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"How quickly could you create a pin with my lord’s standard upon it?" she asked the smith

The man frowned and ventured, "In six days, ain as much if you can deliver it toto the let opportunity pass hi out her leather pouch to give him an initial payment When she pulled two silver coins froround

The smith stooped to retrieve it for her and ht "Ah! Such a lovely piece I’ve not seen this work for many a year, my lady!"

Instantly, her attention left the coins and focused on him "You know of this work?"

"Aye ’Tis the skill of Frederick of Gladwythe"

"Wherethat Dirick would demand the saed "My lady, I’ve not seen the man for five or six summers He may be dead for all I know, as I’ve not seen any of his work for that long He was not a youngan extra coin fro ht be found, do you send word to udon ’Tis a matter of life and death"

He accepted the third coin with alacrity "Aye, my lady That I will do And I will see that your husband’s pin is delivered to you by Sunday ood day and returned to Raymond and her other co day, she would have two presents for her husband

Because the streets were so crowded, the party did not ency of the trip now gone, when a loud noise behind the down the narrow street in their direction, bouncing pell h the air, and passersby jumped out of the way

The cart narrowly oldsed and ebbed, frantic to escape the runaway cart, Maris became separated from her party

"Lady!" Rayht at her

She tried to duck out of the way, but the cart changed direction, following her as she dodged off the street It rus and knocking displays fro proxis hurt and her leg ached where she tripped against the side of a stall, but Maris did not stop The cart ca behind her like the rush of a huge wave, and she knew she would not come out of this alive

Suddenly, as the alley opened onto a wide street, she spied the stone enclosure of a public well Heading for it, she said a quick prayer Maris grabbed the heavy wooden frae bucket and jumped up and out of the way of the cart

The cart stor dust in its wake, then disappeared down a side street

Ray, "Lady, lady, are you all right?"

Shaken, Maris clah she knew her eyes were huge, belaying her fright, she spoke cal" She looked down at her torn, dirty gown, and knew that her hair, which had cogles down her back Discreetly, she lifted her skirt to exa

Rufus, one of the other ht Hickory to her and assisted Maris into the saddle Her leg pained her and her head felt light, but she was determined to ride back to Westminster on her own accord

They were nearly to the castle when they werethe standard of Dirick of Ludingdon Dirick himself rode at the forefront, and drew up his reins at the approach of the u from his men to ride up to Maris’s side His eyes widened at her disheveled appearance "Maris! What has befallen you?"

She brushed a griht but a near ot loose in theto evade it"

His lips tightened "You did not tellto London I would have been your escort had I known"

Maris bristled even as she felt Raymond stiffen beside her "My men are more than an adequate escort for me, my lord, and I will visit the market when I will, with or without your permission"