Page 32 of Colour My World
She drew a fingertip against the pane, tracing the outline of her green eye. She would heed the aires.
Chapter 10
Later that week, Jane and Mary accompanied Elizabeth for an hour’s walk around the gardens.
“While I appreciate your company, is this much care not excessive for my minor injuries?”
Jane laughed. “No amount of care for a beloved sister is too much.”
Mary squeezed her hand. Elizabeth returned Mary’s gesture and said, “I will admit, this hour passed pleasantly. Might I beg a cup of tea and a biscuit?”
At the door, her sisters turned back toward the parlour. Elizabeth made her way to the kitchen. Mrs Hill and Cook welcomed her eagerly.
“You must have a good slice of fresh bread,” Cook insisted, reaching for a thickly cut piece. Herairemirrored Mrs Hill’s. “Bread strengthens the arms, and you have none to spare.”
“And cheese for strong bones! A woman must stand firm in this world.” Mrs Hill placed a plate with a block of cheese in front of her.
Cook presented a dish of stewed apples. “For the digestion, miss. A lady ought never to suffer from a sour stomach.”
Elizabeth chuckled as the two women hovered over her. Their aires, warm and reassuring, wrapped about her, a familiar quilt. She took a bite of bread to placate them, and Cook clapped her hands in triumph. “There now! We shall have you hearty yet.”
A large man entered through the back door. “Where ya be, Cook?”
“What do ye want, butcher?” Cook answered, hands on hips.
“I has your meat order.”
“You know where the table is.”
The butcher returned and dropped a massive piece of bloodymeat onto the cutting table.
“Pardon us, Miss Lizzy. Cook has work to do,” Mrs Hill said.
Elizabeth rose. “Thank you for the repast.” She turned to excuse herself—
The air shifted.
Hisaireloomed thick and heavy, a dark storm cloud that pressed against her. Cook’s lips moved, but her words were for nought. The darkness suppressed everything.
“Kilt it meself fresh. Hung for four hours, as you like.”
“I dunno. Seems off to me,” Cook replied.
“When has I ever steer’d ye wrong?” The butcher glanced between her and Elizabeth. Hisairepulsed; black flecks of soot bled into the air. His words did not matter. The ash cloud betrayed him.
The word escaped Elizabeth before she thought of it. “Today”
The butcher’s mouth opened, but before he could protest, Cook waved her hand. “Shut it.” Herairedarkened at the edges.
Cook pressed her fingers deep into the meat shank, inhaled, and recoiled. She coughed, grabbed a rag, and wiped her face and hands. “Off ye go. I’ll send a boy to watch ye kill a fresh one, and he’ll sit with it while it hangs.” Cook grabbed a large carving knife. “Sell me spoiled meat again, and it’s you I be carving.”
The butcher’s eyes darted from Cook to Elizabeth and back. His Adam’s apple bobbed. “It won’t happen again. Don’t ruin me. For pity’s sake.”
She blinked.He had lied. The realisation settled like a stone in her chest.I can trust what I see!
“Do as I say, and you’ll avoid me wrath,” Cook replied.
The butcher fled.
