by Connie Mason
The sun had reached its highest point when Stanhope Manor came into view. “We’re on Papa’s land,” Lara pointed out.
“I’m going to bypass the house,” Julian said. “Being seen by servants would defeat our purpose in coming here. No one is to know where you are.”
“Turn off the main road,” Lara advised. “Head for the trees to the right. You’ll find a narrow wagon path that should lead us to one of Pietro’s favorite camping sites.”
Julian followed Lara’s directions and soon arrived at a clearing beside a bubbling brook.
Disappointment colored her words. “They’re not here. Follow the brook downstream. There’s another camping site not far from here.”
The carriage rolled along a grassy delta. Lara began to fear her grandparents had decided to winter elsewhere. Then she heard voices in the distance.
“It’s them!” she cried, clapping her hands excitedly. “They’re up ahead.”
A dozen or more colorful Gypsy wagons soon came into view. They were scattered about a sun-dappled clearing beside the meandering brook. A Rom child saw them and alerted the others. Since this was Stanhope land, they knew they had nothing to fear from the visitors, for few dared to trespass upon another’s holdings unless invited.
Lara recognized Pietro immediately and waved. She smiled as Pietro’s face lit with pleasure. He waved back and started forward to greet them. Ramona was close on his heels. Julian drew in the reins and leaped to the ground to hand Lara down. But Pietro was there before him, swinging Lara down from the carriage and into his brawny arms. He gave her a bear hug before handing her over to Ramona.
Ramona gave Lara a swift hug, then held her at arm’s length, her knowing gaze moving over her. Then her dark face split into a huge grin.
“Did I not predict that you and Drago would find one another in London?” Suddenly her grin faded and her expression turned grim. “Danger. You are both in grave danger, that is why you are here.”
Chapter 12
Julian had suspected that Ramona possessed amazing powers, but her quick understanding of the situation stunned him.
“I will explain later,” Julian said tersely when he realized that he and Lara had become the center of attention. He had every intention of telling Lara’s family the truth about himself, but this wasn’t the time.
Watching through shuttered eyes as Rondo swaggered forward, Julian scowled at the way the handsome Rom’s gaze devoured Lara. Jealousy was a new emotion for Julian, and he found it difficult to swallow.
“Welcome back, Lara,” Rondo said, purposely ignoring Julian. “Did your father learn of your unfortunate marriage and send you away?”
Julian stepped forward, his face carefully composed. He wanted to do nothing to rile the people who had saved his life, nor did he wish to tell them anything that could bring harm to Lara.
“I brought Lara back for a visit because she missed her grandparents,” Julian explained. “If it is agreeable to Pietro, we’d like to stay awhile.”
He felt Ramona’s dark eyes upon him and boldly returned her gaze. He knew she was weighing his lies and giving him the benefit of the doubt, even though she was ignorant of his true identity and the danger in which he had involved Lara.
“ ’Tis always a pleasure to have our granddaughter with us,” Pietro assured him. “You are Lara’s husband and welcome, Drago. Is that not right, Ramona?”
After a long pause, Ramona said, “Aye.” Julian could tell she was withholding judgment. Ramona turned and smiled warmly at Lara. “Old Gregor drove your wagon here, little one. It is ready for you and Drago. I’ve been expecting you.”
“You knew I was coming?” Lara asked with surprise.
“I know many things,” Ramona confided. “Come to my wagon, where we can speak freely.”
People began drifting back to what had occupied them before Julian and Lara arrived, but Rondo hung back.
“Why are you and Drago together, Lara? He abandoned you,” he asked snidely. “What manner of man is he? I would not be so heartless were you my mate.”
Lara was rendered speechless by Rondo’s words. Julian leaped to Lara’s defense. “We need not explain ourselves to you. But if you must know, circumstances beyond my control made leaving Lara necessary.”
Rondo’s eyes narrowed. “There is more to your appearance here than you have told us. I can smell your lies. Lara’s father must have been enraged to learn she had married a man with little to commend him, a man with dangerous enemies.”
“Pah, Rondo! You smell your own jealousy,” Ramona charged. “You fool no one. You’ve always wanted Lara, but her father had plans for her future that didn’t include a Gypsy husband. Cast your eyes elsewhere; Lara was never meant for the likes of you.”
Rondo’s eyes darkened with malice. “Nay, you cannot believe that Drago, a man with a mysterious past, is better than I. The gadjo left Lara behind. I would not.”
His gaze settled disconcertingly on Lara. “ ’Tis easy enough to divorce the gadjo. You know our customs. I’m surprised you did not see to it immediately, before you returned to your father.”
Julian looked askance at Lara. Rondo’s words gave him pause for thought. Why hadn’t Lara divorced him if Gypsy customs made it easy to do? Lara’s answer left him more confused than ever.
“I did not wish to divorce Drago, Rondo. Why I did not do so is none of your concern.”
“Come with me,” Ramona said. “You must be tired. As for you, Rondo, heed my granddaughter’s words. None of this concerns you.”
Properly rebuked, Rondo strode away, but not before slanting Julian a menacing look. Intuitively Julian knew that the jealous young man would bear watching.
Ramona prepared tea for them inside her wagon on a small brazier. She poured each of them a cup of the strong brew. After a bracing sip, Ramona’s penetrating gaze settled on Julian.
“Tell me about the trouble you have visited upon my granddaughter.”
“ ’Tis a long story,” Julian ventured.
“We have time,” Pietro encouraged.
“Very well,” Julian said, dragging in a sustaining breath. “First, my name is Julian Thornton, Earl of Mansfield. But I prefer to be called Drago while I am here. Revealing my identity to others could prove dangerous to your people.”
Pietro tensed. “Danger from whom?”
“My enemies. What I tell you now must be held in the strictest confidence. And if you wish me to leave after you’ve heard me out, I will do so at once.”
“We will not judge until we’ve heard your explanation,” Ramona assured him.
“I am a government agent,” Julian began in a hushed voice. “My current assignment involves smugglers. I was very close to discovering the name of their leader when something went awry. A man, quite possibly the leader, is privy to government secrets. He learned the identity of the agent known as Scorpion.”
Lara’s eyes widened as comprehension dawned. “You’re Scorpion!”
“Aye. Things took a deadly turn when the smuggler, a man called the Jackal, tried to end my life. I was supposed to be inside the carriage that carried my betrothed. She died in my place. I vowed on her casket that her death would be avenged.”
“How did you end up floating in the sea, shot full of holes?” Pietro asked.
“The Jackal got wind of the trap that been set for the smugglers. I had joined a group of peasants who were loading contraband into a jolly boat. The contraband was to be rowed out to a ship anchored off the French coast. I was there to keep an eye on the operation, but the Jackal must have known about me for I was singled out and marked for death. I was shot trying to escape. I woke up aboard the smugglers’ ship and was wounded a second time when I jumped overboard in another bid to escape. I have no idea how I ended up on the beach where you were camped.” He glanced at Lara and smiled. “Divine intervention, perhaps?”
“The men who came looking for you wanted you dead,” Ramona mused thoughtfully.
“Ay
e, Lara saved my life when she claimed me as her husband.”
“Why did you not take Lara with you to London?” Pietro demanded.
“I can answer that, Grandfather,” Lara cut in. “Julian is an earl. He didn’t wish to damage his high standing in society by claiming a Gypsy wife. He maintains that a heathen marriage such as ours is illegal and will not hold up in English courts.”
Julian bit back a groan. The way Lara explained it made him out to be a hard-hearted bastard. The look in Pietro’s dark eyes did not bode well for him.
“I’m more than willing to marry Lara again in a ceremony recognized by English law,” he offered.
Lara sent him a dismissive look. “Julian and I met at a ball Father gave in my honor. Needless to say, we were stunned to see one another in such a setting. Once Julian learned Papa was an earl, he decided to do the honorable thing and offer for me. A Gypsy wench was good enough to bed, but not to wed. My being an earl’s daughter made all the difference in the world to Julian.”
“Is that true, my lord?” Ramona asked.
Julian could not lie. He owed these people too much. “More or less, but in my own defense I might add that my leaving had more to do with removing danger from your ranks than abandoning Lara. Unfortunately my enemies decided to act against Lara when they discovered my interest in her. Our engagement has already been announced in the papers.”
“I have no intention of marrying Julian,” Lara said defiantly.
“Pay Lara no heed. We will be married,” Julian insisted.
“Tell me what your enemies did to harm Lara,” Ramona said.
“Nothing, really,” Lara said, forestalling Julian’s reply. “Someone hit me on the head at a musicale and … and someone shot at me in the park the other day. But that could have been an accident. I still think the bullet was meant for Julian.”
“It matters not,” Julian said dismissively. “I refuse to play loose with Lara’s life. She is safer here with you than in London with her father.”
Lara made a sound of disgust deep in her throat. “Julian suspects Papa of being involved with smugglers. ’Tis ridiculous. Papa would never hurt me.”
Pietro nodded solemnly. “I agree, little one. Your father is an honorable man. Your suspicions are unfounded, my lord.”
“I agree with Pietro,” Ramona concurred.
“Time will tell,” Julian muttered, wishing he was as sure of Stanhope as Lara and her grandparents.
“You were wise to bring Lara to us, my lord,” Pietro said.
“Drago. Call me Drago,” Julian returned. “My only concern is for Lara’s safety. ’Tis my fault she’s in danger.”
Ramona searched Lara’s face, as if looking for something no one else could see. “I wish to speak alone with my granddaughter.”
“I’ll wait outside for your decision,” Julian said, rising.
“I will leave, also,” Pietro echoed. “Whatever Ramona decides is fine with me.”
* * *
Lara lowered her gaze to her lap and waited for Ramona to speak. Her grandmother was wise beyond this world and Lara knew better than to try to fool her. All Ramona had to do was look into her eyes and her thoughts would be laid bare.
“I know why you did not divorce Drago after he left you, little one,” Ramona began.
“How can you know that when I do not even know myself?”
“I looked into your heart. You returned to your father but you never intended to wed another, despite the fact that your Romany marriage would not be recognized by gadje.”
“Perhaps,” Lara admitted.
“You loved Drago even then,” Ramona continued. “Your heart told me what you refused to acknowledge. I read your palm and studied Drago’s tea leaves. I knew fate would bring you and Drago together in London, and that danger would find you.”
“You are wise, Grandmother.”
“But not wise enough to know why you will not marry Drago in a gadjo ceremony when you love him.”
Lara’s head shot up. “Drago will never love me like I love him. He is grateful to me and cares what happens to me, but I want more from a husband. I cannot marry a man who will never return my love.”
“How do you know this, little one?”
“Julian loved his betrothed dearly. She was killed by his enemies, though ’twas made to look like an accident. His heart resists another love. He remains faithful to a dead woman while I yearn for his love. How can I stay with Julian knowing I am not the one for whom he is pining?”
“Shall I send Drago away?” Ramona asked.
Lara’s hand flew to her throat. “No! Do not send him away. It could mean his death, and I couldn’t exist in a world without Julian.”
“Do you intend to live as his mate during your visit?”
Lara averted her gaze. “I … don’t know.”
“What if Drago plants his child in you?”
A tiny smile curved her lips as she touched her stomach and pictured a miniature Julian growing there. “If God wills it,” she whispered, “I will love it as much as I …” Her words fell away.
“As much as you love his father,” Ramona said, nodding sagely.
“Oh, Ramona, what shall I do?” Lara wailed on a note of despair. “When Julian learned he had taken the virginity of an earl’s daughter, his honor demanded that he marry me, but I cannot live without love.”
“Give me your palm, little one,” Ramona said, holding out her hand.
Trustingly Lara placed her small hand in Ramona’s, then waited with bated breath while the old woman traced the lines with a gnarled finger. Ramona seemed to go into a trance. She closed her eyes. An eternity later she spoke.
“You will have love, little one,” she said in a singsong voice. “The kind of love you desire.”
“With Julian?” Lara asked hopefully.
“I know not, but I see happiness at the end of a long tunnel through which you will travel. You must beware, little one. Danger lurks in places least expected.”
“What else can you tell me? What advice can you give me about Julian?”
Ramona’s eyes jerked open as if awakening from a dream. “You must follow your own heart. Do you still want Drago to stay with us? Before you answer, think carefully. Everyone here considers you and Drago husband and wife.”
Lara searched her heart, seeking answers that could prove painful. In the end, her problem had but one solution. Julian needed a safe refuge, and a Romany camp perfectly suited his needs. She loved him too much to send him back to his enemies.
“Julian must stay,” she whispered shakily. “Do not send him away, Grandmother.”
Ramona touched Lara’s cheek and smiled. “I knew your answer before you gave it, little one. Finish your tea. Then you can go and tell Drago that he may remain with us for as long as he desires.”
Julian sat on the steps while Lara and Ramona were inside the wagon. If he was allowed to remain, it wouldn’t be beyond a week or two. That should be long enough to make sure he and Lara hadn’t been followed, and that the Jackal was no longer a threat to Lara.
Julian was so engrossed in his thoughts that he failed to notice Rondo heading his way. He was more than a little surprised to find the handsome young Gypsy standing beside him.
“Why have you come back?” Rondo asked curtly. “We do not need your kind here.”
Julian slanted him a condescending smile. “What kind is that, Rondo?”
“You dishonored Lara. You never intended to honor your marriage to her.”
“She should have told me she was the daughter of an earl.”
“Do not lie to me. Admit that Lord Stanhope sent her away when he found out she was ruined, that no gadjo would have her now. That would not matter to me. I’ve always wanted Lara. But it was you, a man with a violent past, who stole her affections. Go away and leave Lara to me. She was never comfortable with gadje. You will only hurt her.”
“I fear you have misjudged my commitment to Lara,” Julian drawled. “
I’ve asked her to marry me. We will wed in a ceremony sanctioned by English law.”
The color drained from Rondo’s face. “What can you give her besides danger and heartache?”
Julian had a good notion to tell Rondo that he was an earl and that Lara would be his countess, but wisely remained silent. He couldn’t trust Rondo to keep the information private.
“Sheath your claws, Rondo, nothing will happen to Lara as long as she’s under my protection.”
“Can you guarantee that?” Rondo challenged.
Julian frowned. He’d like to guarantee Lara’s safety, but the truth was, he wasn’t sure. That’s why he’d brought her here.
“Can you?” Julian shot back.
“I would if Lara were mine.”
“Ah, but she isn’t. That’s the crux of the matter, isn’t it?”
“Aye. I expected Lara to grow tired of London and return to us. Then I would press my suit. Lara is happiest here, with those who love her.”
Julian’s reply was forestalled when the door opened and Lara stepped out, followed by Ramona. He rose and waited for them to join him.
“Allowing Drago to remain here is a mistake,” Rondo charged.
“Let me be the judge of that,” Ramona said with asperity.
Without another word, Rondo whirled on his heel and stalked off.
“He’s jealous,” Julian said.
A stunned expression marched across Lara’s face. “Jealous? Why is he jealous? We were never more than good friends. He always knew my father would choose a husband for me when the time came to marry.”
“But you chose your own husband, did you not, little one?” Ramona said with a chuckle. “Take Drago to your wagon. Pietro will see to your carriage and horses.”
“I’ll get our bags,” Julian said, striding away. He needed a moment alone to think. Rondo’s animosity was not a good thing. He didn’t want to cause strife for the people who had saved his life. ’Twas best that he limit his stay to a few days, just long enough to see Lara settled before returning to London to continue his investigation.