Bruised and battered, her chest tight with fear, Lydia rushed around her room thrusting clothes into an ancient valise, along with the heavy coin purse she had stolen. Stumbling around in the dark, she found her father’s Bible and forced it into the overflowing bag, beating it all down until she could shut the clasp. Panting with anxiety, she paused to get her bearings, her swollen throat aching with every breath. She hurriedly donned a walking dress, spencer, and half walking boots before grabbing the overstuffed valise to run from the bedroom, muffling her frantic sobs as she ran down the main stairs to the front hall.
Terrified, but trying to keep a logical mind, she made for the kitchen and quickly ferreted out bread, cheese, and apples, but realized she could not fit it all in. Calmi
