The Enchantress (Book 1 of The Enchantress Saga) by Nicola Thorne Read Free Book Online Page A

be up much after sunset. Soon there were just a few embers glowing and Alan disappeared through the flap of the men’s tent to join his father and brothers. Analee waited until all was still and then she silently entered the women’s tent.
    Inside it was pitch dark. Margaret was lightly snoring as she sometimes did and this gave Analee her bearings to the far corner where she shared a palliasse with Nelly. She stepped gently over the bodies of Jane and little Agnes and then got on her knees, her hands feeling in front of her for her small bundle of things which she always kept ready, as though permanently poised for flight.
    Suddenly a hand clasped hers and she nearly cried out with fright but stifled the sound.
    ‘Analee! Is that you?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘Thank God. Father is very angry with you.’
    ‘I know.’
    ‘He says he will horsewhip you in the morn and that you won’t be able to sit down for days.’
    ‘Did he say why?’
    Nelly was silent. ‘No, but I can guess. We can all guess; we saw him go after you in the dance.’
    ‘Well he’ll not horsewhip me or see me again. Nelly, I’m going to leave. I have come for my things and to say goodbye to you.’
    ‘Oh, Analee,’ the frail hand clasped her arm again and Analee heard her weeping softly.
    ‘Nelly, I can’t stay, don’t you see? You know what your father is like. He’ll ...’
    ‘Aye, you must go. I know what he is like; what he wants.’
    Nelly’s sobs were quieter and she took Analee’s hand and drew it down on to her body so that it rested on her belly. Startled by the action Analee let her hand trace the roundness of Nelly’s belly which she found swollen and hard. It did not yield as she pressed it.
    ‘Nelly! Are you with child?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘That’s what ails thee! Why did I never notice?’
    ‘I am not too far gone; it is easy to conceal.’
    Suddenly an awful thought struck Analee and then she knew the reason for Nelly’s action in placing her hand on her swollen belly. ‘It is ... oh Nelly!’
    ‘Aye, my father. He has been doing it regularly since I became a maid. My only care is that he will soon start on Jane.’
    ‘Oh, Nelly. How you must hate him!’
    ‘Well, it is not unusual you know among country folk such as us, or so I understand. My Mother hates it, but what can she do? He used to lie with her in the tent, but then he started beating her until she could take no more. Now he catches us when he can, and others. Oh, I knew he wanted you Analee, all along.’
    Although Analee was a gypsy girl and knew that fathers did impregnate their daughters, and sometimes sons their Mothers, she still thought it a disgusting unnatural custom. To think of the foul Brewster having carnal relations with this sweet, fragile girl filled her with nausea.
    ‘How can I help you, Nelly?’
    ‘You can do nothing. I can see how it is with you and you have more spirit than me, Analee, more courage. I feel my life is over in a way. I care for no one and nothing. I cared for you though. You have been my friend. Oh, I wish I could come with you!’
    ‘Then come !’
    ‘No, I dare not. I have not the strength to travel by road and he will kill me. He will find me and kill me, I know that. Maybe we shall meet again – I hope so. I wish I knew more about you now; that we’d talked more. Somehow I didn’t think you would be going so soon ... I should have known.’
    Analee leaned towards Nelly in the dark and kissed her cheek. She felt such love and pity for the poor girl that she would have taken her with her; but on the other hand she knew Nelly was right. Brewster, enraged, would find her and when he did he would probably do what she said – kill her.
    ‘Nelly. I know we shall see each other again. I am travelling with the musicians. Yes! The man I danced with, Randal, those are his brothers and sister. So I shall make a living dancing after all. We shall meet again, Nelly, I’m sure of it.’
    She kissed her and pressed the thin hand.