Читать книгу The Cavendon Women - Barbara Bradford Taylor - Страница 18

As Cecily turned the bend on the dirt road she saw Genevra sitting in her usual spot on the dry-stone wall. She waved.

The Romany girl waved back, jumped off the wall, and stood waiting for her.

Cecily noticed at once that Genevra was wearing one of her old frocks, and she couldn’t help thinking how well it suited her. She had not seen the gypsy in a long time, and now she realized how she had blossomed, was actually quite beautiful in an exotic way.

‘Yer mam give it ter me,’ Genevra explained, touching the white collar of the cotton dress. Her head on one side, she studied Cecily for a moment before adding, ‘It’s me favourite.’

‘I’m glad you like it.’ Cecily hesitated for a moment before asking, ‘How old are you now?’

The girl grinned. ‘Twenty-seven. Same as Master Miles.’ Genevra glanced up at the great house towering above them on top of the hill. ‘Big ’appenings going on up yonder, ain’t that so, Cecily?’

‘All the girls are here to visit Lord Mowbray.’

‘Did yer keep that bit of bone I carved for yer?’

Cecily nodded. ‘I did. But why are you asking me about it now?’

‘It’s lucky. A charm.’ She waved a finger at Cecily. ‘Don’t lose.’

‘Of course I won’t lose it, Genevra. I treasure it,’ Cecily responded, meaning every word. Somewhat superstitious by nature, she believed that the Romany girl did have the gift of sight, as she had always claimed over the years. Some people on the estate laughed at Genevra behind her back, and belittled her, but Cecily understood how clever she actually was, and she was fond of her.

‘Did Miss Charlotte keep hers?’ the gypsy asked.

‘I’m sure she put it away carefully.’

Stepping closer to Cecily, Genevra opened her clenched hand, showed her a newly carved piece of bone. ‘Tek it, Miss Cecily. It’s a charm. I carved it for Master Miles. Give it ter Miles. Go on, tek it.’

Cecily reached for the bone, stared down at it. There were six small crosses and two hearts carved on it, with tiny strips of scarlet and blue ribbon tied on one end.

‘It’s like mine.’

‘No, it’s not.’

‘I meant the ribbons.’

‘True. Tell Miles it’s lucky. Keep Miles safe, liddle Ceci. Keep him near yer.’

‘I will,’ Cecily answered, knowing full well that she would indeed do that. She had no option. After all, when she was just a young girl, she had taken the Swann oath: To protect the Inghams.

As she walked on up the hill, Cecily paused at one moment and looked across towards the fields. In the distance, she could make out the figure of Genevra, and, on the far horizon, the Romany wagons. There were three now; the family had grown.

It was Charlotte Swann who had told her why the 6th Earl allowed them to live on his land. Many years earlier, during the period when the 5th Earl had been the head of the Ingham family, Genevra’s great-grandfather, Gervaise, had done him many services. One was discovering and catching the poachers who raided Ingham lands. The reward Gervaise and his brood were given was the right to inhabit the area near the bluebell woods for all time. The 6th Earl was just upholding that promise.

Romany wagons were a common sight in the lanes and woods of the English countryside, and had been for years. Cecily had always thought of them as picturesque. Some of the gypsies moved around, travelling from village to village, while others chose a particular area, and stayed if they were allowed. They kept to themselves, did not cause trouble.

Cecily couldn’t help thinking about Genevra’s cautionary words to keep Miles safe. She wished now she had asked her what she had seen in the future, although questioning the Romany would not have made her confide. Genevra had always been wary of issuing predictions. Who would want to harm Miles? Clarissa, his estranged wife? Clarissa’s powerful father, Lord Meldrew? Someone unknown? Cecily could not pinpoint anyone as she hurried on, heading for the long terrace at Cavendon where Miles was waiting for her. She pushed worrying thoughts to the back of her mind.

Miles stood at the top of the steps, leaning against the balustrade, and she thought at once that he did not look good. He was wearing a navy blue linen suit that was far too big; it swam around him. Poor choice, Cecily thought, as he kissed her quickly on the cheek and then walked her along the terrace. She was going to have to take him in hand, do something about these awful clothes. Linen was not her favourite fabric. It creased in seconds.

‘What happened?’ she asked, as they sat down at the wrought-iron table in the centre of the terrace.

‘It went really well. Diedre, Dulcie and DeLacy were thrilled about Papa and Charlotte, so no problems there.’

‘I didn’t think there would be. After all, my aunt practically brought them up.’ Cecily sat back in the chair, put her hand in her pocket and brought out the piece of bone, then quickly told Miles about her encounter with Genevra.

After examining the bone, turning it around, he asked, ‘What do the little engravings mean?’

‘I don’t know. She never explains. I have a bone, so does Charlotte, and she made one for Daphne years ago. When Hugo was going off to fight in the Great War, Daphne begged her to explain the carvings. Sympathetic to Daphne’s worries, Genevra finally gave in. She said Daphne would have five children. And she did.’

‘The bits of ribbon I understand completely. They represent the House of Ingham. Scarlet and azure are our colours.’

Cecily simply nodded.

Miles said, ‘And you believe in Genevra’s claim that she can see into the future, don’t you?’

‘I always have. I know she’s strange, and some people say she’s crazy, but I think she’s just different. And gifted in a certain way.’ Cecily shrugged. ‘You’re to keep the bone safe. It’s a lucky charm, according to our gypsy girl.’

Miles put Genevra’s gift into his jacket pocket, and murmured, ‘When you run into her again, thank her for me. If I see her I will do that myself.’

‘She means well, Miles. And I mean well when I tell you that you must not wear this suit ever again. It wrinkles quickly. It’s too big for you. And navy blue is not your colour.’

Miles started to laugh. ‘So I do matter to you, Miss Swann?’ He raised a brow.

Cecily felt the warmth on her neck, and she realized she was blushing. Swiftly, she said, ‘Clothes are my life, and I tell everyone if a garment doesn’t work for them.’

‘Oh, so I’m one of many, eh?’

‘I wouldn’t say that. I do care how you look.’

‘Why?’

‘Because you’re my friend.’

‘Thank you, Ceci, for being my friend. And you know I feel the same way about you.’

‘I do. And I think we can manage to make this weekend work, if we’re cordial with each other, as we agreed to be earlier today.’

He smiled at her and stood up. ‘I think we’d better go inside; it’s teatime, and Papa is expecting you to join us.’