Page 10 of The Swindler’s Daughter

“We really do appreciate this, Miri. Don’t we, Rowan?”

There was a distinct “Oof” before Rowan coughed and said, “Yes. Of course. We owe you for this.”

“You owe me nothing,” I insisted as we neared my hiding spot. “And if anyone comes around asking about a missing pouch full of money”—I looked over my shoulder to pin them with a look—“I won’t lie.”

Rowan raised his hands as if in surrender. “Fair enough.”

He didn’t look nearly as frightened by my threat as I wished, but there was nothing I could do about that.

I approached the tree beneath which I’d hidden the pouch and brushed the leaves and debris aside. I dug it out of the soil and held it out to them. “Take it and go. I want nothing to do with it.”

“You might feel differently if you knew why we took it,” Rowan said as he reached for the package.

I yanked it back as a warning.

“Sorry,” he muttered.

I extended the package again, and Rowan accepted it from me. His fingers brushed mine, and I snatched my hand back as soon as he caught hold of the pouch.

I didn’t let myself consider what he’d said. I just shook my head and walked away from them. A thief was a thief. I’d been reciting that to myself for the past seven years.

“Will you be at your next lesson?” Rowan asked.

I stuttered to a stop. My anger and indignation wanted me to say no, but if I said no—if I didn’t have Rowan to teach me—then how could I get any better with my bow?

I hesitated for three long beats, trying to think of a way to both continue my practice and show these two foolish lads just how much I disapproved of them, but I was at a loss. So I just said a stiff “Yes” and went my way.

The fact that I had to compromise my morals in order to keep learning a skill that I was desperate to acquire was maddening. I hated that Johnny was my friend, which made it impossible to hate him for what he’d done or to turn him in. I hated that I was tempted to listen to their justifications. One part of me wanted to know why they were doing this, but the bigger part of me was too afraid they’d convince me they were right. Then I would justify it. And then what? What would I find to justify with an excuse next?

***

I had been called on to assist Princess Marilee’s lady’s maid, Kaelyn, in packing Her Highness’s things in preparation for the family’s trip. It was good to have the extra work. It kept me from thinking too many hateful thoughts about Rowan and Johnny. My folding was fastidious as I prepared each item, and Kaelyn placed them into whichever trunk they belonged, adding sprigs of lavender as she went.

“He’s not worthy of the post,” I heard Marilee lament as she entered the bedchamber which was strewn with the items we planned to pack.

“That’s not for us to decide,” Sir James responded as he came in after her.

“But why him?” she complained, the bright ribbons that adorned her dress fluttering with her anger. “He is not Phillips’s equal, and he has no business taking his place.”

“I agree, but neither you nor I have any say in the matter. Reeve has been appointed, and we must respect the position he holds.”

The princess scoffed. “It is a good thing that we’ll be gone for so long, because I don’t know that I could abide it,” she declared as she stepped into her dressing closet. “He is a horrid, ruthless man, and I cannot think what the high magistrate was thinking when he appointed him.”

Sir James settled his shoulder against the doorframe that led from their bedchamber into Marilee’s dressing closet. “You know the senior-most constable gets promoted to magistrate.”

“Well then, whoever made him constable in the first place is mad,” Marilee grumbled.

“It was likely a political maneuver. Or perhaps no one else wanted the post. We’ve a small village here, and it isn’t the most prestigious position.”

“I despise politics,” Marilee ranted from the depths of her closet.

“You’re a member of the royal family,” Sir James pointed out, a smile in his voice.

“Exactly,” she said, stepping up to where Sir James leaned in the doorway and squaring her shoulders. She likely meant to look tough, but Marilee always came across as soft. “I know what I’m talking about. Anyone who wishes to be in politics shouldn’t be.”

He placed a hand on her waist. “An excellent point, my dear.” He kissed her forehead.

My smile couldn’t be suppressed. I would certainly miss the master and lady of the house. And their banter.