For a few brief moments I felt warm and peaceful, though there was noise from outside. The clatter of carriage wheels on cobbles. The crow of the cockerel. The squeal of a pig. Jane snoring softly. And someone was shouting for a link boy to light the way, so I knew the sun was not yet risen. I snuggled down, pulling the covers over my head. The feathers in the mattress folded around me, as if I was buried under a blanket of deep, warm snow. All sound was muffled, except for the steady thud of my heart beating. If only I could stay here, safe, for ever. If only I hadn’t taken the ring. I could hear my mother was up and about. Doors slammed. Her voice was getting louder and louder, shouting, “Margrat! Jane! Wake up you slug-a-beds. There is work to do.” Now I remembered. The Doctor was invited for dinner and he had sent word that he would come. I had not doubted it for a moment. Jane was sent out to the Stocks Market early to buy a rabbit for a fricassee.
