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Okay, before you lovely people read Chapter 8 I just wanted to apologize for the delay. Between the horrible sinus infections, both cars breaking down, hellish work schedules, and other distractions I have been quite busy. Hopefully things have settled down enough so that I can post new chapters in a more timely fashion. And again, thank you to all the wonderful people who have reviewed this story and shared you ideas, and given me great support. I NEVER imagined a story like this would get such wonderful responses and have a fallowing of loyal readers!! Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart!!!
Until Next Time
Treasure Life,
Blessed Be and Merry Part
Azriel Roman Brock
Chapter 8
Danielle stood at the top of the mountain and scanned the valley below. The sun had almost disappeared behind the horizon and the trail was growing more and more perilous. Below she could see flames dancing and even from this distance the notes of fiddles and sudden bursts of laughter filtered to her ears.
Danielle smiled to herself. It had been such a lovely evening that she and Henry had spent with the kind hearted Gypsy's. The sound of her own laughter startled her. Like the sounds of an unfamiliar animal pacing in the bushes. She slowly began walking downward into the valley. Her mind dancing with memories of that day. It had been such a short time ago, and yet they felt so distant.
As she recalled her first encounter with the Gypsy's had began on a much heavier note. A robbery, in fact, and a little much deserved revenge on Henry. But after some smooth talking and a promise of cooperation from the leader of the gang, Danielle found herself creeping down a long path through the forest. She remembered hearing the leader, the one the others called Gabriel, call her back, but she hadn't heard his exact words. Instead his voice was simply noise. A distraction from her goal. She was, in fact, trying to carry Henry across her back and under his heavy burden she did not have the strength to concentrate on anything but moving forward.
So when Gabriel himself ran down the path after her and tapped her on the shoulder she was quite startled. She turned around as fast as her strained body would let her and faced him. His face was creased and crinkled in laughter and his eyes were merry and wrinkling. But she still did not quite understand his words. He beckoned for her to put Henry down, and after much hesitation she did.
"Please, Milady, I believe we have made a grave error in judgment." Henry, who was still stubbornly ready to fight wasn't so easy to convince.
"First your goons hold the lady at knife point, then you humiliate her and now you're harassing her in an attempt to thwart her get away. Take what you wish, we sir, are leaving." Danielle's body tightened as she watched most of the joy drain from Gabriel's face. Gabriel tensed as well.
"Your escort has quite a big mouth Milady." He said after a few tense moments. Danielle looked at Henry who was still piping mad. She couldn't help but feel flattered by his over protectiveness. On the farm she was one of the boys, expected to keep up with the rest and given no special treatment. But Henry obviously did not see things that way. To him she was a delicate flower in need of protection. Danielle admitted to herself with a slight giggle that his views weren't half as annoying as she thought they would be.
"He does, doesn't he?" She asked Gabriel who, to Danielle's relief, burst out laughing. Soon the whole gang was laughing again, including Danielle but with the exception of Henry. Henry blushed noticeably and did not say a word. He scanned his surroundings hoping to find a distraction, but instead he only managed to display his embarrassment farther and on came more laughter. Eventually even he broke down and let his laughter trumpet. He laughed until a few stray tears rolled down his cheeks, and then he laughed at that.
"Please," Gabriel offered Henry, his eyes once again merry, "allow me and my camp to entertain and feast with you and you're lovely lady on this evening. As a sign of our apology's and mutual good faith." Henry and Danielle exchanged lighthearted glances.
"Thank you good Sir," Danielle replied, "we would love to join you."
And so they had. Gabriel had returned Danielle's dress and to her relief it was virtually undamaged. She and Henry had been given a horse and the gang of merry friends rode together to the Gypsy camp.
That night had been a night of laughter, joy, love and understanding. She could still feel that kiss lingering on her lips, and the thought of it made them tingle. Tingle the way her body would when Henry was in close proximity.
Danielle felt a wide grin spread across her face. It felt so good to feel good. Even if it is just in a small dose. That night, that perfect night would forever be one of the fondest memories she would ever hold close.
And as she descended down the mountainside, all Danielle could do was hope that the Gypsy's felt the same.
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The guardsman entered the De Ghent manor fallowed by the King and Queen and finally Prince Henry. They were immediately overtaken by the scent of fresh wild flowers, and Henry felt a small pang echo through his heart. Danielle always seemed to smell like a field of fresh flowers, care free and natural.
The servants stood poised at either corner ready to jump into action at any command and whim. Henry recognized the forceful lady from the garden, and the cheerful yet unaware man that had been so ready to speak. The elder woman though, he did not recognize but judging by the look on her face the younger woman had surly filled her in on all the details.
"Your Majesty's," Henry snapped his head towards the stairs just in time to see a marvelously over dressed Marguerite descend, "to what do owe the pleasure of your most divine company?" Henry walked over to her and he let his eyes wonder up and down her taunt body. She was very beautiful, despite her total lack of personality. He made no effort to hide his faux interest from the watchful eyes of the Baroness and his parents. The King and Queen watched their son perform his magic on the obviously enchanted young woman.
Henry crossed the room, his eyes hungry, a wiry smile stretched across his lips. The Queen felt herself inwardly cringe as the dashing prince took the snobbish elder siblings hand and lifted it to his lips. He kissed it softly and let the sensation linger much to Marguerite's delight. She felt her breath catch in her throat as she tried to remain poised. Henry knew, however, that she was melting at his touch, and his smile brightened. The King, still standing steadfast and serious next to his wife was smiling inwardly. His son had always been a marvelous actor, perhaps this whole hair brained idea of his would be fun after all. He certainly was having a good time.
"I must say, Marguerite, you're even more stunning then the last time I was graced with your company." Marguerite smiled coyly. The sight almost made Henry lose focus and laugh. Maurice, on the other hand did laugh.
"Maurice!! How dare you be so disgustingly rude to His Highness!!" The Baroness' voice was shrill and commanding. Maurice stiffened and tried not to continue laughing, but the Baroness' fury was only making it worse.
"Madam De Ghent, surly the gentleman's laughter is in good taste. For what if anything is more deserving of laughter and merriment then those foolishly in love?" Henry flashed a bright smile at the Baroness whose manner and appearance brightened, a satisfied smirk on her face.
"Pardon me your highness, but I don't believe you answered my question." Marguerite said, her cheeks flushed.
"My dear lady," Henry began allowing his dimples to do his dirty work for him, "I have come to share a pleasant evening with you and your family. Is that alright?"
"Of course!!" The Baroness said before Marguerite could even speak. "I do apologize that the Manor is in a bit of disarray. We were not expecting you." Henry looked around at the house and forced himself to stifle a laugh. Surly the house servants had been on their hands and knees scrubbing every inch of the house. Not even the palace was this clean.
"Pardon me Baroness, but if this is disarray then I must give my compliments to your brilliant servants." The Baroness blushed. "I should love a tour of the house, if you don't mind."
"Of course not." Henry took Marguerite's hand and fallowed the Baroness up the stairs followed by his parents who were both laughing to themselves. This was going to be fun.
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The songs of the fiddles and the laughing of merry people grew louder as Danielle entered the Gypsy camp. In the center she could see a large fire where the people were entertaining each other with stories, drinking wine and eating from a large pot of what appeared to be soup.
Danielle approached them slowly, but apparently not cautiously enough. One of the bigger men saw her and gave out a yell and soon Danielle was facing the bad end of a half a dozen pistols. She froze. What was she to do? What could she possibly say to them? Did they not recognize her? Just as she was about to speak she saw Gabriel stand up on the other end of the fire. He squinted his eyes, straining to see the visitor.
"Madam De Barbarac?" He questioned. Danielle was puzzled but pushed it aside.
"It is I. Danielle." Gabriel's eyes brightened.
"Don't be rude you fools!! Put you're guns down, the lady is a welcomed guest." The men put down their weapons and soon Danielle was sitting by the fire holding a mug of cider, a warm blanket hung over her shoulders. A woman Danielle recognized from her previous visit handed her a bowl of soup and a spoon.
"My, my, you are all wet child!! Come with me and change." The plump woman with sparkling eyes said.
"No, no I'm fine," Danielle, responded rather embarrassed.
"I must insist. For I fear you will catch a chill if you do not change." Danielle scanned the crowd, as if she were looking for someone to bail her out of the situation. But the men had continued to tell their stories, and the women were listening intently. Danielle thought for a moment, her mind flashing back to the night of the attempted robbery. Gabriel and his wife and the others had been so kind to she and Henry. And just moments ago it was Gabriel who again came to her rescue. Surly she could not disrespect these people now by refusing their hospitality. And despite the large fire she was quite cold.
Danielle silently agreed and followed the woman to a tent on the outskirts of the camp. The woman walked over to a beautiful dark wood chest that sat in one corner and began riffling through the contents. Without turning around she instructed Danielle to strip out of her soaked clothes. Danielle sucked her lower lip softly, her arms crossed. The woman turned around and studied Danielle and something inside her stirred nervously. She unconsciously put her hand to her heart, an apparent non-verbal expression of sympathy.
Danielle noticed another younger woman enter the tent, and without taking her eyes off Danielle the older woman said a few phrases in a language Danielle couldn't understand. The younger woman left her face taking on a sad expression. The older woman walked up to Danielle and placed her hands on Danielle's shoulders.
"Take any dress from that chest that you like. I will be right outside the door, do not worry, you are safe here." The two woman's eyes locked and Danielle could feel her eyes weld up in tears. How did she know?