The Brazen Woman by Anne Groß

Author:Anne Groß
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Beaufort Books
Published: 2018-08-21T16:00:00+00:00

Even though it was late afternoon when Elise finally woke up, the whole world seemed inexplicably lighter after her long sleep. Elise was vaguely aware that Richard had slipped away not long after she’d gone to bed to do whatever it was that Richard did—gamble, trade for favors, polish the buttons of his waistcoat—but she hadn’t been aware that the other infantrymen walked on their tip-toes and spoke in hushed voices when passing the stack of crates where she slept. All Elise knew was that when she woke she found a breakfast of salt pork and hard tack artfully arranged near her head. The offering was a sign of gratitude from the company, and although it softened her towards the men, it didn’t move her as much as the small effort Collins was making to hold a conversation.

“I trust you’ve slept well?”

“Like a log.”

“Ah, ahem, I am gladdened. . .uh, that is to say, I believe I’m not mistaken in taking your meaning—”

“I slept well.”

Conversation with Collins was a stuttered and uncomfortable effort of two people with nothing in common. However, spending hours together encouraging Amanda had created a guarded friendship between them. Collins handed his porter to Elise with a companionable smile and she tipped the skunky-smelling stuff back without thanks, secure in the knowledge that she’d earned every last drop. Weeks in a cask at sea did nothing to improve the flavor of the beer, but Elise swallowed it on ceremony, cementing the relationship.

“Well. . .” Elise said, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

“Yes.” He nodded decisively.

“I’ll just go check on Amanda.”

“Right.”

“Catch you later.”

“Err?”

“I mean, ‘bye.’”

Elise ducked away, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. It wasn’t the first time she’d ever had beer for breakfast, but she would have preferred a cup of coffee. It would have helped to prepare her for Amanda’s worried whine when she entered the Collins’ corner.

“Edwina is off her feeeeeed.”

It took Elise a few breaths before she was able to translate the new mother’s concern. “Maybe she’s not hungry?” Elise swore under her breath. This was moving well beyond her expertise. Amanda needed a lactation specialist.

“No, she’s hungry alright. She’s just too weak—can’t suck hard enough, poor sweet girl.” Amanda nuzzled her daughter, who emitted a strange, lengthy drone that wavered as she bounced in her mother’s arms. Then Amanda mashed her heavy breast against Edwina’s face in an effort to tempt her to eat. “See? She won’t eat. It’s been nearly five hours. That’s too long, isn’t it?” Edwina continued her drone, muffled, but determined.

“Let me have her a minute.” Elise said, and carefully took the bundle from her mother’s arms. Edwina’s little belly was round and soft; her skin was pink. All good. Her grip reflex wasn’t very strong, however. Elise pressed her ear to the soft baby’s chest to listen for breathing and heart rate. With her nose so near to Edwina’s head, she caught an unwelcome scent. “Is that alcohol? I do NOT smell alcohol, do I? Why is there alcohol on your baby’s breath?”

Amanda’s laugh tinkled.

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