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

was,” Stacey said. “You’re awfully perceptive.” 
    “May I tell Eric?”
    “I would rather you didn’t.  He might use it against me, but I’ll not ask you to keep a secret not yet, anyway.”
    As they rode along in companionable silence, Stacey asked, “How old are you, Rodric?”
    She remembered that young men were considered grown at a much younger age in the Middle Ages than in the 21 st century.  
    “I will be eighteen the first of next month,” he said. “There will be a party. Ye are welcome to attend, if ye wish.” 
    “Thank you; if I’m still here I will attend.” 
    “Do ye think you will be leaving?”
    “I don’t know,” Stacey said, “and that is the truth.”
    As they rode back to Dun-Raven Stacey was awed by the beauty of the countryside.  As they neared
    Dun-Raven castle, Stacey caught her breath and said, “Oh, my god, Camelot could not have been more beautiful.” 
    Rodric was surprised and asked, “How be it ye know of Camelot?” 
    “I read, remember?”  
    Confused, Rodric said, “But ye be not English.” 
    “Did I say I was English?  I can read Latin, but I’m not from Rome.  Now, tell me about Dun-Raven.  How long has it been here and who is your king now?”
    “Our king be Edward III.  The castle has been here well over a hundred years or more.  Eric’s ancestor, Rollo FitzMorgan, came with William the Conqueror. Eric’s father, Geoffrey FitzMorgan, died of wounds that he received while fighting in Scotland. Eric was only twelve and still fostered to Hampton keep.  His uncle Hugh took over Dun-Raven, but when Eric was fourteen, he gathered an army and with the help of my father, he took back what was rightfully his. He sent his uncle to live at Finwick castle where he could keep an eye on him and his treacherous ways. For more information, ye must need to ask Eric.  I know more about Hampton keep than Dun-Raven.  I will be the Earl of Hampton someday, but not too soon, I pray.”
    “You’re a nice kid,” Stacey said. “You’re much nicer than your brother.” 
    Rodric smiled at Stacey and said, “I am not a child, Stacey.  I am a man full grown.” 
    Stacey laughed and said, “Yes, sir.  I stand corrected.

Chapter 3
    The Misunderstanding
    W hen they arrived back at the castle, it was mid-afternoon. As they came around the side of the castle, Stacey told Rodric, “I will help with the horses, but first I need to go to the lavatory.”
    “No, ye will not be allowed to help.  That be the duty of the groomsmen.” 
    “If that’s so, where were they when we saddled up?”
    “I be not sure, Stacey but I do know they have much to do. They be good hard working men otherwise they would answer to Eric.”
    “Sorry,” Stacey said, “I’m sure they are and I didn’t mean to imply they weren’t. Please forgive my rudeness, but I’ve still gotta go to the lavatory.”
    Stacey didn’t see the earl by the doorway as she started inside. He said, “Stop wench.  I would speak with ye.” 
    “Okay, in just a minute,” Stacey said. “I’ll be right back.”  As he was coming towards her, she put both of her hands behind her and was backing away from him. Again, she said, “I really need to go.  I’ll be right back, I promise.”
    The lord of Dun-Raven said, “Ye will go when I say ye can go.  I will speak with ye now.”
    “Are you deaf or something?” Stacey said. “I’m telling you I need to go to the garderobe.”  That stopped him dead still and his face suffused with color.  Stacey saw his color change and knew he was angry, but she couldn’t worry about that now; she needed to pee.
    After washing her hands and face, she was on her way back downstairs, when Lady Margaret asked her to step into her solar for a minute.  She said, “I understand our ways and customs be new to ye, Miss Stacey, but ye must not embarrass his lordship in front of his men.” 
    Stacey was shocked and asked, “And how did I do that?” 
    “By