As I surveyed the carriage I kept an eye on the man and noted the attention he gave Annabelle.  If t'was a proper gentleman heaping such attention it would be acceptable.  Such was not the case with this one.  I frowned at him in hopes of discouraging him.  Eventually the man pushed off the tree and wandered away without a word.  Annabelle knew she captured his eye and only with his back to us as he ambled down the village street did she look squarely at him.  "What a peculiar man."  she whispered.  Slowly shaking my head while I too watched him.  "I fear you nay know the half of it."<br/><br/>Looking now at the young redhead I smiled.  "Never mind about foolish men.  Lead the way to the place we can store the carriage."  We walked the same direction as the strange man but were a bit behind him.  As we passed the alley way beside the tavern the sound of broken glass caught our attention.  I gasped at the sight of something flying out of an upstairs window.  Blinking quickly it was to my shock a person was falling to the ground below.  Then it was to my dismay I discovered it was that horrid voyeur.  He ran in our direction as if he were a bat out of hell.  I grabbed Annabelle's arm and moved her behind me as I stepped quickly out of the way.  Turning my head to watch him as he passed in a flash I felt my heart racing.  Then my ears were met with the loud voice of a man shouting the word crow.  How odd, yet not at all surprising considering who just fell from the second floor, seemingly unharmed.  The shouting man's head poked out of the window and a look of rage filled his face.  I quickly turned and continued on my way, pulling Annabelle behind me.  "Me thinks that little crow crossed paths with a furious husband."  Annabelle asked me to repeat what I said under my breath.  "Oh pay it no mind" I muttered.  Looking up the road both strange men had vanished.<br/><br/>Standing before a warehouse of modest size, the owner agreed to store the carriage and called out to a helper to take two horses to the tavern and have it driven to the warehouse.  I paid for the storage and told him I would return in a day or two.  Next was to meet with Mr. Avant.  I learned upon arrival at his home that he was not in residence.  Mrs. Avant was an older woman with a kind smile.  She bid Annabelle and I to enter her home.  She sent her young son on an errand to fetch his Father who was assisting the owner of the general mercantile with repairs to his roof.  Mrs. Avant offered Annabelle and I tea and scones.  It was only then that I realized I was hungry.  The scones were delicious.  Remarkable so.  As we awaited Mr. Avant we ladies chatted about events in the village, firstly the fire then other notable people in the area.  Mr Avant finally arrived and was agreeable to riding Annabelle and me to the palace.  However, he looked pained when I asked Annabelle to fetch the luggage.  "Oh begging your pardon Ma'am.  It is too late to begin the ride to the palace.  It would be well after sunset before we arrived and the road is not safe to be on after dark."  My heart sank at this news.  After knowing how easily someone snuck into my room at the inn I was reluctant to return.  Annabelle sensed my concern.  She said cheerfully, "Oh it's no bother Ma'am.  You can stay at the boarding house where I live.  There is an extra room available.  Only ladies are allowed.  We will not have any worries of strange men there."