Rose in Bloom (Sex and the Season #2)(67)

“I’m fine,” Rose replied. “I had a large breakfast is all.”

They continued walking, browsing through the merchants’ wares. After spending some time looking at oriental silk, a gypsy crone beckoned them.

“Ah, two little maidens on the verge of motherhood,” she said. “I can tell you the gender of your babe.”

Rose’s heart thundered. She sent a pleading look to Lily.

“You must be mistaken, madam.” Lily raised her eyebrows at the crone and jiggled her reticule.

The crone smiled. “My mistake, my lady. Would you care to have your fortune told? You and your sister?”

“No, thank you.”

“Oh, go ahead, Lily,” Daniel urged. “It’s tradition.”

“Well, all right, if you say so.”

“I’ll see only the ladies at this time,” the crone said to Daniel and Thomas, gesturing them to stay where they were.

Lily grabbed Rose and pulled her into the crone’s tent. “I’m sorry about this, Rose.”

“It’s all right. I’m just glad you were able to keep her quiet.”

“Now, now.” The crone sat down behind a small table laden with stones, a crystal sphere, and a deck of cards. “My name is Melina. Do have a seat, both of you.”

“I must thank you for your discretion,” Lily said, pulling several shillings out of her reticule and handing them to Melina.

“Then I am correct. You are both with child.”

“Yes,” Lily said. “How did you know we were sisters?”

“Melina knows all. So you both expect bairns, but only one of you is married.”

“Yes.”

Again, Rose’s eyes welled. Goodness, had she not cried every tear in England yet?

“Don’t cry, little one,” Melina said. “Your man is returning for you.”

“I’m afraid you’re mistaken,” Rose said.

“Melina is never mistaken. Shall we see what the cards have to say?”

“I thought you were going to tell us the gender of our babes,” Lily said.

“Yes, yes. We’ll get to that. But your sister is hurting. She needs the wisdom of the cards.” Melina took the stack of cards from her table, shuffled them quickly, and handed them to Rose. “You cut them, dear.”

Rose obliged.

Melina drew the first card. “Ah, the nine of swords. You are worrying. Suffering. It is a burden you have been carrying alone.”

“Lord, she didn’t need you to tell her that,” Lily said dryly.

“Your sister is protective of you,” Melina continued. “Know then, that you do not suffer alone.”

“My sister is helping to carry my burden, I know.”

“I talk not of your sister. Another suffers as you do. Another feels helpless.”

“Who?”

“The father of your babe, of course.”

Rose widened her eyes as Melina drew another card.

“The eight of pentacles. You have a talent with your hands.”

“Yes,” Rose said. “I play the pianoforte.”

“Don’t help her, Rose,” Lily said.

“Melina needs no help.” The crone drew the next card. “The ace of cups. Wonderful! This is the cup of life. You are the cup of life. You give life to your babe. Your babe is a miracle and a blessing.”

“But my babe will be a bastard,” Rose said, weeping softly.

“Every babe is a blessing. A miracle. And your babe will not be a bastard. He returns to you.”

“I wish I could believe you.”

“Believe Melina. She knows. I will draw your last card. The moon.” Melina sighed.

“What? Is it bad?” Rose asked.

“No. Not necessarily. But something is not as it seems. Someone has lied to you.”

“Yes, that is true. The father of my babe lied to me.”

“Yes, it was he. But something is still amiss. All is not as you think it. He will return.”

“How do you know?”

“The cards know no falsehoods, my lady,” Melina said. “Your suffering will cease. He will return.”

Rose nodded, sniffling into her handkerchief. “Your turn, Lily.”

“Heavens no, I don’t want my cards read,” Lily said. “But I would like to know the gender of my babe.”

“Of course.” Melina reached for a crystal on a leather cord. “I will read for your sister first, to ease her suffering.”

“How is knowing the sex of her babe going to ease her suffering?” Lily asked, rolling her eyes.

“Trust Melina.” She motioned to Rose and pointed to a pile of pillows on the ground. “You must lie down.”

Rose hesitantly lay down on the pillows as Melina held the crystal over her belly. “Now we wait for the spirits to guide us.” The crystal began to weave slowly back and forth, until it established a pattern. “You carry a girl, my lady. A beautiful girl. She has hair like her father, and eyes like yours. She will be beautiful, the light of his eye.”

“A little girl?” Rose said, her lips curving upward. “A girl. How wonderful.”

“Melina knew it would help ease your suffering. Now you.” She motioned to Lily.