What was this little wench trying to do?
A few sweet words to stir trouble?
Or did she want to smear Ryan's reputation?
In this era, relationships between men and women were scrutinized harshly. One careless move could cost a person their job.
Mary watched closely, waiting to see how Ryan would respond.
From somewhere in the crowd, a low, discordant whisper drifted over.
"Did you hear? That woman and Ryan aren't so innocent…"
"I hadn't heard that, but I did hear Ryan married a fat village girl. I wonder if she even came today."
Mary followed the sound and fixed her gaze. Two casually dressed women stood together, each with a child at her side, whispering as they watched the scene unfold.
Ryan looked at the woman standing before him with a frown. He searched his memory carefully, yet found nothing at all.
"Who are you?" he asked bluntly. "Have we had any grievances before?"
Vanessa felt as if a bolt of lightning had struck her head.
He said he didn't know her.
