The Season of the Veil (The Ladies of the Labyrinth Book 3) by Hope Carolle

Author:Hope Carolle [Carolle, Hope]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2023-07-27T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

After we changed out of our sporty clothes back at the inn and had a quick wash, we stored the archery equipment until the next Sunday. Once refreshed, Rupert led us further outside Southwark.

The scent of smoke and grilled meats filled the air, available for purchase from vendors lining a small square. This was long before local councils employed inspectors to make sure the food vendors were following all the health and safety regulations, but capitalism and the threat of punishment were at work here in a game of Russian roulette. If people got sick, word spread quickly, and that place would be shut down from complaints or just a lack of business. In the case of salmonella or e coli other foodborne illnesses, they were hard enough to cope with at the best of times, so it was a fair old risky business for the consumer if the meat hadn’t been properly prepared.

When we saw five people in a queue at a small booth with chicken on offer, we joined it.

“I must insist you let me pay for your meal,” Mick insisted to Rupert, “after all the kindnesses you’ve done for us.”

“Nay, I cannot accept.” Rupert put a hand up as though he would physically stop Mick from paying for him.

“’Tis but a trifling amount. Please take this very small measure of our thanks,” Mick insisted. I was proud of how well he fit into the lingo of the era.

Rupert considered, and I prodded him one step further. “Mick has done very well as a goldsmith. It gives him pleasure to spread cheer and thank those who have done us a service.”

“Well, because the lady has asked me, I shall gladly accept.” Rupert gave a slight bow in thanks.

We were given tin plates, and asked to return them, and then we would get a deposit back. A young boy was employed by the vendor to make sure no one ran off with the plates. Food in hand, we made our way over to some picnic benches. Mick went off to fetch us some ale. I could barely contain the urge to tear into my chicken—my stomach had been growling all afternoon. But we waited for Mick to return, to be polite.

“That color dress is quite beautiful on you,” Rupert said. I had changed into a green dress, a little more formal than what I’d worn to the fields, but not so stiff that I couldn’t move around in it.

“Thank you. I thought it might be a good one for dancing. It is nice to have a day of leisure before we start our rehearsals tomorrow. Your men arrive tomorrow?”

“Yes, we shall all be busy from henceforward. This has been a special two days spent in your company. You and Mick are far different from anyone I’ve known before. More kind perhaps, and certainly more beautiful and handsome.”

I looked down, bashful. “You are most kind. But I have seen many handsome men and women since we have been in London.

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