Page 19 of The Starling and the Hatter

7

Maddox

The festival had officially ended last night. One last big hurrah with drinking, dancing and laughter. Now we started the work of moving on to the next place.

I saw Elise wandering around, watching as the travelers broke down their tents and packed them into their wagons. My father and I were doing the same. The last two weeks of the festival season would be spent in Stormbrook and Lorta. Fortunately, Dorothy’s baby wasn’t due to arrive until midwinter, so having my father come for the next few weeks wouldn’t be a problem.

But Elise…Elise might be a problem.

“You’d best go speak with her,” my father said from behind me.

“What?”

He pointed his chin in Elise’s direction. “Go find out what her plan is. She can’t earn money here now that the fair is over, but she has no wagon. Make sure she knows she can travel with us if she has a mind to.”

“And if she doesn’t?”

“Dorothy would love the company,” he said easily.

I scoffed. “I think she’s likely to fall in with Ludly and his crowd.”

My father gave me a heavy look. “She’s only fourteen. She needs someone like Dorothy.”

I blinked, stunned. “Fourteen?”

“Yes, didn’t I mention? We all thought she was a year or two older than Kat, but it turns out she’s younger.”

My mind clanged in an attempt to adjust my thinking. She was even more vulnerable than I had believed.

I finished packing the trunk I was working on and then walked over to where Elise stood, her plumed cape draped over her arm. As I approached, she tried to give me a smile.

“Where will you go now?” I asked, ready to get this conversation over with. If she was going to refuse help, I might as well know right up front.

“Um…” she said, looking nervous. “To the next festival.”

“With who?” I challenged.

“I’m fine on my own.” The way her chin tilted up, I could see her stubbornness peeking out.

“On foot?”

“How do you think I got here?”

She had a point, but that didn’t solve the problem. “We’re going farther into the mountains. That means bears and mountain lions. You can’t travel on your own.”

Her eyes widened. “Bears?”

I nodded. “And other large animals.”

Her eyes flitted about and she crossed her arms over her stomach. “Well…” She swallowed, and for a heartbreaking moment, I thought I saw her eyes wet with tears.

“You should travel with us,” I blurted.

Her panicked eyes found mine and immediately calmed. “I should?”

“Of course.” Had that not been obvious when my family offered her a place with us? “My father sent me over here to tell you just that.”

“I—” She swallowed, looking nervous and scared. “Thank you. I was hoping I might be able to do that, but I didn’t know if it was an option.”