Ice Maiden Read Online Free Page B

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