The Jester's Apprentice

Amy Saunders

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2011 Amy Saunders

Other Titles by Amy Saunders at Smashwords.com:

Dead Locked

Bast & Immie

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Cover photos used by Roy Blumenthal and Jodiepedia

Thanks to the legend of Robin Hood for introducing me to my favorite historical era.

Chapter 1

The night before her wedding, Philippa dreamt that she married a skeleton. He wrapped his cold fingers around hers and led her, her parents, and other wedding guests in a circle dance, moving faster and faster until she dropped from dizziness. He leaned over her and laughed as fire engulfed his empty frame, shooting out of his eye sockets. She awoke in a sweat, peering around the room until sure the skeleton wasn't there. The world seemed very empty, and as Philippa's eyes closed against her will, she fancied the skeleton's face did resemble her future husband a little. She told herself as she drifted back to sleep that she would leave Ainsley Hall and all its unpleasant memories behind the next day - and never look back.