The country fair was well attended, despite the continuing heatwave, and the party made their way through the milling throng slowly. Wes carried Edmund in some sort of a backpack contraption, leaving Kayla free to deal with the other children. Jago, however, attached himself like a leech to his newly discovered uncle, whom he seemed to idolise already. Alex obligingly hefted him onto his shoulders, and the little boy squealed with laughter and commented on everything he could see.
‘Look, Mummy. Balloon! And doggies. Moo-cow! Lambs! ...’ There was an endless stream of fascinating sights, and the others laughed at his exclamations.
‘I wish I could get that enthusiastic about all this,’ Wes grumbled. ‘We would have been much better off having a picnic by the sea.’ He wiped his forehead with the bottom edge of his T-shirt.
‘We can do that later,’ Kayla said, taking his hand. ‘Now stop showing off your abs and let’s stock up on delicious jams and cakes to take with us. Come on, you know you’ll love it.’
Wes grinned. ‘Yes, ma’am. I love it when you’re bossy.’
He received a light punch on the arm in return, but this was followed by a kiss, so Maddie knew her friend wasn’t angry. She envied the couple their closeness and wished she could find a soul mate like that. Not bloody likely. She’d been trying for years, but usually ended up with douchebags like David. She obviously had lousy taste in men.
The booths were many and varied, and Maddie enjoyed herself in spite of her previous reluctance to come. It was peaceful to walk among the noise and bustle of the crowd with nothing better to do than look at all the goods for sale.
‘Oh, for heaven’s sake!’ Wes exclaimed at one point. ‘Why would you need a personalised bowl for your dog? They can’t read anyway.’ The stand full of dog paraphernalia was covered with every weird and wonderful item that could ever possibly be needed by a canine, and more besides.
The others laughed. ‘How do you know?’ Alex joked. ‘They may be smarter than we think.’
‘Sure, Dr Dolittle.’
‘Oh look, Maddie, a fortune-teller.’ Kayla had been scanning the nearby booths to see what else would be of interest, and the purple silk tent with gold tasselling had obviously caught her eye.
‘You will meet a tall, dark and handsome man, and marry him and live happily ever after ...’ Maddie intoned in a deep voice, then blushed as she realised her description could very well fit Alex. He was all of those things, and more. Fortunately he appeared to be engrossed in a conversation with Nell and didn’t hear her.
Kayla cuffed her on the arm. ‘Don’t be silly, I’m sure she’ll be more inventive than that. Go and give it a try.’
‘I honestly don’t think I want to know what other disasters are going to happen to me. I’ve had quite enough of them recently,’ Maddie replied. ‘Didn’t you go once before? I seem to recall you were given all sorts of dire predictions and they all came true.’
‘That doesn’t count. The woman I saw really did have the second sight and she didn’t do it for money. I’m sure this one’s a fake and will only tell you the good things. She won’t want to lose customers. Come on, I’m going to have a go. It’ll be fun!’
Wes just shook his head and looked bemused while Kayla dragged Maddie towards the purple tent.
‘Men don’t understand the fascination of things like this,’ Kayla said with a giggle. ‘They take everything so seriously. You’d think Wes would be more understanding since he has a gypsy ancestor.’
‘Oh, yes, the famous – or should that be infamous? – Jago Kerswell, your little Jago’s namesake.’
‘Yes. He looked just like Alex, or should that be the other way around? Now that Jago was a tall, dark and handsome man ...’ They giggled again, and joined the queue for Madame Romar.
Kayla went first and came out with a smile. ‘There, what did I tell you? Just good things.’
‘What did she say?’
‘I’m going to have another child, a daughter this time – well she would say that, wouldn’t she – and I’m going on a journey soon, where I don’t know. Anyway, I’ll tell you the rest later, it’s your turn.’ She shooed Maddie towards the opening.
Maddie entered the tent reluctantly, not at all certain she wanted to hear about her future. Although she knew it was all nonsense, a small part of her was superstitious enough to believe there might be a grain of truth in it. Her eyes gradually adjusted to the dim interior after the glare outside, and she went and sat down opposite a dark, elderly lady seated at a table.
‘Hello m’dear. Cross my palm with silver and I’ll tell your fortune.’ The woman was small and birdlike with piercing dark eyes and her hair, although threaded with grey, was still quite black and lustrous. She wore the customary colourful costume with layers of scarves and a multitude of dangling bracelets. Maddie tried to relax. It was all just an act. She took out the required amount of money and handed it over. It disappeared rapidly into a small cash box.
‘Right then, young lady, give me your hand please.’ Madame Romar took her hand and studied the palm carefully, tracing the various lines with a wrinkled finger and turning it over several times. ‘Hmmm.’
Maddie waited in tense silence.
Keeping hold of her hand, the woman then gazed into a small crystal ball on the table in front of her, and Maddie could have sworn she saw a swirling mist start up inside it. She blinked. Madame Romar stared fixedly into the ball for what seemed an eternity and Maddie tried not to fidget on her chair. Finally, when she was about ready to scream, the woman began to speak.
‘You are troubled, my child, and it is understandable. You’ve had a difficult time and it will be a while yet before your troubles are over.’
Maddie frowned. This wasn’t what she wanted to hear.
‘I see a tall, dark, handsome man,’ the woman continued, and Maddie almost snorted. That was just too predictable, but Romar’s next words made her sit up and listen again. ‘He shares my blood and he will try to help you.’
‘Help me? With what?’
‘Shhh, do not break my concentration. I see danger. There is another dark man, he is evil, and there is a red-haired man, he is good. You must face them both before you can find happiness. But take care, the danger is strong.’
Maddie stared at the woman. A dark man and a red-haired one, just like in her dream. How could the old gypsy possibly know about that?
‘But, how will I find them?’
The gypsy patted her hand, looking sympathetic. ‘Perhaps they will find you? But don’t worry, there will be happiness in the end, as long as you let yourself believe in it. Remember that, have faith.’
She wouldn’t say anything else, and Maddie stumbled out into the bright sunshine in a daze.
‘Finally! You’ve been in there for ages. What on earth did she say to you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.’ Kayla pulled her towards the ice cream stand, where the others were waiting.
‘I, that is ... oh Kayla, it was really weird. She said all sorts of strange things, and she talked about a dream I often have, at least that’s what it sounded like. How could she possibly know about that?’
‘I don’t know. Maybe she is truly psychic, like that other one I saw? That means I really will have a daughter …’ Kayla smiled happily.
Maddie shivered despite the heat. ‘I hope she’s not. She said I’m in danger, but that I will find happiness eventually.’
Kayla frowned. ‘Well, that was a pretty stupid thing to say. She must know she won’t get any more customers if she goes around telling people things like that. Forget it, it’s probably all a load of rubbish anyway.’
Maddie wished with all her heart she could believe her friend, but now she wasn’t convinced any longer.
Alex listened to the exchange between the two women with interest, although he pretended to be doing something else. He knew Madame Romar, as did Wes, although neither of them had let on. She was one of the gypsies who came to camp on Marcombe land once a year and they�
�d come across her already as children. She’d never told their fortune though, or at least not Alex’s. He wasn’t sure about Wes, but suspected his brother would have steered clear as well. But perhaps it was time to test the old woman’s powers? He didn’t like the fear he saw in Maddie’s eyes.
‘Kayla, would you mind taking Jago for a bit?’ He swung the little boy off his shoulders. ‘I just need to … you know.’ He nodded in the direction of the Gents, which was nearby. ‘I’ll be back in a minute,’ he added to Jago, who showed signs of starting up a tantrum. ‘Then I’ll carry you again.’
‘Yes, of course. Come on, Jago, let’s go and see if they have any nice toys over here.’ Kayla and the others moved off and Alex headed for the Gents. As soon as the little group were out of sight, however, he turned and walked back towards Madame Romar’s tent instead. Fortunately there was no queue, so he ducked inside.
‘Knock, knock?’ he said, jokingly.
Romar looked up and a smile spread over her features, crinkling the deep-set eyes. ‘Alexander! How lovely to see you. To what do I owe this pleasure?’
He sat down on the small stool opposite her and leaned his elbows on the table, then grinned at her. ‘I think you already know the answer to that. Or are you a fraud as my sister-in-law suspected?’
She made a noise of derision. ‘Hmph, only to those who don’t want to hear the truth.’
‘So when Kayla’s friend came in just now, you didn’t deceive her?’
‘The tall red-head? No. She needed a warning, that one, and I might as well tell you as well, since you’ll be the one protecting her.’
‘She’s nothing to do with me,’ Alex protested. ‘She is just staying with Wes and Kayla at the moment.’
Romar’s mouth quirked into an enigmatic smile and she shook her head at him. ‘Foolish boy. You think I can’t see you like her? And besides, my crystal ball never lies. I saw you.’
‘When you told Maddie’s fortune?’
‘When I looked into her future,’ Romar corrected. ‘One way or another, you are there, so be careful. Help her. I saw danger, evil stalking her.’
‘Of course I’d help her if she needed me to, but …’
Romar shook her head. ‘Just trust me, wait and see what happens. And be ready for anything. But you must put aside your prejudices. Like that Darcy man on TV.’
‘What?’ Alex wondered if the old woman was going soft in the head. ‘What’s he got to do with anything?’
‘He was blinkered by stupid ideas. Don’t make the same mistake is what I mean.’ Her eyes lit up with mischief. ‘And he was tall, dark and handsome, just like you. Isn’t that what every woman is looking for? This Maddie included.’
‘Romar …’ Alex tried to sound cross, but he knew she was just teasing.
She put her hand on his and squeezed. ‘Just look after yourself, my boy. You’ve been through a lot, and so has she, but you’re both strong. Make sure good triumphs over evil. It’s up to you.’
Alex wasn’t sure he knew what she was on about and didn’t like having a responsibility like that foisted on him, but he nodded. ‘Okay, thank you. See you at Marcombe soon?’
‘Yes, we’ll be there, as always. It’s our summer haven.’ She shook her head when he extracted some coins from his pocket. ‘No, Marcombes never pay, you know that. You’re kin.’
As Alex escaped into the sunshine, he couldn’t help but shiver despite the heat. Romar had tried to warn him and he knew she wouldn’t do that without cause. He couldn’t be sorry if it was something that allowed him to spend more time with Maddie, but what was he supposed to guard against? Apparently only time would tell.
Chapter Five
‘So what do you think of Alex then?’
Maddie and Kayla were sitting in the first floor gallery at Marcombe the next morning, looking at the portraits of Wes’s ancestors. Directly in front of them were two Gainsborough portraits of his five times great-grandfather and grandmother, Jago and Eliza. Kayla claimed the portrait of Jago was responsible for bringing her and Wes together, and that the man in the painting had actually talked to her. Maddie believed her friend, because she knew Kayla wasn’t capable of lying, but it wasn’t something they spoke of much now. It was just too weird.
She looked at the picture and saw a marked resemblance between Jago, the bastard son of an earlier baronet and a travelling woman, and his descendants. There was definitely gypsy blood in Wes and his brother. Dark hair, skin that tanned at the slightest touch of the sun’s rays, and piercing blue eyes with amazingly long, dark lashes. Not to mention broad shoulders, perfectly defined muscles and smiles that could melt a woman’s heart without them even trying … Maddie tried to control her wayward thoughts.
‘What do I think of Alex? Well, if you ask me, he takes after his ancestor Jago in both looks and piratical tendencies. Not to mention womanising, I’m sure,’ she replied somewhat tartly. ‘Annie was telling me only this morning how he used to bring home a different girl every weekend.’
Kayla giggled. ‘Oh, come on, Maddie. He’s not that bad and that was a long time ago. He may have inherited Jago’s best features, including those incredible blue eyes, but he’s definitely grown out of his smuggling days. As for womanising, I’d say Alex has changed a lot since he’s been in prison.’
By ‘smuggling days’, Maddie knew Kayla was referring to the crime Alex had committed. She didn’t know much about it, other than that he’d been involved in drugs smuggling, which was very serious. She had no idea why or if he’d been into drugs himself, but hoped not.
‘How can you tell he’s changed? He’s only been free for a few days. The way he was looking me up and down yesterday I’m sure he thinks he’s irresistible.’
‘Well, isn’t he? He’s the most gorgeous man I know apart from Wes. Not that I was ever attracted to him, but that was probably because I was already in love with Wes.’
Maddie shook her head. ‘I think men like that are nothing but trouble. They know they’re handsome and they know they can have any woman they want, so they don’t stay with anyone for any length of time. Has he ever had a steady girlfriend?’
‘Not that I know of, but …’
‘There you are, then. He’s probably not capable of it. And now he’s been locked up for three years, he’s sure to go berserk with the local female population. I, for one, intend to stay firmly out of the way. I’ve had enough trouble recently without getting myself mixed up in that sort of situation.’
‘You’re too cynical, Maddie. I still think Alex has changed. He’s grown up a lot since I last saw him and he’s much quieter. He hardly said a word last night at dinner.’
‘No, but he stared a lot.’
‘He probably finds you attractive. What’s wrong with that? You should feel flattered.’
‘Flattered, my foot. Why would a man like that find me attractive? A five-foot-ten beanpole with wild red hair and freckles and no figure to speak of? Only for one reason and if he was desperate. I’d say being locked up for three years might make a man desperate.’
‘Maddie, you don’t do yourself justice. You are very pretty with those gorgeous green eyes, and you’re not a beanpole, you have curves. I would love to be tall like you. Everything you wear looks wonderful on you, and what’s wrong with freckles anyway?’
‘Personally, I’d rather have your figure, but hey, no one’s ever satisfied with the way they look, are they?’ Maddie sighed. ‘And it wasn’t me who described myself like that, it was David.’
Kayla gasped. ‘No! How could he? The utter, utter bastard!’
‘Yep. Told you he was. Didn’t exactly make me feel good about myself, I can tell you.’
‘Well, all I can say is, not every man is like that.’
‘Maybe not.’ Maddie smiled. ‘Just the handsome ones, huh?’
‘No, stop it! Anyway, if you mean Alex, I definitely think you’re wrong.’
‘Hmm, we’ll see.’ Maddie decided to change the subject. She didn’t wa
nt to discuss Kayla’s brother-in-law any more. It was best not to think about him at all. ‘How about we go and join the others in the pool. It’s too hot and stuffy up here.’
‘Good idea. I’ll go and change.’
On the basement level of Marcombe Hall was a large structure which was partly under the ground floor of the house and partly projecting into the garden in the form of a conservatory. It contained a long, narrow pool with shallow steps at one end and a blue mosaic in the shape of a dolphin at the bottom. At intervals along the walls there were huge tropical plants in blue and white china pots, which added to the hothouse atmosphere. As it was a sweltering day, the large doors leading into the garden had been opened wide to let in the breeze.
The two Marcombe brothers were splashing about in the pool with the children when Maddie and Kayla arrived. Wes was playing with Nell, Alex was throwing Jago high up in the air and little Edmund was paddling, happily floating in the middle of a huge inflatable swan.
‘Oh, isn’t he sweet,’ Maddie exclaimed, pointing to him. ‘Can he swim yet?’
‘Yes, but he prefers to be in that thing at the moment.’
‘I can’t believe your children can swim already, they’re so tiny.’
‘I know. It’s thanks to Wes. He threw them in when they were just babies, and as you’ve probably heard, they do know how to swim then. I refused to let him do it, because I thought they were going to drown, but he tried it when I wasn’t looking and it worked, just like with Nell.’
‘Amazing.’
‘Have you come to relieve us of these tiresome monsters then?’ Wes called with a smile.
‘No, you’re doing a great job,’ Kayla replied with a laugh. ‘You can keep them.’
‘Thanks very much,’ Wes said ruefully.
All the same, the two women joined the others in the pool and soon a rather disorganised game of water polo was under way. It progressed with much shrieking and laughter, and Maddie proved very adept at catching the ball. She and Wes teamed up against Kayla and Alex, with a little help now and then from Nell and Jago. This arrangement unfortunately provided Alex with the opportunity of chasing Maddie, however. As he caught up with her, she felt him wrap one arm around her slim waist to prevent her from escaping, and then he tried to grab the ball with the other, but she held on. Maddie became uncomfortably aware of how close he was holding her, and a shiver went through her.
The Soft Whisper of Dreams Page 3