Quintspinner by Dianne Greenlay

purchased–writing paper and inks for Dr. Willoughby’s study, that day’s catch of fish, as well as greens and turnips for the evening meal, a supply of salt, and more flour and eggs for the breakfast loaves. Tess had also made a spontaneous purchase–a bouquet of fresh flowers for her mother’s bedroom. Maybe their fresh sweet scents and bright colors would bring a smile to her mother’s face. It had been so long since Tess had seen her mother smile.
    The girls’ arms were thus fully laden when they turned down an alleyway as a shortcut back to their house. Licks of dark shadows on the stone walls stretched up on either side, while the smells of the rotting food from the marketplace mingled with the sharp stench of urine and feces. Heavy footfalls behind the girls echoed off the sides of the buildings. As the cadence increased, a chill ran down Tess’s spine.
    “Eh, me pretties!” a hoarse voice called. “Whacha’ got wigglin’ there under all them petticoats?”
    Tess glanced at Cassie out of the corner of her eye. Cassie was hugging her parcels to her chest, her mouth drawn tight in a thin line of determination. Eyes straight ahead, Cassie quickened her pace.
    Is this what Cassie has to endure every time she goes to the market?
    “Don’t be shy now! Slow it down a bit and fer a penny or two we can all have a good time!”
    How dare he speak to us like that! Tess trembled with a mixture of anger and fear. If he knew what my father would do–Suddenly Tess felt the sting of a sharp slap on her buttocks. Stunned and indignant, she whirled around, catching her shoe in the crevasse between the street cobbles. In the blink of an eye, she lay sprawled on her back, her eggs and flowers instantly crushed beneath her.
    A burly body landed on top of her with a heavy thud that knocked the air out of her. At once one of his hands groped and roughly kneaded her breast while the other hiked her skirts up and pushed between her legs. Struggling to breathe, Tess started to scream, but the sound was squelched when he lowered his face to hers in a spittle drenched, mead–smelling kiss. Gagging, she gasped for even a small breath.
    You bastard! A white hot rage surged through her, burning away her fear. For a few heartbeats, she was filled with a murderous desire made stronger by her inability to move. Pinned to the ground, she struggled, helpless under the weight of the man, when a more familiar voice filled her thoughts.
    Who would want her? Her father’s question burst into her mind.
    And her own voice responded: I won’t give in! Not to this man! Not here like this! I deserve better!
    Her rage at this stranger and the shame of somehow being undeserving in her father’s eyes exploded inside of her. Unable to move her arms or legs beneath the man’s crushing weight, Tess used what was left to her.
    She bit.
    With all of the strength that she could muster, she bit, chomping her teeth into the disgusting tongue he had shoved into her mouth; she felt the crunch of it as it tore. The stranger wrenched backward with a howl, and clambered to his feet, disappearing into the small crowd of onlookers that had gathered. Suddenly aware of the attack, two men in gentlemen’s apparel bolted forth, jerking Tess to her feet before pursuing her attacker. She spat the bloodied lump of flesh out onto the street, then bent over and vomited.
    “Cassie!” she gasped in between heaves.
    A wrinkled hand shoved a small piece of rag into Tess’s face. “She was chased down the alleyway, Miss.” The voice, belonging to an older person, was low but clear. “Good men followed to see to her rescue. Stay here with me. It’s not safe for ye alone.” The wrinkled hand gently tucked an escaped wisp of hair behind Tess’s ear as she crouched forward and retched again. The knarled fingers froze over her exposed birthmark. The voice gasped.
    “Quintspinner!” The exclamation was soft but accusatory.
    Tess wiped her mouth with the rag and