A Fall Through Time (Stacey and Shane Mcleod, #1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

brought the goblet of buttermilk, Stacey reached up for it.  As she did so, her sleeve fell back exposing her badly bruised wrist.  She was quick to cover it; however, Eric saw the bruise Rodric had told him about earlier.  Eric did not realize he had held her wrist so tightly.
    “Lord Hampton, I thought you were gonna’ be here for Rodric’s birthday,” Stacey said, imploringly. 
    “I will return,” he said. “Lady Margaret and Rodric will be staying.”  It was obvious Stacey was relieved that they were staying. Lord Hampton said, “Miss Stacey, I am leaving Sir Perceval to help ye in any way he can.  Should ye return to the rune stone or any place ye care to ride, he would accompany ye. I beseech ye to have a care and always take him with ye. Do I have ye promise?”
    “Yes, milord, I promise,” Stacey said, as she looked down the table at Sir Perceval and said a silent, thank you, to him. From the look on the knight’s face, you could see that thank you, meant more to him than gold. Eric watched all of this wondering how she could have such an effect on his people. Even my dog prefers her company to mine, he thought.
    Eric told his mother, “I will also be leaving on the morrow for a few days.  I will accompany Lord Thomas as far as Finwick keep.” 
    “How long do ye think ye will be gone, son?”
    “No longer than necessary, Mother. I hope to still have a castle and retainers when I return.” His mother smiled at his remark.
    None of this mattered to Stacey, other than the fact that the grumpy black beard would be gone for a few days.  That sounded like a stroke of good luck to her. The next morning, before the earl of Dun-Raven started his journey, he spoke with his mother and Sir Perceval, “We know nothing of this wench.  Me thinks she be secretive and mendacious.  Do not be taken in by her,” he warned.
    Sir Giles was out on the practice field with the young squires.  The earl had taken Jaron, his squire and Franklin, his body servant, Walt, his groomsman as well as other knights with their servants. As the large party rode out, Stacey felt as though she were reprieved. Once again, she was touring the castle and grounds. She was fascinated by the castle. It was an honest to god working castle. She had seen and toured Windsor castle in the twenty-first century, but Dun-Raven castle impressed her more. The castle folk were very polite, courteous and answered her many strange questions. Stacey wasn’t sure how long the black bearded one would be gone from the castle so to quench her curiosity she was ubiquitous.

Chapter 4
    Freedom rings
    S tacey had been wearing the same clothes for three days, so she asked Lady Katherine where she could bathe and wash her clothes. The clothes, which belonged to her daughter, Callie.  Stacey had met Callie at the table but did not get a chance to talk to her other than to thank her for the loan of her clothes. Stacey was looking around the washhouse when Callie came with clothes in her arms. “I have not many,” Callie said, “but ye are welcome to share what I do have.”
    Stacey thanked her again and said, “What I’d really like are some boy’s clothes.”
    “I am sure that will not be permitted,” Callie said.
    “And why not?” Stacey asked.
    “It be not seemly for a woman to dress as a man, but I will see what I can find,” Callie said, with a mischievous grin.
    To pacify Stacey’s unquenchable curiosity, she wanted to have a good look in the stables before she bathed.  She had only a slight look when she and Rodric saddled the horses to ride to the meadow again earlier in the day.  As she came around the barn there was a corral with a huge gray stallion in it.  Stacey came over to the fence and started talking softly to the horse.  A stableman came over and told her that she must not get too near the fence.
    “Why not?” Stacey asked. 
    “This great horse be the master’s destrier.  He be a war horse that be trained to