The Golden Gypsy Read Online Free Page A

'I tell fortunes, and there is need for someone in the outer tent to inform those that are waiting when I am ready for them.'
    That did not seem too arduous, and it was the task Yasmin began to perform at the first fair. They had travelled for three days to this, and Yasmin was becoming excited at the prospect. Early in the morning everyone was exceedingly busy as they set up the stalls and tents and made everything ready. There were several other tribes of gypsies, many tinkers displaying their wares, country folk selling their spare produce, and various entertainers, jugglers and rope walkers and a pathetic looking bear that shambled wearily along at the end of a chain held by his weasel-faced master. The noise was appalling with the hammering of wood as the stalls were erected, the shouts of the workers, and screams of excited children, all mingling with the lowing of cattle and the bleating of sheep.
    Before all was ready the villagers started to arrive, anxious to obtain bargains and make the most of this day, since for many of them it was one of the few highlights of their drab lives. They wandered about inspecting the stalls, impatient but good tempered. Mrs Boswell gave Yasmin her instructions, and disappeared into the inner tent while Yasmin stationed herself on a small platform beside the entrance, ready to direct anyone wishing to consult the fortune teller. She was exceedingly nervous, but Leon had placed his own stall nearby, where he set out the beautiful carvings he made, and he smiled encouragingly towards Yasmin as she stood on the platform.
    * * * *
    They were not very busy at first, for people were more interested in securing bargains than having their fortunes told. After they had made their purchases, however, they were ready for the entertainments, and began with much laughter and sly jesting to urge each other forwards. After the first few bashful girls had entered the tent, there was a sudden rush, and Yasmin was kept too busy to be concerned over what she was doing, so that when there was a lull and Leon strolled over to talk with her she was confident and happy in the knowledge she was being useful. He lavished praise on her, and then moved away as another customer approached his stall.
    Yasmin looked idly round at the colourful scene, noticing that now there were many more fashionable people about. Would they be interested in having their fortunes told, she wondered. They were. Several came across to the tent and Yasmin learned her grandmother had a startling reputation for accuracy. After this group had departed, Yasmin's attention was distracted as she admired the cleverness of a juggler nearby, keeping a multitude of balls in the air at the same time, and she did not see the next customers approaching. The first she knew of their presence was when she heard a girl's voice right beside her.
    'Oh, Ned, I declare, I simply must have my fortune told! How delicious!'
    Yasmin swung round quickly, and saw him. For a moment it seemed as though her heart had stopped beating, and she caught her breath, staring helplessly at him. Standing on the platform as she was Yasmin could see over the heads of the crowd, but he was tall and broad shouldered, and his face was only just below hers. For a few seconds their eyes met and held, and then he turned away and looked, smiling, down into the face of the girl beside him.
    'And Charlotte must never be denied anything,' he said softly, and then laughed.
    His voice was deep and musical, and Yasmin's senses tingled as she heard it. She was staring at his face as his profile was turned towards her, and memories of the pictures of Greek gods she had seen swam before her eyes. He was fair, with a high forehead, straight, thick eyebrows, and a proud, aristocratic nose. She had seen his eyes were a deep blue before he had turned away from her, and she saw the sensuously curving lips above a determined chin as he smiled at his companion.
    Yasmin glanced at her for the first