The Crimson Ribbon Read Online Free PDF Page A

sir.’
    ‘Why are you serving that Royalist scum anyway?’ the man says.
    ‘A paying customer is a paying customer. My establishment is a place for relaxation and refreshment, not politics.’
    ‘Nothing political about those braggarts.’
    The landlord accedes. ‘You’d have done better not to make an enemy of Lord Lytham. I’ve seen him draw swords for less. If I were you, I’d keep my head down for a few days.’ He nods to the flagon of wine that the group have left on the table. ‘That’s already paid for. I reckon the young lady has had a shock. It’s yours if you want it.’
    The man pours two cups of the deep red liquid and passes one to me. ‘It’ll help,’ he says. He slugs his serving and pours another.
    I drink and feel the bittersweet heat of it run through me.
    He sits, eyes fixed on me, until I feel as uncomfortable as I had under Lytham’s gaze. ‘I thank you, sir,’ I say.
    He shrugs. ‘Men like that still think they have rights over the rest of us.’
    ‘I can look after myself now.’
    ‘You’re shaking like a leaf in autumn. Drink.’
    I do as I’m told, glad of the warming and softening of my body. ‘You’ve done me a service,’ I say, ‘but I’ve no means to pay you for it. You have my gratitude, but that is all. I’d rather be left alone.’
    ‘What – so some other drunken fool can try his luck?’ He leans across the table and lowers his voice. ‘Or am I mistaken? Are you hoping for a finer catch than Lord Lytham and his merry men?’
    I pull my shawl around my shoulders. ‘Of course not.’
    ‘Well, then, what’s your business here?’
    ‘I . . . I’m on my way to London.’
    He raises an eyebrow. ‘London. Why?’
    ‘To stay with friends,’ I lie.
    ‘At such a time as this, the roads swarming with thieves and beggars? Some friends, to let you travel alone. Have you a horse in the stables?’
    ‘No,’ I admit, thinking of Christopher, already on his way back to Ely.
    ‘Then how do you travel?’
    ‘I have a pass.’
    ‘I see.’ He pauses and looks me over. ‘Who grants you permission?’
    ‘My mistress arranged it.’
    ‘A pass is all well and good, but it’ll not buy you a horse.’
    I have no answer to that. I drain my cup and refill it from the flagon.
    He strokes the dark hair on his chin and when he speaks again, he seems to be talking to himself. ‘Full of secrets and determined not to share them. We’ve much in common. That will make us good companions, I think.’
    ‘But I told you—’
    ‘You admitted yourself, just now, that you’re indebted to me. Is that not so? And you cannot pay me. So, I would strike a bargain with you.’
    ‘Sir, I never asked for your help. It’s unfair that you make demands of me.’
    He laughs. ‘And you were coping with those louts so well on your own.’
    ‘I’m grateful to you, but that is all.’
    He holds up his hands in supplication.
    I drain my second cup of wine. On an empty stomach it makes my head swim but I draw courage from it.
    ‘I travel to London too,’ he says. ‘I’ve a place on a carter’s wagon, leaving at dawn tomorrow. It has taken three days to find someone willing to take passengers. And thank God I did – if I’m to have Lytham breathing down my neck, I think I’d best be on my way. You’ll travel with me.’
    ‘I cannot.’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘I do not know you.’
    ‘That’s easily remedied. I’m Joseph. Joseph Oakes.’ He holds out his hand for me to shake it, as if I am a man and his equal. I ignore it.
    ‘I can find my own way to London,’ I say.
    ‘Forgive me, but even before those scoundrels approached, I noticed you cowering in the corner, like a frightened lamb. You’re easy prey. You’ll not last a day on the London road.’
    ‘And you would be my protector, I suppose?’
    He shrugs. ‘I can help you.’
    ‘So that I may become further indebted to you?’
    ‘I have need of a travelling companion and you’re as good as any. We can travel as brother