Page 7 of Tempted
“Well, that is good news,” she said, laughing. “We Scots can now resume our favorite pastime of raiding each other.” She put her head on one side, the better to observe Heath’s warm brown eyes. “You didn’t answer, my question about Janet Kennedy.”
His beautiful white teeth flashed when he laughed. “To hell with Janet Kennedy! What about Valentina Kennedy?”
“The news is all bad,” she teased. “I’ve a wisdom tooth plaguing the devil out of me, and the marriage noose tightens about my neck even as we speak.”
His eyes twinkled. “You could always run away with the Gypsies.”
“Someday I just might,” she vowed passionately. “Come on, Old Meg will give you something to soothe that tooth.”
“Oh yes! She can tell me my fortune,” Tina said with enthusiasm.
Old Meg’s caravan was a small world within a world. The outside was painted a dramatic red and black, the inside cluttered with the curious trappings of her trade. She told fortunes, cast spells, and dispensed electuaries for every complaint known to man. Her ceiling was hung with dried herbs that gave off odd pungent fragrances, and the walls were fitted with wooden shelves that held bottles, bowls, and boxes of strange powders, liquids, and dried animal parts. A polished brass lamp swung over a small round table, casting a red glow upon her mystic glass ball and tattered tarot cards.
Meg was a shrewd old party who had made herself rich by performing abortions on noble ladies. Her business was always briskest when they visited the king’s court.
Meg gave Tina no greeting when she climbed the steps of her wagon, but mixed her a concoction to sup when told of the toothache. Heath was her grandson His mother had died in childbirth.
“Meg, will you tell my fortune?” Tina asked hopefully as she sat down at the small table and sipped the steaming brew. Heath, who had to keep his head bent inside the caravan to avoid the ceiling, said, “I’ll be at the campfire when you’re done”
Old Meg, her mouth set in severe lines, went through the motions of placing her beringed hands upon the glass ball, but after a minute of silence she said, “The stars are not right tonight. I can tell you nothing.”
Tina held her stare, her strong will battling with that of the Gypsy. “Meg, you know you can read the cards.”
Meg compressed her lips. She disapproved of the relationship between her grandson and this spirited, spoiled girl. She had no reason to love the Kennedys. “Cross my palm with silver,” she commanded, and held out her gnarled hand.
Tina placed three silver coins upon the none-too-clean palm and held her breath in anticipation as she shuffled the large deck of painted pasteboards Meg handed her. She closed her eyes and made a wish as she had been taught to do, then handed the cards back to the old professional.
The first card turned up was The Emperor, from the major arcana. Meg described the picture: “A dark, authoritative man sits upon a throne, the armrests and upper back made into rams’ heads. In his right hand he holds the Cross of Life, the Egyptian ankh. On his right shoulder there is another image of the ram’s head. Behind him are stark mountains devoid of scenery. The symbolism of The Emperor is earthly knowledge. This man is ruled by his mind rather than his emotions—he represents law and order. The stark mountains show his power and strength. He is unyielding and unbending in his judgments. He is a leader rather than a follower. He enjoys being in command and rules with an iron hand.”
Meg turned over the second card. It was The Empress, also from the major arcana. Meg again described the card: “A beautiful woman is wearing a crown of twelve stars. By her side is a heart-shaped shield bearing the sign of Venus. Before her is a ripe field of corn, behind her are trees in full bloom. She is Aphrodite, goddess of human love. The symbolism of this card is fertility. Both sexes joined. It denotes a fulfillment of erotic needs. She represents heaven on earth, the Garden of Eden, the door that opens unto earthly pleasures and treasures.”
Meg placed the Page of Swords, from the minor arcana, upon the table: “A youth holds a sword tightly in his hands. Clouds surround him. He has to prove his masculinity by fighting. He uses aggressiveness as a defense against self-doubt.” Tina immediately thought of her brother David. She caught her breath as a second sword card turned up, for she knew they were the worst cards in the deck. It was the Five of Swords. “A man carrying two swords on his shoulder, another in his right hand looks with scorn upon two dejected figures whose swords are on the ground. The sky is filled with storm clouds. Here is a man who defeats others, who lives by the sword, who is insensitive and indifferent. The symbolism suggests you will lose something; there will be a breaking of bonds and separation from loved ones.”
Tina was relieved to see the next card was the Seven of Wands, but Meg made it, too, sound ominous. “All sevens imply change. The card indicates you must hold your own against unfavorable odds. You must take a stand and be adamant in the face of opposition, for only in change is there growth.”
The Four of Cups was laid upon the small table, and Tina let out her breath thankfully. Meg continued: “A young man sits against a tree with his arms folded. A hand extends a cup to him, while three other cups sit upright in front of him. The young man is not reaching out for the cup extended to him, rather he is contemplating the offer. This card represents the love bed, pleasure, and irresistible sexual attraction.”
Meg turned over the seventh and last card. Tina gasped; it was the Ten of Swords. Meg said nothing. Tina didn’t need it described to her—she could clearly see it was a man lying prostrate on the ground with ten swords stuck into his back, while above him was a blackened sky.
Meg gathered the cards together quickly. “It has many meanings; everything looks black.”
“Interpret the whole thing for me,” Tina said, gathering her courage. “Will I get my wish?”
“Yes,” said Meg without hesitation.
Tina sighed with relief. Though she had someone in mind for her husband, she had asked that there be no marriage for her this year.
“The cards speak for themselves. You will be involved with a dark man whose symbol is the ram. He will rule you. The Empress represents you. The dark man will bring you sexual fulfillment; you will be fertile.”
At this point Tina decided none of it would come true because she would get her wish and her wish was “no marriage.”
“The Page of Swords is a youth who is close to you. He will be instrumental in starting trouble. The Five of Swords shows there will be fighting, struggling, bloodshed that will result in your being separated from your loved ones. The Seven of Wands confirms this change and warns you will have to stand firm if your will is to prevail, but the Four of Cups indicates you will receive an offer and the choice will be yours.”
“And the last card?” Tina pressed.
Meg saw the dark male lying prostrate with the swords in his back. Her beloved Heath was dark. She pierced Tina with a fierce glare. “You will wish you were dead!” prophesied the old Gypsy.
Tina felt something move against her foot beneath the table and jumped. “Oh, what was that?” she cried, lifting aside the table cover and peering down. She saw a large tortoise with a great red jewel embedded in its shell. “Is that a ruby?” asked Tina with disbelief. “Aren’t you afraid your tortoise will be stolen?” she asked, tracing her finger over the ruby.
