The stables were quiet, except for the occasional rustling of straw.
Milena patted Thor's neck. The big horse snorted, but otherwise ignored her.

Milena sighed. She had managed to slip out of the house without being seen. She couldn't face anyone right now.

"Careful," a young voice said to her right and she jumped. "Sorry," the boy said, "I didn't mean to startle you, but the horse has a temper. You could get hurt."

Milena blinked surprised when she recognized the boy as Harun, who had helped her last night. What was he doing here at the Blackwood Estate?

Harun smiled back and turned to the horse again. "I haven't seen him so calm before," he spoke surprised. He had seen the horse several times when the young lord had visited at the Caldwell Mansion. How could the animal be so docile now?

Milena smiled at him again and he wondered why she didn't say anything. She hadn't screamed for help last night either and even as the crowd had gathered, and the young lord Blackwood had questioned her, she had remained silent.
"Are you mute?" he blurted out and he flinched, "Forgive me, Miss. That was too forward of me."

Milena shook her head and smiled at him kindly. Now that she had daylight, his features were better visible. There was certainly traveler blood in him, but she could see some gadje too.
That answered her question on how he had come to work for a gadje family. One of his parents, most likely his mother, had been of the traveler people. The kumpania* must have cast her out after having taken a liking to a gadje* man.

Still, it was good to see familiar features again.

She reached out a hand to touch his cheek, but hesitated.

"It's fine," he murmured, "I'm only a half blood, so you won't be breaking any rules."

She offered him a sad smile.
"My mother was from the traveling people," he continued, "but she fell in love with my father. He came to visit the horse market and that's when he noticed her. He was a bit of a drifter himself, so he decided to follow them so he could see her again. When my mother's family found out, they chased him away and forbade my mother to come near him, but she ran away with him instead."
He hesitated again, not wanting to pry, but utterly curious. "Was it like that for you?"

Milena's eyes grew wide and her cheeks turned red. She vividly shook her head. Was he implying what she thought he was?

Of course, she should have realized sooner that people would come to that conclusion.

Harun blushed too, embarrassed. "Oh, forgive me. I assumed..."

Milena bit her lip and shook her head again.

Harun nodded. "Alright." He nodded at the horse. "I... need to saddle him up. Lord Blackwood wishes to make a ride."

Milena nodded and stepped aside so Harun could enter the stall. He started brushing the animal in much the same manner as Laszlo would do.
After a moment of hesitation, Milena picked up another brush and joined Harun.

The boy glanced at her briefly, but then smiled comforting.

Neither of them noticed Daniel's arrival until he spoke.

"So much teamwork."

Milena flinched at the sound of his voice, but quickly recovered.

Daniel smiled. "I don't think he's ever had this much attention. He'll get conceited."

Harun eyed his new employer carefully. The girl may not be involved with this young lord, he obviously did hold affection for her.

He put down the brush to fetch the saddle.

***

Weddings never held much ceremony. Exchange of the gold, a diklo* tied around her head and a few words from their rom baro*.

Daria looked at her new husband, a blush taint ling her cheeks. She was his now. She had never been happier. But she was also nervous.
Tonight, they would share a tent together, but they would still travel with her parents until the time had come to start a family of their own.

Daria bit her lip. Was she ready for that?
Again she wished she could relay her worries to her best friend.
But Milena was gone. She had to do things on her own now.

No.

Not on her own.

Petsha smiled at her with a loving look in his eyes.

No, she was no longer alone.

"Stop dreaming Darka," her brother teased her, "he will not vanish. You have enough time to look at him tonight."

Daria placed her hands on her hips. "You can not tell me what to do. Is there not a chore for you to do? Why are you still here?"

Ramiro laughed. "Married one minute and already you are turning into Bisera. Maybe there is a place for you eh, in Oszkar's kumpania."

Daria gasped insulted. "You are a horrible man, Ramiro! Why can you not leave me be?"

"Do not be cross with me, dear sister. I only meant to tease. That is what brothers are for." He turned to Petsha and slapped his shoulder. "Good luck my friend."

Petsha grinned. "You have my thanks." He watched his friend go before turning to his wife.
He smiled.
His wife.
He couldn't hear the word often enough.

Daria blushed under his intense gaze. "What are you looking at?" she bit at him embarrassed.

Petsha smiled and caressed his cheek. "I am looking at my wife. Is there a problem?"

Daria's blush deepened and she lowered her eyes. "No," she said, "no problem."

***

"Will you not come out from under there?" The face of a young boy appeared in front of her hiding spot.

Milena vividly shook her had.

"That's a shame," the boy said, "you're missing out on a  lot. The young foal has bitten Kristof, and Tisrav tripped and fell in some manure. And my sister is making eyes at Petsha. Will you not see?"

Milena bit her lip and shook her head again. She was afraid. If the gadje came back, they would find her.

"Okay," the boy nodded, "but is it alright if I sit here?"

Milena thought for a moment, but then nodded.

He smiled. "I am Ramiro. Laszlo says he knew your family from the horse market. Your name is Milena, yes?"

Milena's eyes went wide. She nodded slowly.

"Are you hungry, Milena?"

She sighed. She was hungry. She had been with the kumpania of Milosh for three days now, but she stayed out of sight for most of the time. Usually she only came out when she was really hungry. And even then she stayed close to Laszlo, only to disappear again after the meal.

Ramiro held out a piece of bread. "It is too big for me to eat alone. Will you not sit with me? I will share it with you."

The bread was coated in honey and her stomach growled. Slowly she crawled out of her shelter and watched Ramiro cautiously. He didn't appear to be a threat, but one could never be too careful.

Ramiro smiled at her. "Now I can finally see you . You're much prettier when you're not hiding."

She stared at him. He thought she was pretty? Carefully she took the piece of bread from him.

"Good huh?" he winked.

Milena nodded and took another bite.

"Come," he said and he stood up. "I'll take you to meet my sister. I'm sure you'll make great friends."

***

"Leah!" Emily smiled happily when she saw the gypsy girl exit the stables.

Her sister looked up and followed Emily's gaze. She let out a sigh of relief. When she saw the gypsy girl's company, she frowned confused. She recognized the boy from last night. So Daniel had hired him after all.

"Who is that, Amelia?" Emily asked.

"He is the stable boy from the Caldwell family," Amelia answered, "well... he was... he... helped Leah last night. Daniel has offered him a position with Jonathan in our stables."

"Call him over, Amelia, please? I want to thank him."

"He is a stable boy, Emily," Amelia gasped, "mother will have a fit if she sees you talking to a servant."

"Please Amelia."

Amelia bit her lip. She had to admit, she was curious about the boy herself.

Milena had heard Emily's call and looked over at the two girls. She sighed. She wasn't ready to face them yet, but she knew she did not have much of a choice.

"Will you be alright?" Harun asked.

Milena nodded and took a deep breath.

"You, boy," Amelia called and motioned him over.

Harun blinked surprised, but hesitantly followed Milena towards the two girls. He gave a slight bow. "Was there something you wanted, Miss?"

"You helped Leah last night, did you not?" Emily asked. She smiled at the boy.

Harun nodded quietly.

"What is your name?" Emily asked.

"Harun, Miss."

"Thank you Harun," Emily answered quietly, "you were very honorable."

"What kind of name is Harun?" Amelia asked curiously.

Harun kept his eyes down. "It is a name of the traveling people, Miss."

"You are a  gypsy," Emily gasped, "like Leah." She smiled at him. "How wonderful."

"My mother was, Miss," Harun said quietly, "but only non-travelers use the word gypsy. She was of the traveling people."

Emily blushed. "Ah. I am sorry. Truly, I did not mean to insult."

Harun's eyes went wide. A lady was apologizing to him? "No, Miss. There's no need to apologize. I should not have spoken out. Forgive me."

"Will you not sit with us?" Emily asked, "I'd like to hear stories about your people and Leah can't tell me. Please?"

Harun hesitated and looked at the girl's sister uncertain. It was not proper for him to address the family, unless they requested his assistance. He was fairly sure that making conversation was not included in that category.

"I'm sure Harun has work to do, Emily," Amelia said quickly, "that's why Daniel hired him after all."

"Yes, that's right," Harun answered gratefully.

"Can't you stay a little longer?" Emily pleaded, "I don't have many friends and Jane won't return for another week."

"Emily!" Amelia scolded.

"I'm sorry, miss," Harun said, "I need to get back to the job."

"Of course," Amelia nodded, "thank you for your assistance."

Harun bowed and returned to the stables.

Milena watched him go with a faint smile on her lips. At least now there was one person that understood her.

Emily looked at her sister. "Do you think I can talk to him again later?"

"He has work to do Emily. That is why he is here. Come, I'll take you back inside. It has become chilly." She turned to Milena. "I am glad you've come to join us. Are... are you well?"

Milena looked at her blankly. Was she well? No, she wanted to hide and never come out again. She wanted to leave this place, but she could not.

She knew Amelia meant well.
And Emily...
Milena turned to the young girl that was watching her with so much worry.
She let out a sigh

Amelia took a step towards her and embraced her. "I am so sorry, Leah. I should not have left you alone. Can you forgive me?"

Milena patted her back. She knew Amelia felt horrible about what had happened, but it sounded like she was only afraid Milena would blame her.
She just wished they would stop talking about it.

***

Daniel urged his horse even more as he sped through the forest. He needed to clear his head and Thor seemed to approve of his master's reckless mood.

Daniel leaned forward. He couldn't believe his best friend had sunk so low. He had insulted a guest in his own house and by doing so, he had insulted the Blackwood family too.

Did twenty years of friendship mean so little?

It was a good thing that stable boy had been there. It seemed the lad had more honor than a noble man's son.

Daniel pulled the reins to slow his horse. He recognized this place This was where he had followed Leah when she had run away.
He looked around the clearing. Nothing gave away that this had once been a gypsy campsite, but he knew they had been here. This was where they always staked their wagons, though he had never bothered with them before.

Perhaps he should have.

It was after all his land they were occupying.

He sighed. Could he have prevented what had happened if he had busied himself with their affairs?

But then he might not have met Leah.

A smile passed over his face. He had never met anyone like her before. She was so pure, so innocent. And so completely unaware of her beauty.
All the other women he had met were flaunting their beauty, vying for attention. Some were actually pretty. Some he had considered. But the were nothing compared to the gypsy girl.

In the few days he had known her he had seen how completely selfless she was, how considerate towards others.

And she had a soft spot for Emily. That was important to him.

Daniel patted his horse. Even Thro was like candle wax in her hands. "Come boy," he said, "let's go back."

***

"We have a guest, Ruth said with a serious expression when the girls entered the house.

"Who?" Amelia asked quietly. She glanced around nervously.

"In the salon," Ruth answered, "why don't you take Leah? I will take Emily into the study She still has lessons to attend." She nodded at Amelia and wheeled Emily away without further comment.

Emily glanced back confused, but didn't ask questions. She was concerned about this guest. What if it was Jackson? And Daniel was not at home.

Amelia bit her lip concerned. She wasn't sure she wanted to meet this guest, but it was rude to keep someone waiting.

She glanced at Milena, who seemed equally uncomfortable, and took a deep breath. She need to be strong now.
Carefully she took Milena's hand. "Come," she said, "let's not keep our guest waiting."

Milena nodded hesitantly. Her heart was pounding. She was dreading this meeting.
Whoever it was, it could not be a good thing. Why else would Amelia's grandmother be so serious?

They could hear soft voices as they approached the salon.
Cecily Blackwood was sitting on the recliner, speaking to their guest in a soft and comforting tone.

Next to her, Arabella Caldwell was quietly crying.

"Ara!" Amelia gasped.

Arabella looked up with teary eyes. When she saw Milena, she flinched and started crying again.

"It's alright child," Cecily comforted the girl, "you are not to blame."

"Ah Ara, of course not," Amelia hurried to say, but Arabella shook her head and looked at Milena.

"I am so sorry," she sobbed, "I did not know my brother would hurt you. I should have taken better care of you. You were my guest and you are my friend. Can you ever forgive me?"

Milena could only stare for a moment. Why were these gadje women so concerned with themselves?

"Leah?" Arabella sobbed.

Slowly Milena walked towards her and took her hands. Aishe had always taught her to forgive people.
She sat down next to Arabella and patted her hand.
No matter how guilty both Arabella and Amelia felt, in the end this was not their fault.
She should have known better.
She was the one that had allowed herself into that situation.
Just because he was Daniel's friend, did not mean she could trust him

Cecily smiled content. It seemed the young gypsy girl knew at least some form of courtesy. "Alright then," she said and she stood up. "I will tell Anna to bring some tea." She cupped Amelia's cheek before she walked out of the room.

Everything would be back to normal now.

---