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around your waist and swing it around your hips then you ll look like a proper gypsy
girl!
Unable to resist, feeling deliciously wicked, Catherine swished back and forth in the
caravan. One hand on her silk-covered hip, she snapped her fingers, and tapped her
toes to the music.
The dancing, and the meal that followed, lasted well into the afternoon. The bird
roasted on a spit looked suspiciously like a pheasant, but Catherine held her tongue.
Without following the boy with the pheasant, she wouldn t have found Riena.
Finally Catherine hugged her friend.  I must return to the manor or they will think
I have come to harm.
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Anita Birt
The tall man assisted her into the saddle, a mischievous smile on his lips.  There ll
be no more pheasants taken from your land and the boy will be punished.
 Please, let him be. I have enjoyed my time with you, that is payment enough for
one pheasant.
Sad at leaving Riena, never likely to see her again, Catherine wrapped the shawl
over her shoulders, waved goodbye, splashed across the river, and disappeared into the
trees.
Tracking back, she mulled over the future Riena had predicted. Her common sense
denied the possibility of a man loving her. Out of society, away from parties and balls,
she had no opportunity to meet such a person.
As she emerged from the forest, she was surprised to see Tom Jepson riding toward
her at full tilt. Reining in the horse, he touched his cap.
 Where have you been, Miss Thurston? The house is in an uproar. Mr. Edward
ordered the horses saddled and sent the grooms out looking for you.
 I am dreadfully sorry, Tom. I ve been visiting the gypsy camp and forgot the
time.
 The gypsy camp, Miss? Whatever were you doing there? Did no one tell you not to
venture into the forest? It s no place for a young lady. I ve been worried, fearing
something had happened to you.
Catherine bit her tongue. The groom had no right to speak to her like that. He was
being overly familiar. She did not have to explain herself to him. Tom had been around
the stables whenever she rode out. Even when Dolly escorted her, Tom made her aware
of his presence.
He swung his horse around to squire Catherine back to the house.  It was
thoughtless of me to cause you all so much worry. I followed a young lad who had
poached a pheasant. He led me to the gypsy camp and I had my fortune told and
purchased a shawl. She d not speak of Riena.
Tom turned to her, smiling into her eyes.  And what was your fortune, Miss?
Catherine gripped her hands tight on the reins. No, it couldn t be! Was Tom the
man Riena said loved her? Impossible. She said to follow her heart and her heart didn t
favor the groom. Why had Riena not been more specific? Was she to go around testing
her heart against every man she encountered? She opted to treat the fortune telling as a
joke.
 It was a lot of nonsense. I ve forgotten it already.
When Tom assisted her to dismount, he clasped her around the waist, and held her
a trifle longer than Catherine thought necessary. She moved aside to let him take Misty.
 Thank you for coming to search for me. I ll not be visiting the gypsies again. They
are clearing off tomorrow.
 Then I insist you not go riding off without telling me.
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A Very Difficult Man
Catherine did not like being told off by the groom. He d really gone too far.  I shall
inform Mr. Edward or another member of the household when I ride. Please do not
concern yourself with me. Stiffly proud, she straightened her back, said goodbye to
Misty, and marched away from the stable.
Immediately, she regretted her hasty words. Poor Tom, he was being so kind, and
she was behaving like an insufferable grand lady. Catherine turned back.
 I m sorry, Tom, I did not mean to be rude. I ve upset everyone today. Thank you
for looking out for me.
 I m pleased you are unharmed. That is all that matters.
Catherine shook his hand.  I will be more careful from now on.
On her return to the house, she asked Blewett to inform the staff she was safe.
 Mr. Edward is in the study, Miss. He would have been off looking for you but for
the gout.
Edward glowered at her.  Where have you been? I ve been at my wit s end
worrying about you. Why if anything happened to you, Richard would very likely shut
himself up again. You are not to frighten me like this. My old heart has been ticking at
half speed since you did not return for luncheon.
She drew up a chair close to his.  I am very, very sorry. Let me tell you what
happened.
By the end of her tale, Edward had cheered up.  So you had your fortune told.
What did your friend see in her crystal ball?
Catherine smiled.  I m not going to tell you. It s a lot of nonsense. She did not
want Edward teasing her about a lover.
 Ha! You are blushing. Did she warn you against an old gentleman with white hair
who thinks you are a dear girl, and who wishes he were thirty years younger?
Feeling silly and giggly, Catherine stood.  What a rogue, you are. Flattery will not
make me lower my guard this evening when we play dominoes. She dropped a kiss on
his forehead.  I must change before tea, and you must rest. I want your heart ticking in
fine fettle when we set up our dominoes.
 A moment, Catherine. I received a letter from Marie Claire by the late post. She is
returning home tomorrow to arrange a big party to welcome Dolly back from India.
Edward groaned.  The house will be in a turmoil with guests in residence, meals in
the large dining room and not a moment s peace with everyone talking at once.
Catherine paused at the door.  You and I will hide out somewhere.
 Oh, very good, Catherine, very good. Now I shall have a nap.
She made her way slowly to her room. The news about the party darkened the day.
A party for family and friends would not include Richard s companion unless she was
expected to stay close to Lord Glenmore, and fetch and carry for him.
75
Anita Birt
Spreading the colorful shawl on the bed, Catherine slithered her hands over the
silk. It was so beautiful. She half wished she was a gypsy girl, and could wear it with a
red skirt, a white blouse with red and purple zigzag designs at the neck and down the
sleeves. She d add big gold hoop earrings.
She folded up the shawl, and put it away in one of the wardrobe drawers. On dull,
rainy days or when she was out of sorts, she d take out the shawl and remember.
Remember dancing to the gypsy fiddles.
Remember Riena.
Remember her fortune.
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A Very Difficult Man
Chapter Nine
Catherine danced alone in the midst of a swirling crowd of elegantly clothed men
and women. Barefoot, naked to the waist, amulet nestling between her breasts, her
gypsy shawl slung seductively over her hips, she raised her arms over her head and [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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