A smile adorned Milena's face as she watched Amelia trek through the garden with Daniel's friend at her side. Jacob was softly speaking to her and Amelia had a blush on her face that had nothing to do with the cold.

It was a beautiful winter day. It had stopped snowing, but the roads were still not clear for travel. Milena had seated herself on one of the stone benches in the garden. Her breath came out in clouds, but she hardly noticed. It was good to be out in the open.

"They form a lovely pair, don't they?"

Milena looked up. She hadn't even noticed Daniel's approach. He sat down next to her and she cast him a soft smile.

Ever since that night in the kitchen, he hadn't pressed her for an answer. She didn't know what to do. She liked living here. This family had taken such good care of her. Amelia and Emily were like sisters to her and Ruth treated her like her own grandchild. She had found friends in Arabella and Nathaniel. Jacob had been kind to her too. She had Harun here, who understood how she felt. And Daniel...

Daniel was a good man. She liked him. But... could she love him? Milena bit her lip. Her heart still belonged to Ramiro. But he was lost to her. Would he have forgotten her? Would he have wed by now?

Her eyes moved back to Amelia and Jacob. Yes, they did make a good pair. She felt a pang of jealousy.

"I have to say it was quite a surprise when Jacob asked to court Amelia," Daniel continued, "but he is a good man. I'm proud to call him family."

The two people in question were approaching them, still in conversation with each other. When they had reached Milena and Daniel, Amelia looked up and smiled shyly. Glancing at her brother, she took Milena's hands. "Come Leah. I must speak with you urgently." She tugged Milena with her.

Daniel chuckled softly as the two girls walked away. Jacob sat down next to his friend in the spot Milena had vacated. "I'm guessing my sister does not object against you?" Daniel asked teasingly.

Jacob smiled sheepishly. "She had no objections."

"Good," Daniel said, "because it's too late to change your mind."

Jacob chuckled. "I won't change my mind."

***

Amelia had tightly latched onto Milena's arm and leaned towards her in a conspiring manner. "He is handsome is he not?" she smiled, a deep blush on her face. "I did not think Jacob would like me. I thought he only saw me as Daniel's little sister. I am so happy! I wish the roads were clear for travel. I must tell Ara. She will be so excited!"

Milena smiled at her friend's behavior. She remembered how Daria had been every time she looked at Pethsa. A sigh escaped her lips. Daria. Had Daria made it safely home?

"Don't be upset Leah," Amelia said quietly, "your time will come." She looked back over her shoulder at the men. "My brother is quite taken with you. Please accept when he asks you. We will be true sisters then."

Milena flinched and stared at Amelia in shock. Ask her? Her mind wandered back to that night in the kitchen when Daniel had admitted his feelings to her. Of course she had noticed the way he looked at her, but had Amelia seen it too? Or was she just expressing her wishes?
She shook her head at Amelia.

Amelia only smiled amused. "You must have at least noticed," she said mischievously, "but you are right. You shouldn't make it too easy for him. He'll have to try harder. He has never shown interest in any young woman before. He shouldn't just expect to win you over. He should shower you with gifts, take you on long romantic walks, give you lots of compliments."

Milena's eyes saddened. Was that what love was to Amelia? Did all gadje think that way? She didn't need gifts. She wanted someone to be there for her, to comfort her when she had bad dream, to tease her about little things. Someone who would understand her. Someone like...

"What is the matter, Leah?" Amelia asked quietly. There was s look of devastation on her face. "Do you not like Daniel? But... he is a good man. He is wealthy. He... he loves you." She bit her lip and studied her friend's face. "Is there... is there someone else?" She had never thought of that, but it would be possible. There might have been someone in her old life. "But...," Amelia continued carefully, "but Leah... if there is someone else... would he not have come for you?" Perhaps it had been one sided. But that would be so sad. To wait for someone that did not return your affection...

Milena sighed and looked away. She could not make Amelia understand. No one would look for her, because to them she was lost.

Perhaps Amelia was right. Perhaps she should forget. Ramiro was most likely wed by now. That didn't mean it would stop hurting any time soon, but perhaps she should try to move on. It was true, Daniel was a good man. Perhaps she should give him a chance. Perhaps she should allow herself to love him.

She offered Amelia a small smile.

Amelia smiled back sadly and linked arms with her again. "Come," she said, "enough about men. Let us talk of other things. We'll worry about matters of the heart later."

***

"You... are smiling."

Carmen's smile dropped immediately at the sound of the voice and her face became closed off again. She looked away.

"No," Tahmor said gently, "you should smile again." His expression was serious as usual, but his tone was tender.

They had parted from Oszkar's kumpania early that morning. The roads were still covered in snow and they were making slow progress. More often than not they had to divert from the road and look for other paths. Three times they'd had to shove away the snow in order to continue.

Carmen glanced at her husband uncertain. Smile again? It was probably the nicest thing he had said to her since she had become his wife. He wasn't cruel, but he wasn't affectionate either. She was fine with that. She wasn't looking for another love. Still, just now, when he had looked at her like that, Carmen could feel a warmth spread in her chest.

This was a good man.

Her smile found its way back to her face. For the first time in weeks, she felt some happiness. She pulled the cloak tighter around her and blew on her hands.

"You are cold," Tahmor commented, "go in the wagon."

Carmen nodded at him gratefully. Yes, inside it would be warmer. She crawled back through the small window and seated herself on the bed.

Yes, things would become better. She could slowly believe that again.

***

George slung the bag over his shoulder and kissed his wife goodbye. It was still difficult to travel, but he couldn't wait any longer. He'd have to go now. His sled was packed with pelts. The sooner he left, the more he would sell. Perhaps he could even gain some more pelts along the way.

"Be careful," Elizabeth told him.

"Don't worry," George assured her, "I will find an inn to spend the night. I will be back in a few weeks time with money."

Elizabeth nodded. "Just be careful you won't get robbed."

George pulled his coat tighter and closed the door behind him. It was half a day's walk to the next settlement, even longer with all the snow.
He sighed. He knew his wife would be fine on her own. The neighbors would help her if she would need it. This morning a sled had come from Blackwood Manor with provisions for the village. The young lord had kept his word. They would not starve.

Still, he didn't like being away from home so long. Slowly he started pulling the sled. Ten villages he would visit. If he was able to catch some more animals, perhaps he would expand his journey, depending on how much he'd be able to sell. But the way it seemed now, it was going to be a long winter.
People would need furs.

At the edge of the village, he came across Thomas. "Headed out? "Thomas asked.

"I want to be well on my way before nightfall," George answered, "find an inn before dark."

Thomas nodded and looked at the sky. "You should be alright. Seems like it will be a clear day."

"You'll look out for Elizabeth, won't you?" George asked.

"Of course we will," Thomas replied. "you know we will. Especially in a time like this we have to take care of each other. We need to have each other's back."

"Thank you," George tapped his hat and trudged onward across the snow.

"Have a safe trip," Thomas called after him.

***

Dorin's breath condensated as he deeply exhaled. Today was even colder than yesterday. He fastened the strap of the harness. With this weather the tack needed extra cleaning or the leather would dry out and break.

They made slow progress. The recent snowfall had forced them to stop longer than usual. There was no village nearby. They would have to make due with the food they had left. Perhaps tomorrow the roads would be fit for travel again.

Dorin hung the harness on one of the hooks in the wagon and reached for the next bridle. Instead, he was met with the irritated look on his mother's face.

"You and Kristof," Abhirati glared while shifting the little girl in her arms, "it is time you find wives and move to or own wagon. Everywhere I turn, I trip in things. Why is this harness here?"

"Because it needs a dry place," Dorin answered, "and there is snow outside."

"Then move it out of the way," Abhirati dismissed. She put her daughter on the bed. "Watch your sister. I have to help at the fire." And she walked out of the wagon again.

"Why not ask one of the women?" Dorin protested. He loved his sister, but she was a handful.

"They all have chores," his mother said sternly, "you are only sitting here. You can watch her." Before Dorin could protest again, his mother was gone.

"Yes, I am only sitting here," Dorin muttered, "but if not for me, no horse would pull a wagon." He oiled the leather straps in his hands.

"Dowin," his sister Rena called for his attention, "Dowin pway."

"Dorin can't play," Dorin told her, "Dorin has to work."

Rena pouted at him.

"That face won't work on me," Dorin said while turning his back to his sister.

His sister only pouted more fervently.

The corner of Dorin's mouth twitched, but he managed to keep a straight face and continued to ignore her. After a few seconds he could hear her shuffling behind him and small feet padded towards him.

Rena's young face appeared in his vision. She was pouting so hard she almost looked crossed-eyed.

This time Dorin couldn't help but smile. His lips curled and he smirked.

Rena giggled. "Dowin funny."

"Here little mouse," Dorin said and he handed her a few leather straps, "you hold them for me. Give them when I tell you."

Rena gave him a serious nod. "Hewp Dowin."

"Yes," Dorin nodded, "help Dorin. Now sit still and be good."

"Wena good," Rena stated.

"Yeah," Dorin sighed, "Rena good."

***

Emily couldn't stop giggling every time she looked at her sister. She could hardly fathom her sister had a suitor now. It was something different to see Amelia so shy. There was a blush on her face every time Jacob looked at her.

Across the table, her mother cast Emily warning looks. She cleared her throat, which only made Emily more giddy.

"Stop it," Amelia hissed at her sister. Her cheeks flared with embarrassment. What would Jacob think now?

Milena glanced from one girl to another, not sure how to react to the situation, while Daniel attempted to hide his amusement and failing miserably.

He took a sip from his wine and bit the inside of his cheek. There was a teasing twinkle in his eyes. "It seems you brought quite the disturbance into the house," he casually commented to his friend.

Jacob coughed awkwardly and Emily's giggle turned into a nervous laughter.

"Emily!" Cecily reprimanded her daughter, "please behave."

"It's quite alright, lady Blackwood," Jacob assured her. He winked at Amelia who turned crimson.

"I'm sorry Jacob," Cecily countered, "but it is most certainly not alright. Emily, your behavior is not suited for a young lady. Do not make fun of your sister."

"Mother please," Daniel said, "don't be so harsh."

"Sisters tease, Cecily," Ruth now said, "I'm sure it will be the same once Emily has found a suitor."

"But mother," Cecily protested. She was not so certain Emily would ever find a husband. Most young men wouldn't choose a disabled girl that needed taking care for. They wanted a wife they could present to society, one that would steer the household while he was on business trips, one that would give him heirs.

Cecily sighed and kept her comment to herself. She didn't want to hurt her daughter's feelings. "Please excuse me," she said instead, "I am not feeling well. I need to lie down a moment." Quietly she left the room.

It was every mother's dream to plan her daughter's wedding and she was excited that she would now have the chance to do so for Amelia. But it upset her that Emily might never have the opportunity. The young girl seemed so excited for her sister, but surely she must want these things too.

Cecily blamed herself for Emily's disability. If she had been a stronger woman, perhaps Emily would have been a healthy child.

Slowly Cecily walked down the corridor. The past few years had not been easy for her. When her husband had died, she had suffered a breakdown. Her mother, long since being a widow, had moved into Blackwood Manor to steer the household and help raise the children. She was grateful for her mother's aid, but sometimes it made Cecily feel utterly useless.

At least this time tings would be different. Amelia would have a wedding that would rival Arabella Caldwell's. Well, Cecily thought, perhaps not entirely like Arabella's. Blackwood Estate wasn't nearly as wealthy after all, but still, she would make sure it would be quite the event.

***

Bonny sighed sadly as she went through her household chores. The expression on Milan's face had been so pained. He must have loved his girl very much. What could have happened to her? From his answers she had gathered the girl had passed away. It must have been a recent loss for the wound to still be so fresh.

She thought back on how Matthew had brought him into the house over a week ago. Had he been trying to take his own life?

She would have to keep a close eye on him, make sure he ate and drank. Terrible as it may be, life did go on. He would have to find a new path in life. Perhaps she could persuade him to stay here and help Matthew in the smithy. He had already said he was good with horses and he knew how to work metal.

They could make a guestroom, or perhaps Dwight could spare a spot at the inn.

Behind her, the door opened and their guest stepped into the kitchen. He looked a little awkward as if he wasn't sure he'd be allowed entrance. It reminded Bonny of a stray dog.

"Come, sit at the fire," she invited him, "are you hungry? There's a kettle over the stove. Please feel free to help yourself. I'm afraid my hands are tied at the moment." She slightly lifted the basket of laundry and offered an apologetic smile.

She watched as he poured himself a bowl of stew and took a slice of bred. He sat down at the table and quietly began to eat. When she was about to head into the next room, she heard his quiet thank you.

...

A few minutes later when she returned, he was still sitting at the table, fidgeting and looking uncomfortable. Understanding dawned on her. "You are not used to sitting idle are you?"

He looked up at her in surprise and shook his head. "In the kumpania there is always work to be done."

Bonny smiled. "I can imagine. I've seen a group of you pass by on occasion. So many horses and wagons. So many people. It must be quite the task."

He nodded. "It gets lighter with all of us together. But there is still a lot to be done."

"Well, if it's work you want," Bonny mused, "I'm sure we can come up with something. Light chores of course, until you have your strength back." She smiled. "Maybe feed the animals? Milk the goat? Perhaps Matthew will let you sharpen his tools. I'm afraid we can't pay you much, but you are welcome at our table."

The young man bobbed his head. Work would be good. "I will start now."

Bonny smiled again. "The animals have had their feed for today, but you can check the chickens for eggs. They are quite adept at hiding them from me."

He nodded and rose from his seat. "I will look," he said.

When he had vanished into the barn, Bonny sighed. She hoped he would find some peace of mind. She could only imagine what it would be like if she lost Matthew. The thought alone was unbearable.

With a sad shake of her head, she started sweeping the floor.