The sun was just rising, and she hoped they would be on their way soon, so she got herself ready and repacked her chest then sat on it staring at the door, willing a knock to sound soon.
How long she sat there she did not know, but eventually a knock did sound, followed by Alexander’s voice.
“My lady, are you ready?”
She opened the door and noticed how haggard his appearance was this morn. Dark circles encased his eyes, and his shirt, normally neat and perfectly in place, was wrinkled and had shifted slightly so the neckline was askew.
Serves him right for being such a boor.
She lifted her chin and said, “Aye, I am ready. My chest is there, and I am in want of sustenance.”
“The carriage is ready and stocked with anything you mightrequire, my lady. Neville shall retrieve your chest if you will follow me.”
She followed him down the stairs and through the dining area of the inn which was vastly different than last eve. All the chairs were upside down and resting on the tables and a single servant girl quietly mopped the floors. She wondered briefly where that maid had been the night before. Alexander had spoken of the dangers to Marion, but did that extend to bar maids? Were they in danger too, or did the patrons usually not bother with them?
Alexander directed her to the carriage, and she was grateful when he closed the door and did not join her. He was true to his word. On the opposite seat was a basket filled with various pouches and a long stick of bread protruding over the side.
Once she settled herself, she reached into the basket and withdrew one pouch then thought again of the bar maid inside. Instead of opening the pouch, she reached into her pocket and withdrew some coin. She opened the carriage door and quickly stepped back inside the inn to find the maid.
“We have not met,” she said upon locating her at the other end of the dining room. “But I imagine you work hard and so I would like to give this to you and let you know that I hope you are well and that you are noticed.”
The young woman’s eyes grew wide from Marion’s first words and wider still when the coin was placed in her hands.
Marion folded the woman’s fingers over the coin. “Keep this for yourself and do not let anyone know you have it. Do you promise?”
“Aye, my lady. I promise and thank ye.”
“Very well, back to your business then.”
Pleased with herself, she retreated to the carriage and closed the door before Alexander could say a word to her. For she was certain he would have some opinion on her actions—he usually did.
Back to the matter of the basket and its bounty and she was far less guilty now for digging into it to see what treasures lay inside. Herstomach growled in appreciation as she opened a pouch to find a large piece of dark cake, the kind she loved with honey and loads of various fruits. She took a bite and loved the spicy flavors of cinnamon and cloves mixed with chewy cherries and apricots. There was comfort in those flavors which reminded her of the baking their cook did around Yuletide. Though it was late summer, she could picture strung garland and a deliciously roasting boar.
Marion sat back in her seat when she’d eaten her fill and sipped on the sweet mead that was fast becoming her favorite drink. She’d have to speak with her parents about it so that they could ask their brewer about it.
But it was the thought of returning so quickly to her parents that gave her pause. They’d been ecstatic at her prospects of traveling with the queen and spending more time with the earl. Her mother would no doubt be furious, but her father would come around, though be in no doubt disappointed.
They would both be surprised to see her. And with only a week or more to the summer season, they would return to Posso Tower within a fortnight.
And what then?
Would she ever see Alexander again? She was certain of her decision to remove herself from a situation that completely robbed herself of her agency. She wouldn’t put up with that from anyone. But she couldn’t imagine a way back from this and once she was home, why would their paths ever cross again?
That thought brought an ache into her heart. But he needed to understand that while some other suitors may have stayed and let him speak to them that way, she was not like them. Not one bit, and she had every intention of standing up to anyone who threatened her ability to feel safe.
Marion looked out through the carriage window as the sharp mountains turned to rolling hills as they journeyed east. A few timesshe dozed off only to jolt awake when the carriage dipped into a hole in the road. When she slept, she dreamed of a black rider and a masked dance partner. If only she could go back to those times and tell herself to be wary. She’d been so caught up in her attraction to him that she likely missed signs of the arrogance that was to come. And to think, she’d been warned off other men for the exact same attribute.
After a few hours riding, she found herself quite bored. Tired of mulling over the current predicament with Alexander, she realized she’d rather be arguing with him than sitting by herself stewing about it.
Without another thought, Marion reached up and knocked on the roof of the carriage. Moments later, it came to a stop. One of them hopped down from the driving seats and the door opened.
“Will you join me for the remainder of the journey?” she asked him.
His eyes narrowed for a moment before he nodded and entered, closing the door behind him. He moved the basket and then tapped the roof for the driver to continue. He positioned himself diagonal to her so that he could stretch out his long legs. Marion could only imagine how cramped it had been for him thus far and hoped he was a little more comfortable this way and here with her.
He stared at her without saying a word. Maybe that was best for the time being, for it appeared everything they’d said to one another in the past two days ended in a quarrel. She sat back with her hands folded in her lap and turned her attention to the passing scenery again. They didn’t have to say anything just yet, and she was perfectly fine with the comfortable silence exchanged between them.
*
