The Gypsy Blessing by Wendi Sotis Read Free Book Online

something—anything really—only because I saw it in a drawing, or should I act as I would have had I never received them? Since I have received them, is there any way of knowing what I would have done if I had not?
    “For example, because I am wearing that gown in the drawing, one would think that I should bring that specific gown on our trip, but what would happen if I purposely left it at home? Do I plan to wear the gown on a certain day, or do I allow Mrs. Gardiner’s maid to choose when I wear it, as she usually does? How would I know which day I should wear it? Now, the day that the drawing depicts is in the future, but in the drawing, it is the present—what did I decide then... or should I say, what will I decide? It is all rather confusing.”
    “No wonder you have been having headaches! Well, I think whether or not the gypsies are correct about the necklace being a good luck charm, it could not hurt to wear it. Either way, I would think you would wish to because it is so lovely!”
    Elizabeth smiled. “You are correct, Jane, I should—but only because I like it. I am not sure I believe in that kind of luck. Then again, a few weeks ago I did not believe in prophetic drawings, either. I do think I should wait to wear it until we are away from Longbourn. Mama will question me as to how I received it. I would rather avoid her criticism for helping gypsies.”
    A knock sounded on the door, and Jane opened it, revealing Mrs. Hill with a letter for Elizabeth. Jane took it and thanked the housekeeper, and then handed it to her sister.
    Glancing at the handwriting on the front, Elizabeth noticed something new, “Jane! This letter is franked!”
    Jane’s eyes flew wide open. “A member of Parliament is sending the letters?”
    “I doubt very much that there are any members of Parliament who are gypsies, but perhaps whoever is sending them did not want Papa to have to keep paying for so many letters?” Elizabeth gasped upon opening it. The letter contained two sheets. The top sheet said only the word Believe in the same handwriting. She handed it to Jane.
    The second sheet had a drawing of the same young man as the last, but this time he had a young lady on his arm. The coach behind them had a number of trunks loaded atop, and several servants seemed to be scrambling to unload them.
    “Oh, I am so sorry, Lizzy,” Jane said, examining the sketch over Elizabeth’s shoulder.
    “Hmmm? The young lady, you mean? That is his sister,” Elizabeth answered.
    “How do you know? They look nothing alike.”
    “I do not understand how, but I know it is so,” Elizabeth stated firmly. “She is his sister.”
    Jane stared at Elizabeth for a moment before nodding. “Lizzy, I do think you should wear the necklace whilst in Ramsgate.”
    ~%~
    July 15, 1811
    Fitzwilliam Darcy stared out the coach window as the scenery changed from countryside to that of a town. He doubted anything would seem familiar to him after the more than fifteen years that had passed since he had last journeyed along this road. Inhaling deeply, he let his breath out all at once and directed his gaze upon his travelling companion, wondering for perhaps the thousandth time whether choosing Ramsgate for a holiday for his sister had been wise. Georgiana smiled at her brother and turned away to look out the window, most likely assuming his display had been an outburst of impatience as the end of their journey grew near.
    Always taking a good deal of time to ponder as many possible outcomes as he could imagine before coming to a conclusion over any matter of import, he often brooded twice as long over decisions that involved his precious sister. Although he would never admit it to anyone else, he owned to himself on a daily basis that he was quite ignorant on the subject of raising a child. Even knowing it might be easier if he had a wife’s maternal instincts to consult, the idea that he marry for that purpose alone was intolerable to him.
    Darcy and his