The cheers from a circle of men distracted Callie, until she realised the men were watching a cockfight. One of the c***s was near death, bloodied and lame. Disgusted, she looked away. A juggler, surrounded by a group of excited children, eased her heart somewhat, as did the sight of a salesman indignantly defending the quality of his rugs before a group of disbelieving matrons.
‘This is where we stop to sell our wares, my lady.’ John sounded apologetic as he tugged on the bridle to stop the horse.
‘Thank you for allowing me to ride here. It was very kind of you.’ Callie slid down from the horse’s broad back and held the blanket out to John, but he made a quick gesture of protest and would not take it. She gave him a grateful smile as she quickly pulled it around her shoulders again.
He
