The Untamable Rogue Read Online Free PDF Page B

pressure on me. Only my mother had kept on telling me, in recent months, that it really was time for me to take a husband.
    I carefully weighed up the arguments for and against staying with the Sinti. It was impossible to carry on riding around dressed as a man. I no longer trusted my disguise. On the other hand, as a woman travelling alone, I faced many dangers. It was possibly safer to travel in the company of these people, and Sergio was right – my uncle would not find me here.

    After a while Sergio reappeared in the caravan and he brought me a roasted rabbit leg and braised wild onions with all sorts of herbs, as well as a jug of fresh water. As the smell of the food hit me I realised for the first time how hungry I was. I carefully sat up in by bed and began to eat. I did not worry about whether I was slurping or whether it was particularly unladylike to lick my fingers. I was starving and the food was delicious. I felt as if I had never in my life eaten anything as delicious as this.
    “Santino will be with you soon. If you wish, I’ll stay with you.”
    I looked up from my food. This Santino seemed to be a dangerous man. It certainly would not be bad to have someone there that I could at least trust a little. I did feel as if I could trust this young man.
    “Yes, please. I would like to have you here.” I therefore said and looked with concern at the door.
    “Don’t worry. He won’t bite you. He bears the responsibility for the clan and that’s why he has to be sure that we will not be threatened with danger because of you. Grandmother Aneta has said that you are destiny. She says that you must stay here with us, so he will take her advice to heart.”
    That consoled me a little. It seemed to me that this old woman had a lot of influence. I had become very curious about Grandmother Aneta.
    I scraped the last onions out of the bowl with the spoon and washed them down with a big gulp of water. I had hardly finished my meal when a large man with an impressive moustache appeared at the door. He looked harsh. His bushy eyebrows enhanced this impression all the more. I suddenly felt the need to disappear into thin air. He had nothing of the unpleasant and underhanded aura of my uncle – to me he looked more like a Berserker from the old Norse legends. I had read about them. His presence seemed to fill the whole waggon. I felt unpleasantly small and helpless.
    “Father, this is Liz,” said Sergio.
    Father? – This was Sergio’s father? How could such a friendly man have a father like this? I was amazed. I had expected all sorts, but not this.
    Santino came closer and Sergio respectfully left the chair for him. The leader of the clan sat down and looked at me intensely, which made me anxious. His eyes seemed to be able to look right into my very soul. His expression remained unchanged. It was impossible to say what he was thinking. This man really instilled one with fear. Perhaps there was some truth in the stories about robbery, murder and rape. Sergio could be an exception, but I would not put anything passed this sinister barbarian. Santino was silent for what seemed an eternity, then he suddenly leant forward and, involuntarily, I moved back on my bed.
    “So, your name is Liz,” stated Santino. “How come you’re travelling in men’s clothing? What have you done wrong, huh?”
    I swallowed nervously and looked uncertainly at Sergio. He smiled at me encouragingly and nodded. He did not seem to be particularly concerned. Perhaps his father seemed worse than he was, I thought hopefully.
    “I’ve run away,” I began in a quiet voice.
    “What from? Or who from?” asked Santino.
    “From … from my guardian.”
    “A woman has to obey – first her parents or her guardian, and later a husband,” ranted Santino and looked at me disapprovingly.
    “And I did. But then he tried to … he wanted to force me …,” I burst into tears.
    Forgotten was the fear of this wild gypsy. What could he do to me?