A Fall Through Time (Stacey and Shane Mcleod, #1)

by Rikki M Dyson

  Unabashed, Stacey said, “Do you mind? This room is mine.”

  The earl said with lust in his eyes, “No, I do not mind.”

  Stacey said, “Well take a good look, your lordship. It will be the only one you’ll ever get. Now get out!”

  Just as quickly, Eric’s demeanor changed. He threw her robe to her and said acrimoniously, “Cover ye self, wench. I need speak with ye.”

  Stacey gave him a cold hard look as she slipped on her robe. She could see he was angry and wondered what she had done this time to displease his lordship. Even more importantly, when the devil, had he returned? The earl of Dun-Raven was not just angry, he was furious. With eyes of steel, he glared at Stacey and said, “Ye will no longer participate in the young squires training. What they learn here will one day save their life in battle. They must keep their minds on their training, and not on the temptations of a wench like ye.”

  Now, he really had made her angry. Stacey said through gritted teeth, “Let me understand you or ye, are accusing me of sexually tempting these teenage boys. Is that what you’re thinking? Well, I would like to meet my accusers face to face, but I’m beginning to think this is only in your suspicious, convoluted mind. Sir Giles and Sir Perceval as well as Rodric were there, did I tempt them also?”

  Stacey was standing with her hairbrush in her hand. Without thinking she threw it at him, hitting him is the chest. “Get out, you despicable sneak,” she yelled. Then she picked up the water pitcher and threw it at him. He ducked, but not in time. He was wet and seething. Next Stacey grabbed the chamber pot. He was out the door fast and pulled it closed behind him. His mother came upstairs to see what had caused the ruckus. Eric was standing in the hall dripping wet. Lady Margaret said to her son, “Well, ye lordship, me thinks ye have met ye match.”

  Eric gave his mother a sour look and went to his solar for dry clothes. Stacey was so angry she could

  have spit nails. How dare he, how dare he insult her so.

  Chapter 5

  Add Insult to Injury

  After Eric’s explosive encounter with Stacey, he found his mother and told her to give the wench Frances’s clothes. Lady Margaret told her son, “Frances’s garments will never fit Stacey.”

  In a fit of temper; Eric laconically said, “Well, make the bloody things fit.”

  Stacey was summoned once again, to Lady Margaret’s solar and there she offered Stacey the garments. Stacey looked at the dresses and held them up to herself. “These are lovely dresses and you’re very generous to offer them to me. I assure you, I’m not unappreciative, but these garments will not fit me. These dresses are made for a short large bosom woman. As you can see I’m tall and slender.”

  “Yes I know,” Lady Margaret said. “Mayhap we can alter them.”

  “Whose garments are these?” Stacey asked.

  “They belonged to Eric’s dead wife,” Lady Margaret said.

  Stacey dropped the bliaut and said, “Oh god, I didn’t know he’d ever been married. How did she die?”

  “We think she was poisoned.”

  “How and why? Who would do such a thing?” Stacey asked.

  “We be not sure,” Lady Margaret said. “She was carrying Eric’s child and was five months along.”

  “I’m so sorry,” Stacey said. “To lose a child and a wife at the same time; no wonder he’s like he is. When did she die?”

  “Ten years ago,” Lady Margaret said. “Her name was Frances. She was the youngest daughter of Lord Thomas and his dead wife.”

  Stacey was sorry for him, but that didn’t make up for his rude behavior toward her. However, the garments were beautiful. They were made of brocades, Brussels lace, linens from Rheims and silks from the Middle East. Stacey didn’t know how to sew to make them over, but she knew someone who could.

  Stacey was so angry with Eric that she did not go to the hall for breakfast, lunch or supper. She spent her time exploring the corridors and rooms of this large and ancient place. Many times, she feared she might loose her way in the maze of halls of the castle. In her exploring, Stacey found Molly, the Seamstress. She was very pleased with her good luck, as she had made up her mind; she would not go back to the hall until she could look decent in Lady Margaret’s eyes. Alice gave sustenance from the kitchen for her and Rolf who was not seen either. Eric had no doubts about where he was, or with whom.

  The Earl was informed about how the young miss had helped his destrier by removing the thorn from his leg. He was told also about how James, the young squire almost chocked to death. Eric knew he should thank her, but she had a way of infuriating him. Eric gave orders that Stacey was to no longer be fed from the kitchen. If she was hungry, she was to eat from the table in the hall, like everyone else. However, this acrimonious order still did not bring her to the table. Stacey was angry more with herself than with Eric. He had brought out some kind of sick enjoyment in her by fighting with him.

  Stacey knew, she wasn’t allowed on the practice field, but she still liked to watch. For a while, she had been watching two knights practicing the joust. Stacey recognized the big gray, so she assumed one of the knights was black beard. When he dismounted, he pulled off his jerkin and shirt. That caught her attention and she set up and took notice how his muscles flexed and bulged while sparring with a broad sword. He has a nice body, she said to herself. Muscular and lithe, he stands about six foot three, I guess, he weighs about one-hundred and ninety pounds, or so, has black hair and brown eyes. He might be handsome without that beard. Mayhap he’s younger than he looks. Geese, I’ve gotta get out of here, I’m starting to talk like them.

  That afternoon when Stacey and Scooby came inside, she was informed, that his lordship would see her in the parlor. Stacey took a deep breathe and said, “Good gracious Alfred, do I have to go in there?” Alfred smiled and said, “Yes miss, ye must; his lordship is waiting.”

  Stacey knocked at the parlor door. She heard what sounded like a grunt, so she opened the door and went in. The earl was standing by the windows. His hair was still wet from his bath and he smelled like spice. He was dressed in chausses, a white shirt, and leather jerkin and cordovan leather boots. Stacey had never before paid much attention to how he dressed. She thought to herself, if not for that beard, he would be a nice looking man. I wonder what he looks like beneath his beard. “You wanted to see me?” she asked.

  “Aye,” he said, “but Rolf, I did not send for ye.”

  The big dog laid down on his tummy and put his paws over his ears, which made both Stacey and Eric laugh at him. They stood and looked at each other. Finally, Stacey said, “You wanted to see me?”

  All cold and frosty again he said, “It has been brought to my attention that I have been remiss in not thanking ye for the service ye performed for Gray Cloud and for James, the young squire.”

  “You’re welcome,” Stacey said. She waited then asked, “Is there anything else?”

  “Yes,” he said. “I would warn ye to stay away from the destrier. He be a dangerous beast.”

  Stacey gave him a cold look and said, “No more so than his master, I suspect.”

  Eric leaned over his writing table and said, “Ye vex me much, wench.”

  “And that’s another thing,” Stacey said. “I dislike being called a wench. I know it means female, but you make it sound like something you would wipe your muddy boots on.” With that said, Stacey turned and walked out.

  The earl of Dun-Raven stood there wondering where things went wrong. They were laughing over the antics of the silly dog, then she was spitting fire again and gone.

  Lady Margaret came in and asked, “How did it fair?”

  “Not well,” Eric said. “She be the most complicated wench I have ever had the misfortune to meet.”

  His mother smiled and said, “I will speak with her again. Our ways are strange to her.”

  Lady Margaret made it a point to find Stacey. When she did, she asked, “What be the matter? Why can ye and his lordship not get along? Ye and Eric
are like oil and water.”

  “Tis naught for you to worry about,” Stacey said.

  “Do not tell me that,” Lady Margaret said. “I am a woman too. Do not forget that.”

  Stacey smiled and told her what happened. Lady Margaret thought for a while then said, “I think I may know how to help. Both ye desire respect, so if his lordship refers to ye as, Miss Stacey...”

  “No,” Stacey said. “Miss Scott.”

  “Very well, Eric will call ye Miss Scott and ye will show him the respect due him and call him, his lordship or sire; whichever ye can wrap ye tongue around. Do ye think ye can do that?”

  Stacey laughed and said, “Oh Lady Margaret, you know me too well.”

  “Well in all fairness, Miss Stacey, this be his lordship’s home and ye are a guest.” Stacey knew she was right and vowed to act better.

  Chapter 6

  Eyes Half Open

  When the eventide meal was served, Stacey was at the table in her usual place and was dressed in one of the made over dresses, Molly had redesigned for her. She looked very pretty, but felt like she was dressed for a masquerade ball. Many of the unattached knights were looking in her direction. Sir Perceval knew where she was at all times and he still took her to the river to bathe. He had escorted her there this afternoon, to do just that. When she rode back with him, she smelled of lilacs. Even her wet hair smelled of it. Sir Perceval guarded her always and would deter anyone who came too close. He was relieved no one seemed to know of this private place.

  Everyone was at the table, waiting to be served when Nicole’s little two year old son got away from his nanny and ran into the hall. He fell and started crying. Stacey told Nicole, “Stay, I’ll get him.” Stacey quickly picked him up and was cooing to him, she saw the Nanny and said, “I’ll watch him, don’t worry.”

  The people in the hall knew Stacey much better than Eric did. While he was away, she had talked with them and played with their children. She had danced and sang silly songs for them for her to do this were not unexpected. When Stacey walked behind Eric’s chair to come back around to her seat at the table, he could smell the lilac on her. He also noticed the garments she wore. They were elegant, yet she did not seem to mind sitting this child on her lap and feeding him from her and Rodric’s trencher. Eric took notice of her clothes again and wondered if they were those of Frances’s. They did not look the same and they fit her well, so they could not be. Frances was short with more than ample bosom. This one had it all in the right places, just not much.

  Eric remembered walking into her solar when she was drying her hair. What were those tiny undergarments she was wearing? She looked much a woman then. Eric looked down the table at Stacey with admiration. He much admired her tall slender body with her blue eyes and long lustrous auburn hair. Her hair was the kind a man would like to run his fingers through and to touch and feel the silky softness of her skin. Eric realized his member was swelling. He knew he must get his mind off her, however, that was not easy to do with her sitting a few seats down from him. He could still smell her scent. God’s teeth, he wanted her. He then noticed Rolf was sitting beside her. Eric thought to himself, she has wrapped everyone in this keep around her pretty fingers. He wondered again, who she be? Where did she come from and how did she get here? Moreover, why will she not tell the truth?

  Stacey could feel the earl’s eyes on her. She didn’t want to look at him and see anger in his eyes again. Finally, she could stand it no longer and looked his way. What a relief when she realized he was not angry with her. What a good feeling that was, and oh, those eyes. Then she started thinking about his lithe, muscular body. To herself Stacey said stop this, are you crazy? I’ve been here three weeks.

  I should go back to the meadow; I must go back in time. No stupid, not back but forward, she admonished herself.

  Chapter 7

  The River

  The next morning, Stacey asked Sir Perceval to ride to the meadow with her. Lady Margaret, Lady Katherine, Callie, and Nicole along with some of the other women wanted to ride out too.

  The earl said, “With this large a party ye will need more than two men. I will ride out also.”

  Things were going smoothly, so Stacey, hoping to keep it that way even agreed to ride a palfrey. A palfrey is a more gentle horse often thought of as a ladies horse. They all rode to the meadow to admire the rune stone. Stacey mounted and dismounted very smoothly by herself. This made Eric start wondering again, where had she come from to appear so mysteriously. The groomsman told him that Stacey had said that her grandfather was a healer of animals. The Gardner reported, that she said her mother was interested in folk remedies. If she does not remember where she came from and who her family be, then how does she remember all this? It seems to me she has a memory of convenience. Once again, that brings me to ask, why?

  It was a beautiful unclouded day and the women wanted to ride by the river. Stacey had not been this far up the river. She knew there was a village near, but had not yet seen it. They were getting near the river when they heard children playing and splashing in the water. Then they heard screaming and they all rode rapidly toward the river. When they arrived, there was a young boy, maybe age ten, lying on the ground. The other children were standing around crying.

  Eric went to look at the child and said, “The boy has drowned.”

  “Turn him on his stomach and press on his back, your lordship,” Stacey urged.

  Eric was so surprised to hear her call him, ‘your lordship,’ that he did as she bid.

  “Push from his middle back and go up,” Stacey implored. He did and water came out of the child’s mouth.

  “It is no good. The child is dead,” Eric said.

  Stacey jumped off her horse and ran to the boy. She turned him on his back, held his nose and breathed air into him. She pressed on his diaphragm, pinched his nose and blew air into his lungs again. Eric had been trying to get her to cease when the boy came up spitting and coughing. No one was more amazed than he, when the boy started breathing again.

  When Stacey was sure, the boy was okay, she got on her horse and they all rode home. A quiet, subdued group rode back to Dun-Raven castle. Rodric rode close to Stacey and Callie rode next to Rodric. Lady Margaret and Lady Katherine were on Stacey’s side. It was obvious they were going to be unite against Eric; nevertheless, he was going to have his say. As they dismounted at the front steps of the castle, Sir Perceval took the reins of the horses to take them to the stables. When Stacey entered the hall, Eric was waiting for her. He did not say a word, just motioned for her to go into his parlor. Rodric and Lady Margaret went in also. Lady Margaret said, “Eric, please...”

  Eric put his hand up and said, “Mother, I will handle this.”

  Stacey said with sarcasm in her voice, “What have I done now that displeases ye, your lordship?”

  Eric arched his eyebrow at Stacey and said, “I must ask ye a question lass, and I want the truth. Do ye be a witch?”

  Stacey turned to Rodric and Lady Margaret. She was astonished at the wonder in their eyes too. Stacey shook her head and said, “No, I’m not a witch, there are no such things.”

  “God’s teeth woman, tell me then, how did you put life back into that boy?”

  “He was never dead,” Stacey said. “He just had some water in him. When you turned him over and pushed on his back, remember? The water came from his mouth. All he needed was a little air in his lungs. You did as much as I to save him.”

  “Oh, no, miss, ye will not talk around me this time,” Eric said. “Ye breathed life back into that boy and I want to know how ye knew to do it.”

  Stacey just stood there. She wanted to tell the truth, but she dared not. Somewhere she had read, ‘The truth will set you free.’ She was very much afraid; in this case, it would do the opposite. Eric was becoming angry. He had turned and was looking out the window. When he turned back, he took two steps toward her. As she stepped back from him, he said, “I will tell ye a truth. That boy’s pare
nts, if he has parents; will thank ye today, but give them a day or two, time enough for them to reflect on this and they will be back to burn ye for a witch. What they do not understand, they fear. Do ye understand what I am telling ye?”

  “Yes, I understand perfectly,” Stacey, said. “You’re telling me it would have been better to let the boy die than to put myself in jeopardy. Well, I disagree. You say they fear what they do not understand. That’s called ignorance. You’re their lord, why don’t you provide schools and a monk to teach them? Then they wouldn’t be so ignorant.”

  “Stacey, please,” Rodric urged, as he reached out and touched her arm. Stacey, in her anger and frustration pulled away and said, “No, I won’t please, those children have no choice to whom they were born; no more than you did. You people were fortunate enough to have been born to privilege and wealth. Those children are unfortunate to have been born to peasants and poverty. You, your lordship, more or less own these people. Don’t you think it’s your responsibility to educate the children? Have you not heard the saying, ‘To whom much is given, much is expected?’ Oh, but silly me, you did ask me if I was a witch, didn’t you? Well, I guess the peasant doesn’t fall far from the lord around here, does he?” Stacey was so angry her knees were shaking as she walked out. Eric turned to his mother and said, “I am sorely tempted to give her to the peasants. Now she would tell me how to rule my fiefdom.” Eric hit the table with his fist and said, “And naught one straight answer did I get from her.”

  Rodric sought Stacey out in private to speak with her, “Stacey, ye say there are no such things as witches. How be it that ye know this for a fact?”