“I feel certain she will,” Lady Bridgewater said, nodding to a woman sitting in the back, enjoying a pot of tea. “Elise, doesn’t that look like the Roma gypsy in the corner?”
“Arf!” Lacey barked as if to remind them of her presence.
“Good dog,” Michael said. “I promised her a biscuit. I should probably give her a biscuit before I eat one.”
“And she listened to you? You met her only yesterday,” Lady Bridgewater said, with a hint of surprise. “And giving a biscuit to her before you eat one is very generous. You can have mine—once we are seated and have ordered. I had one with mytea for breakfast.”
“Thank you!” the little boy said, looking around the room. “I’m very excited. Aren’t you, Lacey?”
The dog thumped her tail excitedly on the wooden floor.
“If you will excuse me, we would like to speak to the lady in the back,” Lady Harrington said. “Bella, we will be right back.”
Bella nodded as her grandmothers stepped away to speak with the Roma gypsy. Bella was curious about the woman, but didn’t want to crowd the fortune teller, especially with a boy and dog in tow. Her grandmothers were all smiles when they returned a few minutes later.
“Madame Vorest will talk to us,” Grandmère said, leading the way. “She is most gracious. “And she is most keen on sharing the story about the pirate’s treasure.”
“I can’t wait,” Michael said, excitedly rubbing his little hands.
“What a lovely boy and young lady,” the gypsy cooed as she waved them over to her table. “Come here, my dear girl, and sit by me.”
The server rushed to add more chairs around the table and take their orders.
“You are most kind to indulge us,” Lady Harrington said. “This is Michael, a dear friend of our family.”
“I want to hear about the pirates, if you please,” he said, puffing out his chest.
“Ah… the pirate tale. I will be glad to speak of it.” Madame Vorest looked at Michael. “The story is certain to capture your imagination. But first, who is this beautiful young woman?” she asked, grabbing Bella’s hand.
“This is our granddaughter, Lady Bella Connolly,” Lady Harrington said.
Bella’s lips curved up into a polite smile. “I’m glad to meet you, Madame Vorest.” The old woman intrigued Bella, andyet there was something about the fortune teller that made her nervous as well. Madame Vorest had expressive brown eyes and dark, wavy hair threaded with silver that cascaded about her shoulders. A bright scarf covered the top of her head, keeping her hair in place. She wore layers of vibrant, patterned skirts—red, gold, and emerald—that complemented her earrings and bangle bracelets. Bella was fascinated by the freedom that her clothing gave her—a big improvement, she thought, over the underclothing thatshehad to wear.
“So, young man, you are interested in pirates,” Madame Vorest said, gently taking Michael’s small hand in hers. She turned it over and looked at it. “This line tells me you have a strong spirit of adventure. I can see why you want to know about pirates.”
“One day, I want to have my own ship and sail the seas!” he exclaimed.
“All the seas?”
“Yes… and sail all over the world.”
“Well, certainly the treasure would help with that,” the gypsy said, smiling.
“It will be my first treasure. But I will work hard and find more,” he said. “I’ll have to find myself a deep, dark cave somewhere, so I can use it to hide all the treasure chests I’ll discover on my journeys.”
“Of course,” Madame Vorest said, nodding in agreement. “Young man, this is a very old tale, maybe two hundred years old. There is a place in Dover near the sea with a buried treasure—treasure that has been buried for more than two hundred years. Many have searched for this treasure, but no one has found it. It is said that the treasure is in a wooden chest, lined with velvet and filled with jewels.”
“What kind of jewels?” Michael asked in a voice filled with awe.
“Oh, perhaps diamonds and rubies… emeralds, too,” she added.
“What was the pirate’s name?” Michael asked, his eyes shining with curiosity as he leaned forward.
“I don’t recall, my little lord,” the gypsy replied with a mysterious smile, her voice low and melodic. Her dark eyes glittered with mischief as she added, “But names are not what make a story memorable. Now, would you like to hear the tale?”
“Yes, please,” Michael said with a firm nod. “If I don’t know the story well, then I won’t be able to find the treasure.”
“Hmm… That is very astute, Master Michael,” the dowager countess said with a knowing wink, her tone teasing but affectionate.
