“What did he say to you?” Red had his back to me, and he spoke so quietly I could hardly hear him. The intensity of his tone scared me, and I could only look at the floor, or the wall, or anywhere but at him. This was one question I would never be able to answer.

“Will somebody please tell me what’s going on here?” asked Margery mildly, looking from me to Red and back again, Johnny was quiet now, hiccuping gently against her shoulder. “What did she do that was so terrible, Red? What could Jenny possibly do to make you manhandle her, and yell at her, and make her cry? I thought we were men and women here, not angry children. I hope you will never behave like this again in my house.” Red was staring at her. It seemed to me that there were lines around his mouth that had not been there before.

“I’m sorry, Margery,” he said bleakly. “It was unfair of me. If there’s any fault here, it’s mine. But this is the only place that is safe for her, while my uncle is here. I don’t have long; I must be downstairs when he arrives. Now, Jenny,” he said, turning toward me, and I could see he was still angry, very angry, but keeping his voice in check with a strong effort of will. “I must know why you went off so far by yourself. I need to know why you broke your promise.”

My shoulders were aching. My feet were sore with walking, and my arms numb from carrying Alys for so long. My hand was bleeding where she had bitten me. His uncle was a beast; and right now, I didn’t think much of the nephew either. I kept my hands quite still by my sides. Red clenched one fist and smashed it into his other hand, swearing under his breath.

“Damn it, Jenny, tell me!”

“I think I know,” Margery put in, glancing at me anxiously. “Jenny has been asking for a new supply of the plant she uses, the one we call spindlebush, from which she fashions her weaving. She has exhausted the stocks she brought with her. I’m afraid I refused to help, hoping she would give up her dreadful task. But I know your strong will, Jenny. I suppose you set out in search of this bush yourself.”

Red’s eyes narrowed. “You were told to watch over her,” he said, and the chill in his voice turned Margery pale. “She must have been gone since early morning. Why didn’t you send after her? Why did I receive no message until Richard’s men were sighted on the road?”

“I’m sorry,” Margery said. She did not tell him I had lied to her. It was probably the first time I had lied in my life.

“Great God, can I trust no one?” Red was pacing up and down again.

I wished he would go away and leave me to my misery.