Gypsy Heart Part 2

'Perfect,' said Tessa clapping her hands.

'And what of a priest?' I asked, thinking now of more practical things.

'We don't need a priest,' said Kane's voice behind me.

'No priest. Then who will marry us?' I said, somewhat aghast.

'We marry ourselves, in front of everyone here,' explained Kane, 'but first, we both jump over a besom made of flowering broom and then, after we have made our vow to one another, we share and break the cup of love.' At Kane's words, I must have looked crestfallen, for Tessa put an arm around me.

'If you are to be one of us, Kate, then you will need to abide by our way of life.' She said kindly.

'But of course,' I agreed, smiling once more.

'No good will come of it, bringing a gorgio into the family,' said a gruff voice and turning, I could see it was Jed and I gave him a dazzling smile, at which, he watched me for a moment, and went off on his business.

It was agreed the marriage would take place at twelve noon and as Kane walked with me to the Chapel field, my feet sore from all the walking we had done, I gave some thought to what I was doing and had a brief niggling doubt, but then, looking at Kane's handsome face, I knew that I did not wish to go back on my word and after all, it was I who had urged him not to ask my dear Uncle's permission but surely, I thought, when the marriage was done, nothing could break it.

Aggie was in the kitchen when I walked through the door as I sank myself into the chair by the range.

'Whatever ails you,' said Aggie, concern in her voice, 'you look worn out, Miss Katherine, and I have to warn you that your Aunt isn't well pleased that you missed lunch.'

'I am just tired, Aggie, for I have been walking and I have had nothing to eat,' I told her.

'Have you been with those gypsies again?' said Aggie, glancing at the closed door before she asked the question, but I had no chance to reply as Aunt Phoebe burst through the door from the hallway.

'Have you lost all your sense of decorum and time, young woman?' she said addressing me as I sat wearily on the chair. 'Your hair is loose and looking as if it needs a good brush and your dear face burnt from the sun.' My Aunt suddenly softened her voice. 'What is wrong with you, child, please tell me. Is it a young man?' At my Aunt's words, I was so tempted to tell her the truth, but I spotted Aggie frowning at me in warning.

'I'm sorry, Aunt Phoebe. I have walked so far,' I explained with a half-truth.

'Get Katherine a bowl of warm water for her to soak her feet in and a sandwich please, Aggie,' my Aunt instructed and then looking at me she continued, 'and I suggest that tomorrow you stay home and rest for you look fair worn out.'

Later that evening, in my room once more, after spending a couple of hours helping Aunt Phoebe mend some sheets while Uncle Zac polished the boots, I set to wondering where I would sleep tomorrow night and rumblings of doubt flickered again through my mind. As I looked around my familiar room, I questioned as to what I was about to do tomorrow was right. My eyes alighted on the keepsake box and I knew I would have to take it with me. What else? I asked myself. I would need clothes and how could I possibly take it all with me tomorrow? There was only one answer. I would need to come back after the ceremony and enlist Aggie's help. The thought of the ceremony caused me again to question what I was doing, but then Kane's handsome face and gentle lips came to mind and any doubts I had vanished. Falling into a blissful slumber, my thoughts were of Kane and the beautiful b.u.t.terfly dance.

Chapter 4.

I was awoken late next morning by a tapping on my door and as it opened I could see it was Aggie with a tray laden with tea and toast.

'Good morning Miss,' Aggie said to me. 'Mistress said not to expect this every day.'

'What time is it?' I asked as the girl put the tray on my lap and drew back the curtains. As she did so, I could see with some amazement that the sun was already quite high in the sky and I made to remove the tray and its contents but Aggie stopped me.

'No Miss, you eat your breakfast and drink your tea while you tell me what is going on,' she said with some authority in her voice.

'What time is it Aggie?' I repeated the question.

'It is nine o'clock, or thereabouts,' she answered.

'Nine!' I exclaimed, 'I should be feeding the chickens.'

'Your Uncle is doing it,' Aggie told me, 'now what is going on? For I know there is something afoot and whatever it is, you can't hold it to yourself, so tell me,' she urged. I drank the tea and took small bites of toast, mulling over as to what I should tell this young woman and then I made a sudden decision.

'I am to marry today,' I told a stunned Aggie.

'Marry!' she exclaimed. 'What do you mean, Miss Katherine?'

'I am to marry Kane today in a gypsy ceremony,' I explained further.

'But Miss Katherine, you surely cannot do this without the Mistresses' knowledge,' our maid said, obviously aghast at the thought.

'I can and I will Aggie, for it is what I desire,' I told her honestly.

'Then I'm coming with you. You will need a familiar face for certain,' Aggie offered, at which words, I didn't know what to say.

'But I don't wish to get you in any trouble, or lose your position here at Northcliffe House.' As I spoke, I realised it was the first thought which came to mind.

'No one will know unless you tell them, Miss, for it is my afternoon off and if we walk together then your Aunt will not be suspicious,' she replied.

'Thank you Aggie, I accept your offer and be sure, I will not breathe a word of your involvement in this,' I a.s.sured her.

Aggie left with the tray after we had arranged to leave the house together at eleven thirty, telling Aunt Phoebe we were going for a walk to Monks Cove. I scrambled out of bed and poured some water from the pitcher into my china wash bowl, the orange flower decoration causing me to think of the b.u.t.terflies. It strengthened my resolve, as I thought of Kane holding me close and whirling me around in the sunlight.

Slipping into my pale orange blouse which was adorned with white lace on the bodice, with small b.u.t.tons at the front which did up nearly to the neckline and the short puffed sleeves decorated also with the lace, I thought to myself, I am preparing for my wedding. When the cream coloured skirt was in place, I then secured a cream belt around my waist which accentuated my small waistline.

Looking in the mirror at the result, I gasped, for with my hair loose, I looked every inch a gypsy and not a gorgio. To rectify the matter, I decided to tie my hair back in a knot at the nape of my neck leaving the top of my hair flat so that the poppy circle, which Maddy was making, would sit comfortably on my head. Before leaving my room, I looked out of the window at the familiar view I had seen each morning on waking for nigh on twenty years and a tear escaped my eye and just as quickly, Kane's face appeared in my mind and the sadness I'd felt for a moment was gone.

Far better, I told myself, that I married someone I loved, than share the rest of my life with someone, just for the sake of marriage and security, which is what my dear Uncle and Aunt would have me do. I took one last look at the sea and the blue sky, hardly believing that so much had changed for me since the morning of my birthday. As I walked past my dressing table, I took a glance at the keepsake box, vowing to return for it later. I picked up a small brown reticule and placed a lace edged handkerchief in it. At the door, I turned back for one last look, then making my way down the stairs and stepping into the hallway, I could see that the grandfather clock showed the time of quarter to eleven.

'Your Aunt and Uncle have gone over to Treverrick,' Aggie told me as she joined me in the hallway.

'What time do they intend to come home?' I asked, quite alarmed by this piece of information, as I knew that Uncle Zac and Aunt Phoebe may see us walking towards the clearing at the back of the big house.

'About twelve, Miss, so we'd best leave now,' suggested Aggie and I could see that she was out of cap and ap.r.o.n and wore a delightful pale blue cotton dress, the material of the skirt falling gracefully to her feet.

'If we are both ready, then your suggestion is a good one,' I agreed. We made our way swiftly to Monks Cove, for once on the beach, we would not be observed, but on reaching the cove, I could see, frustratingly, that the tide was already in, the sea thundering against the rocky coastline beneath us. We both stopped in our tracks.

'The tide,' I whispered, more to myself than Aggie, 'I should have thought of it earlier. We shall need to walk across the cliffs, there is nothing else for it.' So, Aggie and I set off across the cliffs, me afraid all the while, that my Aunt and Uncle would see us and my plans would be thwarted, but safely at the edge of the clearing, I breathed a sigh of relief, sure now that all would be well.

'Who is this?' Jed asked gruffly looking at Aggie, as we stood in front of the caravan.

'It is my maid,' I told him, my voice strong, as I looked him in the eye.

'Maid,' Jed scoffed. 'Once you are wed to our Kane, you will no longer be needing her.'

'I am aware of this,' I responded to his unkind manner, 'but I thought to have someone of my own to witness my marriage.' At these words, Kane's Father flung his head back and with hands on hips, laughed uncontrollably.

'What's up, Jed?' asked the familiar voice of Tessa as she appeared at the top of the steps.

'Nowt,' her husband answered her, walking off towards the stream, a pail in one hand.

'What has amused my husband so?' Tessa asked of me, coming down the steps. She looked beautiful today, was my thought, as I looked at her. She wore a full skirt of many colours, red being the prominent one, with a white lacy blouse, a red belt at her waist, which boasted a silver buckle and a red crocheted shawl across her shoulders. Her hair shone in the sunlight, the black waves cascading down her back, with large gold hoops decorating her ears.

'It would appear he is amused because I wished Aggie to witness my marriage,' I told her, bringing Aggie, who looked quite bemused by all of this, forward to meet Kane's Mother.

'Take no heed of him,' advised Tessa, 'he hasn't a romantic bone in his body that one,' she told me, just as Maddy appeared with a headdress of poppies.

'Will this do you?' she asked, smiling at her handiwork.

'It is perfect,' I a.s.sured her. 'Thank you so much. May I try it on?'

'No,' interrupted Tessa. 'It is to be placed on your head just before the ceremony.'

'Where is Kane?' I asked, looking around.

'He is in the wagon getting dressed for the occasion,' Maddy told me and even as we spoke of him, Kane appeared at the top of the steps. My heart missed a beat at the sight of him and any doubts I may have had vanished as I looked at him. He was dressed in black breeches with a white open necked s.h.i.+rt over which he wore a colourful waistcoat of many colours.

'So,' said Kane. 'My delightful bride has arrived, thank heaven.'

'I have indeed,' I responded, my voice quavering with emotion. Kane had agreed only yesterday, that he believed in love at first sight and so did I. My whole being was full of love for him and to be united with him in marriage was all I desired.

'And who might this be?' Kane asked, reaching the bottom of the steps and casually encircling my waist with his arm.

'I am Aggie, Sir,' spoke our maid for the first time, for she had been silently watching the scene before her.

'Aggie is indeed our maid and also a good friend to me,' I explained to Kane, 'and she has come to witness our union.'

'Welcome, Aggie,' Kane said in a friendly tone, so different to his father. 'Now, if we are all ready, let us proceed.'

'Just five minutes,' interrupted Maddy, 'for we need to place the poppy circle on Kate's head.'

'Very well,' agreed Kane. 'While you do what you have to, I shall gather everyone together.' With Tessa and Aggie's help, Maddy secured the poppy headdress on my head, fastening it with grips.

'There,' said Tessa. 'Let us have a look at you,' and the three of them stepped back to survey how I looked.

'You look every inch a bride,' offered Aggie.

'She does, indeed,' agreed Maddy, 'and the poppies match her blouse perfectly.'

'Are you ready?' Tessa asked me and as she spoke, I could feel myself trembling with antic.i.p.ation.

'Yes,' I said nervously and so saying, the three of us walked to the far end of the clearing, Tessa's arm through mine. As we reached the gathering awaiting the marriage ceremony, it was a sight to behold. The men folk all wore colourful waistcoats like Kane and the women, colourful skirts and shawls. In the centre was the bough of yellow, flowering, fragrant broom. All was silent as I took my place beside Kane. As I reached his side, Kane took my hand and looked at me, his dark eyes sparkling and I smiled up at him.

'You look captivating,' were his words and I knew he meant what he said. It seemed Jed was to oversee the ceremony as he appealed for everyone to be silent.

'You are both to jump over the flowering broom and then plight your troth to one another in your own words and all here, will witness your giving of one to another.' Kane looked down on me.

'Are you ready, little one?' he whispered.

'I am indeed,' I told my handsome husband to be, never envisaging, at that moment, all the problems which would thwart us along the way.

'Lift your skirt up a little,' called Tessa and I did as she suggested, gathering my skirt up at the front in one hand, then with the other hand in Kane's we jumped over the beautiful yellow broom together, after which, standing facing each other Kane made his vow to me, his beautiful eyes looking into mine.

'I plight my troth to you, Katherine, with love and a promise that I shall care for you the rest of our days. May we be happy and blessed with children. This is my pledge to you.' At his words, tears sprung to my eyes and then it was my turn and I realised, with some dismay, I had not given a thought to what I was to say, so I let my heart guide me as I spoke almost in a whisper.

'I too, plight my troth to you, Kane, in the presence of all here. My heart will always be full of love for you, as it is today and I pledge myself to you completely, on this our wedding day.' I had almost whispered the words, but knew that every one of them, as Kane's had been, were true.

'Now,' said Jed, 'take this to the stream and collect some water,' he said to me, handing me a pail. So doing as I was bid, I went to the stream and bent over, placing the bucket in the cool water, which trickled over tiny pebbles and slowly, entered the pail. I lifted it out and took it back to the waiting circle of people.

'Pour some into this cup,' instructed Jed and I did as I was bid, noticing it was one of Tessa's porcelain cups with roses on. When I'd done, Jed took the pail from me.

'Now both drink from the cup,' called Tessa and as Kane and I did as we were bid, the people present, all started to gently clap. We linked our arms, Kane drinking first and then myself, looking into each other's eyes.

Kane suddenly dropped the cup to the ground for I could hear it smash to smithereens beneath us. I was quite alarmed by this, but realised it was part of the marriage ceremony.

'We have exchanged vows to one another and each drunk from the cup of love and are now united for ever, as man and wife,' said Kane, as he stroked my cheek with the back of his hand. The clapping got louder and one of the women shouted 'Kiss your wife,' and everyone else took up the chant. Kane smiled at me and tipping my chin upwards, bent and kissed me on the lips, his mouth hovering on mine, as gently as a b.u.t.terfly's wings. I responded to his kiss and everyone shouted 'Congratulations!' in unison and I was somehow separated from my husband, everyone hugging and kissing me, including dear Aggie who had tears running down her cheeks.

'Kane is a very handsome man and a very gentle one,' Aggie whispered to me, her arms around my neck. 'I wish you both happiness' then Aggie was gone and Kane took my arm, leading me into the small wood.

'I need to talk to you, little one,' he said, stopping beneath a tree where sunlight filtered through the branches, s.h.i.+ning on both of us, which I deemed as a sign of good luck.

'There is nothing wrong?' I questioned, suddenly afraid.

'No nothing, I a.s.sure you,' said Kane, tilting my chin up so I was looking at his face. 'It is just that you will need to go back to your home for a few days while I negotiate for a new vardo for us.'

'But I had thought to be with you,' I said, tears springing to my eyes.

'Do not be upset, Katherine, for I love you. We are now husband and wife and I have your interests at heart. I would not want you to endure sleeping in a tent,' Kane explained.

'Will it be long?' I asked him, tears starting to trickle down my cheeks, 'for I cannot bear to be without you.'

'It will take but a week or two and then we shall be together, I promise. Now dry your tears,' he said, gently brus.h.i.+ng them away with the back of his hand.

'Very well,' I agreed, for what else could I do?

As Kane and I walked back to the clearing hand in hand, I could hear a lively piece of musing being played, on what must have been a fiddle. As we drew near I could see it was Jed providing the music, and the gathering of my new colourfully dressed family, including Aggie, were dancing, the women lifting their skirts above the ankles, their feet swiftly moving on the spot to the music. Tessa spotted us.

'Come Kate, join us,' she said taking my hand and drawing me into the circle. Watching the others, I gathered my skirt up, my feet starting to keep time to the vibrant music, and I felt at once invigorated, happy and in love all at the same time. The dance came so naturally to me, and as the men folk joined us we stepped around each other, the men clapping their hands in rhythm with the sound coming from Jed's fiddle. As the music stopped I collapsed laughing and breathless into Kane's arms.

'Now for some refreshment,' suggested Tessa.

We all sat in a circle on the ground around the slowly burning fire. Tessa and Maddy handing us all a crystal goblet containing a reddish brown liquid. I could see Aggie on the other side of the circle accept a gla.s.s and continue talking to the older couple, laughing at something the still handsome man said to her. I was so happy and then the thought of parting with my husband momentarily marred my good spirits just as Jed said, 'Raise your gla.s.ses to Kane and Kate, may they be happy for an eternity.' As he spoke, all present lifted their goblets and then drank, Kane and I doing likewise. The pleasant liquid slid smoothly down my throat, warming my whole mouth and lips as I drank.

'What is it?' I asked Kane.