Ice Maiden (10 page)

“Amy your dreams, sweet Amy, were very
revealing. Nay, not dreams my lady, but night terror that stalks
your every breath.”

It was the fury in his voice that drew her
frightened gaze back to him.

“Your secret is my own, Amy.”

Her lips parted, but she couldn’t form the
words to ask if she understood him correctly.

It was hard not to eliminate the distance of
the room between them, but Bern made himself stay in his protective
position at the door. She needed to find her belief in him. “I was
fooled at first by the changes I felt and saw in you. You do look
like her, on the surface. But a man sees more in a woman than she
would like him to.”

She wanted to pull away from his staring
invasion, but Amy’s willpower lost its way a long time ago when it
came to Bern. Not even the threat he posed to her very existence
could let her turn away from what she hoped she heard.

“Amelia didn’t hold your vibrancy, nor the
fiery passion you come to life with in my arms.”

A cry of sanity told Amy to deny what he
believed. To live she should stop this, now! “It was only a
kiss…”

“Ice to fire in a breath, nay, t’was a
different woman.”

“That’s absurd.”

“I’d agree, only I’d held both women and by
doing so the comparison shed a bright light over the words you
spoke and then confirmed in sleeping terror.”

Bern held up his hand to stop her next weak
protest. “Every day in your company leads my instincts to an acute
awareness of the woman that now exists with me. Your words,
actions, even your infernal insistence to my diet. Ach, lass, you
cannot hide in my presence.”

The movement he made in conjunction with her
ended the flight to nowhere she gave into. They stared at each
other like two fighters squaring off. Amy couldn’t stand the
tension another moment. “All right! What will you do with me?”

“Do?”

“Yes, damn it! What end do I face?”

He wanted to shake her silly for fearing him
like this. Didn’t she realize from his words that he wouldn’t
expose her? Seeing the naked fear in her lovely eyes, tightened his
gut in a vise. Nay, of course she would be afraid of his knowledge.
There was also a glint of defiance behind the fear. A pride he
always knew existed in this woman, one that would fuel her need to
run from the one man that could rule her independent spirit. “Your
end, as you put it, woman, has not changed.”

Straightening before him, she refused to let
her fear reign, wanting to know exactly what she faced because of
the fate now out of her control. “Could you be more specific?”

“I’ll soon show you in vivid detail, but for
now our marriage will take place sooner than planned.”

“You are not serious. I am not her, you know
I am not.”

“Aye, but it doesn’t matter.”

Biting her lip, she felt as if he’d tossed
her into the ocean’s waves. Was it his pride or worse that made him
face this act. She desperately tried not to ponder the greed she
feared might drive him. Amelia’s lands were vast and by everything
she learned a wealthy holding. So much so he’d marry the imposter
to possess the holdings.

What of her? Of her feelings toward him? He
kept watching every movement she made, but Amy’s damaged pride made
her gaze remain bold on him. Proud arrogance glared back at
her.

She became such an intriguing creature, Bern
prayed that soon they’d find the peace to enjoy each other. But now
all he saw in her was the battle he’d hoped to avoid. He wished she
could accept his comfort and protection as offered, but Amy Bonner
proved as stubborn as she was frightened.

Turning away from her before his heart ruled
his good senses, he knew he couldn’t risk making any mistakes if he
were to succeed in keeping her safe. Unlocking the door Bern stood
within the frame and called to his men, waiting in the hall.

Amy’s steps faltered before his authoritative
call. When did the gentleness in this man disappeared? She realized
she held her breath waiting for his order, fearing to hear the
dreadful words sending her to the dungeon. The crazy wish that she
would never see the wretched place during her sleepless nights
didn’t make it disappear.

His gaze never left her paling features as
the men halted at his back. Her eyes slowly raised and he saw all
the anguish he wanted to shield her from. “Guard Lady Amelia with
your lives men. No one is to enter her chambers and she is not to
leave…for any reason!”

He wasn’t sure if it were shock or hate that
drove her bright glare back at him. All Bern cared about is that
she came to no harm and he feared her own desire to flee to be as
fierce as any enemy beyond the stone fortress.

Bowing slightly to the unspoken insult
lashing out of her icy blue pools, “Tis for ye own good, my
Lady.”

Amy refused to beg before him, but how she
wanted to scream at his leave, demand he stay and give her
more--give her the right answer!

Alone through the endless hours since he left
her, Amy paced and worried herself sick within her prison. Not even
Mistress Tilly could enter, passing her dinner through the blockade
of his guards.

She pulled her gaze away from the untouched
food, letting them drift to the lightning sky beyond her open
balcony. Already she could hear his men moving about, but then she
doubted anyone slept that night.

When the first cry of battle echoed in the
mist strewn dawn, Amy raced to her balcony. Her gaze swept the keep
finding him almost instantly. As if he felt her eyes upon him
Bern’s head swung about to seize her gaze. Amy cursed the distance
and men keeping her from his side. Without thought her hand reached
out as if she could touch him.

The languid smile that graced his stern
features lasted only a second before his voice bellowed out orders
and that powerful stride took him away from her sight. Amy’s
fingers clenched into a fist, dreading what would come. “Take care
my rouge Lord, take care.”

All the pain and anger deserted her, replaced
by her fear for the man so embedded in her heart. No matter what
fate she still might face, nothing must happen to him. For the
first time in her life Amy looked into her heart for the answers.
What she found was love, a love that she died to find and one she
vowed never to lose.

She felt the presence behind her, but refused
to turn away, not wanting to be denied the sight of him.

“Lady Amelia? Lord Randall asks that you come
back inside for your own safety.”

“And what of him?” The embarrassed blush she
caused from the guard defeated her argument to stay.

The guard left her alone, once he was
satisfied she would stay in her chamber. The shouts and angry yells
beneath her in the keep tightened her stomach in a powerful hold.
Once, her frantic pacing took her back to her lookout, but an arrow
landing in the opening stopped her with its harsh reality. Her
thoughts never left Bern and the wound that she feared would hinder
his movements. “Please be safe, my love. Ach, but you are and no
denials will change what has happened between us.”

The battle went on and on, causing Amy to
lose track of time. How could they fight so many hours? “Doesn’t it
ever stop!”

Amy waited in agony for him to come to her.
The sun began to set and with it Amy’s final grip on her composure.
Hearing the door begin to open she started running for it.
“Bern!”

His name caught in her throat seeing Captain
Lansing standing in the opening. “Captain?”

“Aye lass, the Lord sent me to see how ye
faired.”

The ill feeling of seeing the man struck Amy
as odd. After all, he was Amelia’s guardian, but why didn’t Bern
come? Unconsciously her gaze went to Bern’s guard, almost relieved
over their presence. What she failed to see at first were the other
men behind the captain.

“Are ye ill child? I’ve never seen ye so
distraught over a battle before.”

Taking a steadying breath, her hand absently
pushed back her lose hair that long ago escaped its confines. “I am
fine, Captain. How are we fairing?” She took a chance asking the
Captain, considering his feelings towards Bern.

“Fine lass, not to worry, no breach made. Ye
can thank that Lord of yours and his men, a right fine fighting lot
they be.”

Why did she sense anger in his boast? No, not
just anger, but a seething hatred. Amy stiffened against her
raising instincts. “Thank you for coming, Captain Lansing.”

She wanted him to leave. When he didn’t she
fought the urge to back away from him. Before she could react the
Captain advanced.

Everyone moved at once, his men surprised
Bern’s. The fight went swift and silently deadly. Amy’s horrified
gasp became lost as the Captain and his men advanced into her
room.

“Ye have been out of sorts lately, lass. Now
ye best come peaceful. I’ve no heart to hurt ye, but I will if need
be.”

“What are you doing?” Backing away she
quickly ran out of space. Her gaze swung to the men that fanned out
in back of the Captain. Their act alone made her shiver over the
danger they posed. “Get out!”

“Tch, Lass, ‘tis for ye own good. That Lord
will ruin everything if I let him have his way.”

“Captain, he won’t I promise.”

His snort made her moan inside.

“Ye are too smitten by him to think
straight.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Why save ye Lass, Sir Peter is a much better
match for ye.”

“No…” Amy’s cry didn’t stop the man. “Oh
please, you are wrong.”

Shaking his head at her. “Get her men!”

Too many strong hands ended her pitiful
attempt to escape. The gag forced passed her tight lips destroyed
any thought screaming. The ropes tying her wrists together ended
her fight.

Amy’s stunned gaze wanted to hide from the
deranged man advancing on her, but the men holding her even
prevented that defiance.

“Now lass, see what ye have driven me to.”
Lansing’s finger caught the tear that escaped from her frightened
eyes. “Take her away.”

The force with which she landed over one of
the brute’s shoulder nearly knocked her senseless. Amy felt vaguely
aware of the dark corridor they raced through. The cooler air told
her they were outside the castle walls.

She tried not to show how painful their
treatment became, but failed miserably when they flung her up and
onto a horse. Only the brute that mounted behind her kept her from
falling off.

They rode as if the devil were at their hells
and the belief he would be gave Amy the only hope to keep her
sanity. Bern would follow, her conviction and belief in him were
too strong for doubts.

The branches whipped at her face and hair
leaving stinging reminders of what she still would face. Amy told
herself over and over that this man, this Lord Humbolt could not be
the man she knew as Peter. Despite logic her fear mounted with each
racing hoof fall.

Their ride was short, but Amy’s thoughts were
too chaotic to notice until all movement stopped. The sounds of
muffled voices unwillingly drew her attention. She could make out
the Captain’s voice, noting how smug he sounded. She wanted to
disappear and must have swayed because the rough hands holding her
bit into her arms to straighten her.

“Here now man, she looks done in. Captain you
really should restrain your zealous men, I don’t want her bruised
senselessly--that pleasure is only for my hands.”

Against her will Amy’s tortured eyes rose to
confirm the horror she felt standing so close.

Peter! She couldn’t pull her incredulous gaze
away, his evil seemed to draw her closer. No, how could it be him?
He moved nearer until his vile hand came to rest on her cheek. His
fingers traced the tender scrap a limb left on her cheek. The pain
made her blink to fight back the tears.

“A bruise on your delicate face, Amelia? I
was wrong not to take the upper hand with you before, so much time
has been wasted.”

His gaze raked over her breast stopping at
the torn material she couldn’t reach to close. What she saw in his
lustful eyes revolted her senses. Raising her foot she kicked his
chest sending him stumbling back from the unexpected retaliation,
nearly unseating herself and her captor in the process.

“You little bitch. I’ll soon tame your
rebellious spirit.”

His hold was cruel as he pulled her
protesting body down from the horse. Amy’s knees weren’t strong
enough to hold her up once they touched the ground, giving him the
advantage to jerk her up hard against him. “My little schemer, you
are hardly a match for me.”

“Now look here Lord Humbolt, ye can’t treat
Lady Amelia like this.”

Shoving her into the arms of one of his men.
Amy watched in terrified silence as he turned and advanced on
Captain Lansing. She tried to warn the Captain away, but the gag
and hands holding her back ended her feeble attempt.

“You seem distressed Captain Lansing.”

“I thought ye would be better for the lass.
I’ve made a mistake.”

The tears constricted her throat, he wasn’t a
cruel man, only mislead by his need to protect Amelia. Oh, how
wrong he’d been and Amy groaned at the price she feared he would
pay for the error.

“It is too late to change your mind,
Captain.”

“Like hell it is, release her!”

The man’s wicked laughter made Amy shake from
head to toe. His cold glare delighted in her fear.

Dear Gawd, in truth he wasn’t Peter, not the
man from her time, but Amy saw and felt the same terror, if not
more, from this conceited vermin. Here there were no laws or social
codes to hinder the man’s brutality. Here he was the law.

“I am afraid Captain that it is out of the
question. Put her on my horse!”

Before they dragged her away Amy caught the
flash of silver from the knife Peter drew from his belt. Her scream
didn’t carry far enough to give the Captain any warning.