across the faire grounds. She faltered as she attempted to keep up with him. He stopped and helped her to an upright position. She felt her cheeks burning brightly as she glowered at him.
“I’m sorry,” he said gently, releasing his hold on her.
“I have a slight limp,” she retorted. “Usually it’s not noticeable unless it seems that I’m being dragged along by a madman at an unreasonable gait. That always brings it out.” She smoothed her tunic and tucked stray wisps of hair away from her face.
“Where are we going?” she demanded of him.
He looked at her blankly. “I’m not sure.”
“You’re not sure?” She glared at him, mumbling under her breath. “You are stupide.”
Madeleine noticed he raised a brow and seemed to assess her. She hoped he hadn’t heard her remark. She must be sure everything she spoke was in English. It was hard, though, since the man riled her anger, making her want to lapse into French.
“Come, we’ll sit over here.” He indicated a large stump at the edge of the pasture. He motioned for her to follow him.
She knew it was useless to avoid him any longer. She only worried about getting back to Gwenith as soon as possible.
“What can I do for you, my lord?” she asked with forced bravado, hiding her inner fear.
“Just who are you, Madeleine?”
“Nothing but a poor mummer, my lord. Practicing my skills whenever I meet new people. You know,” she said, eyeing him up and down, “you were quite talented yourself, not letting on as to your true identity. Perhaps you’d care to join our little group?”
“Quit provoking me!” he snapped.
“Then don’t provoke me,” she answered sharply. “Leave me alone.” She calmed herself and continued in a lower tone. “I will return your cloak. I’m no thief, my lord, and somehow I would have seen the garment returned to you. I appreciate the help you gave me that night. I regret I took the cloak by mistake.”
“But why did you take off? As if you had something to hide? Are you running from the law?”
Madeleine sighed. “I had reasons, my lord, too complicated to share.” She glanced around impatiently. “I must go now.”
“And sell your stolen ring?”
She trembled, having reached her breaking point. “It’s not stolen. I sell it for a friend. She’s very ill.” The tears welled in her eyes. “I must have money to buy medicines for her. I must find a physician, as well. She is depending upon me.”
“Is this Gwenith of whom you speak?”
Madeleine started. “I see you’ve learned much about me, my lord.” She wiped at her tears. “Yes, it’s for my dear Gwenith. She means the world to me. Though we are not blood kin, we are closer than sisters.” She rose and began walking away from him but stopped and said, “If you’ll come to the master mummer’s tent, I’ll see that your cloak is there.” Her features softened. “I thank you for its use. It was kind of you to lend it to me—and I’m not used to such kindness.”
*
Her smile was tentative but beautiful all the same. Garrett let her leave to finish her transaction. He watched her until she was gone from his sight, noticing for the first time the slight hitch in her gait. He wondered what had caused such a young woman to have a limp, unless it was something she’d possessed since birth.
She’d said she was selling the jewel for a friend. Did that mean it belonged to Gwenith, and Madeleine pawned the ring for the sick woman? Or had she lifted the piece from an unsuspecting lady, ready to sell it to aid her friend?
Why would a common mummer possess so fine a piece? She had told him nothing but lies from the time they’d first met. Why should he believe her words now?
He had not gotten a good look but he had seen enough to recognize the gemstones as sapphires, and good quality at that.
His curiosity got the better of him. Eventually, the lies would have to end. He didn’t know why he was so drawn to Madeleine and he didn’t intend to let her disappear. Just as he had searched her out when she hadn’t performed at the play that afternoon, he would find her again.
He returned to the old man’s stall, where he watched Madeleine conduct the end of her transaction. She seemed a bit disappointed. Her mouth was tightly drawn, no trace of the smile she’d left him with evident now. She hurried away