Page 19 of Forgotten Secrets (Secrets of the Heart 4)

“I don’t want to do it, but I will take any action required to save Mother from that hellhole. I will take her away from the misery and suffering of losing her husband and seeing her children treated so poorly. I promise, she will never have to suffer again.”

“Then you’d better think of a way to get the bastards here and fast. Are they coming for the competition for the earl’s castle and lands?”

“I don’t know,” said Bedivere, taking another swig of wine. He banged the goblet down on the table and jumped up. “But I know someone who can get them here, and I will see to it that it happens.”

* * *

“Where have you been,Lady Morag? I was worried about you.” Branton met Morag in the stable, his arms crossed over his chest and a stern expression on his face. “You know you are not supposed to leave the castle unescorted. It’s dangerous.”

“I wasna gone long and there was no trouble so ye needna worry.” Morag dismounted and opened her cloak. “Besides, as ye see, I had my dagger for protection.”

“You’re not Maira, Morag. You don’t even know how to use a blade.”

“Nay, I’m no’ my cousin, and I’ll warn ye no’ to compare me to her again.”

“You don’t need to get snippy. I’m just trying to protect you.”

“I dinna need yer protection.”

“Then how about my protection?” asked a deep voice from behind her. Morag turned to see Sir Bedivere and his squire standing in the door to the stable.

“Sir Bedivere.” Morag already felt the blush staining her cheeks just at his presence. “I didna ken ye were there.”

“Pardon me for interrupting, my lady, but I couldn’t help overhearing that you are in need of a bodyguard.”

“Nay, she’s not. She’s got me.” Branton stood taller and rested his hand on the hilt of his sword attached to his waist.

“Branton, dinna ye have to get back to Durham?” asked Morag through gritted teeth. “After all, ye are supposed to be Sir Jacob’s squire now.”

“Nay, it’s all right. You know as well as me that Lady Ernestine sent a missive to Sir Jacob. And I’ve already added his name to the list of competitors. Now, I am only waiting here for him to arrive. The list is almost full, Morag. Did you add your father’s name as well as the name of your uncles?”

“Nay, no’ yet. I am no’ sure I will since ye said they werena interested in obtainin’ the late earl’s lands or castle.”

“Now, you can’t really believe that, can you?” asked Bedivere, surprising her by his words. “After all, don’t you think your uncles deserve it? And wouldn’t you like your father to own a castle as well?”

“Well, I suppose so,” admitted Morag.

“Then come.” Bedivere held out his arm. “Allow me to escort you to the practice field where you can add their names to the list before it is too late.”

“Do ye really think it is a guid idea?” Morag wasn’t sure her uncles would like that, and she was sure her father would hate the idea after he almost didn’t let her come back to England.

“I most certainly do. It’s a wonderful idea.” Bedivere was very convincing.

“But the three of them already said they werena interested,” she explained.

“They’re being modest,” said Bedivere with a deep chuckle. “But then, what can you expect from the sons of a king? Since they are bastards, they probably don’t think they deserve it, but I assure you they do. Matter of fact, I know they will thank you later for adding their names to the list and giving them the chance.”

“Aye,” added his squire. “I’m sure they’ll never forget what you did for them, Morag.”

“Never forget,” mumbled Morag, pondering the thought.

“Do it,” said Branton.

“As my squire, Percival, said, it’s a noble act to think of your father and uncles,” added Bedivere, making it hard for her to say no.

“Noble,” she repeated, thinking of how her sister and cousins had crowns given to them by the late queen. She wanted to feel noble, too.

“You’d better hurry,” said Percival.

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