help with Culkhen days earlier, but she avoided that trap, listening to instinct that warned he’d find insult in that kind of gratitude for his nobility. Instead, she quoted him the price, to which he nodded then grinned. “If we can get out of this corner, I can reach my coin to pay you.”
Never before had Emerence been so reluctant to take payment from a customer.
His hands settled on her waist as he maneuvered her away from the corner toward the counter where customers made their purchases.
“Mae Ipsan,” a clerk called from the other side of the store. “Could I get your assistance please?”
A sigh of regret escaped her lips before she could stop it. She gazed up at Gaeres who towered over her, his hands a warm pressure on her waist even through her heavy clothing. “I’m needed,” she said. “Someone at the counter will see to your purchase.” She smiled. “It was a pleasure to see you again, sir.”
“Gaeres,” he corrected her. “Call me Gaeres, Madam Ipsan.” His hands fell away and he edged back enough to give her room.
“Then you must call me Emerence, Gaeres.” She liked the way his name fell on her lips. “I may be older than you, but it makes me feel like your mother or your aunt when you address me as madam.”
He frowned. “Of the many things about you that have crossed my mind since we met, a comparison to my mother or my aunt was never one of them.”
“Mae Ipsan!” The clerk sounded panicked now.
Emerence brushed Gaeres’s hand with hers. “Give my best to Dahran Omeya and to your cousin. The ginger and honey will help.”
His regard rested soft on her shoulders as she walked away. She watched from the corner of her eye as he paid for his purchase. She missed seeing him leave except for a glimpse of his hat as he passed through the doorway and onto the street.
The remainder of the day was defined by crowds, chaos, and Tocqua Ipsan’s glee over the many sales both shops made. Emerence managed to escape the madness shortly before they closed, explaining she couldn’t put off balancing accounts any longer.
She didn’t lie. The spike in business had delayed her monthly reconciliations and she’d sworn to herself she’d put in a few hours balancing entries before going home. Her stepmother brought her dinner while she worked alone in the draper’s office upstairs, and Emerence savored the quiet of the finally empty shop, even as her eyes itched with fatigue.
She finally set the accounts aside after adding a column of numbers incorrectly for the fourth time. Linnett had extracted a promise from her that she’d go home once she finished her meal. Emerence had broken that promise a good three hours ago.
The distant sounds of party-goers celebrating at some of the homes owned by Beladine nobility echoed through the market district’s deserted streets. Thick clouds obscured the moon and stars above, and snow fell in a gentle curtain onto the rooftops and cobblestone walkways.
She locked the drapery’s front door, checked the door to the apothecary for good measure and turned to walk home. Her heart vaulted into her throat at the sight of a hulking shadow standing across the street, silent, watching. She fumbled for the key she’d dropped into her apron pocket beneath her cloak, as well as the small knife she carried. A tool more than a weapon.
The streets of Timsiora were safe enough if one stayed away from the worst quarters of the city, and she had nothing on her to attract the attentions of a cutpurse or pickpocket, but one could never be too careful. The menacing figure watching her made her glad she carried even the smallest weapon and wish she’d kept her promise to Linnet to leave earlier.
Her small squeak of distress changed to one of relief when the shadow sharpened into details, revealing a familiar tall form. “Gaeres?”
He crossed the street, halting in front of her before offering one of his courteous bows. “Forgive me. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
Gladdened and puzzled by his appearance, she looked to either side of him wondering where his cousins might be. “What are you doing here? I thought you were escorting your relatives to one of the evening parties.”
“They’re attending it now, along with Dahran Sulti who’ll see to it they’re safe. I’m here to do the same for you.” Darkness hid his expression but not the concern in his voice. “Does your father not worry