Free A Fall Through Time (Stacey and Shane Mcleod, #1) by Rikki M Dyson Page A

cares?”
    “Miss Scott, mayhap ye have had enough wine,” Eric said.
    Stacey waved her finger at him and said, “Nope, nope...Nooo.  I was always the designated driver in college, but here I don’t drive.”  At that precise time, Isabelle spilled a drop of wine on her breast.  She caught it with her finger and then licked her finger. Every male at the table was spellbound. 
    Stacey turned to Rodric and said, “I’m glad those monsters are good for something.”
    “Stacey, let us go for fresh air,” Rodric urged.
    Stacey ignored him and asked Isabelle, “How did you get your hair that color?  I know they haven’t invented peroxide yet.”
    “I wash my hair in saffron,” Isabelle said.
    Stacey, shocked to her core asked, “Do you know how much that stuff costs?”
    “As a matter of fact I do not,” Isabelle said, as she looked toward Eric.
    Stacey looked at Eric with disgust in her eyes and said to Rodric, “Now I think I need some fresh air.”
    As Stacey and Rodric left the table Isabelle said to Lord Thomas, “Surely ye not be thinking of matching that person to Rodric. She be so incongruous.” 
    “She be the orphan niece of an old friend of mine,” Lord Thomas said.  “No, of course not,” Eric said.
    “Well no, I had not thought on it, but now that ye mention it, I may think on it.”
    “Surely, ye lordship, ye see she is not suitable,” Isabelle said.
    “Why do ye think not?” he asked.
    “To begin with she speaks strangely,” Isabelle said, “and who be her family?”
    Everyone within hearing distance knew he was lying, but they all liked Miss Stacey.  She treated everyone the same as if they were all equal, where as Lady Isabelle looked down on almost everyone there.  They all knew Lady Isabelle had hopes of being the next Countess of Dun-Raven.  As far as the castle folk were concerned, she was the earl’s leman, his whore, nothing more.  When Lady Isabelle comes to Dun-Raven, she brings her own servants.  She does not want uncouth country servants touching her finery and that was just fine with them.
    Rodric and Stacey were walking around the gardens. “What turned ye loose on Lady Isabelle?” Rodric asked.
    “You’re a man; you wouldn’t understand.”
    “Did ye and Eric have another fight?” 
    “Yes, that’s about all we ever do.”  Stacey turned to Rodric and asked, “What makes a man want a woman like that?” 
    Rodric smiled and said, “She be not Eric’s alone.  She shares her charms with many men.”
    Stacey was shocked.  “Does Eric know?”
    “Of course he does,” Rodric said with a bit of a laugh. “I’m surprised she came this far.  She does not like the country.” 
    “Maybe not,” Stacey said, “but she wants his title.” 
    Rodric smiled and said, “Eric be not a fool, he be aware of what she wants. What about ye Stacey, what do ye want?” 
    “I just wanna’ go home.”
    “What be Eric angry with ye about this time?” Rodric asked.
    “I told him where I came from and he went to London to try to find me a way home.  Like a fool, I told him about Druid’s Grove.  He went there and of course, there was no dig,” Stacey said. 
    “Did ye tell him why?” Rodric asked. 
    “No, he was too angry to listen and I was too angry to explain.  I’m gonna’ ask your mother and father if I can go back to London with ya’ll when you leave after your party.” 
    “I think it would be best if ye told Eric everything.” 
    “Are you crazy?” Stacey said. “He would probably tie me to the stake and light the first match. I don’t think I feel like being roasted, if you don’t mind.”
    Rodric laughed at her and said, “I would love to see ye world Stacey.” 
    “So would I,” Stacey said. “I’ll tell you all I can, but first we must make a pact that you will never tell my secret to anyone except Callie, after you two are married.” 
    “How did you know I plan to marry Callie?” Rodric asked in amazement.
    “I have