Henry I was trying to concentrate on the letter I was answering while I waited for Mr. Martin, one of the local farmers who had arranged a meeting with me, but my mind kept returning to Emma. I should have insisted on accompanying her, even if I had to take Christopher and Kitty with us.I gave up what I was doing and started pacing back and forth in my living room. Why am I so bothered by this? Emma's right, Dyrham Park isn't far away, she must be with Georgiana by now.Perhaps I should go there, just to make sure everything is all right. Mr. Martin arrived for our meeting, forcing me to take my mind off Emma and devote my attention to the man in front of me. I tried my best to listen to his plans for expanding his farm, but I couldn't concentrate.As soon as he leaves here, I'll go to Dyrham Park, I won't let you go back to Casterly Park alone. I don't understand what's going on, but I feel something is wrong.A knock on the door echoed through the room, before Christopher opened
Emma"Emma, are you ready? "Elinor, my mother, asked while I was putting on my earrings. "Right now? "I turned towards her "I thought we'd be longer.”She was standing outside my Vardo¹ watching me as I got ready and sat on the bed."Your father thought we'd better get on with it "she approached the bed "He'd been told that the town wasn't happy about our arrival. He intends to give the last performance today and leave in the morning with the money we've raised.”My father was the leader of our group, which made me a kind of princess among the Romnichal², or at least I liked to think so."I don't like this place," I admitted as I tied my scarf around my head."Wear more gold," Elinor smiled, offering me some bracelets."I don't want to attract attention in this place," I sighed, "can you send Ruby?”"She went yesterday and didn't get much "My mother concentrated on painting my eyes "You know they love to see you dance.”"Will Kadir accompany us? "I sighed in defeat."Not this time, R
Emma " You seem distracted " Lash walked beside me." I'm distracted " I watched him out of the corner of my eye.Lash was a boy a few years older than me. My father tried to marry us off a few months ago, but thanks to my mother, I managed to avoid that disaster. He was nice, but I didn't want to share my life with him. That, however, doesn't seem to be a problem for Ruby." What are you thinking, Emma? " He insisted " Aren't you excited? You usually enjoy presentations." I don't like this town, it emanates bad energy " I played with the tambourine in my hand." You haven't even visited the city, are you finally surrendering to the art of divination Emma? " He joked." I visited the city yesterday, I just didn't take part in the performance. And you know how I feel about these things." Yes, I do. It's the biggest load of crap you've ever heard " he laughed " Have you ever tried saying that in front of your father?" Do you want him to die of grief? " I laughed, spotting the entran
EmmaI focused on the road ahead of me as I followed Roux in silence through the streets, trying not to attract unnecessary attention. We found the others waiting for us among some trees outside the town. I shook my arm to get rid of the tightness before heading towards the group." Where do you think you're going? " He grabbed me again by the arm, squeezing it again." This is hurting! " I exclaimed in Romani¹, attracting everyone's attention." What were you talking about with that man? " He growled. " I wasn't talking at all " I tried to get free again " Let me go!" What do you want Emma? " He measured me " You always refuse all your father's marriage arrangements, and you always seem to reject our culture." What does that mean? " It means that your father will hear about it! " He pulled me close to his body, lowering his voice " You know how we feel about marriages with them.The way Roux pronounced "them" irritated me. " I don't know if you remember, but my father married on
HenryMy trip to Melrose lasted longer than the initial ten days. I was advising my friend George Thorpe on a farm he was thinking of buying. It was going to be a quick trip, but he insisted on seeing the town, delaying our return to Bibury, a small village in the county of Gloucestershire¹.I was looking in the window of a hat store, wondering if I should get my sister a present, when a commotion took over the town. I watched as a series of gypsies ran past me, starting a performance in the main square. I didn't care, it wasn't something that appealed to me. But George was enthralled by everything that was going on. I returned my attention to the store window when I felt a small body collide with mine.I stopped the young woman from falling, holding her by the arm. She was a magnificent creature, her well-drawn eyes showing an almost wild glint, her long black hair loose under a burgundy bandana and her tanned skin standing out, making all the others look pale and dull. After a bri
HenryWe couldn't get anything else out of Emma, she remained silent throughout the journey to Preston. We attracted a bit of attention when we arrived at the small inn where we would be spending the night.Emma seemed out of place as I guided her to a private room where we could talk in private. " Are you hungry? " I asked without getting an answer. Emma remained standing in the same spot, observing the place with a certain discomfort." We're going to spend the night here, Ms. Ferguson " I insisted " Why don't you sit down?She took a few uncertain steps, sitting down in a chair that was further away than I wanted. I went over to where she was, taking the seat next to her." I hope your quarters are to your liking," I said, trying to make conversation." I've never been in a room before " she looked into my eyes." Where did you sleep? " I took advantage of the little space she had given me." In my vardo " she smiled." What's a Vardo? " I was interested." A kind of carriage, I
EmmaI was just finishing getting ready after breakfast. The sun had already risen, and we would soon be leaving for Bibury, so I didn't want to delay my benefactors. They were extremely attentive to me, and their manners were so kind. I think gentlemen are all like that.They must consider me a savage."Why does this have to be so difficult? "I groaned as I tried to follow Mr. Thorpe's advice and fix my hair.The fact that my hand was burnt didn't help either, it was stinging badly, in some places it had blistered, in others it was raw flesh.I stared at the burn for a few moments, thinking about everything that had happened. In a matter of hours everything had been taken away from me, my home, my family, my whole life. The only thing I have left are a few changes of clothes and jewelry that I can't wear. A knock on the door brought me out of my reverie. I opened it, finding the maid who had helped me yesterday, I had never even dreamed of having a maid before. She was a few years o
Emma "Ohhh... I'll go... "Mr. Thorpe looked disconcerted "I'll find a place for your bag."Sorry "I turned away immediately when I heard the door close.Don't forget that you're no longer with your family, Emma."It's all right "he looked away."That was completely inappropriate "I continued "Forgive me."Shall we get a suitcase? "He suggested after a few moments in silence."Yes "I bit my lip, trying to wipe my face as best I could. "We can go."Please "He offered me a tissue.I took it, wiping away my tears, feeling a little disconcerted. None of this was supposed to happen. We were supposed to be heading for the next town, all my family, all together. But here I am, heading for a life that I can't even imagine."Come on "he led me to the door "let's get you some things.I followed him in silence, holding his handkerchief. I'd have to give it back at some point. But if only I could keep it.We left the inn and walked side by side towards the town. His handkerchief was still in my