A Breath of Scandal Read Online Free PDF Page B

you.” He spread out the shaving gear he had brought with him.
    Lara placed a cloth around Julian’s shoulders. She could tell by Drago’s confused expression that he didn’t know what to make of Pietro’s words.
    “Go help Ramona prepare the walnut stain, little one,” Pietro said dismissively.
    Lara cast an anxious glance at her grandfather, and another at Julian, before taking her leave. She knew Pietro wished to speak privately with Drago and had a good idea what he was going to say, and it worried her. What would Drago do when he learned he had married a Gypsy?
    Julian sat stiffly while Pietro shaved off his beard. He knew the old man had something to say and waited with diminishing patience for him to begin. Would Pietro ask him to leave? Julian couldn’t blame him if he did. Pietro knew nothing about him. Lara had found him under mysterious circumstances, and Pietro’s keen senses surely had warned him that allowing Julian to remain with the Rom could prove dangerous to his people.
    Julian’s nerves were at a breaking point when Pietro finally said, “I was not happy with my granddaughter’s choice, but she made her decision and I will honor it.”
    Julian had no idea to what Pietro was referring, unless he meant that Lara should have left him lying on the shore to die.
    “Ramona said ’tis God’s will,” Pietro continued. “I am less certain. If Lara was meant to have a
gadjo
husband, why couldn’t she choose someone worthy of her? We know nothing about you, except that someone wants you dead. Are you involved in something that will bring dishonor to my granddaughter?”
    Julian blinked. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. According to Pietro, and Julian had no reason to doubt him, Lara was his wife. Had a marriage taken place without his knowledge? How? Why? Nothing made sense.
    Julian waited until Pietro had scraped the hair away from his throat with the sharp blade before challenging him. “You must be mistaken, Pietro. I recall no wedding. I would never have married Lara, or any other woman. I cried off marriage years ago.”
    The blade stilled beneath Julian’s chin. “Lara claimed you as her husband three times before witnesses, and you acknowledged her claim. ’Tis all that’s necessary for a Romany marriage.”
    Julian blinked. “Why would she do that?”
    “To protect you from those who wished you harm. To the Rom, you and Lara are husband and wife. Do not dishonor Lara by denying the marriage.”
    Julian recognized a warning when he heard one. “I appreciate what Lara did for me and would do nothing to hurt her. But you know I must leave when I am well. My life is in London.”
    Pietro gave him a cryptic smile. “We are but pawns. We must fulfill what God wills.”
    Julian squirmed uncomfortably, chilled by Pietro’s words. He was vastly relieved when Lara returned with Ramona.
    “All done,” Pietro said, wiping away the last traces of Julian’s beard.
    “Oh, my,” Lara exclaimed.
    Julian glanced at her, wondering why she was staring at him. Did she like him better with the beard? Not that it mattered, he told himself. He and Lara had to speak soon about this husband and wife thing.
    “Did you bring the walnut stain?” Pietro asked.
    “Aye,” Ramona replied. “Lara and I will take over from here.”
    Pietro left the crowded wagon and Julian submitted meekly as Ramona and Lara darkened his skin with walnut oil. When they finished, Lara handed him a mirror. A man with dark skin and black hair who could easily pass as a Gypsy gazed back at him. He barely recognized himself.
    Julian gazed out the window with longing. “I’d like to stroll outside.”
    “Lara will help you,” Ramona said as she gathered up what was left of the walnut stain. “But you must promise to return to the wagon when you start to tire. ’Tis your first day out of bed.”
    Julian promised, though he had other ideas. How could he regain his strength if he didn’t stretch himself to his