Page 13 of The Swindler’s Daughter

I didn’t know what else to say. If what he was saying was true…

He gestured toward the target. “Aim. You came here to learn archery.”

My chin pulled in. I didn’t like that he was the one acting angry, but I couldn’t say for certain that his anger with me was unjustified, not when I knew so little. Not when I didn’t really want to know any more. I didn’t want to believe that this place could be corrupted and turned into a battleground between the law and the common man. But that’s what he was suggesting.

***

I placed my basket on Wick’s tabletop with a thunk. “I need more arrows.”

He gave me a sidelong glance. “You really should learn how to make your own.”

“I’m sure I’ll get around to it sometime, but until then, I’m positive that yours are better.”

A corner of his mouth turned up. “How’s the bow treating you?”

I grinned. “Wonderfully. I knew I’d chosen the right one.”

“You certainly took long enough to decide.”

“Not true,” I corrected. “I knew from the start which one I wanted; I just couldn’t afford it at the time.”

“And how many arrows can you afford now?”

I shrugged. “Only two.”

Wick sighed. “As much as I appreciate the business, I don’t feel good about you spending all your money on my arrows.”

“I’ve got an older brother already, Wick. I do not need another,” I reminded him as I selected the two arrows I wished to purchase.

He gave a little chuckle. “Very well, Miss Miriam.” He looked past me for a moment, and his smile fled. Instead of the kind and accommodating grin I was used to, his expression morphed into worry and then quickly hardened into anger.

“Is everything all right?” I asked as I held out a copper.

His attention returned to me and he took the money before quickly helping me tuck the arrows amid the other wares in my basket. “You’d best be on your way,” he urged.

“Why? What’s wrong?” I asked, turning to look deeper into the market, wondering what had changed his demeanor so swiftly.

“The constable is coming.”

My brow furrowed and I looked back at him. “Have I done something illegal that I don’t know about?”

He gave a swift shake of his head. “Lately, the constables don’t come to the market to keep the peace.”

Rowan’s words about corruption rang in my head, and my heart sank. “They don’t?” I asked, trying to see past the crowd of people.

“No, they don’t.” He shoved my basket into my arms and practically pushed me from the stall. “Now go.”

I did as he asked but only went so far as to tuck myself out of sight before turning back to look around the market. I spotted the constable without difficulty. He was in his uniform, and I noted that the vendors closest to him were all trying hard to look busy and never made eye contact with him. He fingered a few items at Selworth’s stand before taking a large handful of nuts from one of the baskets and sticking them in his pocket with a broad grin.

He walked away without paying, and I could see the way Selworth held himself rigid, angry but determined not to make a scene.

My face went slack, dismayed at what I was witnessing.

“What’s this?”

I spun at the sound of the voice, and my heart dropped when I realized it was another constable standing just behind me.

He hands rested on his hips as he looked me up and down. “You look like you’re up to no good.” The words were disapproving but he was grinning, like he was happy he’d found someone to interrogate.