Placing a hand at my belly to quell the rumbling I moved from the window and looked at the oaken door as if it would make the driver appear.  Well that had not happened in the prior one hundred times I looked at the door.  Where was that man?  He was to return with my luggage straight away.  I had repeatedly pushed the idea from my mind that something had happened to him.  Part of my mind wondered if he had fixed the carriage wheel and left without me.  But he would deny himself the final payment for the trip upon arrival at my destination.  That would be foolish of him.  What if a thief had attacked and harmed him?  I could no longer wait idly by.  Facing whatever danger may be lurking outside that door,  I was determined to face it.  Placing my hat back on tucking blonde strands under the band, the hat pin was moved with care through the velvet of the crown then woven through my hair.  Draping the ribbon of my grey velvet pocketbook over the crook of my arm, I was finally ready to face whatever awaited me.<br/><br/>Stepping through the door into the candle lit hallway, I could hear voices from below.  With my desire to go undetected, my steps were silent on the wooden staircase.  An Icy blue gaze swept across the tavern, luckily those gathered were engaged in conversation and drinking, taking no notice of me.  I stepped outside and was relieved to find only a slight mist of rain fell.  Lifting the hem of my gown to clear it from the mud, I made my way into the street.  The carriage was there, minus the horses.   I reached for the door and upon seeing my two pieces of luggage, I released a ragged breath I had not even realized I had been holding in suspense.<br/><br/>I circled around the carriage and looked up then down the street.  Of course the darkness made it difficult to see much of a distance.  Yet there was no sign of the driver.  Perhaps he encountered difficulty finding a stable for his horses.  Telling myself that I must not think the worst, that there was surely a reasonable explanation for his absence, I returned to the open door to gather my luggage.  Reaching inside to drag the pieces toward me I suddenly felt light headed.  Having little to eat and drink on the journey has left me weakened.  Deciding I would have to have my meal without escort in the tavern, as my balance returned I could not help but smile.  Dining unescorted in public would be considered a scandal.  As would many of the things I have done in the last few days.  Perhaps one day it will be an adventure that I can retell to my family.  Until that time, what I do now must be held as my secret.