Unspoken

Chapter 27 Chasing the storm

Daniel Blackwood sighed and looked at his sister. “Amelia, if she wants to go back to her family I can’t stop her. It wouldn’t be right.”

“But I don’t want her to go. And neither do you. I know you care about her, Daniel. You want her to stay with us.” Amelia gave him a pleading look. “They were the ones that abandoned her. We took her in. She is happy with us. Think of how upset Emily would have been if we came home without Leah.”

Daniel looked down at the table. Secretly he was glad his sister had prevented Leah from meeting up with those travelers in that bar, but he could hardly admit that to her. No, Amelia was right, he didn’t  want Leah to return to her family, selfish as it may be. He wanted her at home at Blackwood Manor, with him.

He sighed again and rubbed his temple. “What’s done is done. Just next time, don’t be so hasty with deciding what’s best, alright?” He gave her a smile. “Though I appreciate you having my best interest at heart.”

Amelia crossed her arms and stuck out her tongue. “It was not just for your sake, I would miss her too.”

Daniel laughed. “Go back up then. She must wonder where you are.”

Amelia answered his smile and nodded. “Good night, Daniel.”

“Night, sis.”  He watched her go and emptied his drink. Daniel shook his head amused. His sister was really something. Though, knowing there were gypsies in the area made him wish they were home again where he could keep Leah out of their sight.

He sighed and closed his eyes, but soon opened them again when his sister’s voice broke through the silence.

“She’s gone! Daniel! Leah, she is gone.”

***

“It is not our business, eh,” Oszkar said in a serious tone.

“But Oszkar, what if it is true?” Nikolai asked urgently, “we have all heard the rumors and I have spoken with Ramiro. There was no body. They have looked. Perhaps she is not gone from this world.”

Oszkar threw some more wood on the burning fire. “But there lies the problem, eh? You do not know. Do not chase ghosts, boy. It is bad luck.” His shiver had nothing to do with the cold.

“We must at least tell Milosh.”

“Tell him what? That you saw a ghost No, Nikolai. Leave the dead to rest.” He felt uncomfortable even discussing it. Perhaps Nikolai had seen the girl because she didn’t get a proper burial. Everyone knew the dead could not rest in peace unless the were buried in the ground.

He stood up. “You should go to sleep eh. We are leaving in the morning. We have lingered here long enough.”

Nikolai let out a sigh and nodded. Slowly he made his way to his wagon where Jasmina was waiting for him.

“What did my father say” she asked.

“He said not to speak of it,” Nikolai answered, “tis bad luck.”