remained eerily silent. It waited, close enough that straightening its leg would bring it in contact with her arm. Eyes stared at her, full of emotion.
“Go away!”
But it laughed, its mouth opening. The eyes spread, its face stretching until it resembled something more human than not. A man hovered over her, or rather, the shadow of a man.
Marissa could barely breath, fear and something more gripped her. She closed her eyes and sang the first thing that popped into her mind. The simple nursery rhyme barely sounded through her lips, but she immediately started another. She squeezed her eyes closed, trying to sing, all the while expecting to feel that thing…
The door banged open. Marissa jerked up from the bed, eyes wide. Light filled the room. Not just the lantern she thought had gone out, Mrs. Boyde seemed to radiate, thrusting away shadows and things that lingered within them. A moment later, the room returned to the yellowish cast of the lantern. Mrs. Boyde hustled to Marissa. “Here, drink this.”
Marissa didn’t question, she still shook.
“That was a nasty bit of work. I am sorry. Trouble seems to find you even when you are incognito.”
“It was horrible.”
“Drink.”
The warmed cider stilled her shaking. She breathed the apple smell rising from the cup. “I think apples will always be my favorite.”
Mrs. Boyde sat beside her on the bed. “A good night’s sleep is what we need.”
Marissa trembled. “I don’t think I can.”
“Oh, you will. Those memories will not linger.”
Indeed, what had scared her so badly was already fading away. She looked at Mrs. Boyde with a frown. “Something happened.”
Mrs. Boyde patted her leg. “I know. Nasty dreams, but the good Lord gives a way to forget them.” She glanced around their small room; her bed stood out on the opposite wall. “Not what you’re used to.”
“I walked around the servant quarters once. Their rooms were about like this. They could use a rug on the floor. Some curtains.”
“You will be the mistress someday, somewhere. Experiences like this will guide your actions.” She finished her own drink. “I am ready for bed, I believe.”
“And then tomorrow, maybe we can do something?”
“We will see.”
The third day, Saturday, dawned, and Marissa glared at the activity across the street. The iron gates were open, peddlers were bringing their wares to market. Smells wafted through the open window. Foreign smells. Delicious scents that made her stomach grumble, broiled beef and pastries. Her mind longed for conversation. Interactions. Shopping.
Marissa huffed, but Mrs. Boyde remained sleeping beneath a flowered quilt. An hour passed as she waited for her to wake. People walked through the market. Marissa stepped across the room, away from the window, but the noise of the market breezed through the open window. She couldn’t stop herself from going back for another look.
“Wearing the floor is not going to help your restlessness.” Mrs. Boyde spoke from her bed, eyes shut but a grin on her lips.
Marissa’s shoulders slumped. “I am not a princess, at least I don’t look like one.” She flicked the heavy fabric of her skirt. “Remaining indoors is dull. Can we not go to the marketplace?” She worried her bottom lip with her teeth as she slid a glance toward her chaperone.
“I knew once you were free of the castle, the draw of life in the villages would be too great to resist.”
Could she mean to let her go? She felt her heart leap with hope. “I promise I will not leave your side.” Marissa pulled Mrs. Boyde to her feet.
Mrs. Boyde laughed. “Don’t make promises you will be unable to keep, young lady. Be ever watchful. Cinderella will not know what to make of the return of the guard. She will seek your whereabouts and do harm if she may.”
Marissa sobered. This was but a respite in their search for the truth.
Mrs. Boyde clapped her hands. “Enough. We want to visit shops before the sun is overhead.” She grabbed her arm and gave a tug. Marissa shook the feel of dread and nabbed a shawl as they exited the room.
Standing in front of the hotel, they paused for a moment to absorb the strangeness. Mrs. Boyde touched Marissa’s shoulder. “Should we become separated, return to our dwelling immediately. Do not linger in the market on your own.” A mingle of smells swept across the thoroughfare from the marketplace. The thick scent of broiled meat wandered through an apothecary’s aromas. Marissa tried to take a step closer, but Mrs. Boyde held her back. “Your promise,