“My lord, the sidesaddle has been taken for repairs,” Jonathan, the stable master of the Blackwood family looked at his master apologetic.

“The regular saddle will do,” Daniel decided, “I do not think she will have a problem with that.” He passed the stables and studied the horses thoughtfully. What horse should he pick? A calm, steady one or one with some temper? He knew she had calmed Thor, but grooming a horse was not the same as riding one.

Harun entered with the saddle for Thor.

“Your opinion, Harun,” Daniel called him, “what horse for Leah?”

“I would suggest a steady horse, my lord,” Harun answered, “until you know who well she rides.”

Daniel nodded. “Saddle the bay horse for her.” He watched the boy go about his task and leaned against the wall. “My sister is not much of a rider,” he commented, “I don’t think she will join us. How do these things normally work out for your people?”

Harun glanced at him while readying the horse. He didn’t correct Daniel when he said ‘your people’. He was raised in the culture of both travelers and gadje, but he didn’t consider himself belonging to either, even if he respected both.

“The women do not go out on their own,” he answered the young lord’s question, “and when dealing with non-travelers, a man from the kumpania will go with them for protection.”

“Kumpania?” Daniel questioned the foreign word.

“A group of travelers that live and travel together,” Harun explained, “they can be several families.”

Daniel nodded in understanding and Harun continued. “It’s a great disgrace if a gadje man, a non-traveler man, touches a woman from the traveling people. She will be deemed unclean.”

Daniel stared at him stunned. “even if it was not her fault?”

Harun nodded solemnly. “She could be cast out.”

Daniel thought for a moment. If what Harun said was true, then Leah’s family would not welcome her when they’d find out what Jackson had done. “Would they allow her to come back?” he asked.

Harun bit his lip and shrugged. “It depends on the matter of transgression. Not every kumpania is that strict though. Like I said, it depends on the situation.”

Daniel was silent. He didn’t want to bring even more trouble to the gypsy girl. But if her family would disown her… perhaps she would stay here… with him.

No.

He couldn’t be that selfish.

If she wanted to stay with him, it would have to be her own decision. And if he family believed her to be dead as he suspected, then perhaps she would consider it.

But he would have to learn more about her, and her people

He turned to the stable boy. “You should ride with us.”

Harun’s hand stilled and he looked up at Daniel. “My lord?”

“She and I should not be alone, it would be improper if she were a lady of statue, and I should treat her as such. She is our guest. You understand her, you can explain things to me.”

“My lord… I … I don’t know if…”

“Lord Blackwood gave you instructions, boy,” Jonathan said while handing the boy a bridle.

Harun hurriedly bowed. “Yes, sir.”

Jonathan winked at him. “Go saddle a horse then.” He laughed as the boy rushed to obey. He turned to Daniel. “That boy is a hard worker. And he knows his way around horses.”

“Good,” Daniel nodded content. He was glad it had been a good decision to hire the boy.

“My lord,” Jonathan said carefully, “there’s something I’d like to address.”

Daniel raised an eyebrow. “Speak freely,” he said.

“The boy. He has no place to go. He told me his father lives a fair day’s walk away. He spend the night in the stables, my lord. And if I had not sent him to the kitchen, he would not have eaten.”

Daniel sighed and he glanced at Harun sadly. The boy, unaware of being the topic of conversation, was saddling the second horse. “The tack room will be warmer,” he said, “he can use the blankets, and the door will give him some privacy.”

Jonathan nodded. “Yes, my lord.” He smiled. “And I’ll make sure he is well fed.” He looked up. “The lady is here.”

Daniel turned around and smiled at Milena. “Good morning.”

Milena answered his smile hesitantly. She still wasn’t sure if she should have accepted his invitation. She did not want to give him the wrong impression.

“Are you ready?” Daniel asked, “Harun has your horse. He will be joining us.”

Milena glanced at Harun and smiled warmly when he approached with two horses. If Harun was here, then perhaps things would turn out right. He could explain things to Daniel.

Harun carefully smiled back and held her horse for her to mount. He was still getting used to this new situation. Never before at the Caldwell mansion had he been treated so kindly.
It felt good. He liked this place. And he could help someone else at the same time.
He looked at the gypsy girl they named Leah. His mother would have liked to meet her.

Harun took the reigns of his own animal and swung on its back effortlessly.
Yes.
This was a good place indeed.

***

A blissful smile tugged at Daria’s lips when she woke up. She fought against the morning light. She wanted to hold on to this moment a while longer.

Next to her, Petsha stirred. He let out a deep yawn and smiled at her. “Morning, my love.”

“Do not wake me yet,” Daria muttered sleepily, “it is not yet morning.”

Petsha laughed. He ran a hand through his wife’s long hair and kissed her. “Then perhaps the kumpania should leave without us, yes?”

“They can leave, as long as I have you here with me.”

Petsha laughed again. “Wake up ves’ tacha and you can travel with me.” He caressed her cheek and rose to his feet. The others had already risen. He could hear them about the camp.

They had been allowed to sleep in this morning, but there were till chores to be done before they could be on their way.

Tisrav was the first to notice him. He smirked widely. “Did she kick you out of her bed already?” he jested. He slapped Petsha’s shoulder. “Perhaps when she woke up, she noticed how ugly your face is up close.”

Petsha grinned and shook his head. “Is that why you are up at this hour? Did Zilje finally realize she made a mistake when she accepted you?”

Tisrav grinned. “Just wait until Darka is with child. You’ll be glad to escape then.” He winced when the door to his wagon opened and his wife, Zilje, appeared. She glared at him and crossed her arms.

Tisrav hurried towards her and kissed her cheek. “But you look beautiful,” he said.

“Hm,” Zilje said unimpressed, “you are lucky I am carrying your child.” She put on hand to her lower back and carefully stepped outside. Her child was due any day now.

Petsha smiled at he pair and continued his way towards the stream to clean up.

Daria tied her diklo and crawled out of bed. She yawned and stretched. There was a cold tone to the morning air. Summer was nearing its end.

“You’re glowing, Darka.”

Daria looked up and met Ihrin’s smiling eyes. The girl was carrying a large basket of vegetables. “I take it you’re happy then?”

Daria nodded and smiled. This day couldn’t be more perfect. Petsha was finally hers. She belonged to him.

Ihrin laughed. “Come little dreamer, the day has begun. It is time to wake.” She handed Daria the basket. “Will you help me with these? They need to be washed and chopped for tonight’s dinner and then we can break our fast.”

Daria sighed. How soon life turned back to normal.

She took the basket and followed Ihrin.

***

“Have you seen that gypsy girl, mother? I can’t find her anywhere.”

Ruth looked up from her rose bushes and turned to Cecily. “I believe Daniel invited her for a morning ride.” She cut one of the prickly flowers and placed it on a nearby tray.

“He did what?” Cecily gasped stunned.

“Get a grip on yourself, Cecily,” Ruth scolded her daughter, “I think it’s an excellent idea. The poor girl has been through a lot. It is very thoughtful of Daniel to invite her and take her mind of things.”

“But mother, think of the rumors…”

“People will always find something to gossip about,” Ruth stated matter-of-fact. She turned to the next rose bush.

“He is taking an interest in the girl,” Cecily tried to explain, “she does not come from our circles. Mother, surely this is cause to…”

“It is about time he shows interest in a girl.” Ruth dismissed her daughter’s complaint, “He has the age for it..”

“But a gypsy…”

“I don’t see any problems. She is well-mannered, your daughters adore her and she has won the friendship of Arabella Caldwell. I think she would be very well suited.”

***

Milena’s eyes shone brightly when she urged the horse forwards. She had missed this, the feeling of the wind through her hair, the open road in front of her. She leaned over the horse’s neck and sped up even more.

Daniel gasped when the horse raced away from him. He was terrified that she’d fall to her death. He spurred his own horse in pursuit of her. “Hold on!” he called, “I’m coming!”

Thor caught up with the gypsy girl’s horse easily and Daniel reached for her reigns. “Woah!” he called and he forced both horses to a halt. “Are you okay?” he breathed concerned.

Milena looked at him with a wide smile on her face. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement and her eyes shone brightly with joy.

Daniel huffed in relief and then laughed with her. She was really something.

Her horse snorted loudly and scraped with one hoof as if to tell them to start another race.

Daniel shook his head. “Next time just warn me, will you? Or I’ll die before my time.” But he was smiling. He was glad to see her so elated.

Harun caught up with them. He looked from one to another with concern, but when he saw the look of joy in Milena’s eyes, a smile tugged at his lips.
“I guess this is the answer to your question then,” he said, forgetting himself, “she can ride.” He flinched and bit his tongue, daring a glance at his young master, but Daniel barely noticed.

“Yes,” Daniel mused, “it appears so.” He looked at the girl in wonder. “Perhaps we should return to the mansion,”  he said, “the house should be awake by now.”

Milena sighed and nodded. She would have loved staying in the open a while longer, but Daniel was right. It was time they returned.

They kept a slow pace to enjoy the last rays of summer sun. Daniel took the opportunity to speak with Harun in order to find out more about him. He had made it a priority to know his staff and he wanted to know this young man before he let him anywhere near Emily.

“My stable master tells me your family lives far away.”

Harun lowered his eyes briefly. “Yes, my lord.”

“You must miss them very much.”

Harun bit his lip. “I visit my father whenever I can, though it is not often. He lives a good day away.”

“And your mother?” Daniel inquired.

Harun let out a sigh. “She passed away, my lord, a year ago.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Daniel answered, “what is your father’s profession? I thought  a gyp… traveler.. never stayed long in one place, but you held a permanent occupation at the Caldwell residence.”

“My father is not of the traveling people, my lord,” Harun explained, “my mother is... was…She taught me many things about them, thought she never returned to them before she died.”

Daniel thought for a moment on the boy’s words. The story he had told earlier, about gypsy women being cast out, was that what had happened to his mother? But from his tale, Daniel concluded his parents had stayed together. It must have been a love match then.

“Then what does your father do?”

Harun looked down at his horse’s mane. “He used to be a carpenter, but an accident left him a cripple. He can’t work long hours anymore.”

Daniel smiled kindly. “I’ll make sure your wages are send to him, so you don’t have to worry about that. I’ll have my banker arrange it.”

“Th-thank you, my lord,” Harun stuttered. He wondered if the young lord of Blackwood Manor had always been so kind and generous or if it was a recent development.
He glanced at Milena, who was riding calmly at his side. There was a dreamy look in her eyes. Was she remembering what it was like to travel with her kumpania?

“My sister tells me you have spoken with her.”

Daniel’s voice drew Harun back from his thoughts. He flinched slightly, causing the horse to give a startled jump. “Forgive me, I shouldn’t have. I didn’t want to.. I mean…”

“You didn’t want to speak with my sister?”

Harun flinched again. “No. I mean yes. I mean…” he sighed. “I should not have spoken with her. I am only a servant. I forgot myself. It will not happen again.”

“My sister is very lonely,” Daniel said quietly. There was a warmth in his eyes. “I cannot give her as much attention as I would like. The estate keeps me busy.”

Harun kept quiet. What was he trying to say? Why was he confiding in a stable boy?

“I understand that you told her stories about your people?”

Harun’s cheeks heated up. “I… I only told her my mother was of the traveling people. N-noting more, I promise, my lord.”

A smile passed over Daniel’s face. “Well, whatever the case, she would like to hear more.”

Harun blinked confused. “My lord? I’m not sure what…”

“If it’s not too much trouble,” Daniel continued, “perhaps you could visit her again and tell her stories. After you finish your duties at the stables of course.”

Harun halted his horse and stared at the young nobleman. Was he serious? He glanced at Milena to see her reaction, but she was looking at him calmly.

Daniel frowned. “Is something the matter? Or is there a law with your people to forbid you from speaking to non gypsy women?”

“Ah no,” Harun quickly said, “but… she… she is a lady. And I am just… no one.”

“Statue is only a matter of birth,” Daniel stated. He sighed. Not long ago he might have thought differently. Their servants were treated well, and by his knowledge not looked down on. He had regular conversations with the stable master, but he had never thought about befriending the man.
And now he was allowing this boy he had only just met two days prior to befriend his little sister. “As long as she is happy, I am happy,” he said, more to himself than to the boy.

“As you with, my lord,” Harun said quietly.

***

Jackson groaned when the sunlight cracked through the curtains and hit his face. It was too early for his liking. He had a massive headache and next to him in the bed was a girl whose name he did not remember. Some local girl he had come across in town, that much he knew. He wouldn’t risk dallying with a girl from his own circles. He had no desire to find an angry father on his doorstep demanding he marry his daughter after taking her innocence. Middle class was good enough to entertain him for one night.

Jackson slowly rose out of bed. After putting on some clothes, he left the room and ordered the first servant he encountered to arrange for some breakfast and to raise his company to escort her out the door.

…

Arabella looked up when her brother entered the dining room. “Morning,” she said quietly.

Jackson sat down across from her and ran a hand across his face. “Not so loud,” he complained.

Arabella sighed and rolled her eyes. “Perhaps you should have refrained from drinking so much last night.” She only received glare from her brother. She chose to ignore it. What he had done had shocked her, but he was her brother and with their parents abroad for most of the year, he was all the family she had. “What are you plans for the day?” she asked instead.

“Why do you ask?”

“I was merely showing interest,” Arabella said.

“Tch,” Jackson scoffed, but he still answered her, “I might go hunting.” The girl hadn’t been enough to ease the stress. Perhaps shooting something would improve his mood. “And what are you up to, little sis?”

Arabella waited for a servant girl to remove her plate before answering her bother. “Nathan is coming by. He is taking me for a walk.”

Jackson smirked and leaned back in his chair. “Is he now?”

A blush spread across Arabella’s cheeks. “Don’t make fun of me.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said lazily, “after all, you are the only one that still loves me.” He looked at her with half-closed eyes, a look that had left many women sighing in longing.

Arabella sighed as well, though hers was of a completely different nature. “Just speak with Daniel,” she said.

Jackson narrowed his eyes. “I told you before, there is nothing I need to apologize for. I don’t grovel. People grovel to me. And I don’t need my little sister to treat me like a child.”
He pushed back his chair and stomped out of the room.

Arabella neatly folded her napkin and placed it in the table. When he was out of hearing, she took a deep breath. “Then perhaps you should not act like one,” she muttered and she left the room.