Bones for Bread (The Scarlet Plumiere) by L.L. Muir Read Free Book Online Page B

room smelled of warm wax and smoky wood. There was no lingering smell of the man himself. A note sat propped against the candle.
    Please join us for supper at the auberge.
    It was simply signed with the letter A.
    The last thing she wanted was to sit by the fire and torture herself with images of Ash standing on a wall, shaking his head—especially when she could torture herself with his presence instead. So she donned her only other gown, another wool dress, this one with a bit more green than blue to the plaid. She put on her cloak, hoping the damp would never reach her clothes, and banked her fire.
    Blair stepped outside into the gloaming and turned to the right out of habit. As she was passing the shadowed alley that led to the stables behind Hotel Place Ducale, she nearly jumped from her skin when she realized the dark little man was standing in the shadows, the one she’d passed on the road and ignored when he’d called out to her. His back was turned, but she recognized the shape and unusual size of him.
    Another man joined him, then nervously glanced her way. She turned her attention back to the sidewalk and moved on. Her curiosity would not allow her to go farther than the corner, however, and once there, she pressed her back against the stone wall and edged her nose as near to the alley as she dared, to listen. If someone passed her, they might suppose she was standing under the eaves seeking shelter from the ever-pouring rain.
    Her ears strained to catch the conversation. The men spoke in French. One was not happy with the price he was paid, but gave up his information because it was raining and he was too fatigued to argue.
    “The English nobles you seek are around the corner in the Auberge Ducale. Where else would they be?”
    Blair turned and fled toward the door of the glorified tavern. She hadn’t quite decided whether or not she would join the English lords or ask for her own table, but she was determined to discover the little man’s business, even if she had to sit upon Ash’s lap in order to hear it. She hoped more had gone on inside Givet Faux than could be explained with a simple shake of a head. And if so, perhaps the next clue to follow would come from this little man.
    Her heart jumped at the possibility, but she reined it in like a silly colt. There was only one thing to do. One task at a time. To find the gentlemen and get close enough to hear their conversation with the dark little man.
    She moved to the far right aisle of the large tavern and approached the gentlemen’s usual table. One look at the trio, however, and she realized she could not possibly join them. Neither would eavesdropping do her any good.
    They were drunk.

CHAPTER SIX

    With all drinks being poured and spilled in the large tavern, it was a true feat to have the smell of it wafting from one’s table instead of the bar. But they’d managed it. When they failed to glance up at her, she moved on to the seat in the corner to her left. It was her usual spot and, on those nights she came to spy, she tried to be in it before the men arrived. It was a dark corner. Her cloak helped her blend in. Often times the serving woman peered into the shadows to make certain she was there before asking her order.
    She slid around the table and into her favorite shadow making nary a sound. Since the men were oblivious to her, and the nearby tables were unoccupied, she looked her fill.
    The men were seated in their usual arrangement. Ash, always with his back to the wall, faced the aisle. The other two sat at his elbows. The table contained bottles, glasses, and food—no one reached for the food. With the lead they’d had, they couldn’t have eaten much of anything if they were already so deep in their cups that most of their heads were bowed.
    She had seen them drink before, but never like this. And she knew, with an invisible blow to her middle, that she’d been right. They were out of ideas. Out of plans. They were giving up.
    “Oh,