Free A World Apart (The Hands of Time: Book 3) by Irina Shapiro

century.”  Valerie barely paid attention to their surroundings, tired as she was.  Her feet were swollen in her shoes from hours of walking, and she grew more anxious by the moment, seeing the sad state of the town.  How would Finn react to seeing this?  Where would he go next?
    **
    The bed was lumpy and hard, but Valerie didn’t care.  They were lucky to have found this much.  There were only two inns, and one of them had been full.  The Crowing Rooster was a bit run down and in need of a good cleaning, but at least they had rooms available.  The room was on the uppermost floor, small, with a sloped ceiling and a tiny window which refused to open.  Valerie poured some water from the pitcher, splashing her dusty face and washing her hands, before sitting down on the bed and kicking off her shoes. 
    Alec washed his face and hands, wolfed down a sausage roll and drank the last of the cider, before heading into town to look for Finn.  He assured her that it was all right for her to stay at the inn and get some rest.  Alec would also find someplace to trade his gold ring for currency.  They’d need to buy food and pay for the room. 
    Valerie peeled off her gown, used the chipped chamber pot under the bed, and climbed under the covers in her shift.  She felt guilty for resting while Finn was out there somewhere, scared and confused, but her body refused to obey any of her commands, forcing her to seek oblivion.  She’d been up all night, but it was the anxiety that really wore her out.  Her eyes felt heavy, and her mind shut down, refusing to dwell on any more fearful thoughts until it got some rest.
    It was nearly dark by the time Valerie finally woke up, hungry, but rested.  There was no sign of Alec, so she stood on tippy toes to try to see out of the window.  She couldn’t see much from her vantage point since a ledge from the floor below blocked the view of the street.  For a moment, Valerie considered going outside, but quickly changed her mind.  Alec would worry if he came back and found her gone.  She’d just stay and wait for Alec to return. 
    A half hour turned into an hour before Valerie finally heard the sound of footsteps on the creaky staircase outside.  She made for the door, yanking it open just as Alec reached the top of the stairs.  He looked exhausted, his clothes soiled and smelly.  He carried a pot and a loaf of bread under his arm. 
    “Alec, where have you been all this time?”  Valerie asked, taking in his disheveled appearance.
    Alec sank onto a wooden chair and handed the pot and bread to Valerie as he removed his boots. “I spent the first few hours walking around asking anyone I could find if they’d seen Finn, but no one could remember anyone like him.  I decided to go to the docks to ask there.  Same result.  A vessel was being unloaded, and extra men were needed to help the sailors.  I thought it a good opportunity to earn a little money since there was nowhere to trade the ring.  I stayed until the work was finished, earning enough to pay for the room and some supper.  The proprietress promised to send up some ale to go with our meal.”
    Valerie’s hunger vanished after hearing Alec’s account, but she forced herself to eat the oyster stew, and drink the ale, which had been brought up by a scrawny girl in a stained frock.    Alec ate slowly, his eyes heavy with fatigue.  Valerie wanted to ask him what they would do next, but decided to wait till morning.  In the meantime, she’d wash his shirt and stockings.  They would be dry by morning, in case they needed to leave.

Chapter 11
     
    “Kit, look – it’s Alec,” exclaimed Louisa as she looked out of the window.  The rider was still far away, but she was sure it was him.  “They must have found Finn in Jamestown.   I wonder where Valerie and Finn are.”  She was already on her way down when Kit called after her.
    “Louisa, it’s not Alec.  It’s Charles.”  Louisa slowed her pace,