The Silent Songbird (Hagenheim #7)(12)

Westley’s scowl changed into a concerned crease in his forehead as his eyes locked on hers. She sighed again.

Muriel nodded to Westley. “We thank you for your intervention.”

“Verily, it was my pleasure.”

Without saying anything further, Muriel walked in the opposite direction. Evangeline followed her but turned and looked over her shoulder. Westley was staring intently at her. She smiled, hoping he could see how thankful she was.

Later when they were buying some bread and other provisions, Evangeline glanced over her shoulder to see Westley several feet behind them. As she suspected, he was trailing them around the market. She would have to be careful not to even whisper to Muriel and give away her secret.

Pointing at whatever she wanted, nodding for yes, and shaking her head for no worked quite well at the market. But at a bread stall, while Muriel was buying some cheese nearby, Evangeline held up four fingers and pointed at the small oat buns in a large basket.

The woman seller told her companion, “I’ve been watching her. She’s deaf and dumb. She won’t know if you ask for double the price.”

Evangeline raised her brows at the woman. She pointed at her throat and shook her head, then pointed to her ear and nodded.

The woman’s mouth fell open. Her companion laughed uproariously.

“Not only will we not charge her double, Nan, but we shall give her an extra bun. Here.” The man handed her five of the small oat buns.

Evangeline smiled and paid him. The woman pursed her lips and Evangeline walked away.

Everything at the market was interesting. There were all kinds of animals for sale, both live and dressed to cook. People were shouting, trying to bring attention to their booths and the goods they were selling. Bright colors and every kind of dress, face, and figure drew Evangeline’s eye. The only thing she did not like was the way some of the men stared at her. But Westley was watching out for her, so she felt reasonably safe. Besides, Muriel was quite formidable when she was angry, and any molester would have to go through her.

They bought a wool blanket before making their way back to the town gate to meet the rest of the group. She glanced over her shoulder again. Westley was still there.

Someone tugged at Evangeline’s skirt. She shifted and found a young woman sitting on the ground, holding a tiny baby in the crook of her arm.

“Please, miss, can you spare some food for me so I can feed my baby?”

Evangeline’s stomach clenched at the sunken cheeks of the emaciated woman who looked no older than herself. Though she had no experience with babies, the baby did not seem well. It lay still, its eyes closed and its lips dry.

“Where is your master?” Muriel asked, staring down at her.

“I have no master.”

“Have you run away?”

“No. My . . . my mistress cast me off.” The poor young woman’s eyes filled with tears. “The baby is her husband’s and she sent me away, me and my baby.” A tear dripped from her eye.

Evangeline was already digging in her bag for the coin purse. She pulled out several coins and put them in the woman’s bony hand. She also gave her three of the buns she had just bought.

More tears ran down her thin cheeks. “Thank you. May God bless you for your mercy.” She dropped the buns in her lap and tucked the coins into a tiny bag that hung from her belt. Her hand shook as she brought a bun to her mouth and took a bite.

Tears welled in Evangeline’s own eyes as she nodded and walked away.

“This is what I warned you about,” Muriel whispered in Evangeline’s ear, holding on to her arm. “You should not have given her so much money. She will lose it, or someone will take it from her.”

O God, please don’t allow that to happen. But Evangeline refused to let Muriel ruin the good feeling of having helped the poor woman. She wiped away the tear from her eye and sighed. Thank You, God, that I could help her. Please save her from starvation.

Inside she felt a peace that God indeed would save the woman and would use Evangeline’s offering to do so. She couldn’t help smiling and looking up at the sky to share her smile with God.

A commotion came from the other side of the marketplace, sounding like several horses galloping their way. A woman screamed, and a man’s deep voice came from the same direction, too far away to make out what he was saying. Dogs barked, a child bawled, and a horse neighed.

Evangeline’s stomach clenched. Could it be Lord Shiveley? She and Muriel were only a few steps from the gate where Westley’s men and the others were waiting.

The horses’ hooves clopped on the packed earth. Several men on horseback approached them, some wearing the livery of the king and some of Lord Shiveley.

Evangeline’s heart stumbled and she lost her breath. They were coming for her.





Chapter Five


Westley noted the way Eva’s face transformed. All the color drained from her cheeks and her eyes went wide as the men on horseback drew close.

The men wore the livery of noble guardsmen. Five were dressed in one set of colors, and the other five guards were dressed in another. He was not certain, but he believed they were the guards of the Earl of Shiveley and King Richard.

Eva threw the scarf she had bought over her head, stuffed her distinctive red hair inside it, and tied it under her chin. Then she clung to Mildred’s forearms and seemed to be staring into her eyes. They huddled together just a few feet from the group by the gate.