The Maid

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

Dominic didn't say much, apart from urging the horses to 'get along', and for that I was glad. I wanted to take in as much of the scenery as I could before the setting sun swallowed it up. Everything was so different from London! There were barren moors with only scrub brush and purple heather decorating it for as far as the eye could see, and not a house to be seen.

"Here we are." Dominic spoke up suddenly, alerting me to the fact we had arrived. I let him help me down off the wagon, and took in my new home.

It was a large, two-storey wooden building with a big door in front, and gable windows. There was a lamp in every window, making it look more homely. Across from it was a slightly smaller building, and from the noises inside I could only guess that it held horses.

"Home sweet home," Dominic said, glancing at me with a grin. "How do you like the looks of the place?"

Before I could answer, the big front door opened and a small, slightly rotund man with grey hair came out, wiping his hands on a cloth. "Are you Rose?" he asked, grabbing my hand and shaking it vigorously. "Good to see you, lass, good to see you! Aren't you the very image of your mother!"

"Uncle Henry?" I asked shyly.

"One and the same," he said. "I was wondering if you'd arrive today--the coaches are so unpredictable for Yardley. It's a good thing Dominic decided to go to town today."

"Well, we needed supplies, and it was my pleasure," Dominic said, smiling.

Uncle Henry put an arm around me. "Come on inside, and we'll get you warmed up. Good grief, there's quite a chill in the air of an evening! Dominic, take Rose's bags inside."

I let his chatter wash over me, glad I didn't have to talk. There was a nasty ache in my chest and I felt suddenly ready to cry, but I swallowed it back. Tears could come later.

The taproom of the inn was large and warm. A roaring fire raged in the grate, while dark oak tables and chairs were scattered all about the room. Two high-backed benches faced each other on either side of the fireplace, and Uncle Henry pushed me onto one.

"Sit down and rest yourself. I daresay you didn't get much sleep on the coach."

"Not much," I admitted. Fascinated, I watched as Dominic took up a clean rag and began to wipe down the tables. "Did you get my mother's letter?"

"Received it just yesterday." Uncle Henry's voice was a bit muffled as he was hidden behind the bar, but a few minutes later his head popped up. "We get a lot of soldiers coming through here, you know. Sailors too. They all stop off for a drink, sometimes a night's rest. We're pretty much well-off."

"What are to be my chores?" I asked.

"Wiping down the tables, serving drinks, cleaning up, that sort of thing," Uncle Henry said. Just then there were footsteps and a young woman came down the flight of stairs that led up to the rooms. Apart from Mam, I didn't think I'd ever seen anyone so pretty.

Long black waves framed a heart-shaped face with clear, soft skin and gentle dark eyes, and a warm smile greeted me. "Hello, Rose. I'm your cousin, Bess."

"Hello," I said, smiling back.

"I saw the wagon pull up. You must be dreadfully tired," Bess said. She sat down across from me and took my hand in hers, rubbing it.

"I am," I said. "But not so tired I can't eat something."

The four of us shared a laugh, and a few minutes later Dominic had set down four steaming bowls of thick soup with white, crusty bread, and large mugs. His and Uncle Henry's held ale; Bess and I drank milk.

With the good, hot food inside of me, I felt my eyelids begin to droop. Bess guided me up the stairs and into a small room. "This is my room. You can sleep here tonight."

I mumbled a thank you. When she was gone, I lay down on the bed, not bothering to take off my bonnet or shoes. Within seconds I was fast asleep.

It was about midnight when I woke up. All was silent downstairs, and the moon was shining into the bedroom window. But something had startled me.

Carefully, I slid out of bed, making sure not to wake Bess, who was asleep next to me. I realised she had taken off my cloak, shoes, and bonnet, and made a mental note to thank her in the morning. As I did so, I heard a noise outside, like a horse's hooves.

I tiptoed over to the window and peered out. Below me, everything seemed still and quiet. Thinking it was some figment of my imagination, I prepared to go back to bed. Just then, a movement caught my eye.

A man. He was sitting on his horse by the stables, his head turned in the direction of the window. Even though a hat concealed his face, I could feel his eyes burning holes into me.

Just then the stable door creaked and the man's head turned. He spurred his horse and they galloped away, but made no sound. Puzzled, and a little afraid, I crept back to bed, but it was a long time before sleep claimed me again.

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