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“Every babe is a blessing. A miracle. And your babe will not be a bastard. He returns to you.”
“I wish I could believe you.”
“Believe Melina. She knows. I will draw your last card. The moon.” Melina sighed.
“What? Is it bad?” Rose asked.
“No. Not necessarily. But something is not as it seems. Someone has lied to you.”
“Yes, that is true. The father of my babe lied to me.”
“Yes, it was he. But something is still amiss. All is not as you think it. He will return.”
“How do you know?”
“The cards know no falsehoods, my lady,” Melina said. “Your suffering will cease. He will return.”
Rose nodded, sniffling into her handkerchief. “Your turn, Lily.”
“Heavens no, I don’t want my cards read,” Lily said. “But I would like to know the gender of my babe.”
“Of course.” Melina reached for a crystal on a leather cord. “I will read for your sister first, to ease her suffering.”
“How is knowing the sex of her babe going to ease her suffering?” Lily asked, rolling her eyes.
“Trust Melina.” She motioned to Rose and pointed to a pile of pillows on the ground. “You must lie down.”
Rose hesitantly lay down on the pillows as Melina held the crystal over her belly. “Now we wait for the spirits to guide us.” The crystal began to weave slowly back and forth, until it established a pattern. “You carry a girl, my lady. A beautiful girl. She has hair like her father, and eyes like yours. She will be beautiful, the light of his eye.”
“A little girl?” Rose said, her lips curving upward. “A girl. How wonderful.”
“Melina knew it would help ease your suffering. Now you.” She motioned to Lily.
Lily assumed the position as Melina held the crystal over her abdomen. “A boy for you, my dear. An heir for the duke.”
“An heir! How marvelous!” Lily exclaimed. “Wait a minute. How did you know my husband was the duke?”
“Melina knows.”
Lily sat up and fumbled with her reticule. “I don’t know if you’re right, Melina, but you’ve certainly been entertaining.” She handed the crone several more coins. “For your time and trouble. And your discretion,” she added.
“The duchess is generous,” Melina said. “Melina thanks you.” Then, turning to Rose, “Do not despair. Your man loves you and will return.” The crone pulled a pink rose out of a vase behind her table. “Take this rose. Scatter the petals at midnight tonight. Your man will catch the scent and return to your arms.”
Lily rolled her eyes, but Rose was desperate.
“Yes, I will,” she said, taking the flower. “Thank you so very much.” She fumbled with her reticule.
Melina stopped her. “The duchess has paid more than necessary. You keep your coins.”
“No, I insist.” Rose placed a sovereign in the crone’s wrinkled hand. “I don’t know whether I believe you, but I do feel better.”
“I cannot take so much.” Melina shook her head.
Rose folded the old woman’s fingers around the gold coin. “Please. You’ve helped me more than you know.”
“Rose, you don’t actually believe this nonsense, do you?” Lily said.
“No,” Rose said, “but I do feel better. I’m not sure why. Bless you, Melina.”
