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Ian faced his man “What is it, Jasper?”
“The dowager has disappeared,” he said without preamble.
Disappeared? Blast and damn. This wasn’t good.
Lancelot came bounding across the camp.
“There you are.” Vangie bent to scoop him into her arms, but before she could, the pup introduced himself to Jasper by wetting on his stockinged foot.
The butler’s nostrils flared the tiniest bit as he bowed to Lancelot. “I’m pleased to make your acquaintance, too, sir.”
“Naughty dog,” she chastised, gathering the pup in her arms. She buried her face in his coat, her shoulders shaking with laughter.
Jasper lifted his dripping foot, eyeing the offensive appendage as if he’d like to sever it from his body. “I fear, my lord, I am in need of a new pair of stockings.” He crinkled his nose while casting a sidelong glance at his stuck shoe. “And shoes.”
Ian struggled to keep a straight face. He glanced at the overflowing dogcart. “I presume there are both in the cart?”
“Indeed, my lord.”
He couldn’t suppress his grin as Jasper hobbled to the cart. Gerard held the horse’s harness. “Gerard, please assist Jasper with the unloading.”
“Aye, my lord.” Gerard motioned to a pair of stable hands. “George, Finney, ye untie the cords. Ye others, pull off the tarps and start unpacking the goods.” His gaze swept Jasper’s soggy foot. “And find somethin’ fer his feet.”
The men scurried to do his bidding.
Nuzzling Lancelot, Vangie sent Ian a curious glance. “What’s in the cart?”
“I told Jasper to collect goods for the Roma.” Ian surveyed the crowd gathered around the cart. “There are foodstuffs, clothing, sewing goods, blankets…” He grinned at her sheepishly. “Honestly, I don’t know everything he brought.”
“Thank you.” Vangie’s eyes shone. Was it merely gratitude in their depths or dare he hope it was something more? “Please excuse, me. Puri Daj beckons, and I need to find my dagger.”
His gaze trailed her, lingering on the gentle sway of her hips as she sauntered to her grandmother. Amusement played along the edges of his mouth.
Simone smiled and began a rapid monologue in Romanese. Vangie nodded and squatted. She lowered Lancelot to the ground and patted his head before straightening. Arm in arm, they crossed to a group of chatting women.
Ian’s smile faded. Was Doyle’s appearance in the Romani camp mere coincidence? Especially in light of Jasper’s unwelcome news regarding Lucinda vanishing? Not bloody-well likely. He’d ask his men to wait until morning to return to Somersfield. Having a few extra armed men here this evening seemed prudent.
He glanced around the encampment at the ecstatic Roma. From this point onward, when their travels brought them to this part of Northumberland, they had a haven. A place they could call their own. A place safe from persecution they could remain for as long as they wished.
Yoska’s voice boomed across the encampment. “Patshiv tonight my friends. To celebrate our good fortune and,” he extended a hand to Ian, “thank our new phral.”
The Roma cheered their approval.
When their cries faded, Yoska said, “See my friends, so o Del dela, oda ela. What God gives will be.” A wide grin on his face, he lifted his cup overhead. “Come, brother Ian, join me in a cup.”
As dusk fell, an enormous bonfire blazed in the center of the encampment. The night was balmy. An unseasonably warm breeze periodically whisked by like a fickle maiden unable to decide if she’d stay with her lover for the night.
Makeshift tables groaned under the weight of an assortment of succulent foods, many of which Ian never tasted before. The Roma brought out their instruments, and the night came alive with music, the singing and dancing unlike anything he’d experienced.
These were an uninhibited people, embracing life vigorously and celebrating with the same carefree abandonment they lived by. He now understood why the Roma, clapping and stomping and swirling around the scampering flames, preferred their unrestrained lifestyle.
How different they were from the sophisticated and artificial denizens ofthe haut ton. The Roma lived free from the confinements and judgmental protocols of society.
Ian suspected they were the better for it.
Eldra whirled by, gyrating her full hips provocatively. She raised her arms overhead, thrusting her breasts upward. She stared at him, a clear invitation in her sultry eyes. With marked deliberateness he averted his gaze and sought his wife.
Where was she? She’d been speaking with Simone a moment ago.
