Chapter Four: Lenicks Marketplace

The ride to the nation's capital was long and tiring. Abigail was exhausted when they finally arrived. But not even exhaustion could lessen her awe at the splendour of the city. They rode through the market place, the dazzling colours almost hurt Abby's weary eyes and the sight of so many strange peoples gave her a start. She had not thought of how many different peoples lived, travelled or visited the city.

The vendors displayed their wears in loud, sharp voices that mingled and mixed, causing the sharp pains that announced the beginnings of a headache to make themselves known to the new arrivals. There were jewellery, cheese, wine, bread, fine cloths, silks, and many other stands crowding the streets.

The people that admired the merchandise breathed in the deep, heady perfume scents or the perfumists and caressed the soft, filmy laces and the rich velvets of the cloth mongers.

As Abby watched, a young woman bargained with a grain merchant, her small boy hanging about her knees; An old pot-bellied man shouted at the small children who ran through his stall, playing a game of tag; An elderly noble held his handkerchief up to his aristocratic nose and urged his horse forwards. A prostitute with jangling jewellery smiled sensuously from the brothel's window, attracting attention from a few young men (and a few older ones aswell).

A short, plump woman waved her hand over the trays of pastries, catching people's eyes. The smell from the fresh treats made Abigail's mouth water before the crowd separated the stall from her view.

A young man with honey coloured hair jumped towards the carriage and hung on to the golden bars that helped their luggage stay atop. He leaned in a grinned at them, showing a small ruby in place of one of his front teeth. He chuckled at Keosha's gasp and climbed in.

"'Allo, 'allo! 'Ow are ya?" His county accent mixed with a rather loud voice made a grating enough voice for Abby wince as she opened her handbag and drew out her purse.

"If you are looking for money, this is all I have." She said, holding out the small handful of coins. The man cocked an eyebrow and inspected the handful.

"Not much, is it, eh?" He sniffed, "Hmm, rose scented 'and cream, rose scented powder, rose petals strewn about in drawers, dried roses in yar bag. Though praps', lavender would go better with y'ons' eyes." He said, producing a bunch of fresh lavender from his person and presenting it to Abby. She accepted it with a small smile.

"Ya shouldn't offer money to people ya don' know. No, Ah'm more into the big stuff meself," the man said waving away her handful of coins. "Ah make it a rule to no' ever accept offered money. Takes away from th' thrill, eh." The man sat up in a weaver's pose and studied Abby's face intently, then he turned around and did the same to Keosha.

"Y'ons be Natalia's cousin, Keosha. I heard ye were commin' ta the court. Natalia will be pleased. And y'all," he turned to Abby. "Ye are The Earl of Mattensworth's daughter, Abigail. Many people at court 'ave been jabbering' about ya. One o' my friends in particular, poor man, though 'es not at Court or even in the city now. Quite the beauty ye is." The young maid finally found her tongue and Keosha snapped,

"And she is too, so it isn't 'jab' at all. And if you are who you say you are, even though you didn't say in particular who exactly is it you are, then you had better keep your over-sized mouth shut."

"'kay! Now if Ah may ask ye ladies to keep quiet 'till we get to where Ah want to go, it would be most delightful." He grinned again and Abby, for no reason whatsoever, felt suddenly at ease with this strange man. She smiled and said quietly,

"We shall tell no one of your presence here, good sir, If you will but tell us your name." the man winked and said slyly,

"Ah, but that'd be telling." When Abby raised an eyebrow, he continued, seeming little contrite, "Me name be Bram Miller, an' Ah be goin' now, me ladies." With that he swung out of the carriage and into the crowds of people. Abby leaned out of the window to watch him, but she soon lost sight of him.