Free The Inscription by Pam Binder

beam that ran lengthwise across the kitchen. Thankfully all the fish, meat and fowl from the evening meal had been cleaned up. The kitchen was spotless and smelled of cinnamon and doves. She took a deep breath.
    Candles, perched on a ledge above the fireplace, shed light on the long trestle table that was covered with flour. At the window a young woman, about fifteen or sixteen, sat with her legs tucked underneath her as she gazed out at the night. In her lap she held what looked like a small telescope. She recognized the young woman. It was Elaenor, Lachlan’s sister. The telescope seemed an odd interest for a woman in the Middle Ages.
    A cat meowed and Amber looked down toward a tabby ball of fur as it noisily lapped milk from a saucer near the stairwell. She bent down to scratch it behind the ear. The animal looked at her and hissed, before darting into the shadows.
    “King Arthur does not like to make new friends.”
    Amber walked past the cold hearth toward the young woman who had spoken.
    “Cats don’t always like me at first. But I keep trying. I’m Amber.”
    Elaenor carefully held the telescope, untangled her legs and stood. “I know your name. You are the one my older brother pulled from Loch Ness, and the one he has announced he will marry.“
    Amber slipped her hands into the folds of her dress, in an attempt to appear casual. She hadn’t a clue how a sixteenth century, betrothed woman was supposed to act. The good news was that these were usually marriages of convenience, so she didn’t have to appear love struck every time Lachlan came into the room. Although, if she didn’t regain some control, that was exactly how she was going to appear.
    “You must have a lot of questions about your brother and me.”
    Elaenor shook her head. “Nay. The reason will be made plain with time. However, I am curious as to why you are awake at this hour. All in the castle have long since gone to bed.”
    That question was easy. “I couldn’t sleep.” Elaenor sat on the table. Her feet dangled over the edge. “I have the same problem. Besides, tonight there were only a few clouds blocking the stars. I did not want to waste it by sleeping.”
    Angus had said that Elaenor preferred books to people. Amber could understand what the young woman felt. Escaping into a fantasy world had been a big part of her life as a child. She scooted awkwardly onto the table beside Elaenor and almost fell off when her legs tangled in the yards of fabric she wore. She pointed to the telescope.
    “It’s a good night for watching the stars.”
    “How is it that you know of such things?” Amber shifted on the table to make herself more comfortable. She could always say she’d taken her students on a field trip to the observatory at the University of Washington in the twentieth century.
    And then help the locals build a witches’ bonfire for her. Or she could lie. Actually, a half-truth would work. She searched for the word used to describe Gavin’s tutor.
    “I’m a schoolmaster… ah, schoolmistress, and I read about it in a book.” She knew that women in Italy had taught during this time period: her only hope was that Elaenor knew it as well.
    Elaenor nodded as though the concept was not a new one to her. “Did you read that Copernicus published his theory stating that the planets revolve around the sun?”
    Amber guessed by the way Elaenor was staring at her that the comment was considered controversial in the sixteenth century. What the heck. She figured she could only be burned once at the stake. Amber adjusted her skirts. “I think I’ve heard something like that.”
    “He also believes the planets and stars are driven by spirits.” Elaenor looked down at her telescope. “What do you believe?”
    Amber let her breath out slowly. She’d be willing to bet that everyone steered dear of Lachlan’s sister. Elaenor went straight to the point. It was a little unsettling. She smiled. People like Lachlan’s sister were a lot