Read Online The Butterfly in Amber by Kate Forsyth - Free Book Online Page A

Gallows Pond. Tomorrow is the last day of the month, and our last chance to save our family.’
    â€˜But Gallows Pond is in Richmond Park,’ Emilia said. ‘That’s why I remember about the countess. I realised at once that her house must be close to where we’re all meeting.’
    â€˜But Gallows Pond is right at the end of Richmond Park, near Kingston, don’t you remember?’ Luka said. ‘The park is huge! And we really don’t have time to go wandering about looking for some countess whose name we can’t even remember.’
    â€˜It was the Countess of Dysart,’ Emilia said. ‘I remember because it sounds like dessert. And her house is called Ham House. They sort of seemed to go together, like honey and ham.’
    â€˜It can’t be called Ham House!’
    â€˜It is.’
    â€˜What is it, some kind of pig farm?’ Luka said.
    â€˜Would a countess have a pig farm?’
    â€˜Why not? Anyway, who cares? We haven’t got time to be going around asking. Don’t forget our own pig-man. He’ll still be on our trail. And there’s not a hope we got through London unnoticed, leading our dearest Sweetheart around by the nose. Every street caller for miles around will be talking about the two ragamuffins with their pet bear.’
    â€˜But, Luka –’
    â€˜Don’t go on about it, Emilia! We’ve got an awfully long way to go, and not much time. Let’s just get to Gallows Pond, and meet up with ourfriends, and think about how we can best get everyone out of gaol. Can’t you see that’s the best plan?’
    Emilia set her jaw stubbornly, but did not argue anymore, following Luka through the hot, crowded streets to the river. They found a boatman who was willing to take Maggie’s gold earrings in return for some food and drink, and a berth on a boat heading west along the River Thames to Kingston. It was a relief to sit down and stretch out their dusty feet and lift their faces to the breeze. It had been a long day, full of alarms and apprehensions.
    Soon the sun set into clouds as high as castles, and an early dusk settled over the countryside. The water was purple-grey, and rocked under the prow of the boat, parting and falling away in two long white curves. Emilia’s head was heavy. She sighed, yawned, and let herself rest her head against her sleeping cousin’s arm. In moments, she was asleep.

    Emilia’s grandmother came to her in a dream. Maggie was ragged and filthy, her grizzled hair full of straw, her back hunched with pain. She seemed to be trying to warn Emilia of something. She waved and pointed over Emilia’s shoulder, and mouthed words. Watch out . . . he comes . . .
    Emilia woke with a jerk. She sat up, and looked about her anxiously.
    All was dark. The only light came from their lantern, which shone like a red star in the night. Far behind them were the lights of other boats, casting fiery ripples across the river. The only sound was the splash of the water against the hull, and the ceaseless melancholy call of frogs in the reeds.
    The men rowed on in the darkness. Luka was curled up beside her, Zizi huddled against his neck. Rollo was snoring softly at her feet.
    Emilia looked back at the other boats. One was far bigger than the others, and alight with flaming torches which glanced off the metal of many helmets and pikes, dazzling her eyes. Emilia bent and shook Luka roughly awake.
    â€˜Wha . . . what is it?’ he mumbled.
    â€˜Soldiers,’ she whispered. ‘Coming up fast.’
    Luka was up at once, swinging his pack onto his shoulder and scooping up Zizi, who clung to his coat, blinking her big round eyes. ‘We have to get away!’ Luka said, scanning the great stretch of black water with worried eyes.
    The steersman had turned his head and was looking back towards the soldiers’ boat too. He cursed under his breath. ‘Just our luck,’ he grumbled softly