Ice Maiden Read Online Free PDF Page A

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