Defiant by M.J. Haag

Author:M.J. Haag [Haag, M.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: M.J. Haag

Chapter Eleven

“Are you feeling well?” I asked Hugh.

His pallor seemed a little ashen in the morning light. Perhaps it was the jostle of the wagon on an empty stomach.

“I’m fine. Please stay close to me today. Maeve is worried you’ll find trouble.”

“Trouble? Me?” I grinned because he knew me well. He didn’t grin back.

My humor died at the absence of his. I knew why he was so subdued. No matter how much I tried to tell myself that Judith was somewhere else, alive and well, I knew it was a lie. My heart wanted to break. Judith had been like a second mother to Kellen and me. Stern when we were trouble, loving when we needed comfort. But most importantly, always there.

“I miss her so much,” I said.

“Don’t talk like that,” Hugh said gruffly.

I nodded and looked away so he wouldn’t see the start of my tears, which I fought to blink back. He was right. I couldn’t think like that. There had to be hope.

We traveled the rest of the way to town in silence, and Hugh parked the wagon not far from the market district.

“Where do you want to start?” he asked.

“I was thinking of ordering some breakfast at Crumbs and Casks and asking the serving girl if she knows of anyone who might be looking for kitchen work.”

He grunted his acknowledgment and followed me down the street. When it came time to order, he left me at my own table and moved off to the bar. I didn’t mind. It would be odd for an employee to be seated with me.

Along with a delicious meal, the serving girl gave me a few names and directions for finding the women. Hugh forestalled me from searching them out, though.

“First, I need to deliver a message to the Brazen Belle,” he said. “The staff should be awake by now.”

The name struck a familiar chord, and I didn’t remember why until I saw a face I recognized. The old woman from the woods was sitting in the sunlight on the porch while shucking some peas. She didn’t glance our way as we approached.

“Stay right here,” Hugh said, stopping me from stepping onto the porch. “This is no place for a young miss.”

I nodded and watched him go inside. The old woman winked at me and tossed me a pea.

“How’s the pig?” she asked as I munched on the sweet green.

“Still big. But he seems happy enough.”

The woman snorted.

“If he’s happy enough, it means you’re feeding him too much. Cut the portions. Are you walking him?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Is he finding anything for you?”

“Truffles.”

She cackled and slapped her knee.

“He would have a good nose that one. Tell him that’s not good enough. He can do better.”

I nodded just as Hugh returned.

He glanced suspiciously at the old woman.

“What were you telling her?”

“We were talking about the pig,” I said to Hugh.

He came down the steps, grabbed my arm, and led me away.

“You aren’t supposed to speak with the women there,” he said.

“Was that a whorehouse?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.

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