He led them down a short hall to another room, this one larger than the first. There was some furniture in it but nothing extraordinary. But he wasn’t done.
He rolled away a large rug then lifted a small door hidden beneath it. He stepped down onto a stairway leading to a cavernous basement. His guests followed.
Kes had to be dreaming. Carved into the walls were small shelves, and on each shelf was an artifact. There were chalices, jewelry, weapons, and a variety of other things.
Both men stopped upon hearing her gasp. She did it again at least four more times until they stopped a fifth time and waited while she examined an old gold cross. It was plain in design, about a foot high, a half-foot across and looked to be made of solid gold.
“From the Lindisfarne Priory.”
Kes looked at Walt. Lindisfarne. The Vikings. “Did you retrieve it, Walt?”
He smiled but looked down behind his spectacles. “No, Child. ’Twas a trade.”
She chuckled. “What did you give up?”
“The pearl necklace that fell from Anne Boleyn’s neck at her execution.”
Kes touched her fingers to her neck. “A good trade.”
“I’m glad you approve,” said the old merchant and led them to curtained off corner.
Here were all his watches, brooches, medicine boxes, spectacles, and other small items. “You may look through it.”
They looked among everything, but there was no brooch that matched hers among his pieces.
“All hope is not lost. I may know a man who can get it.”
“A one of a kind piece?” Kes said incredulously. “From King Arthur’s knight? Even if this man could get his hands on it, he would charge more than I have.”
“Tell him to get it if he can,” Nicholas told Walter. “He will be well compensated.”
“Nicholas, no!” she refused. “I couldn’t ask that of you.”
“I want you to have it in case charges come against you,” he said, drawing her aside.
“If charges come up, you’ll be considered my accomplice. You’ll get into trouble, too.”
“I’m not worried over that. I will die one day. I would rather it be saving you.”
She wanted to kiss him. She wondered if Walter would mind.
“Very well, I will contact him in the morning,” Walter told them. “If there is nothing else, I have a room if you would like it for the night.” He smiled.
“No,” Nicholas told him. “The lady and I are not wed. We will be leaving now.”
“Oh, couldn’t we stay just a little longer?” Kes asked.
“We will return,” he promised. “’Tis late and Walt is weary from the day.”
“Oh, of course! Forgive me!” She set down a small terracotta vase she was checking out. It appeared authentic, Greek, maybe.
“We shall return tomorrow.” Nicholas told him and then made a path for her to take the stairs.
“Do you think he’s a time traveler?” she asked Nicholas the moment they were back on the horse. “He seems to know much.”
“Aye. He could be,” he answered quietly. “Elia has suspected him for some time.
“Do you believe it all now?”