Born in 1601 and turned in 1637, while Bennett could have chosen from a wealth of ornate and layered fashions worn during that time by both men and women, she’d always preferred comfort over pomposity. Comfort to her definitely wasn’t a dress, and it also wasn’t an embroidered jerkin, blousy breeches, or frilly shirts. Instead, Bennett was wearing snug-fitting leather pants tucked into cuffed boots and a long-sleeved leather doublet under which was a linen shirt, the ends of its ruffled sleeves extending over her hands. Hanging from her belt was a scabbard, and the handle of the sword it contained was elaborate, its pommel ending with a dark sapphire encased in a centerpiece of silver. And to finish the look, Bennett had on a cape over one shoulder, held in place by three leather cords running from her shoulder to under her other arm.

“Are you going to stand there gawking, or are you going to let me in?”

“I’m…I’m sorry,” Ruby said, stepping back. “Please come in, but don’t put on that hat. Low ceiling.”

Bennett hadn’t noticed until then that the trim around the door was almost at eye level, and bowing her head, she walked into the apartment only to realize she couldn’t stand straight without her head hitting the ceiling. “Lord. Low is putting it mildly.”

“Yeah, sorry about that. I just have to pick out some earrings, and we can go.”

Bennett raised her head as much as she dared. “Pick something silver if you have it.”

“Um…any reason why?”

“Yes,” Bennett said, reaching into her pocket. “This is for you.”

Ruby took the necklace from Bennett, her delight clear until she saw the silver archer’s bow and arrow dangling at the end. “Oh, gotcha. I almost forgot. This is how you’re…um…claiming me?”

“Yes,” Bennett said, raising her head a fraction of an inch before lowering it again. “And I’d offer to help you put it on, but I’m feeling a bit like Quasimodo right now.”

Ruby snickered. “This is only going to take a second. Feel free to sit down, or I can meet you in the hall if you want to stand straight. Your choice.”

“I fear if I sit down, you’ll take longer than a second, so straight it is.”

It took Ruby no time at all to find a pair of unpretentious silver pendant earrings, and after two attempts at fastening the necklace, she was finally able to work the clasp. Dropping her keys into a clutch bag, she draped her coat over her shoulders, and after giving her apartment one last glance, Ruby met up with Bennett in the hall.

Ruby adored Bennett’s swashbuckling attire, and it showed on her face. “I think this is the part where you’re supposed to say my carriage awaits.”