GypsyDukeEpub (29 page)

"Wait!"

It came out like a bullet shot. Kitty stared at John with a stricken expression. Assuredly, she was aware of the danger he faced and why he must leave her.

"I am going with you."

John's heart thrilled to the thought, even as he discounted it as a foolhardy endeavor. Everyone else in the room was horrified.

Kitty shook her head. "I know what you're all thinking. But it is my decision to make. I have waited long enough...been through incredible hardship just because what he's doing is not considered acceptable to the ton."

John shook his head. "That's not entirely true. Were my identity well-known, I would be useless as an operative."

"Quite so," echoed Robert.

Kitty shook her head again. "I will not budge on this. He has sacrificed all, while I have enjoyed every indulgence. If we cannot share this together, of what use am I to him?"

The duchess lifted her head. "I agree. She is brave, clever, and would give John a good cover in France. Who would look for a spy amongst a married couple?"

"We are not married. Kitty would be ruined."

The earl, whom he thought would be his staunchest ally, reseated himself, offering no opinion. Kitty's mother, however, had plenty to say.

"I must say it troubles me that you're not married yet. If we had all not been foolish, you could have married long ago. Kitty could have
helped you the last few years, instead of you bearing this burden by yourself."

"He had me," Robert said playfully.

Kitty scowled at Robert, which was more to John's liking. "He most certainly did not. You were home much more than you were with John. The duchess is right. He needs me for a new cover. They will be looking for John, the gypsy. They won't be looking for a couple."

"She's right," said Robert.

"I cannot obtain a special license this late in the day, and I must leave for France tonight. The exchange will take place the day after the morrow."

The earl stood again. "I can get the license, although I do not know what we'll do for a clergyman."

John's mother rose. "Leave that to me."

They all looked at him expectantly. He walked to Kitty and knelt by her chair.

"Kitty, I would not have you walk into danger again." He took a breath. "Neither would I stop you, if this is what you want. I know your heart yearns for adventure. I have had a gut-full and require no further excitement in my life. When this is over, I would be truly happy never to leave Somerset Park again." He searched her face. "So, tell me now. Will you be content to live the rest of your life with a stodgy duke in the country?"

John wanted nothing more than to grab Kitty and kiss her senseless, but he didn't even touch her hand, knowing she must make this decision on her own. Did she care for him enough?

Her hand reached out to smooth the hair that had escaped his queue. Her gentle touch made his heart beat faster as he anticipated her answer.

"I was always happiest when you were near. I need nothing else, save the Lord's blessing on our union."

John opened his arms, and she leaned into them. He breathed a great sigh of relief. She had chosen him. Someday, he would tell her about those short, productive prayers of his and how he'd found her.

Glasses tinkled over them.

"A toast!" cried the earl.

Chapter 13

The afternoon passed in a blur. One moment they were toasting the coming nuptials, the next, Kitty found herself in a gypsy camp outside of London, trying very much not to interfere whilst her new husband and the leaders of his clan decided the fate of the gypsy who'd betrayed her.

If she'd met Ardaix on a dark night, she'd probably have passed out with fright. Though he had the same dark hair and dark blue eyes as John and the same gypsy attire, his fierce countenance suggested a man capable of anything.

No romantic gypsy ways for this man. He was calculating and watchful, the ideal leader for a band of gypsies. No one would ever know what he thought.

With the prisoner trussed up in the corner, those responsible discussed his fate. Rasvan and Michel were for immediate dispatch. Kitty took that to mean they wanted to kill him, and though she appreciated the sentiment, she couldn't help remembering that the Lord had protected her.

John wanted him shunned from the Roma families. One word from Ardaix, and all the other Roma would refuse assistance to the man. A sinister-looking old woman and one other man wanted the man beaten then shunned. Robert wished to turn him over to the authorities, an idea that drew ridicule from every gypsy present. They barely tolerated Robert's presence. They weren't about to involve British authorities in a ruling that was strictly Roma business. Ardaix had yet to elucidate an opinion.

So Kitty waited. The argument raged on as the sky grew dark and night fell. Did her new husband realize he was missing his wedding night?

She squirmed a bit, trying to get into a more comfortable position, seated on the floor amongst cushions, as they were.

John's awareness of her was immediate, and the dark look he gave her assured her he hadn't forgotten their wedding night.

His glance was a loving caress that rejuvenated her tired spirits. Was it only this morning she had escaped from kidnappers? It seemed a lifetime away, though her body told her she'd run a marathon.

Kitty sighed as John drew her head against his shoulder, enveloping her with his warmth. She closed her eyes.

It was then Ardaix spoke.

Kitty blinked her eyes several times, wondering if his sudden decision had anything to do with her weariness, though he didn't appear the compassionate sort.

"Your grace…"

Kitty looked to John, thinking Ardaix had addressed him, but John was looking at her. She glanced at Ardaix.

Sure enough, his penetrating gaze rested on her. It took her several seconds to realize it, but he was right! She was a duchess now.

"Yes?"

"You were betrayed, yet you give no opinion on the method of retaliation. What is your wish?"

Kitty considered several seconds before answering. In each punishment, the guilty man lost his rights and connection with the gypsy community or died. To her, this seemed harsh. How would he ever improve his lot in life, which must already be very poor for him to betray his own people? He would be much worse off, and though it might be a fitting punishment, it would probably make him more dangerous.

"I think a very severe warning from yourself, to him and his clan...I believe you call it, would suffice. Although I would not deprive John the opportunity to give the man a good punch to the face."

The last was rendered in her most severe duchess tone, bringing a smile to John's face.

"Done," said Ardaix, rising.

"But…" began Rasvan, until one look from Ardaix cut him off in mid-thought.

Everyone rose from their intimate circle and departed the wagon, one-by-one, until only she and John remained. The prisoner having been dragged off by Michel and Rasvan, who still looked as if he wanted to string the man up.

She was curious as to what had transpired. She looked at John. "I don't understand."

"Ardaix is giving you what you want. The prisoner will be returned to his clan in disgrace."

She didn't know what to think. "And you?"

"I might yet bust his nose, but right now I am too pleased with my new wife to engage in other activities. I find myself transfixed by the way the candlelight plays with your face."

As John's mouth dipped ever closer to Kitty's, she sighed. He really was the most romantic man.

The trust and adoration on Kitty's face gave John a sharp desire to taste her puckered lips. She was so innocent, and he would make sure nothing ever harmed her again.

He closed his eyes for the meeting of their lips, a powerful force, until he heard the continuous banging on the outside wall.

After the briefest of kisses, leaving him longing for their wedding night, he lifted his head.

Kitty gave him a provocative smile that raised his longing yet another notch and caused his heart to miss a beat.

"It seems we will have to wait a while, husband."

"You'd best watch that inflammatory look, wench, or nothing will halt our lovemaking."

He threw open the door, trying to contain the impatience he felt in every fiber of his being. "What!"

Michel stood outside, not the least put out by John's ill humor. He laughed, which didn't improve John's mood.

"I'm afraid your plans for the evening will have to wait. She's a gypsy now and entitled to a wedding dance."

John froze, staring at Michel. His clan was going to recognize his marriage? He'd never expected it and refused to analyze the pleasant feelings this gave him.

He held out a hand to Kitty. "Duchess, your people await you."

With a delighted grin, Kitty accompanied John and Michel. A large crowd had already gathered around the fire. Tables had been set up, covered with a feast that should have fed his clan for several days.

They were honoring him. He didn't know what to think.

Kitty's delight drove every other thought from his mind as young women from the caravan, including Maria, Ardaix's wife, whisked her away to a nearby tent.

John had witnessed enough gypsy weddings to know this celebration would last most of the night, but he didn't mind. Kitty had been denied an ornate, auspicious ton wedding; she deserved this celebration.

While John waited for Kitty to be presented to him, he observed the preparations. Not only was there a whole pig roasting over the open fire, but also several chickens or geese and a hedgehog. If that were not enough, vast quantities of potatoes and boiled cabbage stuffed with rice and chopped meat, aromatic herbs and, John sniffed appreciatively, garlic, boiled in large pots.

He revised his earlier opinion. There was enough food to feed his tribe for several months. Why were they going to such trouble and waste? It was a certainty, they couldn't possibly eat that much.

While he was contemplating this, a large group of strangers approached the camp. At the sight of so many unknown gypsies, John was wary. Was this the tribe of his prisoner? Had they come to make trouble?

John rushed to the tent where Kitty was being prepared. Before he could achieve his destination, Rasvan suddenly appeared, blocking his path. He jerked back, taken by surprise.

"How do you do that?" he asked, referring to Rasvan's ability to move silently and invisibly through a crowd.

"With much practice, as I have told you many times. Fear not," he added, jerking his head to the side where the prisoner could be seen in the shifting shadows of the fire's light. "They come in support, not vengeance."

John still felt uneasy and remained outside Kitty's tent while their new guests blended with his own tribe, many speaking to one another as if to long-lost friends. He relaxed somewhat, until the tent flap opened and Kitty was ushered out.

He was overwhelmed by the sudden feelings that enveloped him. Except for the golden hair, now braided down her back, Kitty had every look of a gypsy female, from the blousy white peasant top gathered by a drawstring around her gently curving shoulders to the flaring red skirt that hugged her trim waist and revealed more of her legs than he had ever seen. More than anyone had ever seen, he suspected, from the blushing look on her face and the bashful way she tried to prevent the others from pushing her forward.

John's eyes traveled down her shapely legs to bare feet and ankles, complete with jingling gold anklets, then back to her face, brilliant from the reflected firelight. He wondered that her feet fell well enough to participate. Should he prevent her?

She caught his stare and threw him a saucy look, forgetting her earlier shyness.

John felt his mouth gape then he heard the sharp intake of breath from someone nearby.

"I think I shall revise my opinion on the parson's mousetrap. At this particular moment, it seems an admirable state." Robert choked out.

John elbowed him in the ribs without turning his head. "Keep your eyes to yourself lest you find said self with several broken bones."

"Aren't you on the high ropes?"

Before John could think of a suitable response, Kitty was led away from him to face the Roma gathered around the fire.

Michel took John's arm and pushed him in the same direction, though they stopped directly before Ardaix.

"San tu Rom?" Ardaix asked, without any expression whatsoever.

Kitty wondered what Ardaix had just said to John. Was it a good thing?

Michel whispered in her ear. "He said...Are you a Gypsy?"

She smiled her appreciation at him then turned her attention back to John. She had no idea what he would say to such a question, didn't even know if there was supposed to be a set response.

John didn't answer, but he nodded.

"San tu Macedonsky Rom?" Ardaix asked.

"Are you a Macedonian Gypsy?" whispered Michel.

"Da tchte san, pralo. Lente," John replied.