The Golden Gypsy by Sally James

Neither prospect was enticing, and Yasmin, pushed the decision to the back of her mind and refused to consider it until it was unavoidable. It was much more enjoyable to think about Sir Edward.
     

Chapter 5
     
    The next week passed quietly. Maria visited Yasmin every day, but to Yasmin's relief showed no desire to question her about her previous life. They played the guitar, and Maria explained she had received a few lessons at school, but while she was in the country there was no one to teach her.
    'When we go to town later in the season I intend to have more lessons,' she said, and Yasmin thought dismally of that time when she would have no opportunity of seeing Sir Edward either, for of a certainty he also would go to London. However often she told herself her love for him was hopeless, it made not the slightest difference to her longing for him.
    Leon was doing well, his bruises gone and his leg mending satisfactorily. The doctor now called every two days, but Yasmin was beginning to fret about how they could earn some money to pay for his visits, for she could not bear the idea of being beholden to Sir Edward and Maria more than necessary. She mentioned the problem to Maria once, but was told Sir Edward would see to everything when he returned. Yasmin was awaiting that day most impatiently, chafing as the days passed by and he did not reappear.
    At last Maria came with news her brother had returned the evening before.
    'He will ride over later, he said, but he has some estate matters to deal with first. He asked me to present his apologies for being absent for longer than he gave you to expect. He was delayed unexpectedly in town.'
    She was frowning and thoughtful, and could not concentrate on her guitar playing that morning. This was so unusual Yasmin asked if there was anything wrong.
    'I am sorry, Yasmin, I am preoccupied. No, nothing is amiss, at least I do not think so, but Ned is worried. He said at dinner last night that secret plans seem to have reached Napoleon. He has several friends in the Admiralty and in the Navy, you see,' she explained. 'He heard from them. It seems the orders sent to Nelson off Toulon and Cornwallis off Brest were copied and sent to Napoleon.'
    'Are they still blockading the French?' Yasmin asked eagerly. 'I have heard so little news since – for months,' she amended hastily.
    Maria explained the French ships were still penned into the harbours of Brest and Toulouse, as they had been since the previous year.
    'What difference does it make if Napoleon does know the orders?' Yasmin asked. 'If his ships cannot get out, he is helpless.'
    'I don't know, but Ned is worried. He seems to know a good deal about it,' she commented.
    'My mother's brother is at the Admiralty, although I did not realise it when she was alive. I found it odd she used to be especially interested in Navy affairs,' Yasmin said incautiously, and did not reflect until afterwards that her remark must have sounded very odd coming from a supposed gypsy. Maria had given her a quick, surprised glance, but Yasmin had not seen it, being absorbed in thoughts of Sir Edward.
    * * * *
    She left soon after that, and Yasmin was alone with her thoughts, for she could not share them with Leon. Restless, she wandered from the cottage and walked along the path she knew Sir Edward would use. In about a hundred yards there was a small mound, not large enough to be dignified with the name of hill, to the side of the path, and Yasmin scrambled to the top of it, sitting where she could watch the path for Sir Edward's coming. It was a full hour before she saw a rider in the distance, but she was certain it was Sir Edward. Yasmin watched as he came nearer, delighting in the thought he would soon be with her, and she could again see the beloved face. She wove dreams as she watched him riding slowly along the path, and it was some seconds before the meaning of what was happening immediately below her struck her consciousness.
    What she had seen