Read Follow Your Heart for Free Online Page B

a modern Casanova.’
    She became uncontrollably agitated.
    Instinctively, without realising what she was doing, she was walking across the Park.
    It was over a mile and yet it seemed to her, because she was so deep in her thoughts, as if she had just walked out of the front door.
    The next moment the Duke’s stables were in front of her. There was no one about and so she walked into the first building. The horses were all in their stalls.
    The Duke had spent a great deal of money making them comfortable. The stalls were larger than they had been in the past, made to exactly the right height with each horse’s name painted on a board above its manger.
    Della strolled from stall to stall.
    The horses she had ridden nuzzled against her. Her father had taught her many years ago that she must talk to a horse before she rode him to make the animal used to her voice.
    And in some strange way this bonding made their personalities join together. It became exactly as if the horse was a human being.
    Della thought that as she was fey she almost knew what a horse was thinking, just as she could read the thoughts of any man or woman.
    She had visited about half–a–dozen stalls when Grayer appeared.
    â€œI didn’t know you were ’ere, Miss Della. Are you wantin’ a ride?”
    â€œThat is just what I would love to do at the moment, Grayer, and I will ride just as I am.”
    She was wearing a thin gown suitable for the warm weather. She wore no hat because she had meant to stay in the garden.
    The Head Groom, however, made no comment as he was used to Della riding a horse whenever she wanted.
    It took him only a few minutes to put on a side–saddle and then he led Samson out into the yard.
    Thanking Grayer she rode off moving instinctively towards the nearest wood.
    She felt that only in the trees amongst the fairies, the nymphs, the squirrels and the birds would she be able to think clearly.
    When she reached the wood she knew at once why she had come.
    She had to speak to Lendi.
    She must ask her advice, although she felt despairingly that it was impossible for Lendi to find an answer to her problem.
    Della rode along the same path she had ridden this morning. She turned into the field where the caravans were parked, but there seemed to be no one about.
    She suspected that the women might have gone to the village where they would sell their wicker baskets, which the Lees made more cleverly than any other gypsies Della had ever met.
    Della reached the caravans.
    Abram, who had looked after her horse that morning, came out of the nearest one rubbing his eyes.
    When he saw her he smiled and she beckoned him. He ran towards her and she asked him to hold Samson.
    â€œI will not be long, so let him munch on the grass.”
    As Abram was shy he did not say anything as Della turned and hurried towards the caravans.
    The door to Lendi’s was open and she ran up the steps and walked in.
    The old woman was in bed but her eyes were wide open. She smiled when she saw Della.
    â€œI expect you, Lady,” she intoned.
    Della was not surprised as she was aware that Lendi often knew that people would visit her long before they appeared.
    She knelt down on the floor beside the bed as she had done earlier.
    â€œI am in trouble, Lendi.”
    The gypsy nodded.
    â€œI know, but the stars protect you.”
    Della had learned that the gypsies believed that every man had their own star and if as a woman she was protected by one it was an honour and a privilege.
    â€œHow can the stars protect me against this disaster? I am afraid, Lendi, very, very afraid of the future.”
    Lendi put her hand gently on Della’s
    â€œNo reason,” she murmured.
    â€œBut there is every reason,” protested Della, “and I need your help to tell me what to do.”
    She thought as she spoke that what she was really asking Lendi to do was save her as well as find a solution that would prevent her from