Raised in her father's gang, the young gypsy Emma Ferguson was persecuted all her life by the puritanical society of the 19th century, yet she never felt completely part of the Romani group. Vivacious and intelligent, the beautiful Emma only wished to find her true self and live the experiences she had been denied over the 20 years of her life, when an unsuccessful performance made her worst nightmares come true in that cursed Scottish town. Emma only survives all this with the help of the handsome British gentleman, Henry Dashwood, whom she met during the fateful performance, and when he rescues her from the roadside, she begins a new and dangerous journey. In a society where gypsy origin is considered worthy of capital punishment, Henry has decided to help Emma get back on her feet, and hatches a plan that could be the salvation or ruin of them both.
View MoreEmmaI did what Henry asked and managed to get to my room without attracting anyone's attention, despite my pounding heart. It had been like this since Henry woke me up, and I was sure he had used me and was kicking me out of his life for good, but after his brief explanation, I calmed down a bit, as much as possible.I carefully cleaned up all that blood, then got dressed. A feeling of guilt began to consume me. How will I face everyone knowing what I did? What will my conversation with Henry be like? What is he thinking about all this?I hope he was telling the truth when he said he loved me, because I certainly was sincere.I was considering whether or not to leave the room when a knock on the door startled me. Who could it be? Henry? I don't think the conversation would happen in my room. Did he ask someone to call me?I went to the door nervously, finding Katherine Dashwood standing there, holding what looked like some sheets."Mrs. Dashwood, what...""I don't have time right now
HenryI woke up feeling a little bewildered a few hours later, the room was dark because the candles had been extinguished and the curtains were closed. I sat up in bed, feeling a little cold because I wasn't dressed, before observing Emma asleep next to me.Emma!No, no, no... What have I done?Emma shifted on the bed, turning her face, which displayed a peaceful expression, towards me.How could I have done this to her! The details of the night before began to hit me as I watched her lying on her stomach with part of the skin on her back exposed. I should have waited, we were going to get married, I should have waited! It was my duty!What would happen to her fragile reputation if someone found out what happened here last night? Emma has already had so many problems adjusting. I've ruined everything!I realized that a servant would show up at any moment, she needs to get out of here, no one can know that she spent the night in my room." Emma, wake up " I shook her gently " Come o
HenryEmma left me standing there in the library bewildered, I couldn't think of anything but her, nothing else existed in my mind. But she was right to walk away like that, what I was about to do was unacceptable.I took a deep breath and went to my room, I had to marry her. I need to marry her as soon as possible, it's more than clear that my plan for a long engagement is unfeasible for both of us.I took off my boot and started to undress, trying to extinguish the excitement that had taken over my body, but all the time my mind wandered to Emma, she was only a few meters away, I could easily go to her, no one would know.No one would know.No! What am I thinking? I couldn't do that to Emma. She's the most incredible, strong and dedicated woman I know. I can't disgrace myself with her like that.On the other hand, I want to make her my wife! It's clear that I'm not having fun with her! I'd marry her tomorrow if it were possible!That's it. I gave up thinking, opened the bedroom doo
EmmaAs much as Henry says my essence hasn't changed, that's not how I see it. This dance was proof of that, I had fun! I had fun when I shouldn't have, that tambourine was a part of me that I had been ignoring for a long time, suffocating it day by day.I moved it gently, listening to the sound it made. I missed it, I really did. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes, letting my mind wander to the song my mother always sang to me. It wasn't a gypsy song, but I loved the rhythm and even my father learned to play it so we could dance."I hear your voice on the wind. And I hear you call out my nameI began to chant in a tone that resembled a whisper; if I concentrated hard enough, I would hear the melody and my mother's voice soothing me."Listen, my child!' you say to me, I am the Voice of your history, Be not afraid "come follow me, Answer my call and I'll set you free.'I started to move according to my imaginary rhythm, shaking the tambourine with my body, that dress was getting in
As soon as we separated at the end of the melody, I noticed Henry standing watching me from a distance. Didn't he dance with anyone?I planned to go to him, but Georgie intercepted me on the way."Did you really dance with Mr. Kinghley?" She whispered."Unfortunately," I sighed, watching him approach the young woman from earlier."You did well, you're attracting attention," she teased."I don't want to attract attention," I groaned."Has Mr. Dashwood asked you to dance yet?" Georgie prodded."No," I sighed, debating whether or not to tell Georgie about our kisses, giving up the idea immediately. No one could even dream about it. "Mr. Kinghley was quicker.""Do you think he'll ask you?" She smiled."I don't know..."I fell silent when I noticed a red-haired boy approaching, coming directly to us."Miss Crawford," he greeted her, "It's a pleasure to see you again.""Mr. McGregor," Georgie smiled openly as the young man cast an eager look in my direction. "I didn't see you at the ball."
EmmaI was about to respond to that teasing when Henry appeared at the edge of the stairs. I couldn't help but admire his beauty as he patiently waited for us to finish descending the steps."The carriage is waiting for us," he announced with a slight bow."Henry, you must praise us immediately," Kitty scolded."You two don't need my praise to know that you look beautiful," he assured. "Although I...""Miss Ferguson," Christopher interrupted as he emerged from one of the rooms, taking my hand in a swift motion and bringing it to his lips. "You look divinely charming.""It's very kind of you, Mr. Kingsley," I returned, trying not to ignore the young man in front of me, while Henry gave his cousin a stern look."You should learn how it's done, brother," I heard Kitty tease him."Allow me to escort you to the carriage," Christopher offered his arm, leaving me unsure how to react.I couldn't refuse and expect Henry to take his place.Kitty linked her brother's free arm while I accepted Mr
EmmaI walked to the bed feeling my legs trembling and something churning inside me. The sensation of Henry's lips on my skin still sent shivers down my spine.What were we thinking?Although I had kissed a boy before in my life, I had never felt this way. It had never been so intense, and I had never wanted someone as much as I wanted him. My body desperately longed for Henry; I couldn't think of anything else."This can't be happening," I lay down on the bed, burying my face in the pillow.It's okay, Emma, you need to calm down right now.I decided to undress and try to get some sleep, even though it was still early. I needed to get rid of those thoughts somehow, I needed to be able to. A knock on the door caught my attention as I finished loosening my hair, having just put on the long nightgown.Is he back?I walked to the door with anticipation, but to my disappointment, it wasn't Henry who was there.I stared at Kitty for a moment, not knowing what to do. She was pleasant company
HenryI ran towards the stairs, seeing Emma finishing climbing them with determined steps. I hurried my pace in an attempt to catch up with her, and I succeeded as we reached the door to her room, preventing her from closing it. I entered, closing the door behind me, while Emma went to the window, deliberately ignoring me."Emma.""If you're waiting for an apology, give it up," she turned towards me with a furious look."I'm sorry...""Don't you dare," she stepped closer, "don't you dare apologize again.""I didn't want you to hear any of that, she went too far, but you need to understand.""Understand what?" She raised her voice, "That my place isn't here? I got it already.""Your place is here!" I held her arms, feeling desperate as I tried to make her understand the danger that defending the gypsies represented. "But if you keep acting this way, they'll find out about you... How could I explain everything?""Sorry..." She pulled away from me, giving me a sad look, "I didn't mean to
Mother, have you seen Christopher?" I asked as I met her in the corridor after leaving Emma in the music room with Kitty."I'm sorry, dear, I haven't..."I didn't wait for her to finish her sentence, heading towards the garden. He's crossed the line this time. Proposing to Emma? I could kill him.Unfortunately, he wasn't in the garden anymore, so I went back into the house to look for him."Mrs. Jerkins, have you seen Mr. Kingsley?" I intercepted my housekeeper, who looked at me surprised."I'll look for him immediately," she suggested."Not necessary, I'll find him," I assured her before walking away.Where is he?I went to his room, knocking on the door insistently until I was convinced he wasn't there. When I find him...I locked myself in my room, trying to calm down. I can't kill my cousin for proposing to Emma. But I still need to make sure this doesn't happen again.I went to the window, looking out over the inner courtyard of Casterly Park. My room was the only one in the hous
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