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.The seedy, dark-haired man with therestless ear intercepted it and, gleefully licking his lips, brought ittoward them, almost making contact before his arm was rudelyseized by his companion. 'Od's blood, Haggie.Ever since ye fell from yer horse andbanged yer head, ye ain't got the manners ye was born with.Yenever go takin' what was meant for me.Now that ye'll be workin''round here, ye remember that, ye hear? The man nodded readily, and with rich enjoyment, Timmy Searssank his own lips into the head of foam.Haggie watched withpuckered mouth until the second mug passed, then eagerly caughtit up and joined in a like refreshment. What are the two o' ye doin' here on a day like this? theinnkeeper inquired.Sears laughed as he lowered his mug and slapped the flat of hishand down on the planks. 'Tis the only place I can escape fromme harpin' wife. Sauntering close, Molly caressed his chest and smiled into hiseyes. I thought maybe ye'd come ter see me, Timmy. The man took the maid into a great bear hug and swung herabout until she fairly squealed with delight.When he set her toher feet again, he searched inside his coat pocket for a moment,then leering, slowly withdrew a coin, which he flipped before hergleaming eyes.She laughed with excited glee, and quicklygrabbing the piece, she dropped it into her blouse.She dancedaway from him and, looking over her shoulder, smiledseductively.The promise was in her eyes, and she had no need tospeak, for when she fled up the stairs, he came after her in eagerhaste.Haggard Bentworth slammed down his own mug andstumbled after them, but he came up smartly against hiscompanion's heels as the red-haired man paused on the bottomstep.Sears was nearly knocked face downward against the stairs by the force of the other's impact but managed to regain hisbalance.He came around with fire in his eye. Not up here, Haggie, he barked. Ye can't follow me here.Gohave yerself another ale. He shoved the man back and hastenedafter the swinging hips that by now had proceeded well up thestairway.Christopher chuckled in his ale, then once again noted a shadowbeside his table.His brow raised in mute question as he glancedup.The dark-haired man from the trestle table stood with a handpoised on the back of the chair Ben had vacated.He had thebearing of a military man, although his garb did not support thatsupposition.Over a stocky, muscular build, he wore a sleevelessleather jerkin, a thick, soft shirt, and snug breeches tucked intotall black boots. May I join you for a moment, sir? He did not wait on ananswer but spun the chair about and straddled the seat, facingChristopher.The man opened his jerkin and twitched a pair ofpistols to a more comfortable position in his belt, then leanedforward, his forearms braced on the back of the chair. Old Ben waggled a drink or two from you, eh? Christopher eyed the other without comment, wondering whythe man had approached him.His lack of a reply should haveangered the intruder.Instead, the other gave a quick, disarmingsmile. Forgive me, sir. He reached out a friendly hand. I am AllanParker, the sheriff of Mawbry, appointed by Lord Talbot toprotect the peace of these lands. Christopher took the other's proffered hand and, introducinghimself, watched the man for a reaction.There was no outwardshow that he had heard the name before, yet Christopher found ithard to believe that the story of his duel with Farrell had notreached the sheriff's ears. I believe 'tis part of my duty to warn strangers about Ben.Depending on the quality of whatever he drinks, he usually has aheadful of ghosts, demons, and other hellish creatures.He shouldnot be taken too seriously. Christopher smiled. Of course not. The sheriff pondered him. I don't remember ever seeing youhere before.Are you from around these parts? I have a town house in London, but one of my ships is in port atWirkinton, and that is how I came to be here. Christophersupplied the information with no hesitation. I'll be staying inMawbry until I have concluded my business here. What business is that, if you don't mind me asking? I came to collect a debt, and since the man seems to be lackingthe wherewithall to pay, I might stay here a while as an addedincentive for him to find it.In fact, the way it looks, I might haveto take up temporary residence here. The sheriff leaned his head back and laughed. You'd probablydo better taking something else in lieu of coin. A lopsided grin twisted Christopher's lips. My aspirationsexactly, but I fear the man is stubbornly opposed to giving mewhat I want. Well, if you're seriously planning on taking up residence here, Ishould warn you there's no place but the inn for you to stay. Ben mentioned a manor house that was burned a few yearsback
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