Being the peak of the summer season, the weather was still hot and the sun beat heavily down on my head as I walked through the market, running errands for Madam Scheffield. My woolen dress, much too warm for such weather stuck to my skin and made me itch all over. However, I preferred being outside in this weather then stuck up in the manor house all day, where the heat was magnified with no occasional cool wind. I actually was caught off guard when madam asked me to go out, knowing full well that I hated being cooped up inside in this kind of heat. Very gratefully nonetheless, I left the others back at the manor and escaped into the village. One of the reasons I think I liked the village so much was because it was full of people like me--the working class of the kingdom. They never turned their noses at me, or rudely called me names. Some even knew of my father and spoke of him and his deeds with admiration. Of course I did not believe them but still smiled through tight teeth.
"Norie!" the miller's wife called out to me as I examined stacks of flour at the miller's stall. Smiling, I looked up at the matronly woman. "Good day, madam," I replied politely and slightly bowed my head in respect to my elder. She laughed girlishly at me. "I think you stayed among those nobles to long for your own good, Little Norie." I couldn't agree more, I thought, but just tightly laughed, pretending it was a joke.
There was an awkward silence after, and quickly changing the subject, she asked, "What brings you to the village market today?"
Appreciative of the change of topic, I pulled out the list I was given before I left that morning. "Madam Sheffield wants flour, fresh vegetables, various herbs, and I am to stop by the silver-smiths to see if there is anything suitable for Camille."
She muttered with disapproval. "She spoils that daughter of hers rotten."
"Well," I stated rather bitterly, "What do you expect, she is her favorite. I think because they both look and act so alike."
"You mean they both have turned up noses and think themselves better then everyone else?"
"Something like that," I said coyly, smiling at her and we broke into laughter.
Eventually, I made my way from the miller's stand and his chit-chatty yet kind, wife, and continued to walk through the villagers stands, the sack of flour lying heavily in my wicker hand-basket. I passed stands selling beautiful bolts of silky fabrics in more colors then I could imagine, beaded jewelry in just as many hues, I even saw glass slippers! I wasted many a moments staring at the crystal shoes, wondering how on earth someone could walk in such things. They had to pinch toes something fierce! I even bought a daisy from a shoe-less little girl in dirty clothes selling them from a basket, with all the money I could call my own at the moment--which wasn't much, and placed the flower in my hair. Seeing her smile up at me, cheered me greatly and I patted her head as I continued through the market place.
It didn't take long to acquire all the items I was sent for (except for jewelry for Camille--the silver-smith was ill that day) and I started to carry my heavily laden basket back to the manor. As I was making my way through the suddenly busy paths and through the bustling crowds, I felt my arm suddenly relieved of the basket's weight. Suddenly looking to my side, I saw a gentleman in the attire of one of the king's guards holding my basket. Before I could shout out a complain, he lifted his red cap and bowed his head to me. "Such a fair lady as yourself should not have to carry such a heavy basket." He had a crooked smile and a humorous glint in his dark eyes. I wanted to smile back, but couldn't.
"Sir, being of the Royal Guards, you are better off not conversing with me. I assure you, for the sake of your honor."
He didn't stop smiling and in fact laughed. "Why would you say that, my good lady?"
"I am Nora Suther," I replied, but the guard smiled on, not making the connection. I then added, "Nathaniel Suther's daughter."
His lopsided grin fell from his face fast as his eyes darkened. "Oh," he managed to mumble.
"Forgive me, sir," I said sadly, try to take my basket back, "I've already taken too much of your time."
But he wouldn't let go, and instead increased his grip on its handle, as he continued to stare at me. I felt drawn to his intent stare as everything else around us for a second spiraled out of existence, and I wished myself clean of my father's tainted blood, even just for this one little moment. However, I knew that was impossible, and as the world returned to normal, jerked my basket back. "Please sir, let go." With that, he released his grip and tipped he's hat at me. Then I turned and quickly left, without looking back, though I could feel his gaze still on me.
---
"Girl!" Madam Scheffield exclaimed as I was met by her in the kitchen, "What took you so long? You were dawdling again, weren't you!"
Placing the basket on the counter of the wash sink, I replied quietly, "It was more crowded then usual, and it was hard to find everything right away." A lame excuse I know, but she never believed any of them anyways, so it mattered little.
Just as predicted, she spat, "Likely story! Why do I even trust you to do this simple chore?" Not waiting for my response, for there wasn't one I could respectfully give, she grabbed the basket from where I set it and rummaged though its contents. "I take it there was nothing suitable for Camille then? Or did you just not feel the need to look at the jewelry?"
"The silver-smith was ill and didn't set up a stand," I commented, and Madam Scheffield snorted. "Whatever. Its not like you had an eye for spotting fine jewelry anyways. I'll check for myself the next chance I get." She looked up at me and then snapped, "And take that silly flower out of your hair! What do you think you are? A pixy?" After calling for Cook to start the bread now that the flour was here, she pointed towards the library. "Camille has complained about the dust in there. Do something about it." I curtseyed and left as she was giving instructions to Cook for the day's meal.
Later that night, with all the work for the day done, I looked out the slit in the roof of my room and gazed at the stars. But I couldn't see them. All I saw were two dark eyes full of humor staring back at me. I doubted I would ever see the guard again, but still... I've never been called a fair lady before.