Jasper went into a depression over the next week. She nursed the two babies and ate her meals but did little else. She did not leave the house. There were no outward signs that she was pregnant but she knew for a certainty that such was her condition. She despaired for her fate and questioned whether she would ever become King or even regain her manhood. She even refused to visit the silversmith with Patricia.
On the seventh day soldiers arrived at the door searching for their missing commander. Evidently a "Young woman with a full bust and long dark hair" was the last person seen with the lord. Evidently such a woman had ordered clothing from a seamstress that same day and had indicated that she was a servant of Master Simon Muscat the wine merchant. Fortunately Simon was home at the time and defended her honour, claiming the the missing commander had raped his servant and had probably run away in shame.
"Jasmine" was forced to tell exactly what happened that morning. She repeated the tale she had given Simon. She described the deserted house where the alleged rape had occurred, claiming the lord had run off after doing the deed and how she had subsequently made her way home. Jasper figured that such a claim couldn't make matters any worse for Lake as she rubbed her stomach.
The soldiers searched the house and Simon's warehouse anyway but found no sign of Lord Lake. They headed off, Jasper suspected to search the grounds of the deserted house.
That same afternoon a messenger came to say that the garments "Jasmine" had ordered from the seamstress were ready for her to pick up. Figuring "Jasmine" didn't want to go herself. Simon sent the apprentice Damon to pick up the order. Damon collected "Jasmine's" purchases and returned home. He delivered the clothes to Jasmine in the nursery then presented the bill to the Master.
Minutes later Simon knocked on the nursery door. 'Jasmine did you order; 5 long tunics of the style worn by nurses, 3 petticoats, 3 ladies blouses that open at the front, a pale blue linen dress for church going, 7 pairs of women's britches, 2 dresses suitable for a bay girl and 12 linen nappies?' Simon was reading off the items listed on the seamstress's bill.
'Yes. That sounds correct. Damon just bought them in now. I was just putting them in the chest'
'Don't you think this is a bit extravagant?'
'It is so I will have a clean uniform each day. With two babies to care for I have little time for washing'
'7 pairs of women's britches? What on earth are women's britches?'
'Undergarments. The girls at the palace wore them. The seamstress said she could make some up for me'
'Jasmine this bill is for 6 pounds and 50 pence. Do you know how many weeks of work you will need to perform in order to pay for this?'
'Well you pay me 3 shillings a week so that's ..... 21 weeks..... Oh dear! I had no ideas clothes would cost so much'
'And on top of that Patricia has just ordered you a silver locket for your amulet which will cost another 2 pounds. That's another 7 weeks wages. You will be working for us for 6 months before you even start to save money for your journey.