rounded to the size of saucers and then narrowed. She took the ring and put it to her mouth, biting the large ruby with crooked teeth. Drawing it away, she narrowed her eyes in suspicion. “I’ll be back in a moment.”
Isabella watched the woman amble to the back of the store, open a door then disappear inside. A few minutes later, she returned with an excited gleam in her eyes.
“Come, tell me what you require. My husband and I will have them in no time.”
Isabella quickly outlined the things she wanted, and the woman hurried out to do her bidding.
After assuring herself that the woman was going to help her, Isabella returned to her horse and tied the boots to the saddle. Pulling her hat lower over her eyes, she leaned against the horse’s warmth and waited for the woman to return with the things she’d asked for. Her position allowed her to observe the dusty street for anything of alarm.
About a half hour later, the woman scurried down the street, a grizzled older man with her. He carried a large burlap sack, and the woman had two wrapped parcels secured with thin rope.
“Here you go, miss. Everything you asked for. Henry here will help you get it all tied to your horse.”
While the man Isabella assumed was the woman’s husband busied himself with the supplies, the woman thrust a warm sandwich into her hands. “I thought you could use this,” she said.
“Thank you,” Isabella said with a smile.
She took the sandwich as the man stepped away from the horse. Looking back at the woman, she said, “I trust that you will keep everything in confidence? If anyone asks after me, I would appreciate it if you would say you have never seen me.”
“Indeed not!” the woman exclaimed. “Me and Henry are leaving just as soon as we can pack our things. What with the ring you gave us, we can start a new life away from this place.” Her eyes shone with excitement, and she clasped her hands in front of her in glee.
Isabella turned to mount her horse, but the woman put out a hand. “Here is the money you asked for.” She dug into her skirts and pulled out a small coin purse. “I didn’t have quite as much as you asked for, but I scraped together all I had.”
Isabella accepted the purse gratefully. “Thank you, madam. I appreciate your help.”
She swung up into the saddle and quickly turned her horse out of the village. Merrick would worry if she didn’t return soon, and the last thing she wanted was him charging into town after her.
As she reached the spot she had left Merrick, he limped up to her horse and helped her dismount. “What took you so long?” he demanded. His voice held a hint of irritation in it, but she could see the relief on his face that she had returned safely.
She untied the boots from behind the sack and handed them to him. “We should build a fire so you may warm your feet.”
He shook his head and bent down to pull on the boots. “We don’t want to draw any notice, and now that you’ve been seen in the village, we need to put as much distance between us and the town as possible.”
“I purchased food, two knives, ammunition for the pistol and a change of clothing for both of us,” she said, gesturing toward the bag. She drew out the coin purse and tossed it to him. “Hopefully it is enough to hire a ship.”
