Next, she chose a length of rope, two golden necklaces with paste stones, black boots with pointed toes and high heels in exactly her size, an eel-skin pouch on a string thin enough to secret beneath her clothes, a voluminous linen shirt with long sleeves, a felt vest likely designed for a fourteen-year-old boy, and a clutch of feathers, secured at the quill with a wire. She snatched up one item after another, dropping them into her basket.
As North chatted with Mr. Godfrey about the heat in India and the snow in Bavaria, she grabbed a few more items, then she made a final circuit of the cluttered shop and joined North at the counter.
“Ah, I see you’ve found one or two things to delight you,” exclaimed Mr. Godfrey, peering inside her basket.
“Indeed,” said Isobel. “What a boon your shop has been. I hadn’t hoped to find so many treasures in one place. In fact, I had not hoped to find so many treasures in all of Iceland.”
“We aim to please, miss,” he said unpacking her basket. “But have you found everything you require? I have a few more items in the back, and I am happy to order custom items from my headquarters in London.”
“You have a London headquarters?” repeated North, a strange look on his face.
“Actually,” replied Isobel, “I noticed the old apothecary’s case of vials and bottles. There, in the corner? Although the vials appear to be long since empty of any potions.”
“Oh yes,” said Godfrey. “The original owner, I believe, made the poor choice to consume all of his own inventory. After he recovered, he traded the case for aset of juggler’s pins and a harpsichord. Likely a better path for the man.”
Isobel flashed an impatient smile. “But I was wondering if you have, among your inventory, any medicinal herbs or tinctures? Especially anything that a lady might use... sort of... in—well, as a defense? That is, inself-defense? Fast-acting sleeping drafts or something that might induce sickness but not, er, death?”
Beside her, she heard North make a miserable sort of moaning sound.
Mr. Godfrey hummed contemplatively. “Hmm. In fact, I might have just the thing you’re looking for. I traded for something like this in a market at Wandsworth.”
He disappeared behind a curtain that concealed the rear of the shop.
Isobel glanced at North.
“Poison,” North stated. “You’re asking forpoison?”
Isobel shrugged. “It’s more of a drug, I’d say. It was my weapon of choice, once upon a time. It is nonviolent but incapacitates someone just long enough for me to... do whatever I may need to do.”
“I should wait outside,” North said, glancing around, but Mr. Godfrey bustled back to the counter bearing a small leather pouch.
“Are you familiar with the effects of ground apple seeds, miss?” the man asked.
“Oh, cyanide, yes,” Isobel mused. “But is that dried apple seed?”
“In fact, it is. I’ve been told when ground into a fine dust, apple seeds can make a strong man very sick, but not kill him. In small doses.”
“I need only a small dose,” Isobel assured him, reaching for the pouch.
She could feel North watching her as she tugged open the tie and tapped the seeds into her gloved palm. “But might you have a book I can reference to get the dosing correct?” she asked.
“Let me see...” said Mr. Godfrey, disappearing behind the curtain again.
“I’m beginning to think I would be safer if I tradedmyselfto the pirates,” said North.
She chuckled. “I’m more than you bargained for. I know. I tried to warn you.”
“I’ll not underestimate your warnings in the future. Nor will I accept any refreshment you may offer.”
I would never hurt you, she thought, funneling the seeds back into the pouch.If only you could promise the same.
Mr. Godfrey returned with a dusty leather-bound book. “I’m afraid I have a reference book, but it’s written in Dutch.”
“Not a problem,” said Isobel. “I’ll take it all. These items, the apple seeds—and the book. How much, if you please?”
“Oh,” tsked Mr. Godfrey, “but did you not read the sign, miss?” He pointed to a faded wooden sign. “Godfrey’s Treasure Trove does not operate on a system ofmonetaryexchange. I only deal inmerchandise for trade.”
“I beg your pardon?”
