Page 3 of Forgotten Secrets (Secrets of the Heart 4)

“Married? To who?” asked Conall.

“Whoever I choose for ye. I assure ye that the lassies will be Scottish.”

“Then we’re no’ goin’ to England?” whined Dugal.

“Nay, we’ll stay right here in Scotland where we belong,” Reed said in finality.

“But Da, there will be lots of single knights there,” said Morag. “Mayhap I’ll even find one to marry. After all, I am older than the twins, so I should marry before them. Then I can have a bairn like Fia and give ye a grandchild as well. Dinna ye want more grandchildren?”

“No daughter of mine is goin’ to live in England, or marry a Sassenach,” growled Reed. “So get that absurd idea out of yer head right now.”

“Reed, the girls already lived in England for nearly ten years of their lives,” Maggie reminded him.

“That was only because the king ordered it,” growled Reed. “Morag, when I decide to betroth ye, it’ll be to a Scot and no’ a stinkin’ Sassenach. Do ye hear me?”

“But I’m already well past marryin’ age,” Morag reminded him. “And Fia got to choose her husband, so I should, too.” Morag had to get back to the secret garden and this was the only way to do it. She needed to convince her father to let her go. Morag crossed her arms over her chest and lifted her chin in the air defiantly, challenging Reed and waiting for his answer.

“Morag,” gasped Fia because of the bold way Morag approached their father. “Ye were no’ given that permission from the king like we were.” Fia spoke about herself as well as their cousins, Willow and Maira.

“Fia, take the bairn back into the house before she catches cold,” said Maggie, throwing a glance of sympathy in Morag’s direction.

“Mathair, I really want to return to Rothbury,” begged Morag. “Please convince Faither to let me go.” If she were going to be mentored by Mazelina in secret, this was the only chance she would get. Morag had to get there without divulging the secret. It was eating her up not to be able to say a word about it, but she had kept her promise thus far.

“Reed, Lady Rothbury was the girls’ guardian,” Maggie reminded him. “Morag is correct in sayin’ we should show our respect for the loss of her husband. I think not only her, but all of us should go to Rothbury to support Lady Ernestine in her time of need.”

“Nay.” With a set jaw, Reed shook his head stubbornly. “There is no reason for our family to be there. There will be plenty of others to comfort her. Besides, ye ken that I never wanted the girls to live at Rothbury in the first place. Therefore, I dinna feel we owe anythin’ to the late earl’s wife.”

“Reed Douglas, ye are as stubborn as an old goat!” Morag’s mother crossed her arms in front of her chest as well. “If ye want everyone to ken that we were no’ appreciative of what the earl did for our girls, then so be it. But I dinna agree with ye at all. Ye are lettin’ yer hatred for yer late father cloud yer judgment.”

“Nay, I’m no’,” protested Reed. “Besides, Edward is dead and gone so what does it matter?”

“Ye act like ye hate the English, and that has to stop.”

“But I do hate them,” said Reed.

“Quit foolin’ yerself.” Maggie matched her husband, not afraid to stand up to him. “Just like Morag said, ye are really English. Just accept the fact and quit pretendin’ to be a Scot.”

Reed ran a hand through his hair. “I dinna care. I still dinna want to go.”

“Then I’ll just go,” offered Morag. “I will represent our family so Lady Rothbury kens how appreciative we are for her guardianship. I’ll also tell her that we are sorry about the earl’s death.”

“I dinna like it,” mumbled Reed, looking at the ground.

“It’s all right, Reed,” said Maggie, taking Reed by the arm. “I will stay here with ye and the children. If Morag wants to go, let her. After all, Lady Rothbury sent her messenger with a missive all the way to Scotland.”

“Not only a messenger, but two guards and me as well,” said Branton, overhearing their conversation.

“Why are ye even with them?” asked Reed. “I thought ye were squire to Maira’s husband now.”

“I am,” answered Branton with a smile. “But Lord Jacob let me come along with the traveling party because I missed Fia and Morag and wanted to see them.”

“Umph,” grunted Reed.

“Can I go back to Rothbury with them? Please, Da?” begged Morag, pouting like she used to do as a child, hoping to change her father’s mind. “I’ll only be there until the festival is over. Mayhap a few months and then I’ll return home.”

“A few months?” Reed made a face. “It shouldna take that long to find a new lord of the castle.”

“But the festivities dinna start for over a fortnight yet,” Morag reminded him. “Didna ye read that in the missive?”

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