A Burdened Woman: A Historical Romance Mystery (Tabitha & Wolf Historical Mystery Series Book 15) by Sarah F. Noel

Author:Sarah F. Noel [Noel, Sarah F.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2026-03-03T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

It had been a busy, though productive, morning, and Bear felt he’d earned a pint of ale and a pie. He’d even made a few casual, though unsuccessful inquiries about Captain Fletcher Dunn’s ship. For a moment, he considered whether he ought to return to the hotel and act as Isabella’s protector during her meeting with Troy Felix. Then he considered how adamantly the independent and very capable young woman had asserted that she didn’t need such protection, and he resolved to take her at her word.

Instead, Bear found a public house near where he’d left Price. A board outside advertised a variety of food items, including steak-and-ale pies. The place looked less dilapidated than many of the surrounding buildings and certainly a little less disreputable than the inns and public houses he’d visited over the last few days around the docks.

Given that it was just past midday, the place was packed with dockworkers and sailors, and even a man as large and intimidating as Bear struggled to push his way to the bar to order. The bar was tended by a man and a young woman, who were doing their best to manage their rowdy, thirsty patrons.

“I see you there, Marvin Walker. Don’t you worry,” the woman assured a rather grizzled old man who was complaining loudly to no one in particular that he might die on that spot, he was so parched. “One more word out of you, Peter Fields, and you’ll be having to beg that poor wife of yours to feed you from now on,” the woman sang out with a wink to anyone who was looking.

When Bear finally caught the woman’s eye, she gave him a long, appraising look. “You’re a big one now, ain’t you just? New to town, you must be; I’d remember if I’d seen you before. What can I get you?”

Bear acknowledged that he was new to Bristol and asked for a tankard of ale and one of the advertised pies.

“You want mash with that, luv?” Bear nodded.

The woman handed him his drink and said she’d call him when his food was ready. Bear took the pint and scanned the room for a free seat. At first, he worried he might not find one and would be forced to eat his pie standing up; then he spotted one in the corner. He made his way over and sat down.

For about five minutes, he drank his beer in silence, observing the room. Was it worth it to use this time to ask more questions about Lester Charles and his son, Keith? Bear decided to wait until he’d eaten his pie before deciding.

No sooner had he thought this than an old man with a craggy, weathered face, whom he recognised as Marvin Walker from the bar, turned to him. “Out-of-towner, are you?”

As much as he’d been looking forward to a few minutes of peace, Bear knew better than to look a gift horse in the mouth; if someone wanted to strike up a conversation, he’d be foolish not to make the most of the opportunity.

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