by Jewel Adams
“You know, Amelia, or should I call you Amy, it does fit you better, yes Amy, I like the sound of it.”
So he heard. Her arms wrapped around her waist to keep herself from swaying.
“As I was saying--Amy. I am beginning to doubt the claim of a distant betrothed in your life. In fact, I think he was a figment of you and your Captain’s vivid imagination to keep all curious suitors away.”
“That’s absurd.” Wasn’t it? Amy prayed he didn’t see the question in her own mind. Heavens it could very well be as he said and he knew more than she did of Lady Amelia.
“Nay Amy, in all honesty it really was quite brilliant. An aging Captain of the guards, with hardly an army to back him, left to defend a maid’s honor, what better lie to help keep her safe. Tell me, what ruined your ploy?”
Amy couldn’t stop from moving away from his unrelenting gaze. “I don’t know what you are talking about, you heard the Captain, he died.”
“If he were a real man, to do such an unforgivable thing, how long ago did he meet his demise?”
Trapped! Nothing she gave as an answer would do. “It hardly matters now.”
To her relief, “You are right of course, it doesn’t have any bearing on the present. But this Peter might, or should I call him, The Beast?”
The only credit Amy could give herself was that she didn’t faint before his probe. She made herself meet his hard gaze to stay him from advancing on her.
“Is it silence then, Amy? To let me draw my own conclusions might be worse than the truth?”
He waited for her answer, but Amy pressed her lips tighter, she had no way to appease his curiosity.
“You must enjoy testing my patience--you see Amy, you are leaving me no choice but to kill the man, should he appear.”
The protector and slayer of her beast? Feelings were becoming reality. Amy wondered what he would do, if she gave him her approval to do just that should Peter arrive.
It took all of Bern’s control not to go to her and shake the truth from her succulent body. What he really wanted to know was if the hatred he saw sparking those bejeweled orbs shined for him or for the man she spoke of with so much emotion. If her ruse to fend off all suitors had been because of a lover she pined for, Bern knew, he could very well slay the man on sight.
Whatever he meant to her, the Lady wasn’t going to be bullied into telling him. Bern smiled, there are many ways to learn what I want--Amy!
The shaking inside her was winning and Amy felt at a loss as to how to get rid of him. “Is there anything else, Lord Randall?”
She could chill a man to his bones when she took a mind to. “Just that I will fetch you for the feast tonight. Captain Lansing thought it would be prudent to announce our engagement immediately.”
Her brow arched in speculation over the Captain’s part in the evening plans. “Then I suggest you leave, so I can get ready.”
When he pushed off the hearth she forced herself not to back away.
“There are still many hours before the feast.”
He kept walking towards her, “I--it takes me a very long time to dress.”
“Really? Ah, but then this is your engagement feast, you will want to look extra beautiful tonight.”
Amy felt her knees wobbling as he stopped in front of her. The back of his hand brushed her cheek. “But I cannot imagine you being any lovelier except to lay naked in my arms.”
Oh stars, his lips were burning her brow--temple, “Please...stop.”
“I do naught think I ever want to stop where you are concerned.”
Closing her eyes she tried so hard not to give in the shattering sensations he created inside her, but his lips were playing havoc with her sensitive eye lids.
“Like satin Amy, all softness and warmth...”
“Ah, here ye be Lady, I have summoned your bath up, and Lord Randall, how fortunate I have found ye, Captain Lansing is in the yard bellowing like a wounded stag about your men, ready to send them right back to the forest he is.”
Bern rested his lips on Amy’s brow, her smothered giggle earned his reluctant smile of defeat. “Thank you, Mistress Tilly.”
Amy couldn’t believe the self defeating humor she saw in his eyes.
“I have made a mistake, my Lady, it seems you have guards aplenty.”
Laird Randall had the grace to bow to both women as he took his leave.
Mistress Tilly sighed heavily as the door closed drawing Amy’s own attention away from where he disappeared. “Ah now lass, he is one man I could lose my heart over.”
Amy was so stunned by the woman’s announcement she blurted out, “Really?”
The woman turned to her. “Aye and that old goat in the yard was a fool to think you could withstand that one’s charms. The others, why they were babes compared to the like of Laird Randall, now that there is a--Man!”
“Mistress, I am shocked.” Amy strived for humor to cover her own flagging emotions.
“I doubt it girl, but old Lansing is, poor dog. Thought he had it all schemed out till that Laird showed up. Him and his army. Why they could have taken ye by siege that first day, but he be too much a gentleman. Though I dare say, he was getting mighty blustered after three weeks of courting ye, and ye playing the stone-heart.”
Three weeks! No wonder the man acted as if he owned the castle--and her. If Amy wanted answers it seemed Mistress Tilly held the treasure chest. She decided to take the chance.
“He saw through it all…”
Amy pretended to busy herself with the gown’s ties.
“Even the fake betrothed?”
Amy nodded, not daring to voice an admission.
“Well, it figures, he is too smart to fool. Must have seen through your act as well?”
Amy had nothing to lose, except maybe her head.
“That too, I am afraid. Oh, I did try.”
“It is that Randall charm. They say a woman can naught win against it. Them Randall’s all have the gift of the pixies surrounding them.”
If Amy wasn’t so distraught she would have enjoyed the woman’s belief over the fairies blessings. She’d love to get her hands on just one pixie right now.
“But why did he set his cap for me?”
“Lass, I am surprised with ye, and ye with the richest holdings in the realm.”
“Of course.” This was getting deeper than she could believe.
“But mind ye girl, this one won’t take kindly to learning who has made it that way over the years.”
“I don’t expect he will.” Amy was practically holding her breath waiting for the lady to continue and tell her what she meant.
“You had best go careful in uncovering that lie. Why, when the Laird finds out ye have been handling the affairs all these years, a mere girl...” The woman crossed herself. “…the roof will likely come flying off this old pile of stones. I told Lansing, years ago, he gone and given ye too much freedom. That is naught to say ye have naught done well, just it wilt naught set proper with that Laird.”
Amy sank down on the bed over the revelations. “What am I going to do? Heavens, I cannot even think clearly, he is everywhere I turn.”
“Ye have not had a good ride since he claimed the forest as his.”
Could she? Dare she?
Amy rose, “I need one now.”
“Nay lass, why he would skin us all if ye rode out of here without an army at your heels.”
“Not if he did not know, I have time before the feast. Please?”
The woman bit her lip until her shoulders finally sagged in defeat. It seemed Amelia usually got her way, but Amy could see there was love in these people for the girl.
“Alright.” The lady turned and proceeded to take a bundle out of the chest by the bed. “Best put these on, but do na’ say I did na’ warn ye, I will go tell Toby to saddle the Squire.”
“Thank you.” Holding the bundle to her chest until the door closed, Amy’s fingers shook as they undid the ribbon holding the cloak closed.
Once opened, she laughed with delight over the hidden leggings, tunic and hat inside.
“From lady to lad, oh Amelia, you were a sly one.”
She wasted no time in exchanging garments. Braiding her hair she wrapped it about her head pulling on the sack cap to fit snugly, covering the thick rope. The cloak hid what the tunic and leggings didn’t.
Rummaging through another chest, Amy found a pair of soft boots that laced up to her knees.
Cautiously opening her door she listened to be sure no one stood near. She wouldn’t put it pass Randall to have put his men guarding her. She stopped herself from heading to the main stairs. All the castle diagrams and ruins she studied, told her there was a back stairwell to lend cover to her get away. To her relief the one she found led her down to the servant quarters. Following the delicious scents she quickly located the kitchen.
It appeared Amelia’s servants were use to their mistress’ odd behavior. Though, she did hear a few snickers from the younger girls and more than one of the older woman clucked at her passing. But Amy felt none of them would give her away to Laird Randall.
Amy needed to bolster her courage to step out into the keep. The place came alive with Randall’s men setting up their tents and generally putting things right. She kept her head down and moved across the open space as if she had a purpose. No one really took notice of her, but she did see her own uniform men take a second look at her passing. They obviously knew her costume, thankfully they went back to their task as if nothing was wrong.
It was only when she heard the Captain’s billowing voice that she pushed up her pace to reach the stables. Amy didn’t think the man would let her go off. Letting Randall see her in this disguise was the last thing she wanted.
The stable felt like a haven when she finally reached it and Amy took a moment to catch her breath.
“My Lady, over here.”
“Toby?”
“Aye.”
She made her way to the back stall. Amy wasn’t prepared for what greeted her. The saddled mount was no ordinary stable horse. The sorrel stallion pawed the straw bedding with his massive hoof in impatience. “Squire…”
“Aye, he has missed ye bad he has.”
She swallowed hard. Amy could ride, but could she ride him? She tried to remember everything she knew about horses. Confidence, came through clear enough, she thought she’d just lost all of hers.
“Here. Mistress Tilly sent these for ye, said she knew ye could naught get them yourself.” Amy took the bundle. “Oh and these. She asked if ye would ride over to her daughter’s and delivery it, ye can cut through the woods, now that they are all inside.”
“Alright.”
Amy set the basket down and concentrated on the first bundle. Inside the sack she found a sheathed hip sword and cross bow. Toby took the bow and tied it on the saddle. The sword belt fit perfectly, Amy felt her admiration and respect for Amelia raise a good ten notches.
At the bottom of the sack rested a chunk of rock candy. She almost laughed out when she realized who would eat the treat.
Straightening up she approached the stallion. “So you missed me, big fellah.” The horse’s ears came forward and every muscle stilled. A soft answering whinny purred from the great animal. Amy held out her open palm, the velvet lips rippled over her flesh until they gently picked up every small bit of the sugar delicacy. The brush of his great head against her chest gave Amy back the confidence she lost. “We will be fine, won’t we Squire?”
Toby gave her a leg up. “Best ye go around the back to the gate, I hope no one stops ye, Lady.”
“So do I.”
“Oh, the basket, its herbs for the baby, Emily sent a message to her mother that little Bess has a fever.”
Squire remained still while he secured the basket. Amy suddenly felt filled with doubts. A sick baby? How would she find the place? She needed help. “Toby are you sure the woods are clear?”
“Aye, heard the Laird say all his men were inside, just go straight through on the path, Emily will be watching, Cal will probably be waiting on the other side.”
Cal? Son, husband or brother, she didn’t care, she just hoped he would be there to take the basket.
Her first problem was leaving the keep. Going in back of all the buildings, as Toby suggested, she quickly reached the gate. Thankfully it was her own men that stood guard, their quick wave through released her pent up breath. Squire wasn’t in the mind for an easy ride and before they crossed the bridge he moved into a full gallop, heading straight for the woods. Amy decided the horse knew where he was going, even if she didn’t and gave herself over to the exhilarating ride.
“You there, guard at the gate?”
“Aye, Laird?”
“Who just left?”
“Left, Laird?”
Bern wondered if the man was a dolt or if he was playing him for one. “The rider on the stallion, man, who was he?”
“Oh him, that would be Squire…Arn, aye it was Arn alright. Running errands for his father, no doubt. He is always about, in and out, out and in, like a shadow he is.”
“A shadow. I guess that is why I have not seen him before?”
“Slips by us all, now and again.”
“Does he now?”
“Sure enough does, me Laird.”
Bern’s temper kept rising over the man’s blubbering rot. Was this castle full of liars?
“Is something wrong, Laird Randall?”
Bern turned to face the approaching Captain Lansing. “Wrong Captain? The only thing wrong is this place.” Bern saw the guard flinch. Damn if he wasn’t right! The man was lying.
“Ye seem put out, Laird Randall.”
“When I am Captain, you will naught have to guess.”
Knowing he would get no further with the Captain than his guard, Bern left them to themselves. Taking a guarded glance back at the two of them, his tight lips eased into a knowing smile at the now excited Captain. “Seems the shadow, has upset our dear Captain as well. Now I wonder why that would be?”
“Craig!”
“Aye, Bern.”
“Fetch me a horse, hurry man.”
The man wasted no time in returning. “Here take mine. What is the rush, Bern?”
“I am chasing shadows, my friend. A very sneaky one.”
The opened mouthed man stood there watching his friend race out of the keep. “Damn, I will be glad when this is all settled.”
Squire had no problem navigating the winding path through the forest. As they reached the edge Amy pulled him up. All her cautious study of the open hills render nothing helpful towards a direction. “Well fellah, do you know the way to Emily’s?” Why did it have to be a sick baby? “Come on Squire maybe when we clear the hill I will see something.”
No sooner did they enter the clearing than the horse shied to the left. Amy saw a small figure dart behind a boulder. “Whoa boy, take it easy.” Taking a deep breath she took the chance. “Cal? Is that you?”
“Aye, my Lady.”
“Why are you hiding?”
“I didn’t mean to spook him.”
She hadn’t the heart to scold the boy. “Come on out.”
She waited for the boy to approach, he looked about ten and as wiry as the spindly bushes around them. “Were you hiding from someone?”
“Nay, there were some riders, but they went off towards the west. I watched, they be gone.”
“Good. Shall we get this medicine to Bessie? Come on, up with you.” Amy took her foot out of the stirrup allowing the boy to climb up on his wide back.
“Someday I will have a steed like this.”
“I believe you will, Cal. I’ll tell you what, why don’t you pretend he is yours right now and you tell me everywhere I need to turn him.”
“Ah, tis’ a silly game.”
“A fun game if you let yourself pretend.”
The boy was silent for a while and Amy thought she lost her chance to find the place without being obviou
s.
“Go straight over the next hill.”
Amy kept the boy’s interest by talking to him and telling him to feel the changes in Squire’s body as they rode. After a few directions Cal took over the game by remaining silent and leaning into the turns he wanted her to take.
The small cottage they finally arrived at was a quaint, stone structure, with a neat garden off the one side and a wild hedge of roses trailing up the front to the sod roof.
Cal slipped off and held Squire while Amy dismounted. “Cal can you water him for me?” The boy’s eyes grew large in prideful pleasure.
A girl about Amy’s age came out to meet her. Amy could see she was frantic with worry. “Emily?”
“Oh Amelia, tis’ Bess, she is so sick.”
“I brought the herbs.” Passing her the basket, Amy followed her into the cottage. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust, when they did Amy was impressed by the neat room she stood in. It only took a moment for them to find Bess.
The poor baby looked as done in as her mother. Amy felt her forehead and pulled her hand back from the heat.
“Emily, we need to get her fever down.” Amy only thought for a second over the consequences of interfering. “Fetch me the coldest water you can find.”
“The spring is always like winter ice.”
“Good, a full bucket, hurry.”
Amy cleared the table, discarding her hat and cloak over the warmth in the small house. Finding a large bowl she placed it on the table, then went to the baby. “Ah sweet Bess, you will be fine once we get that nasty fever down.” All the while she talked to the baby her fingers worked to unclothe her. Wrapping a blanket around her she cradled the babe in her arms until her mother came back in.
“Fill the bowl about half way and I need a cloth.”
Holding Bess, Amy lowered the protesting child into the cool water all the while cooing softly to her. With all the gentleness in her heart Amy sponged the cooling liquid over the baby.
They changed the water twice before Amy finally felt the baby’s temperature coming down. “There Bess, we’ll feel better now. Emily brew the mint leaves your mother sent and we will spoon some into her, they will soothe her breathing and stomach cramps. And Emily, fix some for yourself and calm down, she is fine, aren’t you love.”