Chapter Two

Cross My Palm With Silver

The butler of Blackthorne House stood in the parlor door. “Two men are at the front gate and wish to speak with you, Sir Richard. Crom is making them wait there until I spoke with you first.”

“Who are they, Selby?”

“He says they are dressed as Gypsies, Sir. They gave their names as Karel and Stasio. No last names. There are others in five wagons on the road.”

“Gypsies!” Richard’s sister, Addy, clapped her hands. “How wonderful. I always wanted to meet a genuine Gypsy. I’ve heard they have enormous cocks. Please let them in, brother.”

“Well, I don’t want you unbuttoning their trousers to find out for yourself. They just might try to come back at night and steal you right out from under our noses.”

Addy giggled and ran over to the mirror, checking her hair and lipstick. “Really, brother, you do spoil all my fun. Maybe I could wait for them by the gate tonight.”

“Their wives would slit your throat. I’ve heard they are violently jealous.” Richard nodded to his butler, “All right, let them in, but have Chalmers, my estate manager, come in, too. Tell him to bring his pistol. Until we find out what kind of men they are, I want some protection.”

“Yes, Sir Richard.” He nodded and hurried out the door.

The two Gypsies strode into the parlor, one tall and well muscled, the other medium height and lean, with piercing, olive-green eyes. They held their caps in front of them with both hands.

The second man spoke. “Thank you for letting us speak with you, Sir Richard. My name is Karel.” He gestured to the other man, “This is Stasio, my wife’s brother.”

“And this is my sister,” Richard replied. “We call her Addy, but her name is Adelle Cailean.”

Karl and Stasio dipped their heads in respect. “Good day to you, miss,” Karel said. He turned back to Richard, “We ask for nothing more than a space to camp on your moor next to the forest. We will respect you, your people, and your possessions. Whatever we use, we will pay for. In return, we will entertain you with our music, dancing, and tales of our homeland. We even have a woman with us who has the power to peer into your future and tell you all what your fortunes will be. If we amuse you, we ask only a donation to feed my people. We will be gone in a week or two, and leave you as we came, in peace.”

The tall, muscular Stasio’s walnut-colored eyes were frozen on Addy, as she pretended to blush and gave him brief glances from under her long, dark lashes while she smiled. Her hands were behind her, pulling her dress tight against her breasts and hips, intensifying their lush curves. He smiled and nodded, his smoldering eyes eloquent with appreciation.

“What brought you to my door?” Richard