Page 20 of Forgotten Secrets (Secrets of the Heart 4)

“I dinna ken,” said Morag. “I am no’ sure my faither and uncles will like that. Nay.” She shook her head. “I’d better no’.”

“Come along, Lady Fia.” Bedivere’s arm remained extended as he took a step closer to her.

“Fia?” Morag scowled at Bedivere, resenting the fact he’d called her by her sister’s name again.

“I mean, Maira . . . er, Morag.” He continued to hold out his arm. “I am sorry but, for some reason, I keep forgetting your name.”

Bedivere watchedMorag’s brows dip down in frustration and how her mouth pursed in aggravation. He’d purposely called her by her sister and then her cousin’s names and made sure to add that he’d forgotten her name when he really hadn’t. It was a mean trick, and it didn’t sit right with him, but he had to do it. Once the bastard triplets found out they’d been added to the list and entered for consideration, they wouldn’t back down. He was sure of it. No man with a lick of pride or a brain in his head would turn away a chance as sweet as this one. The earl’s holdings would make someone a very rich man, indeed.

They walked together to the practice yard where Morag wrote her Uncle Rook and Rowen’s names on the list, but then stopped and stood up.

“What’s the matter?” asked Bedivere.

“There is only one spot left,” she said.

“Then use it for your father.”

“I dinna see my sister’s husband, Conrad’s name on the list. I think I’ll enter him in the last spot instead.”

“Conrad?” asked Sir Bedivere, not expecting her to say this. “Lady Willow’s husband?”

“That’s right.” Morag smiled and bent over, bringing the quill back to the parchment.

Bedivere panicked. He needed all three of the Legendary Bastards there, so Morag had to write down Reed’s name in the last spot. Besides, he didn’t want Sir Conrad Lochwood there because he would most likely bring his wife. Willow knew Bedivere’s secret and would most likely tell Morag when she arrived.

He reached out and clasped his fingers around her hand, not taking the chance that she would ruin his mother’s only chance for freedom.

“Sir Conrad will forget about this over time,” Bedivere whispered into her ear, pressing up close against her. “But your father . . . he will never forget what you did for him. It will be remembered for the rest of your life.”

Feeling like the devil, he brushed his lips up against her hair, and caressed her hand with his. He wasn’t sure if it was all part of his scheme or if he did these things because he really liked her. Being so close to her he could smell the hint of heather in her hair and the fresh air of the Scottish hills in her clothes. It made him long to leave England and all his troubles behind him.

The sun broke through the clouds and lit up her strawberry-blond locks with an aura that reminded him of a halo. She was an angel, he decided, and he was the devil. There was no doubt about it. He already regretted deceiving her because he truly did not want to hurt her. However, it was too late because the damage had already been done. Whenever Bedivere set out to convince a woman of something, he never failed.

“All right,” she agreed, like he knew she would. “I will sign my father’s name to the list in the last spot.”

He nodded slightly, watching her write down the last name of the Legendary Bastards of the Crown, sealing his fate as well as the fate of the triplets, though she didn’t even know it.

“That’s my girl,” he mumbled, letting loose of her hand as she scribbled down Reed’s name.

“Do ye really think that because of this, I’ll never be forgotten?” asked Morag, looking up to him with her big, innocent, brown eyes that seemed to believe every word he said. Of course she’d believe him. After all, she was a gossip and trusted everything she heard without question. She blinked a few times and when their interlocked gazes lasted a little too long, she shyly dropped her focus to the ground.

“Aye, Morag,” answered Bedivere, wanting naught more than to stop this premeditated act from happening, but not being able to do so. “I can honestly say that what you just did will never, ever be forgotten.”

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