Memoirs of a Hoyden by Joan Smith Read Free Book Online

the minimum of wrinkles, but I was minutely aware of his gray eyes following my movements. Soon we had a steaming plate of gammon and eggs, toast, and coffee before us, which we dispatched in short order. Conversation was nonexistent till our plates were empty. With only the coffee remaining, we resumed speech.
    “I must try to find a new pair of slippers before we leave,” I said. “Mine are like mashed paper. While you gentlemen finish your coffee, I’ll dart over to the cobbler and see if I can beg or borrow something. I don’t want to detain you.”
    I was able to beg a pair—red, alas!—of slippers made for a Miss Stone two years before. The lady had been dissatisfied with them, and there they sat, gathering dust till I rescued them. It was when I opened my reticule to pay that I discovered the stunt played on me. My money purse was missing! Either Mostly, the vicar, or Mr. Wideman had relieved me of my money. It must have happened while I was in the bedroom with Kestrel, for I hadn’t slept a wink that night. Naturally I was furious with the thief, but of more importance, I had to part with a pretty little gold chain given me by the desert emir, Mohanna el Fadel. It was set with tiny emeralds and rubies, worth much more than the slippers, but I arranged to recover it for cash later. The theft also left us with the problem of settling up at the inn. I suspect that despite the inconvenience, Kestrel was not entirely sorry to find me bested by a mere merchant.
    “I believe the thief was Wideman,” I said angrily. “Mostly seemed a good fellow, and one can hardly accuse a vicar, even if he does carry pictures of partially draped women in his prayer book.”
    “Does he, by God!” Kestrel exclaimed, and laughed. “And he hadn’t even the courtesy to share them with us. Well, Miss Mathieson, you have conned me properly. Here I let you come along so I could batten myself on your purse, and the purse is empty. That will teach me to cadge from ladies.”
    He spoke in jest, but I suspected there was an element of truth in his words, and of regret. Fortunately, Monahan was a generous man. He agreed to hold Kestrel’s emerald ring till we could return. He was kind enough to advance several guineas in cash as well, to permit us to finish our journey. I was afraid Kestrel might try to hint us away now that he held the money, but he didn’t mention it. During my absence the gentlemen had had their jackets pressed, their faces shaved, and their boots polished. They looked much more respectable than myself.
    “Why don’t you go to the stable and hire us a carriage while I freshen my toilette?” I suggested.
    “A carriage?” he asked, surprised. “We can’t hope to overtake mounted men in a carriage. I planned to hire mounts. But you’re quite right. I cannot expect a lady to ride all day. I’ll hire a carriage for you to continue to Canterbury, Miss Mathieson, while Mr. Kidd and I—”
    “I’ll ride,” I said firmly.
    “It will be very uncomfortable for you. We’ll have to set a hot pace, probably for hours. And you’re not outfitted for it either, in your gown and that pretty bonnet.”
    “I am wearing a comfortable traveling suit, not a gown. It will do for a riding habit. I’ll leave my small case behind.”
    An obstinate glitter entered his steely eyes. “I must give you warning, I mean to hire the fastest horseflesh in the stable. Are you a good rider? Your experience on elephants will do you no good here.”
    “Camels are the beast of burden in the desert, Lord Kestrel. I ride a horse quite as well as I ride a camel, as Mr. Kidd will tell you.”
    “An excellent horsewoman,” Ronald said at once.
    “Very well.” The curled beaver was clamped on his head, and he stalked out, leaving Ronald behind. During his absence, I tore the feathers from my bonnet to make it more suitable for riding, and turned down the brim to prevent its blowing off.
    He was soon back with three frisky beasts, any one of