Isabel passed quickly through the main road of the village, which was also nearly deserted. She turned down the lane that led to the manor house. The upper floor was one big room where the trials would be held in bad weather, but today, as the weather was fine, the trail would be held outside in the courtyard.

She walked to the edge of the crowd and saw two men who looked like they were in charge of the meeting. The clerk, who was busy writing something, and another man, who Isabel guesses to be the lord's new steward.

When the clerk finished writing, he stood up and said, "The steward of Lord John Goodwin accuses Margaret Smith and her three grown children, Thomas, Adam, and Isabel Smith, of avoiding all their required fieldwork and harvest work for the past three years.

Isabel felt her face grow hot as she kept her eyes focused on the jury members. She felt as if everyone was staring at her.

Mother came forward and stood in front of the entire group of villagers. The steward called the lawmaker forward to attest that the accusation was true. The lawmaker confirmed the accusation and Mother didn't deny it. The jury talked for a couple of moments and whispered their decision to the clerk. "The jurors find the Smiths are all equally guilty and therefore must pay five dollars per person, totaling to twenty dollars."

The entire crowd gasped. Isabel felt sick. She had never heard of a fine anywhere near that amount. It was going to be impossible to pay it.

"Margaret Smith, are you or your children able to pay this fine?"

"No, sir."'

"Jury, the Smiths are not able to pay their fine. What will be their alternative penalty?"

The jury huddled together. Isabel watched them, unable to walk away until she learned her family's fate. Finally, the jury's leader broke away from the other eleven and stepped forward. "Sir, the jury agrees that Margaret Smith will send one of her grown children to work as Lord Goodwin's servant for the next three years, doing whatever tasks the lord deems fitting, while Margaret and her two other children do their share of harvest work. If they are unwilling, they will forfeit their home and property to Lord Goodwin."

Isabel backed away as murmurs of approval rose from the circle of villagers. She started heading to the butcher's shop.

Her face still burned from her family's public humiliation as she walked back into the village. A few more steps and then she'll be in the butcher's shop.

"Isabel? Is that you?"

She recognized Johanna's voice and groaned. It would be impolite to ignore her, so she forced a smile. "Good morning, Johanna."

Johanna caught Isabel by the arm and leaned close.

"Have you heard the news?" Johanna placed a hand on her slightly protruding belly. "I'll be a mother by the end of spring!" She giggled and then stopped and clamped her hand over her mouth while her face turned gray. 

"Are you unwell?" Isabel stepped back, afraid Johanna would heave her breakfast all over her shoes.

Johanna took a couple of deep breaths and then smiled. "That was nearly the third time today. But, all is well with me, I'm worried for you."

"Oh, I'm well. I'm on my way to the butcher's and must hurry-"

"Everyone says your mother and brothers played our lord wrong. Some say you'll all be kicked out of your home. Some say your mother will be put in jail or worse. Where will you go? Do you have any other family who could take you in?" She put one hand on her hip while her eyes grew wide with a new idea. "You should marry. I hear Bailiff Richard is looking for a wife."

"When everyone sees how willing we are to begin doing our share of work, I'm sure everything will be fine. In fact, the jury just decided what our punishment is. Either me or one of my brothers will work for the lord in his manor."

A shudder went through Johanna. She whispered, "I've heard the lord is a beast."

"I don't believe that."

"He has a beard and one of his arms is injured. He holds his arm up like this-" Johanna demonstrated by holding a crooked arm across her stomach. "And he has only one eye."

"One eye?"

"He wears a black patch over his missing eye and a scar runs from his ear to his chin."

"You saw him?"

"I heard it from Sheryl Hill, who heard it from Joan Chaplain, and she heard it from Martina Water, who's one of the new maids"

"You shouldn't believe everything that you hear." She shouldn't let Johanna's description frighten her. Maybe the new lord was ugly and so people made fun of his appearances.

"I have to go now." Isabel said quickly, trying to walk away. "Good day."

"Wait Isabel, you didn't tell me what you're going to do when they kick you out-"

"We won't be kicked out. Good day." Determined to get away from Johanna, Isabel hurried to the butcher's shop. As she hurried inside, she nearly collided into a man.

"So glad you could come."

Isabel looked up to see Bailiff Richard. The bailiff wrapped his hands around her upper arms.

She looked up into his face and then down to his arms that were holding her arms unnecessarily. Bailiff Richard's greeting was odd. It was almost as if he was expecting her. Then the realization made her feel sick. He must have told Thomas to send her to the butcher shop where he would be waiting for her.

She tried to free herself from his arms, but he wouldn't let her go. "Please let go of me, I'm supposed to be looking for the butcher.

"Are you sure?" He chuckled in a way that made her stomach feel uneasy. He leaned over her and she smelled his smelly odor. When was the last time he took a bath? "The butcher's not here, but it would be my pleasure to help you." He reached for her face.

She jerked back to avoid his touch.

He took a step towards her. She tried to get away from him but couldn't because he still had his strong grip on her arms. He leaned so close she could smell his disgusting dog breath.

"Has your brother told you about my generous offer?" He asked, smiling widely.

"Get your hands off me." She jerked out of his grasp and turned to leave.

The bailiff went around her to block her path. He stood over her with menacing eyes. 

"I shall help you and your whole family. Your brothers would be very disappointed if you say no to me."

"I do not need your help, my mother is currently handling the situation."

She tried to go around the man, but he pressed his body against the door.

"Let me pass."

He grabbed he hand. "I think of you Isabel. With your mother about to get you out of the house, you should marry me. I can take care of you and make sure your family doesn't get in any more trouble with the new lord."

He grasped her arms again and then suddenly, his lips were coming towards her mouth. Isabel turned her head in the last second and his slobbery lips touched her cheek. She struggled to break free, but his grip on her arms tightened until it sent pain up her shoulders. He tried to kiss her again. She couldn't move her arms so she stomped on his foot as hard as she could, but that only made him grip her tighter.

Her heart beat so hard but she refused to let him know she was afraid. "Let me go or I'll scream until every person in the village-"

"You think you are too good for me don't you? But who's going to help you now? Do you think the new lord will not punish you? Won't kick you out of your house? You need my help and the only way I could help you is by marrying you!"

Anger surged through her. She gave a sudden tug on her arm and broke free, managing to move around Richard, she stood in the doorway. Richard then shoved her, sending Isabel falling backward through the door. She landed on her side in the dusty street.

Hooves pounded towards her and a horse's whinny sounded above her head. Isabel raised her arms to protect herself. Just inches away, the horse halted, snorting and throwing dirt into her face.

The rider dismounted. "What are you doing?"

Isabel's hair had fallen in front of her face making it difficult to see who's arms slipped under her arms and hauled her to feet. She pulled away, looking at the butcher's doorway, she saw Bailiff Richard lurking in the shadows. She wiped his saliva from her face with her sleeve.

"What were you thinking!? Throwing yourself in front of a galloping horse!?" The stranger said. "We could have both been killed!"

Isabel's eyes traveled from the doorway to the stranger's broad chest. He wore the most elegant clothes she had ever seen. She beat the dust from her skirt as anger boiled inside of her. It wasn't her fault she had fallen in front of the horse. Did he think that she had tossed herself into the streets? Her gaze finally met his face and she stifled a gasp.

There were scars all over the mans left side of his face. The most noticeable one was the one from his ear to his chin. The back of her neck tingled. His expression demanded an answer as he glared at her from his blue.

"My lord." Her voice was surprisingly steady. "My name is Isabel Smith and I do not have the habit of throwing myself in front of galloping horses. I was pushed." She leaned down to continue beating the dust from her clothes.

"Who pushed you?" He said in a tone that made her forget about her dusty clothes and stare up at him. "Where is the man who would push a woman in the street?"

Her gaze shifted back to the butcher's doorway where Bailiff Richard stood inside. He immediately stepped back into the shadows.

The lord followed her gaze and then looked back at Isabel. "Wait here."

His expression somehow turned more fierce as he stepped inside the shop.

"Bailiff Richard? How dare you shove that maiden?" His voice carried into the street. He reappeared in the doorway, clutching Bailiff Richard by the arm. The man turned back to Isabel.

"My bailiff wishes to ask forgiveness for his behavior."

Richard didn't look at her as he said, "Forgive me."

She nodded, aware of the small-group of villagers gathering to watch.

The man let go of Bailiff Richard and straightened himself, looking at the group of villagers surrounding them. "I am Lord John Goodwin, the lord of this village."

The people immediately bowed their heads.

"I will not accept behavior like this from men towards women. You will not mistreat women under my command." He turned and mounted his horse and rode away. 

Isabel watched him disappear down the road, then she turned to go home, moving away from all the people that were starting to stare at her. What kind of man was this new lord? What would her family's future be like at the mercy of Lord John Goodwin?