by Jewel Adams
The baby’s cooing brought a relieved smile over Emily. Bess reached up and took hold of Amy’s fallen braid as she dried her and wrapped her up in the blanket.
Amy brought the baby up to her shoulder placing her head against her cheek to be sure the fever was down. “Emily, if she gets hot again do the same thing with the water until she cools. Don’t let her get too chilled and try to get the mint down her.”
“It was the milk, the cow’s gone bad. I did na’ know...”
“Hush, I will have Lansing send one out in the morning.”
Bern moved away from the door, no longer wanting to burst in and drag her out of where he trailed her. Knowing what he thought to find and what he confronted in the cottage still sent his head reeling in question. “Will ye ever stop surprising me?”
“Who sire?”
Bern was so lost in his thoughts he failed to realize that the boy returned. “The Lady, son.”
The boy gave him a knowing smile. “Ye too, uh?”
“She let me care for Squire, never let’s anyone else touch her stallion, not even Hop the livery in the village.”
“And why’s that?”
“He’s too special, like her.”
“You’ll get no argument there, son. Does she come visiting often?”
“Not much lately, too many strangers about. Mum says tis’ too dangerous for her to be out like usual. But I watched real good, to be sure she would be safe and the riders kept going west, towards the Black Woods.”
“How many?”
“Five, but I saw tracks for more, many more.”
Pushing the lad for more information might make him suspicious, so Bern changed the subject. “Why’s the Lady come out so far from the castle?”
“Always has, tis’ her way. I go with her sometimes when she visits the outer cottages. I like those times, she always has good things to eat for everyone, fills the whole cart she does.”
“Takes all day, does it?”
“Most the time two, we stay over at my Aunt Roberta’s.”
“You have a big family.”
“That’s what she says. I used to feel sorry for her.”
“Why?”
“She has no one, but she told me she didn’t need any family, she had all of us and we were her family.”
“Is she?”
“Family?”
Bern nodded.
“Everyone watches out for her and no one would dare harm her, I guess that is family.”
“I think you are right.”
“I better get Squire. Will you ride back with her?”
“Do you want me to?”
The boy looked him up and down. “She would be safe with you.”
“I hope you are right.” The feeling there was much more to Lady Amelia than he ever realized struck Bern hard.
He’d watched as she tended that baby as if it were her own child. He may naught have been around landed ladies on a regular basis, but the ones he did know never gave a hoot about how their tenants fared. The thought of tending a sick child would revolt them.
All he ever saw in Amy was concern and a level head. God, she looked like an angel to him.
A feeling started in his gut while he watched her with the baby. At first Bern couldn’t say what it was, but as it grew stronger there was no denying what he felt. He wanted to see her holding his babe, son or daughter it mattered little, as long as it was his child in her arms. She would be beautiful, her belly swollen, carrying his child.
The enormity of what he admitted to himself came as a staggering blow. He never held these kind of thoughts before. Even stranger was the truth that until she awoke in his arms, like she did that morn, he knew, he’d naught really felt any feelings towards her, other than a challenge to combat his boredom until the next battle called him. Oh, her lands were worth a large ransom, but Bern had his own holdings and in all honesty hers didn’t matter. In truth they would be a drain on his time and resources to defend.
She’d probably scald him with those glorious eyes of hers if she knew his thoughts concerning Morgan Castle and its holdings. Even with all his faults, Lansing was doing an admirable job running the place and that shouldn’t change. Bern would leave the old man half the men he brought with him to shore up his lacking defenses.
Hearing her say her goodbyes Bern straightened off the wall and prepared himself for her discovery over his presence. Learning so many of her secrets wasn’t going to set well with the lady.
“You saved her, Amelia.”
“Nonsense, you would have thought of the water yourself. I will have a cow out first thing in the morning.”
“Thank you.”
“Just take care of her, she is a beautiful baby.”
Leaving Emily at the door, Amy turned to face the last person she expected to see. “Bern!”
“Amy.”
She tried to read his eyes, but they were guarded. Maybe she should be grateful, at least he wasn’t raving mad at her, not yet at least.
They both seemed at a loss for words. Amy was caught and had no defense to give.
“We better head back.”
For the first time she noticed how late it was. “The feast! Oh, I am sorry.”
“Why? It seems you had more important things to attend to.”
Was he offended? “Not more important, Bern, just more urgent.”
She’d misunderstood his meaning, but selfishly he didn’t want to correct her. “Shall we?”
Amy accepted his hand up into the saddle. She watched as he ruffled Cal’s hair and told him to help his mother with the chores until his sister was well. It seemed the two had known each other some time.
The silence between them grated on Amy’s nerves. Her emotions ran from anger that he’d followed her, to guilt over making them late for the feast, and like a naughty child she wished he would just yell at her and get it over with.
Watching her silent fretting as she rode ahead of him, Bern couldn’t say why he didn’t tell her he wasn’t angry. Maybe in a way he was, but not for the reasons she would believe. The idea of her roaming over the countryside like this bothered him tremendously. And dressed like a lad--Ack! Any fool could see what she was, those womanly curves were impossible to hide.
By the time they reached the keep, Amy’s stomach was tied in knots. He hadn’t spoken one word to her since leaving Emily’s.
Mistress Tilly and the Captain were waiting for them. She couldn’t deal with the reprimand Lansing looked like he wanted to deliver. Turning away from him to the mistress, “The baby will be fine, we broke the fever.”
The lady gave her a great hug. “I knew if anyone could help her you could.”
Amy still needed to face Lansing because of her promise to Emily. “Please see that a milk cow is delivered to Emily’s by first light, their cow has gone sour.”
“Now you’re giving away the cows!”
“No, just trading one for another.”
“Aye and who’s gathering the better bargain?”
“I did.” No more needed to be said, she saved a baby and that was all the mattered. Before she could escape into the castle Bern’s deep voice halted her.
“Lady Amelia?”
It took the last of her composure to face him. “Yes.”
“Do me a favor?”
“If I can.”
“Next time you need to leave the castle, I would like to escort you.”
“A request, Lord Randall?” She liked to have bit her tongue for questioning his jester.
“Aye Lady, a request.”
His eyes told her it was up to her to accept it as given. “In that case, I promise to inform you.”
She left them with lighter steps, deciding that maybe her life here wouldn’t be so awful after all.
CHAPTER 3
“Enough Mistress, I must get down there.”
“Worried about the Laird, are we?”
“No, of course not, it's just I have already made everyone wait din
ner.”
“Oh aye, we mustn't be rude.”
“Right. No, please hurry.”
“Just a touch here…”
Amy wanted to grab the bone comb out of the woman's hand.
“There, finished.”
Amy practically jumped off the stool Mistress Tilly kept her pinned to while fixing her hair.
“Ye best calm down.”
“No time.” Amy turned and hugged the woman. “Thank you for helping me.”
Tilly watched the girl rush out the door. “Ah she looks like a princess tonight, couldn't have picked a better man for the lass than that one.”
Both her hands filled with her skirt to lift it high enough as she danced over the stone steps. All the layers of clothes were so awkward and took forever to put on, but Amy felt lovely in the soft ivory brocade. A band of royal blue satin with gold ivy embroidered on it outlined the scooped neck, flowing sleeves and hem line. A sleeveless, open front cloak of royal blue flowed down to the floor with a circled train at her back. Her hair was covered in sheer gold silk that floated over the curling waves to her waist. A rolled crown of ivory wrapped in shiny blue stones circled her head. Amy never felt so nervous about how she looked before now. She refused to admit all her worry rose for Lord Randall's benefit. No, it must be only the changes in her life that set butterflies off in her stomach.
The musicians' lutes were nearly drowned out by the boisterous laughter and loud voices coming to her from the great hall. Amy's steps faltered at the alcove's arch as her enlarged eyes took in the colorful crowd.
“So many.” The awe in her voice fell heavily over the returning fears that she could honestly pull this off. New doubts flew up before her, all of them could be her undoing. If they did discover she was an imposter the sentence she would face wouldn't by healthy.
“Cold feet, my Lady?”
“What?” Caught in her own mire of troubles Amy spun about nearly falling into Bern's arms.
“Planning on backing out?”
If only she could. Amy's wits came to her rescue and she thanked his hold on her for clearing her head with astounding speed. “Would you like me to?”
“You are a foxy creature, aren't you?”
“Only when the need arises.”
“Ah, so you aren't immune to me, after all.”
If he wanted silence from her that did it. Their eyes locked and she probably never would have pulled away from his devouring gaze if he did not prick her pride with that male smile of his that he failed to repress.
“You really are full of yourself, Lord Randall. What a blow it must be when the maidens don't drop at your feet.”
His laughter filled the alcove they stood in. “Ah my dear Amy, but they do, have no doubt on that score.”
Why did she let him get to her so easily?
Bern wanted to tell her how rich the color of hazelnut glowed within the blue in her eyes right now. He could swear she was truly jealous. She looked so exquisite, from lad to fairy queen in a blink. Her cheeks were high in color against the glowing cream of her skin. He never appreciated the female form or beauty as much as he did when he looked upon her. The touches of gold in her gown set off her dark lashed eyes in an exotic light. She looked every bit the regal beauty of the manor, no other woman could hold a candle to her radiance.
Bern knew he needed to move with her now or sweep her away as he wanted for only his eyes to feast upon. Locking her away in the tower was a barbaric thought, but damn if he didn't want to do it.
“Shall we join your guest?”
“We better before they all pass out.” Relieved that he didn't take the seductive spell he wove around her any further, she accepted the arm he offered. Her palm practically burned over the corded strength rippling beneath her touch.
“Your wine stores will probably never recover.”
“No doubt your men will insure they don't.”
“Your own guests are not doing too badly for themselves.”
Trying not to display the discomfort she felt by what he unknowingly told her, Amy's eyes scanned the tables as they passed. It wasn't difficult to separate the fighting men and her ladies in waiting from the royal guest in attendance.
Her feet tripped over each other as the vise on her stomach tightened, thankfully Bern's attention was taken up by something one of her men shouted. Amy bit her lip wondering how she would ever fool everyone. Surely, Lady Amelia knew them all and by name no less! Never in her life did Amy feel the desire to run far and fast as strongly as at that moment.
Somehow she managed to make it to the head table without alerting Bern to her rising panic. She kept a smile plastered on her face and nodded to everyone that looked her way. You are a fool Amy Bonner to think this will work.
“I promise to hold your hand all night if it helps.”
Her gaze hid none of the wonderment she felt over his offer. When he raised her clasped fingers to his lips, the heat from his caress sent a fire coursing through her. “If only…” Realizing she spoke out, Amy bit her lip and pulled her eyes away.
“Trust me, Amy.”
No, she heard him correctly, the probing eyes waiting for her own were too open to lie. She wanted to, heaven help her, but she so needed to believe in this man. But everything kept happening too fast. What if all this turned into some fantastic dream?
Her gaze fell away in indecision, not liking the anguish she felt over the possibility of never seeing him again.
Steeling herself, she warned herself not to let her guard down, the risks were too great. But the man sitting beside her dominated her senses. Bern, she never knew anyone like him. Nor did she feel so affected by a man this way. Just sitting beside him could be unnerving.
Like now, he failed miserably over hiding his anger for her failure to accept him. He didn't need to say anything, his eyes told her. Somehow she sensed the emotions buried deep within that awesome body.
Amy tried to explain away her response to him. She wasn't herself. Being thrown back in time and all, would crack a statue. To wake, be kissed senseless by a stranger and then engaged before she could catch her breath, things like this just didn't happen this fast to Amy, at least not the person she used to be.
But I am not that woman anymore and everything tells me I won't be her--ever again!
Those endless dark pools were burning into her senses. Anger? God, he could shake this place to its foundation with its strength.
Berating her wandering thoughts, she knew she just missed something vitally important.
“Ye had your chance, Amy.”
Her fingers clutched her skirt to keep from reaching out to halt his rise beside her. Amy swallowed hard, knowing she just earned his suppressed rage.
The slow smile he graced her troubled gaze with chilled her in warning. The raising of his wine goblet silenced the room.
Bern damned the beauty staring at him for the volatile emotions she could fire to life. Never did a woman affected him so, making him question the wisdom of going ahead with the announcement she chose not to make to her guest. If she expected him to release her for her refusal, Bern decided, she best learn his intention of becoming a permanent fixture in her life!
“The Lady Amelia has given me the honor of announcing our betrothal, her shyness is one of the endearing qualities I find myself drawn to.”
Captivated by the smiling lie he gave her, for their audience's benefit, Amy found she couldn't escape the dreaded hold of his condemning gaze. Her mistake cost her dearly and Bern wasn't above embarrassing her in payment.
“Aye, the Lady's charms are endless, it is no wonder I find myself compelled to make her my wife.” Bowing to her, his desire to crush her flawless composure took on an unreasonable intensity. “No doubt she will light the halls of Randall Castle with the same vibrancy I have found here at Morgan Castle.”
Remaining impassive to his announcement, one that sent hushed whispers threw the crowd, took all of Amy's willpower. Knowing everyone waited for her r
eply, she unconsciously sought out the one responsible. The challenging light in his ominous gaze made her suck in her breath.
Amy told herself she didn't mistake what she felt from him or the expectant people in attendance. Unfortunately, Amy was the only one that didn't understand what they all waited for.
Commanding herself not to drop her eyes from his, she touched his out-stretched goblet with her own. From somewhere she found her voice, praying her words would not be outlandish enough to expose her.
“Your challenge, my Lord, is flattering, but may be difficult to accomplish.”
Bern found the air trapped in his lungs as he accepted her coy rebuttal against their leaving Morgan Castle.
“I hope your praise will not be regretted, my Lord.”
The half smile he gave her was all he could manage. No, she did not deny him before the audience, but neither did she truly agree. Bern added cunning to his growing list of her attributes.
He raised the goblet as she did, his halted before drinking. “To our future.”
To survive the intensity his eyes held her in, Amy forced her own to lower. She could not afford to let her guard down in his company again. She felt she defused the disaster about to take life, but next time she might not be as fortunate.
His curiosity became insatiable where she was concerned. Ever since the toast she gave him her full attention, guarded though it might be. He couldn't help but wonder what unlikable plans were churning behind her lovely smiles. He'd be a fool to think he could trap her into leaving here so easily. That she seemed, to all, contented with their pending wedlock kept him even more on edge. He could have sworn he sensed she was about to run from the hall earlier.
The thought she might actually think of him as a challenge pricked his pride. The admission he himself perceived her as one, didn't gentle the insult he felt she deliberately turned on him.
And yet, Bern knew she suddenly became much more than a dallying game to break his boredom and appease the demands of his station to produce an heir. Watching her, his eyes were sharp and picked up the slight tremble in her lips to maintain the smile she gave the Duke of Westbrook. It wasn't shyness as he stated earlier as an excuse. Somehow he felt the woman's fears as if she were trying to hide something. And more, almost a protective wall about her and in her mannerisms. But why? What did she fear?