Page 69 of Legacy of Glass
“Perhaps they had more than a suspicion.” Markus didn’t meet Julius’s eyes. “Remember, these families weren’t yet wealthy or influential enough to have the ear of the king. And mayhap they knew their adversary was someone who did have that ear.”
Julius put down his tankard, his voice turning to ice. “If you mean to suggest my family had anything to do with?—”
“Now, now,” Markus said with alarm, wiping even harder. “Of course I wasn’t suggesting any such thing. But there are powerful people who have the king’s ear, are there not? Is it impossible to imagine one of them might have dealings below the law? Dealings he would do much to keep concealed.”
Julius let out a breath and picked his tankard back up. “My apologies. Of course I can’t deny the possibility of such a thing. Although I can assure you that if it is the case, my father knows nothing about it.”
“Aye, he’s always been a fair dealer, King Robert,” Markus agreed. “But when it comes to a man’s children, there are some risks a man isn’t willing to make.”
Olivia took a small sip, unable to enjoy the burst of flavor in her mouth. Was it only good fortune that Nell or Hattie hadn’t been taken, back when Uncle Walt’s business was less established and his influence less substantial? The abducted girls had been returned safely, but they must have been traumatized by the experience.
“So someone has been abducting girls at key moments throughout the last few years,” Julius muttered. “And whoever it is has enough influence to send the families fleeing the capital rather than point any fingers.”
“And because they all stayed quiet,” Olivia said, “no one connected the threads.”
“There are only a handful of families with that sort of power,” Julius said. “And all of them are far too powerful for us to start making accusations based on a hunch. Even I would need some sort of proof before I started pointing fingers. Although if I at least had a name, I could start digging.”
He glanced at Markus, who silently shook his head. He had no more information.
“It’s a compelling case,” Julius said. “I’ll grant you that. But I can’t see the connection to Lady Marigold. Her family is far too powerful for anyone to threaten in such a way. And you said there’s been no ransom?” He looked to Olivia for confirmation.
She nodded silently, wishing she could think of something that might definitively link the cases.
“Oho!” Markus accepted Julius’s empty tankard back and dunked it in the tub he kept for washing. With a start, Olivia realized she had stopped drinking hers.
“Oho,” Markus repeated. “So you’re looking for someone in particular. And the daughter of Lord Emerson? Now that is a tasty tidbit.”
“You mustn’t tell anyone,” Olivia said quickly, glaring at Julius. “She’s missing, but we have no proof she was abducted. Her family are keeping it quiet, thinking she’s run away, so please don’t spread any rumors. If you were to hear something, though…”
“Don’t worry, Your Ladyship.” Markus smiled at her with the light of genuine affection in his eyes. “I always know which bits to pass on and which to keep to myself.” He glanced at Julius. “And which to pass on only to very specific ears.”
Olivia relaxed at the reminder that the man clearly worked for Julius. She finished her tankard and passed it over.
“Excellent cider,” Julius said as he stood. “You can be sure we’ll be back for more next time we’re at the market.”
“Of course.” Olivia smiled despite the whirring in her thoughts. “I never miss Markus’s stall when I come here.”
The man smiled proudly, bowing again to them as Julius tugged Olivia away.
“And an excellent thing that you’re an established customer, too,” he murmured in her ear. “Now we won’t need to worry about anyone noticing we’ve started visiting his stall.”
Olivia stared up at him. “So he really is one of your spies?”
Julius frowned at her use of the word, and she bit down on her tongue.
“Not mine,” he said shortly. “I’ve only met him once before. But he’s an excellent source of information for my father. But we don’t normally visit in person.”
“So does that mean he’s a credible source?” she asked. “Can we take this tale to your father?”
Julius hesitated, and Olivia’s heart sank.
“Until we can find a link to Marigold, I don’t think it’s worth the risk of telling anyone about this,” he said. “Except Cade, if you feel the need to confide in someone.”
The last words seemed wrenched out of him, but Olivia didn’t have time to consider such oddities.
“But why not?” she asked hotly, drawing him into an alcove in the far corner of the market, away from the general flow of traffic. “What risk is there?”
Julius glanced over her shoulder at the bustling square. “That my parents might forbid us to come at all if they learn what we’re attempting to do.”
