Come on, my little stranger

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 entrance to the town " You should go ahead with the others.

" Admit it Emma " he teased me before walking away " You love your triumphal entry.

We entered the town, walking towards the central square, attracting attention wherever we went. My mind wandered once again, observing the people who lived there, what would it feel like?

Would I get used to living in one place? Traveling so much can be very tiring at times, so planting roots must have its advantages. But then I'd have to give up my habits, my dancing, I could never do that. I could never have fun dancing like them. 

The melody reached my ears, bringing me back to reality. Damn it, where are they? I hurried on, following the music, turning a corner and bumping into a man who was standing there. I would have fallen to the ground if he hadn't been quick enough to grab me by the arm.

" Forgive me, Sir," I pleaded, my gaze locked on the man who was still holding me.

He was very handsome and well-dressed, and the top hat he wore only served to make him look even more elegant. I struggled to imprint every detail of his face in my mind.

" Dashwood, can you believe it? " A voice caught the man's attention and he released me " We don't usually have this kind of spectacle in Bibury.

I bowed briefly before wading through the crowd, still feeling the man's gaze on me.

" Where were you? " Roux growled.

 The girls were almost at the end of the dance when I reached him.

" I'm sorry, I...

" Never mind, you should already be dancing " he muttered when the song finished. 

I looked at the town square, which was just in front of a large church. They should have chosen somewhere else. Lash started another tune before everyone had left. 

" What are you doing? Get over there! " Roux scolded me before grabbing my arm and pushing me towards the church door, where the other girls had been standing earlier.

I stumbled awkwardly towards it, attracting the attention of the people present. They watched me expectantly as I began to feel anxious. This feeling was not routine for me, but that city made me apprehensive. 

But I decided to put that feeling aside, I needed to focus on my dance. Everything would be fine.

I walked in circles, taking long strides, kicking the hem of my skirt so that it fluttered, giving a glimpse of my bare feet and calves. I gently shook the tambourine to catch the attention of everyone present. I allowed myself to be enveloped by the melody, swaying my hips to the engaging rhythm as I raised the small instrument above my head, occasionally kicking it high in the air, exposing my legs to the delight of the men present, and the scandal of the women. 

That was more than their decorum could ever contemplate revealing, and I'm sure they despised me for it. 

I was just finishing the performance when Malik, one of the boys who had accompanied us, came running up.

" The reverend is coming," he announced breathlessly.

" "That's our cue," Lash indicated, collecting the money as the girls ran in the same direction we had come from.

" "Hurry up," Roux instructed. "Reverend Gillies wasn't happy to see us here yesterday.

I observed the people watching me before, all of whom seemed eager for the man to arrive and put an end to all this immorality once and for all. That was the ultimate in hypocrisy, as just a few minutes ago, they were applauding as I danced. 

" Emma, come on! " Roux shouted, prompting me to get moving.

I ran through the crowd, noticing that the reverend had arrived with some other men and started chasing us. After turning a few corners, I found myself free of my pursuers. 

I stopped and looked around, where am I?

Some altered voices set me off again, I don't know where I am, but I have to find a way out of here. It won't be good if they catch me here alone.

I hurried down an alley, bumping into someone again. The same man as before wrapped his arms around my waist when I overbalanced, once again preventing me from falling.

" You! " He exclaimed, still holding me.

" You've saved me once again, Sir " I offered a smile in return.

" You're a gypsy " he let go of me when he noticed our situation.

His words made me look away. He was the same as the others, watching is a pleasant activity, but touching a gypsy was out of the question.

" What gave me away? " I looked him in the eye again " My clothes? Or was it the dancing?

I snatched his hand in one swift movement, extending my palm upwards, taking him by surprise.

" You expect me to read your hand? " I offered him my best smile, as I ran my fingernail along the lines of his palm " If that's the case, I'm sorry to disappoint you Sir, I consider it utter nonsense.

" Forgive me, Miss." He withdrew his hand in an abrupt gesture, "I didn't mean to offend you.

" I have to go.  It was a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Dashwood.

" How did you know my name? " He frowned, looking unwilling to let me go.

" There you are! " Roux exclaimed when he found me. 

He walked towards me, observing the man standing in front of me, before grabbing me by the arm with a bit of force, dragging me away, making me drop the tambourine in the process.

" Have you lost your mind? They could have found you!

" I got lost " I justified myself, trying to get loose, then lowering my tone " You're hurting me!

"We're leaving now," he growled, leading me away, still tightening his grip on my arm.

" Excuse me " the gentleman interrupted " I don't think that's the best way to treat a lady.”

That attracted Roux's attention, who turned towards the man, putting his body in front of mine.

"You shouldn't have a say in how we treat our young men, Sir," Roux practically spat, "We look after each other, that's none of your business.”

" Is it my business if I attract the attention of those men who are looking for you? " He came closer, causing me to widen my eyes.

He certainly isn't that familiar with the punishments we'd suffer if we were caught, or he wouldn't make a threat like that. Or maybe he was.

" Sir, none of this is necessary, I just got lost from the others " I interrupted them " And now we're leaving.”

" Let's go " Roux muttered after a few moments watching the gentleman in front of us.

I nodded towards Lord Dashwood, letting myself be led away by the young man. He bent down and picked up my tambourine, still watching me questioningly.