Unspoken

Chapter 28 Dancer in the dark

"Are you certain you are well enough?" Cecily fluttered around her youngest daughter like a mother hen.

"I am fine, mother," Emily sighed, "I have been fine for over a week. You promised I could go. I don't want to stay behind."

"Of course you can go." Daniel stepped into the room and caught Emily's last words. He ruffled his sister's hair and kissed his mother's cheek. "We have to leave or we'll be late and Ara will throw a fit."

He retreated from the room and looked over his shoulder. "Mother, you can take the second carriage with grandmother. We will take the other."

"Who will drive us, Daniel?" Emily asked curiously.

Daniel grinned. "I have asked Harun to drive us." He watched how Emily's face lit up an chuckled to himself. It had been a wise decision to ask the boy. Not only would Emily enjoy the evening more, perhaps Leah would cheer up as well. Ever since their return from the city, she had been even more withdrawn then usual.

He winked at his sister. "Don't keep him waiting."

***

"You look beautiful," Amelia smiled at Milena, "you are sure to draw attention now. Every male eye will be on you tonight." When she saw Milena's horrified expression, she quickly waved her hands. "No. no, not like that! The good kind of attention. Don't worry. Tonight is going to be perfect." She linked arms with Milena and towed her towards the door. "We should go. Daniel has the carriage waiting. Ah Leah, you won't know what to look at first. If you think the last fete was great, then the wedding will be magnificent! I can't wait to see Ara's dress."

Milena listened to Amelia's rambling with half an ear. Inside, she was panicking. If what Amelia had said was true, then there would be even more people here than at Jackson's party.

The rest of the Blackwood family had already gathered in the hall downstairs and they turned their heads at the arrival of the two young woman.

"Ah Leah, you look beautiful," Emily gasped.

"That's what I've been telling her," Amelia nodded, "I don't think she believes me." She smirked when she saw her brother's face. Daniel was openly staring at the gypsy girl. "What do you think, Daniel? Doesn't she deserve a compliment?"

When it remained quiet, Ruth nudged her grandson. An amused smile was on her lips.

"Ah yes..." Daniel blurted, "you look stunning." His expression softened and he smiled at her.

His mother cleared her throat. "Well then. Let us be on our way, before Arabella Caldwell throws a fit for our tardiness." She repeated her son's earlier words, he clearly had forgotten what they were set out to do.

Emily giggled behind her hand as her grandmother wheeled her out the door, Cecily in tow.

"Daniel!" his mother called from the front steps.

Daniel flinched and cleared his throat. "Coming, mother." He rushed out the door, leaving the two girls.

Amelia laughed softly and winked at her friend. "See? You have one admirer already. And we haven't even left the house yet."

***

Dorin sat on the edge of the camp with his back towards the kumpania. His hands were occupied with the wood carving on his lap. Not long now and it would be finished and it would be sold at the market.

With a sigh, he put his work aside and pulled out a few leather straps. He'd had enough of work for one day. To distract his mind, he started braiding the leather straps in a complicated mass of knots and strands.