Wed to a Spy by Sharon Cullen

Author:Sharon Cullen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2017-05-23T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Simon led Aimee to a small pub at the other side of Mercat Cross. They had been on the move for several hours and had a few more hours to go. He didn’t want to go to Tristan’s print shop while the sun was still out, and though he was fairly certain they weren’t being followed, he had to be absolutely certain.

But he was hungry, and Aimee was looking wilted. Her steps were shuffling and her shoulders were bowed as he prodded her into the dark recesses of the the Sword and Barrel pub. It was quieter in here. A few men were sitting about, three playing cards in the far corner. Two barmaids were leaning against the end of the bar, their heads together as they conversed.

Simon sat Aimee down at a free table and took the chair so his back was to the wall and he had a clear view of the rest of the room. Aimee was looking a bit dazed as she swayed to the side. Simon refrained from pushing her back in the seat.

One of the barmaids sauntered over, a bored look on her face. If he’d been wearing his velvet doublet and bejeweled coat, she would have had a spring in her step and a gleam in her eye toward a bit of his riches. But to her he was just another workingman, worth nothing more than the price of their dinner, and that was just the way he wanted it.

He ordered for both of them because Aimee looked at him blankly when he asked her what she wanted to eat.

“Aimee?” he asked when the barmaid left. He put his hand over hers and squeezed. “Are you well, Magpie?”

She seemed to shake herself and tried to smile. “I’m fine. Just…overwhelmed.”

“Have you been inside the city before?”

She shook her head. “I’ve always wanted to, though. It’s an interesting place. Lots of people.”

“That is true.” He sat back and studied her, worried. He had no idea what was ahead of them. Would she be up for whatever happened next? Did she have the fortitude for this? He wasn’t even sure what “this” was.

He’d been relieved that no summons had been posted at Mercat Cross with their names on it. He was fairly certain Mary’s army would be arriving soon; once she was back on the throne, she would be hell-bent on vengeance for Rizzio. What form that would take, he had no idea. What he did know was that Aimee had been beside the queen when it happened, and that might not go well for her.

“The placard—”

“I’ve ordered our meal. I am going to the privy out back, but I will return straightaway. Do not talk to anyone. Don’t leave. Don’t move from this chair. Do you understand me, Magpie?”

She nodded, the glazed look coming back to her eyes. Yes, he was worried about her.

When he returned, she was staring at the plate of food before her, her hands folded in her lap.

“Eat,” he said as he sat down and tucked into his meal.

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