Chapter Two
“I have an excellent idea,” Philip announced.
“What would that be?” Cassian asked with wariness.
“We may not be able to see into the future, but we know someone who can.”
“Who?” Amcaster asked.
“You are not suggesting that we go to Madam Boswell, are you?” Cassian demanded.
Madam Boswell was an ancient Romani fortune teller. She often used a crystal ball, or read palms or tea leaves, and at other times tarot cards. But she could see the future.
“She does not provide details,” Cassian reminded him. “She will give you probability or what to be wary of. Her words are often mysterious, and it is difficult to understand what she is truly trying to tell you, or even seeing.”
“I am aware,” Philip said. “However, she may give us enough information that I might know what I could expect in the future.” Was there a chance that Lady Antonia was his destiny, and should he pursue her now that all the guests were gone?
“Does this Madam Boswell live near?” Amcaster asked.
“They make their camp on land now owned by the Vail family,” Philip explained. “If we use the back gate of Nightshade Manor, we only need to walk across the field.”
“This is not a good idea,” Cassian warned.
“You worry too much, Cassian.” Philip stood. He saw no harm in learning what he could of his future courtship, betrothal, or even wife. “Are you two coming with me?”
“I might as well.” Amcaster jumped to his feet. “I have not been to our Romani camp since I was a child, and they came to the village fair. I quite enjoyed the dancing and the music.”
“There will be none of that today,” Cassian warned. “They have settled in for the winter. It is unlikely they expect guests.”
“If Madam Boswell can truly see into the future, then she will be expecting us.” Philip grinned and marched out of the library.
“That does not mean she will want you there,” Cassian called after his two friends.
Philip did not know why he hadn’t thought of this before. The Romani people were not strangers to him. He had visited them often. His mother even went to Madam Boswell for advice and had sought her assistance in the past. So why shouldn't he seek his own fortune, his own future?
After exiting the back gate, they crossed through a small clearing, then some trees and came to the field. In the distance he could see that the camp was alive with people going about their business. The aroma of meat roasting over an open pit wafted toward him and Philip’s stomach growled. It had been some time since they'd eaten, but supper was not far off.
“This is not wise,” Cassian warned.
“What are you afraid of?” Philip chuckled.
“Nothing. I just don't think we should bother them with something so unimportant.”
“My future is very important,” Philip argued and strode across the field, stopping only when he came to the bright red vardo owned by Madam Boswell.
She looked up at Philip and narrowed her eyes. “I was expecting you.”
“See, I told you she would be,” Philip said to Cassian.
“If you recall, I said that didn’t mean she wanted us here.”
“Enough!” Madam Boswell ordered. “You two fight as if you were born of the same mother. Brothers. Now stop it.”
Cassian and Philip closed their mouths and glanced at the other. They had been chastised and Philip did not want to anger Madam Boswell further.
“What do you seek from me, Lord Chedworth?”
“My future,” he answered. Though she should know that already. “My mother is anxious for me to marry. I am not anxious for me to marry.” He lied because if his future was Lady Antonia, the only woman he had ever been drawn to despite her running from him, he would rather it occurred sooner than later. “If you could give me some insight into when that might occur, I would appreciate the information.”
