Page 30 of Unbetrothed

What’s wrong with me? Hold yourself together, Beatriz.

I cleared my throat. “Is it always a ruckus here at night?”

“Not always.” There was a lightness in his voice.

“Maybe we should head back. I’m sure Laude is done cleaning up, and I’m in desperate need of a wash.” I stretched my neck to see around Zichri, to ease my apprehension about the four peasants. They had either woven in with the crowd or entered another establishment.

He gently squeezed my hand. “It’s getting late. We should get as much rest as possible before our journey tomorrow.”

His warmth comforted me more than I wanted to admit. I let him hold my hand as we strolled down the rest of the boardwalk, curving around a set of establishments. We crossed the street and entered the inn. The clerk peered at us with a suspicious look. I pulled my hand away so as not to give the clerk reason for unwholesome thoughts.

Zichri continued up the stairs to the rooms, stealing side glances at me as I followed close behind. Something about him sent tingling currents through my blood. I knocked on door thirteen, and the bolt clicked to unlock. Laude peeked through a crack and beamed.

“Good night, Zichri.” I tried to slip in quickly, but Laude stayed at the door, making it difficult to sneak past her.

He dipped his head. “Good night.”

I shut the door and leaned against it—potpourri perfume mixed with a lingering milk and cinnamon scent. Laude must have had her dinner up here. A dim lamp glowed in between two small beds. The gentleness of it all contrasted my pounding heart. I pressed my palms over my chest to steady the beat.

“What happened? I must know. You’re in love,” Laude squealed. “I can see it all over your face.”

“Enough, Laude. I’m not sure how much more of him I can take.” It was the truth.

Laude’s smile fell. She passed me a nightgown and stacked dishes onto an empty tray on a desk. “The maids brought us extra clothes.”

Focusing on breathing, I told this strange sensation to disappear. But it flowed like a river through my mind, bringing each of Zichri’s touches, stray glances, and words through my thoughts.

I changed into my nightgown and slid under a quilt cover.Having such ridiculous feelings for a merchant …

A tiny whisper stirred in my mind:But no one would know about flirting with a Himzo nobody. What harm could it do to enjoy Zichri’s attention?

Chapter 15

“MISS, WHAT ARE YOUlooking at?” The playful melody in Laude’s voice chafed even after a good night’s rest. “Zichri perhaps?” She waggled her eyebrows and perched on the edge of the small bed across from mine.

“No, Laude, I have other things on my mind besides a handsome face.” I held the floral print curtains to the side, letting in the morning light.

“So, you admit it. You favor Zichri! The way he stayed back with you to dine. He only had eyes for you when he said good night. Oh, it’s too good to be true!” Staring at nothing in particular, Laude clapped daintily while she most likely planned my wedding.

Shaking my head, I rolled my eyes. Zichri could be considered cute and perfect for a lowborn like Laude. I, on the other hand, could never dream of such a match. “It’s not that. Take a look at the horses and wagon across the way.” I pointed out the small window.

She hopped off the bed and pressed against the glass. “There’s Milo! He must be buying supplies at that shop.” She waved, almost smacking my face in the process.

“Please don’t tell me you favor Milo now?” I pushed her hands to the side.

Milo trudged from the wagon into the store without glancing up at us.

“You should have heard the clever stories he told. I think he said them to make me laugh.”

“Oh, Laude.” I had a mind to rebuke her. “At least you don’t like Jaime too.”

“I think Jaime is the most handsome of the bunch.”

I pressed a palm to my forehead. Even if I tried to point out the silliness of liking each of the Himzo merchants, she wouldn’t care.

My eyes wandered back to the horses and wagon in question when a raggedy man carrying a basket approached the horse. Anger rose in my throat. “Look! The one feeding the horse.” I pointed, jabbing my finger into the glass. When Laude gasped, I knew I hadn’t imagined it. One of the vile servants who left us stranded was here.

Laude backed away from the window. She clasped the ruffles on the neckline of her dress. “What do you think they will do if they see us?”

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