Taste of Treason by April Taylor Read Free Book Online

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Chapter Five
    Rob felt niggling disappointment that Luke had left him behind. He never knew whether to laugh or despair over the fact that the minute Gwenette Paige appeared, Luke was no longer the calm apothecary listening to ailments. Discomfort poured from him. He shuffled his feet, fidgeted and mumbled the first thing that came into his head. Luke might like to think that he was immune to all women, but it was only in Gwenette’s presence that he became so uncomfortable. Rob liked Mistress Paige and knew that Luke valued her, despite the brusque way he spoke to her. But surely in a situation such as the one Luke now faced, a sturdy, quick-witted lad like himself would have been a more fitting companion?
    In truth, the thought uppermost in Rob’s mind was of him being unable to help someone who came into the shop, and thus appearing to be a mindless idiot, but he reasoned that Luke would not have left him behind unless the apothecary thought he could be trusted. So long as customers only wanted the usual medicines, of which Luke kept a goodly stock, then Rob could cope.
    He busied himself sweeping the floor and putting down fresh rushes. The sweating sickness had resulted in fewer customers and Rob found time hanging heavy on his hands. He decided to move and wash out all the gallipots, a task that soon had sweat dripping from his forehead and down his tunic. The noise he made prevented him from hearing the new arrival until he turned round. Both he and the girl jumped in shock.
    “I beg pardon, young mistress. How can I aid thee?”
    The girl appeared to be half-asleep. She looked up at Rob, black pupils large in amber eyes, curls of unruly auburn hair escaping from her cap. He found himself swallowing and, try as he might, he could not tear his gaze away from hers. It was some time before he could discipline his tongue to function.
    “Do you require medicine?” he asked in the gentlest of voices. His heart contracted when confusion and fear flooded her face. He put out his hand, took one of hers and drew her down onto a settle, keeping hold of her hand. “Mistress, tell me what ails thee. Where does it hurt?”
    She laid her other hand between barely budding breasts.
    “Here,” she whispered. “Since Edith died, I cannot eat or sleep.”
    “Mistress Brook? You knew her?”
    “She was my friend. Younger than me, but not so timid. She looked after me. Made sure that I had food, protected me from the other girls. They are not always kind. I loved Edith. I do not know what to do.”
    “Who sent you here? Were you asked to buy medicine?”
    She lifted tear-drenched eyes to his, bewilderment writ large across her face.
    “I cannot remember.”
    Probably hasn’t eaten for days
, Rob surmised. Crept around like a shadow, ignored and unnoticed. He felt a rush of anger that nobody had looked after this little waif. Poor child. Well, she was here now with him. She would not remain friendless and unprotected. Rob rose to his feet and poured a goblet of the restorative that he knew Luke gave people in distress, urging her to drink all of it. A little color came into her cheeks.
    “Wait here. I will bring you food,” he said, laying his hand over hers before going into the kitchen. Putting some bread and cheese on a platter, he hurried back into the shop. She must be persuaded to eat.
    The empty goblet rolled from side to side in the disturbed rushes. She was gone. He could not help the thought that she had either been frightened into flight or, worse, taken by force.
    * * *
    Gwenette jerked back and shut the door, turning to whisper to Luke.
    “That was close. A few moments earlier and we would have come face-to-face with Ambassador Fuentes. We must wait a while. Then, follow me as if you are merely obeying my instructions. The servants are used to seeing me going to and from the Queen’s apartments on errands for my mistress.” She looked more closely at him. “Cover your hair—it is too distinctive,