I felt my boots sink into the mud that now covered the road after the rain.  With thumb and forefinger grasping the bottom of my dress and the remainder of my hands holding heavy luggage, I gingerly walked toward the tavern.  Just then a wagon laden with lumber careened around a corner.  A wall of muddy water rose before me causing me to step backwards quickly.  A piece of luggage fell from my hand and I landed on it with a splat.  The better part of the mud landed only on my boots and the hem of my gown.  With my eyes wide with fear I watched as the wagon righted itself with all four wheels on the ground narrowly diverting a catastrophic accident.   Wiping the back of my gloved hand across my forehead, I felt cold wet mud cover my skin.  Looking down at my glove now caked in mud I bit my tongue for fear of releasing a string of unladylike curses in public.  Fumbling through my pocketbook, I found a kerchief and cleaned my face then struggled to rise off of my makeshift seat.<br/><br/>The only blessing was t'was night and darkness hid my folly from the eyes of the villagers.  I held out my dripping luggage and made my way to the tavern, shaking it off as best I could.  If I had retreated from the tavern unnoticed, I was not so lucky upon my return.  Covered with mud and my hat perched on my head cockeyed, it felt as though everyone's eyes were upon me the moment I entered.<br/><br/>I was alarmed to be met by a man asking to assist with my luggage, which I felt he eyed with to much interest for my comfort.  And he had the audacity to request that I dine with him...a complete stranger.  Before I could I could replay to this bold request a beefy arm with a sleeve rolled up to the elbow rose between me and the stranger.  It was the barkeep and he looked most put out.  I expected to be told my disheveled and muddy condition was cause to be denied a table.  Instead the barkeep looked at the stranger and with his strong arm gave him a shove to his chest.  "Listen, I don't know who you are but you'll not be bothering this lady here."  His brows furrowed as he stepped between me and the stranger and said, "Or you'll be answering to me".  I was quite relieved with this interference.  And with that warning the barkeep then turned to me and gestured to an empty table.  I took a seat and tucked my luggage under the table.  "Would you happen to have seen my driver?"  He shook his head.  "He went to tend to his horses and has not returned"  He could see the worry in my eyes and smiled softly "The barn down the street burned a week ago.  That driver of yours has had to go farther afield to find a stable.  He'll be returning soon"  I smiled softly at the barkeep, "Thank you for sharing this information it does ease my mind"  The aroma of the food around me made me all the more hungry.  He took my order and with that I sat back into my chair and looked around more carefully at my surroundings.  Although I was cautious not to make eye contact with anyone.  I did not wish to enter conversation and have to avoid questions of where I was from and what I was doing here.