‘You know that’s not true,’ she said.
‘It’s enough,’ he whispered.
It should be enough. Christmas season...the rains flooding the fields...Mitchell’s inspiration for the spinning wheels. But the King had demanded more of her. Everything. Her family was at risk. And now Hugh was here in Swaffham. Asking questions, following her. Being cruel and then revealing kindness.
Maybe he was so adamant about her keeping secrets because he kept a few himself.
‘As you know, what is and isn’t enough doesn’t matter when it comes to the King’s command.’
She wanted to step back, move, think through all of this. She could hear the revellers below. The entertainment was still in full swing. Even so, she didn’t have much time. And she hadn’t had time to look yet.
Hugh’s presence be damned—she had to look. She wouldn’t get another chance like this.
Forcing her eyes to follow the lighted slats, she walked to the desk and felt along its corners.
‘What does the King command?’ His voice drew out each word in cold lethality.
She couldn’t see anything, and was worried she’d knock something over. ‘Why would the King send two spies to this town?’ she replied.
She had known it was foolish to bring a candle into the room, when she could be easily caught. But her fears had battled with her duties, and it was simply easier to see. Now everything was murky dark with the only light from the covered windows, and the thin light between the floorboards and under the door.
Where to start?
When she’d opened the door, all she’d taken in was the desk. She hadn’t seen if there were other places to search.
‘Are you here to ensure I complete my assignment? Because I haven’t found it yet.’
He was silent. Remained silent. She realised it was a good tactic, because in the dark she wanted to make confessions. She also wanted to mourn her lost opportunity.
‘What is it you’re to find?’ he said, but his voice sounded far away—as if he could barely get the words out.
‘Did you see anywhere else to search in here? I’ve got the desk, but this is a large room—there could be other places to look.’
‘There’s a cabinet under the window.’
She heard him step closer.
‘What is it you’re looking for?’
She disrupted a couple of scrolls. ‘Hopefully Lyman’s not observant.’
‘Tell me it’s not true—that you’re not a spy.’
‘Why are you acting so angry? Remember all those talks of secrets and kings, and your following me? This is it. I’m showing you; I’m answering your questions.’
‘It’s not safe—he couldn’t have asked you to do such a thing.’
‘No, it’s not safe—for my family is threatened. So here I am.’
Silence again. She glanced up, could barely see his outline for he didn’t move. He looked as if he hardly breathed.
She knew the feeling.
‘He has threatened you and your family?’ he said.
She righted a candlestick. ‘Why else would I be doing this?’
‘I thought—’
