Free Sisters' Fate by Jessica Spotswood

money for food and shoes and coal, never mind Christmas treats.
    The air smells of hot apple cider. People carry roasted chestnuts wrapped in cones of newspaper, and at the far end of the bazaar a hurdy-gurdy man performs with his monkey on a makeshift stage. Earlier, a pair of clowns delighted the audience with their pratfalls and juggling. Next up is a Christmas puppet show, according to the program.
    I’m stationed at the Sisters’ booth with Rilla, Mei, Vi, and two of the younger girls. The six of us volunteered for the middle shift, while the others wander the aisles and watch the performances.
    “Yang would love those.” Mei eyes the booth next to ours, where a man and his son sell clockwork toys. “He’s always been a great one for taking things apart and putting them back together.”
    “Why don’t you get him one for Christmas?” I suggest.
    Mei laughs. “With what? I haven’t any pocket money.”
    Of course. I flush, feeling thoughtless. Unlike Mei and some of the other convent girls, I’ve never had to worry about money. I fumble in my pocket for coins, then press them into Mei’s hand. “Here.”
    She shakes her head. “No, I couldn’t.”
    “Not for yourself. But for a Christmas gift for your brother, you can,” I insist. “You ought to get something for your little sisters, too.”
    Mei glances wistfully, uneasily, at the coins in my hand. “I don’t know.”
    “Christmas will be hard this year, won’t it, without Li and Hua? Get some gifts for the others to make it brighter.” Her two middle sisters are serving time on a prison ship for taking part in the Richmond Square protest last month, but she’s still got two small sisters and a brother at home. “I’ve got plenty left to buy presents for Tess and my father.” And something for Rilla and for Mei herself. “I’m happy to help, truly.”
    “It’s just a loan. I’ll pay it back,” Mei promises, taking the coins. “Thank you, Cate.”
    I smile as she leans over the counter, angling for a better view of the merchandise next door. “Get them now! Before the ones you like are sold.”
    She looks around our booth, at Vi and Rilla selling mittens and the younger girls huddled in the back whispering. “I’ll be right back.”
    “Take your time.” I watch her push out of the booth and dodge other shoppers.
    My heart leaps into my throat when a pair of black-cloaked Brothers turns into our aisle. The one on the left is about Finn’s height, tall and lean. My pulse hammers in my ears, and I swallow, mouth suddenly dry.
    As he strolls toward us, I realize his gait is all wrong. Too purposeful. Finn
ambles,
taking in everything around him with his quick eyes and quicker wit. Still, I wait for the man to get closer and confirm that he isn’t wearing spectacles before I look away.
    Stupid. It’s the fifth time I’ve done this in the two hours I’ve been here.
    There are hundreds of Brothers in attendance. Even if Finn
is
roaming around the bazaar, we could very well miss each other.
    It’s not as though he has any cause to seek me out.
    I straighten the scarves on my side of the booth. Some are more expert than others. Mei, having grown up with a tailor for a father, has a steady hand and a good eye for color. Pearl and Addie often knit in the evenings while they chat, and their stitches are as meticulous as everything else about them. We’ve already sold five of Pearl’s scarves, all a beautiful, soft gray wool. And Lucy’s sister Grace has been sewing nonstop since she arrived from Harwood. The repetitive motions seem to comfort her. She sews. Livvy plays the piano night and day. Sister Edith’s niece paints. Caroline chatters at anything, even potted ferns. And Parvati—
    What
does
Parvati do? She’s been having lessons with Inez, I know that much, and taking her meals with Maura and Alice.
    I botched that.
    A man’s callused hand picks up a small blue scarf, startling me out of my thoughts. “I’d like this one,