Unspoken

Chapter 13 Sophistication

"How long do you think of hiding her, Daniel?"  Anthony McLachlan slapped his friend's shoulder good-naturedly, "the rumors are spreading as we speak: Daniel Blackwood, having a scandalous adventure with a fiery gypsy woman."  He chuckled amused.

"Ara told me all about it," Nathaniel chimed in. He looked at Daniel curiously.

"There's nothing to tell," Daniel told them. He held up his hands and let out a soft laugh. He pointed at Nathaniel. "And you should know better than to listen to Ara's gossip." 

"Gossip she has learned from your dear sister, Danny," Nathaniel teased.

"There is no gossip," Daniel said, "she's simply a guest in our household. In any case, Ara has invited her to the fete, so you can all see her for yourselves then."

***

"Come," Amelia said and she took Milena's hand. Pulling the girl into her chamber, she gently pushed her down on a chair in front of a large mirror.

Amelia came to stand behind her and ran a hand through Milena's hair. "You have such beautiful hair," she sighed wistfully. She twisted it on top of Milena's head and fumbled until a few locks dropped down. "No," she mused, "down is better." She bit her lip. "Maybe..."  She picked up some decorated hair pins and pushed them in Milena's hair in various places.

"What are you two doing?"  Emily's soft voice sounded. The young girl peeked around the door.

"Come," Amelia said, "I'm doing Leah's hair for Jackson's banquet." She waved he sister into the room. "What do you think?" 

Emily looked at Milena. "What about the silver comb? The one with the butterfly?"

Amelia nodded and went to fetch it.

Milena looked at herself in the mirror in wonder. It was so different from what she was used to.

As an unmarried woman, she wore her hair down. The married women of the kumpania covered their hair with a diklo, a scarf.

Gadji were different. They wore their hair in various fashionable styles. It was strange to see such a style on herself, though it was not displeasing.

Her hair was pinned back with a silver comb and tiny sparkling flower were in her hair. A few curls hung loosely down her face.

Was that really her?

"You look beautiful, Leah," Emily sighed, "you should wear your hair like this for the banquet. Don't you think, Amelia?" 

Amelia bit her lip. The silver comb looked better on the gypsy girl than on her. She couldn't help but feel a bit envious. "Yes," she said quietly, "very pretty." 

Milena smiled at Emily and motioned for the girl to come closer. She moved to stand behind the chair and started brushing the younger girl's hair. She knew Emily was sad that she could not go to the banquet herself. She didn't want Emily to feel left out.

"You're going to have a lovely time, Leah," Emily sighed, "Amelia has been to several parties an she says they are wonderful. There will be music and dancing and decorations. Everyone says Ara and Jackson hold the best banquets. Everyone wants to be invited. You are so lucky." 

" Ah Em," Amelia sat down next to her sister and gently held her hands. "Your time will come. You'll be old enough next year and Ara has promised you will go to her wedding." She smiled. "You will be a flower girl." 

Amelia turned and picked a few flowers from a nearby vase. "We'll put all kinds of flowers in your hair," she laughed and started to place the flowers into Emily's curls.