Page 30 of Fortress of Snow

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s all right. I have to go.”

Mazy nodded and headed up the stairs to her room.

When she reached the door, she remembered she’d forgotten to lock it. Her brother would be furious with her if he knew. She thought of the men downstairs in the alehouse. Did they know she lived here? Anyone could come into the back door and walk up the stairs.

She went inside and set her basket on the floor. With her hand in her skirt pocket, clutching the handle of her knife, she listened as she went into both of their rooms, checking to make sure no one was there. When she had made certain she was alone, she locked the door with the key.

She was not used to locking doors. She’d never done that before, not at her father’s house, nor at Strachleigh Castle, but this was London. She would have to be more careful.

***

Mazy had cleaned the rooms as best she could, borrowing a broom from Ro’s father, promising to get her own broom as soon as possible. The food had taken almost all the money John had given her, and it would not last very long. She had some moneyof her own, but she saw how fast money went when she had to buy all their own food.

She needed a way to make money. She hated sewing, so she didn’t think she could make money that way. Was there something else she could do?

She’d helped Lady Delia with her baby. Was there anyone in London who would pay her to watch their children? No doubt it would have to be a wealthy person. But she knew no one in London besides Ro.

She remembered the women in the market who were selling bread and other foods. Could she bake bread? She had never been allowed to help in the kitchen at home, but she’d seen Cook making bread at least a hundred times. There was no oven here in their rooms. But perhaps Ro’s father would allow her to use his oven.

She cleaned, ate, and took a nap on the floor, and still John had not come back. He said he’d return by nightfall. She stared out the window as the sunlight grew dimmer and dimmer. Some men came and lit the tall lamps along the street, but there was still no sign of John.

A knock came at the door. Mazy hurried to it. “Who is there?”

“It’s me.”

John sounded grumpy, and Mazy hurried to unlock the door.

He came inside and she smelled strong drink. Was it only the ale from below?

“How was your day? Did you speak with your commander?”

“I start work tomorrow. Did you have any problems?”

“No, all was well. The alehouse owner’s daughter helped me. What is his name? I forgot.”

“Thomas Sadler.”

“His daughter is my age and she took me to the market. I bought some food. Are you hungry?”

“What do you have?”

Mazy showed him. He picked up a plum pasty and took a bite.

He spit it out into his hand. “Too greasy.”

Mazy hurried to bring him the slop bucket, and he threw the offending pasty into it.

“Sorry. But there’s cheese and bread, and dried fruit and nuts.”

He nibbled at the food, then lay down on his blanket. “You didn’t find us any beds, I see.”

Mazy bit her lip. Did he not remember that he said the two of them would go and find some clean straw for their beds?

“What did you do all day?” she asked him. “I thought you would help me—”

“I do what I have to do, when I need to do it.” John raised his voice but did not look at her. “I can’t do everything. Do you think I want to be a guard? I should have gone with Sir Berenger to Prussia. Instead, I stayed here to take care of you.”