Follow Your Heart (2 page)

It was the top of a gypsy caravan.

It told her that the Romany gypsies, who came to visit them every year, had arrived.

She had to ride a little further on to find a path that led her into the field where they were camped. She had known these particular gypsies for five years as before her uncle had rented the house on the Duke's estate she had often stayed with him and her parents at Wood Hall.

Della had always been fascinated by the gypsies; they were so different to other people she knew.

She had always talked to the gypsies and tried to learn to speak their language.

Now she had forgotten that it was time for them to be visiting Hampshire again. Actually, it was a little earlier than they usually came.

The Lee's, as these particular gypsies were called, were Romanies. They had lived in England for most of their lives, but still spoke Romani amongst themselves and had never lost their foreign accent.

They had black flashing eyes and very dark hair and were much more cultivated than many of the gypsies Della passed on the roads, or saw selling clothes pegs to the cottagers.

When she emerged from the wood into the field there were, as she expected, five caravans.

She thought they looked prettier every time she saw them. They were drawn up almost in a circle and in the centre a fire had been lit on which they would cook rabbit stew, or whatever else they were planning for their evening meal.

As Della rode towards them their Chief, Piramus Lee, was waiting for her.

He was a tall man with jet black hair and a fine figure, even though he was going on for sixty.

He ruled his family with a rod of iron. Other gypsies who appeared in the neighbourhood, who had no connection with the Lee family, also treated him with respect.

When Della reached him he bowed and greeted her,

“Welcome, Lady. We were hoping we'd see you after we arrived yester night.”

“I am delighted you are back,” Della told him. “How is everyone? Of course I am longing to hear what adventures you have had since this time last year.”

As she was speaking the other gypsies became aware that she was present and they came hurrying out of their caravans.

There was a very pretty girl called Silvaina, who was Piramus's granddaughter. She was about the same age as Della and she ran eagerly up to her saying,

“It's fine to see you, Lady. We was talkin' of you when us was comin' here and hoping you'd visit us.”

“Of course I would visit you as soon as I knew you had arrived,” replied Della. “As I was riding in the woods I saw your caravans. How are you all?”

By this time there was quite a crowd assembling.

There was Piramus's son Luke and his nephew called Abram. They were two years older than Silvaina and as they talked, their mothers and fathers emerged from their caravans.

They came towards Della slowly and when she thought they were all present, she looked round and asked,

“Where is Lendi?”

She was the oldest member of the family, the mother of Piramus, and noted for being a very famous fortune–teller.

Piramus shook his head.

“Mother not well,” he exclaimed. “She cannot leave caravan. I sure she be very honoured if Lady visit her.”

“Of course I will visit her.”

Della asked Abram to hold her horse and slipped to the ground.

“I am so sorry your mother is not well,” she said to Piramus. “The villagers will be terribly upset if she is not able to tell their fortunes.”

“Able to do one or two,” answered Piramus. “Mireli take lessons from her. In time she be very good fortune–teller.”

“That is marvellous news. Everyone wants to know the future and who could predict it better than a Romany?”

“Who indeed?” Piramus replied with a note of satisfaction.

They reached the beautifully decorated caravan, which Della remembered belonged to Lendi.

She climbed up the steps and as the door was open bent her head to enter the caravan.

Lendi was lying in a bed propped up with pillows. Her white hair made the darkness of her eyes look even more mysterious than ever. When she saw Della she put out her hand.

“Lady, come see me!” she cried. “That kind.”

“I am upset to hear that you have to stay in bed, dear Lendi. What are we all going to do if you cannot tell us about the future?”

Lendi gave a laugh.

“I tell your future, Lady, no need cards.”

“What is my future?”

“You find – happiness.”

Lendi closed her eyes for a moment and then she spoke in the voice that she always used when she was predicting.

“Lady find – what she seek – but she go search for it. When Lady – find surprise.”

She spoke the words very slowly and reaching out her hand covered Della's.

“The moon protect you,” she continued. “You be afraid – no reason. You have – magic which cannot be – take away.”

Her hand on Della's was very cold.

When she opened her eyes there was a glint in them that told Della there was still life in her body and she was certain that Lendi would not die yet.

“Thank you” she said aloud. “I ought to cross your palm with silver, but I have no money with me.

The old gypsy cackled.

“No money necessary 'tween friends. You, Lady befriends us. We do anything – help you.”

“I know,” said Della quietly, “and I am very grateful. But you must take care of yourself, Lendi, because the family of Lee would not be the same without you.”

“When my time come, Lady, they manage. The powers I have – pass to another of family.”

“I hear that is to be Mireli.”

Lendi nodded her head.

“That true. The power is there within her. One day she takes my place.”

“That is such good news, but at the same time, Lendi, as you know we all love you. It will be very difficult for anyone to take your place in our hearts.”

She knew by the smile the old woman gave her that she was pleased with the compliment.

As she had been talking to her Della had been kneeling by her bedside and now she bent forward and kissed Lendi's cheek.

“I will come again tomorrow,” she promised, “and bring you flowers from our garden and strawberries which are just beginning to ripen.”

“Very kind Lady – kindness is rewarded!”

“If there is anything else you want you must tell me,” Della told her as she moved towards the door. “I expect by now the village will have learned you are here and they will be coming to ask for your help and guidance which you have always given them.”

“Mireli do that – now.”

Della climbed down the steps of the caravan.

The gypsy horses had all been taken away and with their back legs tethered they were cropping the grass outside the ring of caravans.

Most of the other members of the family were waiting for her.

“My mother very pleased see Lady,” piped up Piramus.

“She was telling me that Mireli is to take her place, but no one can do that. She is an institution and I have a feeling that the villagers will not believe anyone else as they have always believed her.”

“Mireli has gift,” replied Piramus. “The stars teach her. Family never end.”

Della knew that he was making it clear there was always continuity in the family and she was sure it would never be broken. As she thought about it she remembered hearing that Lendi had taken the place of her own mother, who had also been a famous fortune–teller in her time.

As if he could read her thoughts, Piramus said,

“Line never broken. For all Lee's when life done – another fill empty place.”

“You are
so
wise,” exclaimed Della. “But I hope that Lendi will not leave us for a long time yet.”

Piramus made a gesture with his hands, which told her that he was saying, without words, that it was in the lap of the Gods.

Della shook hands with two of the gypsies she had not spoken to before and then she walked to her horse with Piramus beside her.

“You must tell me if there is anything you need, Piramus. My uncle will be only too pleased to provide you with eggs from our hens and any vegetables you want from the garden.”

“Lady very generous. We kneel at feet.”

Piramus helped Della onto the saddle and she thanked Abram for looking after her horse.

“I will come back to see you tomorrow,” she called as she rode away.

The gypsies waved until she re–entered the wood. She rode home thinking that her uncle would be interested in knowing the Lees were with them again and he would doubtless go and speak to them himself.

When she reached the entrance to their drive she saw that the gate was open and wondered if anyone was calling on her uncle. She hoped it would not be with a problem that would take him back to London.

Twice last month the Prime Minister had sent for him and he had felt obliged to journey back to Downing Street.

‘If Mr Disraeli is bothering him again,' Della said to herself, ‘I shall be very angry. After all he is retired and Lord Derby, who has taken his place, should be able to manage.'

She realised, however, it was really a great compliment. It was not only the Prime Minister who asked for her uncle's advice, when problems arose there were those in other positions who also asked for his help.

After making a turn in the drive Della could see there was an impressive carriage outside the front door. Even though it was still some distance from her she knew whom it belonged to.

This knowledge took away her anxiety about her uncle.

The visitor was not someone from London, but the Duke himself from Wood Hall.

He had been away last week, and she now remembered he had been expected back either yesterday or the day before. In fact her uncle had awaited a message from the Hall to say that the Duke wanted to see him.

It was not surprising that the Duke turned to his greatest friend for company. His wife was a semi invalid who seldom left the house, his son lived in France and his two daughters were married.

Although there were parties from time to time at Wood Hall, Della was aware that the Duke was often lonely.

He did not possess the brains of her uncle, but he was still an intelligent man. He liked talking seriously as well as being amusing.

It was not surprising that more than anyone else he sought the company of his oldest friend.

There were, of course, many relations and one or two of them were invariably staying at the Hall. Della had found most of them rather dull.

She suspected the Duke felt the same and as she rode on up the drive she thought,

‘As he is here, I expect he will stay for luncheon so I must warn cook.'

Mrs Beston had been with her uncle for a large number of years. She was always ready at a moment's notice to provide His Grace with the food he particularly liked.

He had a number of favourite dishes that, fortunately, did not take long to prepare.

As she was getting on in years, Mrs Beston did not like to be hurried.

‘I must find out if he is staying for luncheon as quickly as possible,' Della told herself.

She hurried Samson forward and took him directly into the stables.

“How did you get on, Miss Della?” Grayer asked as he took hold of Samson's bridle.

“He went like the wind and behaved like a Saint! We will have no trouble with him.”

“Not while you're a–ridin' 'im, Miss. The stable boys were a–findin' 'im a bit of an 'andful.”

Della smiled.

“He will settle down.”

She then hurried over the cobble–stones and into the house by the kitchen door to find Mrs Beston.

The kitchen boasted old–fashioned beams across the ceiling from which were hanging ducks and chickens, sides of bacon and onions.

“Good Morning, Mrs Beston,” Della called as she entered. “I expect you know that His Grace is here and as it is a quarter–to–one, I am certain he will stay for luncheon.”

“That's just what I guessed too, Miss I says to Mr Storton as I've said a hundred times afore, why can't I be given notice of when His Grace be a–coming so I has them dishes he likes ready for him?”

Della had heard this grumble many times and she merely smiled.

“However difficult it may be, Mrs Beston, I am sure you will not fail His Grace.”

The cook did not answer but merely snorted and turned round to stir a sauce, which was simmering on top of the fire.

Della left the kitchen and ran along the corridor leading into the hall. She saw Storton the butler standing there with a footman. The boy had only been taken on recently and was being taught his job.

“I suppose His Grace is staying for luncheon,” Della enquired as she went towards the stairs.

“We haven't been told nothing yet, Miss Della,” replied Storton.

Della hurried to her room knowing that her uncle would not like her to sit down to luncheon in her riding habit even though she might be riding again in the afternoon.

She changed into a pretty cotton dress and quickly tidied her hair, whilst her maid buttoned up the back of her gown.

“Hurry, Emily, or I will be late.”

“We've two minutes, miss, and his Lordship'll take that to walk from the study.”

Della giggled.

“Whatever happens Uncle Edward will enter the dining room on the stroke of one o'clock. He has always said he owes his success to being punctual whilst other people are always late.”

The maid did not answer and Della thought she did not really understand. It was after all an old family joke. Because Lord Lainden was invariably precisely on time he had often managed to gain an advantage over his political opponents.

As Della ran down the stairs, the grandfather clock in the hall struck the hour.

As it did so, her uncle was walking along the passage, which led to his study, accompanied by the Duke.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Della ran towards them.