Claiming the Forbidden Bride. Gayle Wilson

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      To Nadya, that made the fact that Stephano chose to live among them rather than with his mother’s people more incomprehensible. Of course, her half-brother had been reared as a privileged member of that world for most of his childhood. In her opinion, the bitterness he felt for the gadje had far more to do with the interruption of that idyllic existence than did his Romany blood.

      ‘What are you going to do?’ Magda asked as Nadya threw her shawl around her shoulders.

      ‘See to my patient, who has apparently been left in the charge of a four-year-old.’

      Nadya had hoped to return to her own caravan before her half-brother came looking for her, but as she descended the high steps of her grandmother’s vardo, she saw Stephano coming across the compound. His long stride checked when he spotted her.

      ‘We need to talk,’ he called.

      ‘Later. I have something important to see to.’ Pretending to believe that would satisfy him, she wrapped her shawl more tightly around her shoulders and continued on her path.

      She had no doubt Stephano would follow, but at least this way their confrontation wouldn’t be witnessed by the entire camp. As she hurried toward her wagon, head lowered against the bite of the evening wind, she almost ran into her daughter.

      Angel grabbed a handful of her skirt, tugging at it imperiously. With one finger she pointed in the direction of the caravan they shared. Then, looking back up to make sure she had her mother’s attention, the little girl closed her eyes very tightly and before opening them wide again.

      Apparently the Englishman was awake. Just in time to be introduced to her arrogant half-brother, Nadya thought resignedly.

      A hand on her shoulder, as demanding as her daughter’s had been on her skirts, turned her. The sight of Stephano’s furious face drove any other consideration from her mind. Clearly, it hadn’t taken as long as she’d hoped for someone to share with him all that had happened while he was away.

      Stephano opened his mouth, but Angel’s headlong rush toward him postponed whatever invective he’d been prepared to spew. His dark eyes flashed a warning to Nadya that this wasn’t the end of it before he bent to pick the little girl up and toss her high into the air. When he caught her, Angel wrapped both arms around his neck, hugging her uncle with delight.

      ‘Someone’s glad to see me.’ He looked pointedly at Nadya over her daughter’s shoulder.

      ‘I’m glad to see you. Actually, it’s been so long since you’ve graced us with your presence, I’d almost forgotten what you look like.’

      ‘Or perhaps you were too busy with other, more pressing concerns to think about me,’ he suggested with a mocking smile.

      ‘We all must be busy with something, I suppose.’

      After her lightly veiled reference to Stephano’s mysterious affairs, she turned to continue walking toward her caravan, knowing he would follow. And every step he took lessened the odds that the others would overhear his tirade.

      Of course, their grandmother had been correct. Stephano had every right to question her actions. Or those of any member of the kumpania.

      Thus far, however, none of the others had seemed to find anything strange about what she’d been doing. And until the Englishman was well enough to leave, she had wished for nothing more devoutly than to keep it that way.

      ‘Why in God’s name would you do this?’

      That demanding voice dragged Rhys reluctantly from sleep. He opened his eyes, instinctively searching for whoever had asked that question. Although it seemed he was now able to turn his head without setting off a cataclysm of pain, he couldn’t locate the speaker.

      ‘Because he saved Angel’s life,’ a woman said. ‘What would you have done?’

      The answering shout of laughter was harsh. Full of derision. And clearly male.

      Two voices. The feminine one low, almost musical. The other, the derisive one, was different somehow. A difference not only in tone and volume.

      Rhys tried to piece together the clues that had led him to that conclusion. Only when he realized the argument he was eavesdropping on concerned him, did he give up that frustrating process.

      ‘What would I have done? I should have wondered briefly at his motives,’ the masculine voice mocked, ‘and then forgotten him.’

      ‘I don’t believe even you are that cynical.’

      ‘Cynical enough to know that no gadje means us well.’

      ‘He saved my daughter’s life.’

      ‘Angel isn’t your daughter.’

      ‘In every way that matters. Don’t judge me by their standards.’

      The masculine laughter this time was softer. No longer derisive. ‘You’re right. You aren’t one of them. But he is. The sooner he’s gone, the better for all of us.’

      ‘What if I tell you he’s my guest?’ In their culture guests were treated with great courtesy, given the finest food and drink, even if that might be a hardship for the host.

      ‘I’d say that he’s been your guest long enough. I want him away from here.’

      ‘He isn’t well enough—’

      ‘Then let his own care for him. Get rid of him, Nadya. I mean it.’

      ‘Yes, my lord. Of course, my lord.’ The feminine voice had now adopted the ripe sarcasm of the other. Her assumed humility dripped with it. ‘What else can I, a poor Gypsy girl, do to please his lordship?’

      ‘Stop it.’ Anger this time, rather than mockery.

      ‘I don’t tell you what you should do, Stephano. Youdo what you feel you must. I understand that. So remember, please, that I’m not yours to command.’

      ‘Get rid of him.’ The man’s voice was deadly quiet. Whatever raillery had been between the two had faded into animosity.’ Or had you rather I arrange that myself before I leave?’ he asked silkily.

      ‘If you do,’ the woman said, ‘you’ll be sorry.’

      ‘Is that a threat, jel’enedra?’

      ‘I don’t make threats. You of all people should know that.’

      The silence that followed lasted long enough that Rhys had time to wonder if the quarrelling pair had moved out of earshot.

      ‘Get rid of him, Nadya,’ the man said.’ Or I’ll do it when I return. I don’t want that gaujo here. And I still have the authority here to see to it that what I want happens. You of all people should know that!

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