Page 25 of Forgotten Secrets (Secrets of the Heart 4)

“Why would you say that?”

“Because I oftentimes hear them talkin’ and sayin’ they feel sorry for Richard.”

“Sorry for him? Why?”

“My Uncle Rowen was once a pirate and loves to live by the sea. Uncle Rook used to live underground in the catacombs and is happy now just being a knight.”

“What about your father?”

“My faither doesna care about sittin’ on a throne. He loves the Highlands and wants to stay as far away from England as possible.”

“So, they really have no desire for more riches.” Bedivere pondered the thought.

“Before, when they were kent as the Demon Thief and raided the king, it was because of vengeance against Edward wantin’ them killed as babies. But that is over now and they have changed. I dinna even ken why I wrote their names on the list because if they said they didna want the earl’s castle and lands then they meant it. I’m afeard I have just taken three spots from some lords who really want what the earl left behind.”

“Thank you for telling me that, Morag,” said Bedivere, realizing by Morag’s words that the bastard triplets were most likely not plotting to kill Richard after all. And after hearing this, he wondered if, perhaps, Lord Whitmore received bad information.

“Look at that cloud,” said Morag. “It reminds me of Ben Nevis.”

“Who?” asked Bedivere, not even paying attention.

“The highest mountain in Scotland.” She sat up and looked at him with excitement in her eyes. “Havena ye ever climbed it? I will have to take ye there someday.”

“Aye, you do that,” he said.

“What do ye see in the clouds, Bedivere?”

“I see rainclouds and suggest we get back to the castle quickly or you’re going to get wet.”

“Nay, I dinna think it is goin’ to rain.”

Just as she said that, a clap of thunder rattled the sky and big drops of cold rain fell against her face.

“Ye’re right, as always. Let’s go,” she said, running for her horse.

He helped her into the saddle and was about to mount his own horse when she called out.

“Wait! I forgot the flowers.”

“I’ll get them,” he said, hurrying back to pick up the flowers, taking a moment to sniff them before heading back to the horses. He knew now he couldn’t kill Morag’s father and uncles. By Morag’s words and the feeling in his gut, he felt as if he’d been fed a lie. He needed to stop this nonsense before innocent people got killed. But he wasn’t sure how he was going to tell Lord Whitmore that the Legendary Bastards of the Crown were not going to die by his hand after all.

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