“How did she seem to you this morning?”
“I had thought her in good spirits, my lady. She was preparing the pie cases with a good humour. I cannot explain it.”
“And Cook? There has been no tension there?”
“Quite the opposite. She has found the extra pair of hands to be of great use. She is checking the herb garden again, and the gate that leads out to the stables.”
“It is the strangest thing,” Thomasin murmured. “Keep looking. We cannot give up.”
“I am sure she will return when she is ready, my lady.”
“I do hope so, Williams.”
Giles came back downstairs, shaking his head. “Nothing. The rooms are all empty. I even looked under the beds.”
“Let’s go back into the garden.”
They were heading down the passageway towards the back door when the sound of feet on the gravel in front of the house halted their progress. A pull upon the bell made them turn and hurry into the hall, without waiting for Williams.
On the doorstep stood two gentlemen, whose dress proclaimed them to be market traders or shopkeepers in the city, both aged about forty, and Mariot standing between them, her face a mixture of fear, shame and relief.
“What is this?” said Thomasin, holding out her arms to the girl, who came gratefully into them.
“Beg your pardon, my lady, this girl belongs here with you?”
“She does; she is our maid. What is amiss?”
“We found her lost and wandering the streets, not knowing her way home.”
“But not before she had helped herself to my apples!” said the second man indignantly.
“I got lost. I meant to bring back money for them!” Mariot protested.
“It is her first time in London,” explained Thomasin. “She came here for the first time just two days back; she does not know her way. I thank you for bringing her home safely.”
“Here,” said Giles, holding out a coin. “For the apples, and for your trouble.”
The men nodded gruffly and took their leave.
“I didn’t mean to steal,” objected Mariot, as soon as the front door was closed. “I had picked up an apple and it was then that I realised I was lost. I quite forgot I had it.”
“But what were you doing out in the street? You should have been safe in the house or garden; it is dangerous to wander out of the gates with no one knowing, especially if you are new here.”
“I heard the traders calling as they passed. Apples and strawberries. I just meant to pop out to have a look, but they were so fast, I had to run after them.”
“No harm done this time,” said Giles. “But you must learn this lesson.”
“You gave us all a fright,” Thomasin frowned, nodding to Lettice, who had come in from the garden. “I was imagining having to tell your father I had lost you!”
“But I would have found my way home. I was going to ask a flower woman which way it was to Monk’s Place, but the apple man took a hold of my arm.”
“Well, no more leaving the grounds. Not at all. Do you promise?”
“Yes, my lady. I’m sorry I caused you so much trouble.”
“Now, run along back to the kitchens. Hopefully this will be the last of it!”
They watched her disappear down the corridor.
