We traveled throughout the day with no stops and had only one time in the afternoon when the coachman had stopped in front of an inn in a strange village to get food. He had asked the lady who rested all the way and when she looked at the inn and saw a lot of the villagers trooping in and out of it she shook her head.
"But Madame I don't think we would find another on our way, this might be our only opportunity." Mr. Clair said with concern.
She looked back again with hesitancy.
"I reckon you eat…"
"No."She shook. "I'm fine Mr Sinclair, don't bother."
"But…"
"Let the lady be Mr Clair, let's go." I got down and followed him into the pub where we ate. It was a decent place but very isolated even though the villagers were around. Now I wonder if we will be able to find another place to eat on the road. Not because of me but because of the hermit who wouldn't let herself out of the carriage.
I excused myself after the meal to speak with the owner of the inn while he waited outside till I came.
"Do you need something, sir?"
"Yes, and I have gotten it." I raised the bag to him. He wanted to say a lot but he chose to close his lips.
"You can say whatever you want," I told him as we walked back to the carriage. "I worry about Mrs Williams. She might get hungry along the way."
"Then let her. She decided to stay in, didn't she? It's none of our business if she happens to faint out of thirst and hunger. Let's get going." I motioned to him and he ascended back to his position after closing my door.
She had been looking at us but coming in she diverted. She was a stubborn woman who held grudges. For little or no little things. She was just an enigma.
I sat comfortably and rested back at least to catch some sleep as I hadn't slept well the last night. I was having a peaceful dream when the sighs and rumbling of someone and something woke me.
Her face was twisted as she held her stomach in possibly what looked like pain. Her shawl was off and she was bare for my eyes. She must have reasoned I was asleep to relax and do as she pleased. I notice she has sat comfortably in the middle of the seat opposite me instead of clinging to the door of the carriage and windows.
"Is someone dying?"
She snapped at me in shock and instantly comported herself.
"With all due respect Madame, what is wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong." She turned away.
"Dying from hunger are you?"
"I said nothing! Thank you for your care."
"Are you sure about that?" I folded my arms. "It looks like the worms in your stomach are at war."
"You should mind your business." She gritted.
"Are you sure?"
"Even if there's something wrong what can you possibly do about it?"
"You never can tell." I shrugged.
"I don't need your help." She let out.
"Good luck then." I raised my hands and returned to my resting position. But the nonstop rumbling of her stomach was disturbing.
"Is your stomach usually this loud?"
"Mr. Houston I recommend you… hissss…." her words cut short as her face contorted and she closed her eyes.
"Are you alright? Mrs Williams?"
This time she couldn't reply and kept grabbing her stomach.
"You could just tell me what is wrong!"
"Food." She murmured. "My stomach…"
"What are we to do, there is no food here."
"Oh, God." She moaned.
I helped to hold her up. "You stubborn woman."
I sighed. "Here."
"What is that?"
"Food. I got them for myself In case I grow hungry again, too bad I have to spend on you. It was my extra one."
She snatched it away and opened it in a frenzy. "You could have given it to me a long time ago."
"Easy there tiger," I say and she bucked up viciously at me. "Ah, speaking of which you said you were fine, why would I bother?"
She spoke nothing and instead stretched her hand to me in haste and I handed her the water.
"All for the sake of sheer stubbornness."
I muttered looking outside.