London, 1853
"I'm so bored" Edmund groaned as the city fair continued around him. He had no idea why he let his brother talk him into this. The fair was for children, not a 26 year old man. Matthew just smirked in response at his brother. His niece and nephew chatted excitedly to each other, shoving spoonfuls of chocolate pudding into each other's mouths. Matt smiled as he turned his attention back to his children.
"Its not that bad Ed, I find it rather enjoyable."
"Thats because you've been brainwashed by fatherhood. Look at you, chasing after two little six year olds like the mother hen you've become," he teased, ducking tactfully out of the wing as Matt attempted a punch to his middle.
"Well, look at you! Poor little brother, twenty-six years old and no wife. Tsk Tsk. I wonder what mother has to say to you."
"You don't live with the woman anymore, you should not even be speaking."
" Ah, says the king of bachelors himself. I have to warn you, one day you'll find someone who will catch your eye and steal your heart, and you won't know a thing to do about it."
"Never," was all Edmund replied.
"Ah, it'll come. Just you wait."
"What about you? From what I remember, you were quite the ladies man yourself."
Matt just smiled, his gaze returning to his children to make sure they were still near. Their chatter continued as they went to a nearby stall, looking at the fascinating and noticeably large toys.
"That was before I met Vannessa."
Edmund rolled his eyes at hisloves-truckbrother. He sighed, shaking his head. God forbid that ever happen to me.
They continued on through the excited fair. Edmund watched amused as Matt chased his children all over the long row of stalls. A chuckle escaped him while Matt struggled to get them listening and behaving. Nicholas, Edmund's nephew, had decided to envelope himself in the hem of his father's brand new coat.
Matt shot Edmund a pleading glance asNichola, his niece, chased her brother between and around his legs frantically, trying to smack her twin brother in the head with her used spoon.
Edmund turned in an about face, striding quickly away from his tormented brother. Hurrying away before Matt could drag him into maternal affairs. Before long, Edmund had gotten himself very lost. The thought accured to him to ask for directions, he shook his head, dismissing the thought.
He heard faint violin notes in the distance. A crowd gathered in the distance. Curiosity claimed him and his body lead his towards the crowd. Something told him to stay away. To go back to his brother but... he didn't listen. His curiosity gaining control over his actions.
He turned and strode towards the thickening crowd. The music was getting louder now. Drums and a guitar accompanied the beautiful delightful music.
Edmund strained his head to see above the blend of blonde and red in front of him. Seeing no way to go beyond the place where he was now, he quickly scanned the edges of the crowd seeing that less people were on the left side. He side stepped a group of ladies and made a polite bow; as was required; as he continued to walk past. He reached the edge of the crowd, surprised at the view he had.
Sweet music sifted into him. The drums came to a soft halt, as the violin drifted into a serene end. Applause soon followed when the music fully stopped. It was well deserved, they had played beautifully. It was a gypsy gathering. Men were moving about, switching positions and instruments. Once they had settled, a group of women came, maneuvering through the crowd as best they could.
A group of gypsy dancers, Ed realized. They gathered in the middle of the half circle that the crowd had made. And that was when he saw her.
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