She looked at Evan. “Go ahead, my husband will meet you at the junction. Your girls are safe enough with me.”

Evan looked to Martha, and back to the woman, then nodded. “I’ll go, but we’ll need to be on our way soon to make the farm before dark.”

The woman looked amused. “You aren’t looking to stay here?”

Eleanor spoke up. “We were, but believed it was empty. We don’t want to intrude.”

That prompted a full, rich laugh. “Such manners. Never you worry, my dear, we have room and plenty and you’re more than welcome.”

She beckoned them both forward as she made for the tower door. “My name’s Astrid, and you’ll be meeting my husband, Will, soon enough, now come inside and tell me what brings you along the Woodbine path in such chilly weather.”

Martha strode over the threshold, Eleanor followed more cautiously. Inside was simple and spare, a battered old table, tree stumps for chairs and a pallet with blankets on a small platform in one corner, but the fire was lit and the kettle over it merrily hissing an invitation to tea.

Astrid met Eleanor’s eyes as she closed the door against the snow. “Traveller’s welcome, traveller’s rest, my dear, and I would like to hear your story.”

Martha groaned. “Spare me Eleanor and her stories. The village children think she’s some sort of enchantress come to life with all her prattling of old Kings and curses.”

Eleanor responded. “Whereas Martha only speaks to argue.”

The other girl opened her mouth to retort, then paused, and glared.

Astrid fetched the makings for tea from a small chest and poured hot water into two mugs. “We only have these I’m afraid, if you don’t have some in your cart, we’ll have to take turns. We’re travelling as well.”

Martha asked. “Where would you be travelling between that this place is a waystop?”

Their hostess replied. “We had business along the Tradeway and are on our way home to Highfell.”

Cadan’s family was from Highfell, should she mention it? But he’d said nothing about taking her to meet them. Was he avoiding it? Was she not good enough to be introduced to them? Was there a girl up there he was supposed to marry, and he hadn’t told?

Martha had none of Eleanor’s concerns. “One of the men in our village is from Highfell, came down a couple of years ago to apprentice to our forester. He’s married to her but probably not for much longer. She’s not very good at being a villager.”

Astrid merely raised a brow. “You’ll be Cadan’s bride then.”

Eleanor nodded and hid her face in her tea mug.

The door opened to admit Evan and another man, tall and broad, with black hair and watchful eyes. Astrid said to him. “What was it we were hearing about new Rangersson daughter-in-law?”

The man dumped a load of blankets and other goods from the cart on the table. “Clever, accomplished, and restless. Do they know her?”

Astrid nodded in her direction. “This is her.”

Eleanor wondered what he was seeing as he looked her over. She felt scruffy and unworthy. No wonder Cadan hadn’t taken her to his home, and what a way to describe her. The man said nothing of his thoughts, merely nodded politely in greeting.

Martha sniggered. “Is that really what Cadan told them?”

Astrid shook her head. “I think that came from his trademaster or some other in the village.”

Martha’s snigger turned into a snort of laughter. Eleanor bit her lip and stared at the fire. She was never going to fit in.

Evan and Martha were despatched up the stairs with the blankets, apparently there were more beds on the next level. Eleanor helped combine their provisions with the Highfells pair’s to create a warm, filling meal.

Astrid watched her slicing vegetables. “Why did your friend say you weren’t a good villager?”

Swallowing the rejection of Martha’s description as a friend, Eleanor replied. “I’m from Gandry originally and my learning has all been in languages and trade. There’s not much call for either in Woodbine.”

Will grunted from where he was stacking wood by the fire. “Even the Highfells has room and use for traders.”

Eleanor forced a smile. “Maybe Cadan and I will move back there once he’s completed his apprenticeship.”

If they were still married. If Cadan wanted to take her to his home. Eleanor focused on her chopping.

Astrid watched her for a while, her steady regard even more unsettling than her husband’s had been. Eleanor felt like her very soul was being read, assessed, and deemed wanting.

She nearly sliced a finger in surprise when the older woman said. “He should hurry up then.”

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