Page 22 of Dancing On Air

The little boy nodded in agreement, taking the bushel of apples from Connor, and turning to give them to Albert. Connor turned and hurried back to the wagon.

“I have to leave now, but I’ll be back soon to visit,” he heard Eleanor tell the others. “Goodbye.”

“Thank you again,” shouted Edna, waving her arm in the air. The boys started playing with the dog once again.

Connor was already in the wagon with the reins in his hand by the time Eleanor got there.

“My, you’re in a hurry,” she said, settling herself on the seat next to him. “Are you going to drive?”

“Yes,” he said, slapping the reins against the horse. The horse took off down the road.

“Where are the rest of the apples going?” he asked her.

“I need to stop at the butcher’s next.”

“Oh,” he said, not sounding happy about it. “I think when we get to town, I’ll walk and meet up with you when you’re finished.”

“I thought you said you were coming to town to get food for your family. Were you planning on stopping at the butcher’s at all?” she asked so innocently that it almost made him laugh.

“Nay, Eleanor. One shilling isn’t going to buy enough meat for anyone.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’m a commoner now. Commoners don’t usually eat a lot of meat.”

“So, your family never has meat?” she asked.

Conner’s stomach growled just thinking of the stuffed swan or thick slices of venison in gravy that he used to eat often at the castle. They were his favorite.

“The only meat we have is what we are allowed to hunt in Lord Sampson’s forests. But that is only once a month and I missed it since I had to attend the hanging. Now, I have to wait a whole month before I can hunt again.”

“Really? That is too long.”

“It’s the rules.”

“Well, what were you planning on buying in town with just a shilling?”

“I don’t know. I was hoping to stop by the baker’s shop and see if he’s got any old bread.”

“Conner, this isn’t right. You have noble blood and should be eating like those who sit above the salt, not below it,” she told him.

“Nay, you’re wrong,” he said, stopping the horse at the edge of town. “I’m not a noble. Not anymore.” He handed her the reins and jumped off the wagon.

“Come with me.”

“I can’t. It’s too risky. Someone in town might recognize me.” He looked up and eyed the sun getting low in the sky. Dark clouds were blowing in. “Make your visit a fast one and meet me back here quickly. It’s going to storm again soon. I want to make sure you’re back safely at the abbey before that happens.”

“But Connor—”

“Just do it,” he said, walking away, trying not to be seen with her.

Since it was getting late in the day, by the time Connor got to the baker’s shop, it was already closed. He turned and headed toward the seedier part of town, knowing it was his only hope of getting any kind of food for his family yet today. He was just about up to the tavern when a boy shot out of a dark passageway, crashing into him.

“Oomph,” said Connor, as the air was knocked from his lungs.

“Sorry,” said the boy, glancing up for just a second. When he saw the burn mark on Connor’s face, he gasped.

“It’s all right. No harm done,” said Connor, flashing the boy a smile and holding up his palms. The boy took off like a bat out of hell. Connor continued walking to the tavern, stopping outside when he saw Lilith, one of the regular whores he’d paid for on occasion when he had an itch to scratch.

“Executioner,” she said, without even having to see his face.

“Don’t call me that, Lilith. You know I hate it.”

“Are you here to see me?” she asked with a smile, walking over to him and running her hand down his chest.

“Nay, I’m not,” he told her. “I’m here to get food for my family only.”

“Mayhap you’ll have an extra hay’penny for me?” she tried once again, offering her services.

“Nay, Lilith, not tonight.” His hand went down to his pouch. “I only have enough—oh hell, where is my pouch?” He grabbed at the strings that had held it to his belt, seeing that they’d been cut.

“Looks like you were robbed,” said the girl, staring at his waist. “Excuse me, I think I see a customer who can actually pay.” She turned to go.

“Lilith, wait. Is there any way you can get me some food for my family?”

“What do I look like, hangman? I’m a whore, not a damned nun. I don’t do charity for anyone, not even you.”

“Damn it,” he spat, running a hand through his hair. “The boy,” he said aloud, knowing now that the boy from the passageway had robbed him and he’d never even known it. He looked up and down the street, trying to find the thief but didn’t see him anywhere. “God’s eyes, can this day get any worse?” he grumbled through gritted teeth, heading back to the spot where he was to meet Eleanor—the woman he would always love but would never have.