Gypsies and Gentry

By Jo Martinez

In the early 1800’s, in an English country lane, gentry meets gypsy and far reaching events are set in train.
Love, betrayal, deceit and death leave a mystery to be solved, as the richness of gypsy life thrives on the borders of the luxury and power at the command those well born.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hague Publishing
• Release date: Aug 13, 2017
• ISBN: 9780648050322

Jo Martinez

Inez Minc is 50yrs going on a 100yrs and blessed with a rich life. Born in 1922 in the south of England, she emigrated to Australia in 1986. Both countries have her loyalty and her love of their unique beauty and heritage. Privileged to serve in WW2 with British Overseas Forces, the Australian Vets made her and her ex-serviceman husband welcome, soon after arrival. They, and some local GPs made it possible for her to voluntarily contribute the nursing skills as a Queen’s District seniors Nursing Sister, added to her English registration, in service to others in various ways She is now widowed with two fine sons in a close-knit family and leads an active life with other seniors.Her Three Loves Trilogy is also available as an ebook, or on order from your local or online bookshop.

Book preview

Map of the Manor House

Chapter 1: Gerald

GERALD Grimshaw’s lanky frame strolled round a bend in the shade of the trees. Further along the lane sharp eyes took in the elegant swing of his hips and the tilt of the soft cap on a handsome dark head before returning to gaze across the pastureland.

That summer day the heat and exotic energy of Egypt were re-ignited for a lonely man. She stood in a sunlit country lane looking across the meadows in all her dark beauty, her gypsy finery clinging sensuously to tantalising curves.

She dipped her knee as he passed. When he made bold to speak she flashed her eyes in rebuke. His suppliant hand protested ‘til hers gestured a truce and they made friends. They climbed a stile to mark a path through rainbow flowered fields and rest awhile.

Later their silhouettes merged with the pencilled shadows in the lane when his touch guided her slender foot back over the stile.

They met in secret as truants, she from her tribe and he from the gentry he was born into.

One day he brought a gift, a silver claw from far away and pinned it to her shawl. So it was ‘til late autumn when he set off on his travels again to study Egyptology and she moved north along the gypsies’ yearlong circuit.

The following year he was summoned home by the loss of his parents within a short time of each other and set about the business of managing an estate. He intended to return to his travels and studies when a capable manager took over estate duties.

That winter Gerald Grimshaw cantered into the driveway of The Malderns after an early morning ride. A light fall of snow pastilled the trees and flecked the cap of the waiting stable boy. The Master of Malderns swung down from his mount and handing the boy the reins ran up the steps to the front porch

The servant waiting behind the door opened it just as Gerald reached the threshold and two pairs of eyes looked down at the infant lying on the doorstep, snug wrapped in a bright shawl with a silver claw clasping the warmth within its folds.

The serving woman instinctively bent to gather the bundle before her Master ushered her into the house. He unclasped the broach putting it in his pocket and opened the shawl to discover a naked baby boy barely passed suckling age looking up at him from under a dark head of hair.

Sunlit images from the past rushed into his memory. Guilt tinged feelings of past pleasures

‘What’ll I do with him Master?’

Sobered by a good conscience he replied, ‘Take him to warm by the kitchen fire and do what must be done for one so young Martha. I will attend to the matter shortly.’

Going to his study, Gerald put the broach in with a small bag of coins. He sent for the shawl and wrapped the bag inside to make a tidy bundle which he placed in the spot where the baby had lain.

From behind a hedge eyes watched and waited until moonlight spread the shadow of the old elm across the porch. An arm branched out to curl around the shawl.

So it was that Jed joined the household of childless Gerald Grimshaw who gave him his name and adopted him as his heir.

The following winter another boy joined the household. Samuel a young didecoy came asking for work. His skill with horses and ability to repair tackle was soon noted and he became the groom and stable hand for Gerald Grimshaw.

Like the rest of the staff he kept an eye on the growing infant, taking pains to play games with him, chasing and romping in the grounds. Jed was drawn to Samuel more than any other. It was an attraction strengthened when Sam was instructed to commence riding lessons for Jed. From then on the wonders of the countryside and its natural laws opened for him. He met others than his own kind when Sam stopped briefly at a gypsy camp visiting a district where the Didecoys got on well with the true Romanies.

Such adventures were far more appealing than sitting under the tutelage of the retired village schoolmaster when Jed turned six. Growing bolder at puberty Jed played truant at will.

A disgruntled tutor aired his complaint of his pupil’s wild ways when Gerald Grimshaw returned home from foreign shores. His words fell on distracted ears for Gerald had just received news of the sudden death of his sea captain friend Arthur Hervey. All of his travels were made on this one friend’s vessel and the loss was heavy. Nevertheless Gerald made note of the tutor’s discontent and on disembarking from his next voyage made his way into the town of Tilbury.

Chapter 2: Victoria

VICTORIA Hervey set aside the thin vegetable soup with a sigh. It was poor fare for her two daughters. She had brought them to the tiny house in Tilbury from the good care of her childless sister and brother-in-law after her husband’s death. The two up and two down dwelling used to serve for brief sojourns with their daughters between voyages. The dreams and plans for a country cottage on her husband’s retirement shattered, Victoria Hervey had set about making ends meet with the small savings from their life’s work.

A knock at the door startled her. She opened it to see Gerald Grimshaw standing on the step.

During his voyages with her husband on the long journey home she had helped with the initial inventories of the latest artefacts, She earned his respect for her meticulous work and