Read Bewitched (Bantam Series No. 16) for Free Online

pheasants.”
    “It has been a tradition on this Estate that they should not be harassed or driven away,” The Reverend said, “and as I think there is something picturesque about them, I hope you will not refuse them the hospitality which they have found at Ruckley for nearly a century.”
    “I will certainly not do that!” the Marquis said. “After all, I feel responsible for the girl I have just injured. Do you think I should get in touch with her tribe, or whatever they call themselves?”
    “Maybe she is not as badly hurt as you suspect,” The Reverend said soothingly. “Anyway Hobley will deal with it”
    “Yes, I am sure he will,” the Marquis replied.
    He talked for a little while longer to his old Tutor, then went into the Salon to find as he had expected there was wine and a whole assortment of sandwiches and other delicacies laid out on a silver tray.
    The Marquis had stopped for luncheon at an Inn on his way down from London before he had called on Eurydice. So, while he sipped a glass of excellent wine from his cellars, he was in fact not hungry.
    He had only been in the Salon a short while before Hobley came to find him.
    “How is she?” the Marquis asked.
    “There’re no bones broken, M’Lord, but the blow on the head has undoubtedly caused concussion. I should not be surprised if tonight she runs a fever!”
    “It is not serious?” the Marquis asked.
    “No, M’Lord, the cuts and bruises are only superficial, and when the Gypsy regains consciousness we shall know how much she has been affected in the head.”
    “Then she must stay here until she is better,” the Marquis said.
    “Mrs. Meedham is anxious to move her to another part of the house, M’Lord. She feels it is unseemly that a Gypsy should occupy one of the State bed-rooms.”
    “Seemly or not, she is to remain where she is,” the Marquis said sharply. “It is my fault the girl was hurt and I will have her treated with all possible consideration. Make that clear, Hobley, to the rest of the staff.”
    “I will, M’Lord, but Your Lordship understands they are afraid of Gypsies.”
    “Why are they afraid?” the Marquis asked.
    “They fear they might put the ‘Evil Eye’ upon them, steal their children or curse them.”
    The Marquis laughed. “All the more reason for them to be polite to our guest! She does not seem to me a kind of creature who would curse anybody.”
    He thought as he spoke of how light the girl had been as he carried her in his arms, and it seemed to him, although he might have imagined it, that the strange fragrance from her hair still lingered on his coat.
    “Well, if there is nothing more I can do, Hobley,” he said, “I am returning to London.”
    “We thought you might do so, M’Lord. The horses have been changed and are ready the moment Your Lordship asks for them.”
    “Then have them brought round,” the Marquis said, “and when our guest is ready to depart, see that she is recompensed for the damage I have inflicted on her.”
    “What would you consider a reasonable sum, M’Lord?” Hobley asked respectfully.
    The Marquis considered a moment.
    “I should think about five pounds would cover it, Hobley. Ask Mr. Graystone for the money.”
    “I will, M’Lord. When shall we see Your Lordship again?”
    “I have no idea,” the Marquis replied. “The Season is at its height, Hobley, and I am sure you would not wish me to miss any of the endless extravagant and exhausting entertainments which take place night after night.”
    The Marquis spoke sarcastically, then smiled almost apologetically at the old servant who he knew had loved him since he was a child.
    “Anything wrong, Master Fabius?” Hobley asked.
    It was a question that seemed to the Marquis to have echoed all down the years. It was always Hobley who had understood if things went awry or if he was upset.
    “No, Hobley, not really,” he said quietly. “It is just that Captain Collington and I were saying only last night we