Chapter Four Little Thief Elizabeth fingers cautiously wrapped themselves around the calloused palm of the Duke’s hand.She smiled gracefully as his hand guided her towards the ball rooms open floor.Her eyes scanned the heavy crowds astonished gazes.Some with worry, others marked with jealousy, and many wi- Ara sighed letting out a chilling deep breathe of air scrimbling through her work.She got up from her tiny table giving up on her latest story.She opened the cottage doors startled by the strong gush of wind that hit her face. It seems the winters were becoming more harsh.She wrapped the thin and delicate piece of fabric she was carrying around her body.She reminded herself to by new linens.The area snowed year round, but winter was now here.It will only get more colder.Ara didn’t want to freeze to death before it ended. She walked towns the tiny town careful not to stray from the path.The rustic bricks were hidden by the light layers of snow.She pushed the snow aside by her boot.She reminded herself that she also would need a good supplies of food.Once winter is in full bloom it will be hard to get into town and if she did the food would be scarce.She dug into her pocket. 80 shillings.It seemed every year funds were getting lower and lower. During the summers, she worked shoveling melted snow away from the towns roads.It was useless as the snow would appear again the next mirning, but it was decent pay.She was the only female worker among men. 80 shillings.She sighed.Maybe if she ate small portions she could last the whole winter.Soups would keep her full and didnt require many ingredients.She past the evergrooves marking the half way point between the town and her home.This point marked the outer farm lands ending and the beginning of the forest.She waved shyly at the farmers that tried hard to farm in such conditions. To her luck, the town wasn't filled with many people.She walked into the hussle and bussle of the markets.Most merchants would allow you to bid on food, bargain, or give special offers depending on how much you buy from their shop. Carrots, beans, greens, corn.Check.She said to herself. “How much is 5 loafs of sweet bread?”She asked. Regular Bread if sealed tightly in cold atomsphere can last almost an entire month.Sweet bread could be extended to a month in a half. “2 shillings each.” 10 shillings was alot.The merchants were going up on there prices as they knew people were buying up for the season.It used to be 1 shillinge a loaf.She only had 40 shillings left.She payed as the woman sealed the bread away in wrapped foil.She thanked her grabbing her bag. Now for the meats.Since bre