a chicken.'
'And did you steal a chicken?'
'Nay, me Lord. I borrowed a chicken. Me family was 'ungry.'
'You 'borrowed' a chicken?' asked John incredulously. 'And did you return a chicken?'
'Nay, me Lord, boot I will,' promised the prisoner. 'Please, me Lord, I 'ave been in prison for bet'er than a fortnight. Me family is 'ungry and can nay eat withoot me. I 'ave lit'le ones at 'ome.'
'The king can nay abide thievery in 'is realm,' John stated plainly as he slapped his hand on the table for emphasis. 'I am the king's servant and am sworn to enforce the law. You shuld 'ave thought of that before you stole the chicken.'
'Please, me Lord, 'ave mercy. If nay on me, on me lit'le ones,' pled the prisoner.
'And if I were to show mercy to you, whot wuld the next thief expect?' exclaimed John in a strong voice. 'I sentence you to another fortnight in prison and if at that time, your family 'as nay repaid the price of the chicken, you will spend another fortnight and so forth until the debt is paid. And you shuld consider that merciful.'
John motioned to the court clerk and said, 'Away with 'im.'
As the prisoner was led away, he continued to implore for his freedom. 'I beg you, me Lord. I wuld be bet'er able to pay the debt if I were nay in prison.'
John ignored his pleas and gathered his cloak to leave the courthouse. He quickly left the building and as he walked down the steps, he nearly ran into a well dressed woman.
'I beg your pardon, me lady,' said John as he bowed his head and carefully stepped aside to give way for the lady and her female companion.
'Lord Darby, is that you?'
John looked up and smiled in recognition. 'Agnes, aye, it is me,' he said as he offered his hand. Agnes took his hand and John squeezed it gently. 'She is truly beaut'iful,' thought John.
Agnes wore a light blue dress that wrapped close to her torso and was gathered at the waist. Her waist was adorned by a metal belt that hung loosely in the front. From her waist the skirt of the dress flared out in folds and flowed freely to the ground. A light breeze caused the skirt to flutter gently. A gold colored cloak draped her shoulders and mid-torso. John's thoughts were interrupted by Agnes and he blushed at the realization that he was staring at her.
'And when did you return to Stamford?' asked Agnes 'I 'eard that you were in Calais.'
'I returned yesterdee. I 'eard that you returned Wednesdee last. And 'ow was Suffolk?' asked John.
'Suffolk was very pleasant indeed,' replied Agnes with a smile. 'Boot, so much time with me cousins and aunt does becomb difficult to bear.'
'And were there no gent'lemen in Suffolk?' asked John with sly smile and just a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
'Indeed,' replied Agnes. 'Suffolk 'as many fine gent'lemen.' She smiled to think that John was a little jealous. 'Me mum is 'aving a part'y on Sat'urdee. I trust that you will comb with your mum.'
'Aye, I will be there, me lady,' replied John.
Agnes smiled and offered her hand to John. He accepted her hand and bowed his head slightly. 'Gud dee, me lady,' he said. 'Until Sat'urdee then.'
'Indeed, until Sat'urdee,' replied Agnes, allowing him to continue to hold her hand. She then lowered her head and gently bent her knees slightly. She and her friend then continued down the street. John watched them until they turned a corner.
On Saturday afternoon, John escorted his mother to the home of Agnes' father. There were already several people there and John saw that Agnes was speaking with another gentlemen. Agnes was wearing her hair drawn back on the sides and up in the back, with some locks that fell around her shoulders. Her hair was parted in the front and a ringlet draped either side of her face. A band of tiny white flowers ran across her head at the point where the hair that was parted in the front met the hair that was pulled up in the back. Other small white flowers also adorned her hair as jewels. She wore a long white dress that had golden embroidered accents around the neck, just above the elbows and at the end of the elegant sleeves. The sleeves fanned out in full fashion from the golden accent above the elbows to nearly the full length of the skirt. John could scarcely take his