Page 55 of Forgotten Secrets (Secrets of the Heart 4)

“I just saw the –” she looked around and leaned in closer. “The assassin.”

“You did? Where?” Bedivere had his sword drawn in a second.

“Put that away.” Her hand shot out to cover his. “Ye are goin’ to attract attention,” she said, using her hand to lower his arm. Then she took hold of his arm and nodded and smiled to the kitchen help as she and Bedivere exited into the corridor.

Once they were in a secluded hallway, Morag continued. “I saw him,” she said, feeling her heart about beating out of her chest. “He was a tall man with a small black beard and mustache.”

“All right, but that sounds like every man here.”

“This one has a long blade that Agnes said isn’t proper for the kitchen, but more for huntin’. For guttin’ a carcass.”

“Where did he go?” Bedivere was on high alert. He looked across the courtyard but Rook was already at the lists.

“He’s goin’ to kill Uncle Rook.”

“Damn. And Rook is scheduled to joust this morning. I see Lady Ernestine heading for the lists as the competition is about to start.”

“Go, Bedivere. Save my Uncle Rook. Please.”

“I’m on my way,” said Bedivere, taking off at a run toward the practice yard.

“Morag, where have you been all morning?”

Morag turned to find Willow approaching with her hand on her huge stomach and her servant who drove the cart at her side.

Morag looked back, worried for Bedivere as well as her uncle, but decided she needed to keep Willow away from the joust if there was going to be trouble.

“Willow. Why dinna we head to the kitchen to get somethin’ to eat? I’m sure ye must be starvin’.”

“I am hungry, but I wanted to see Father joust in the tiltyard. You know how much he likes the joust. He’d give up food before he turned down a chance to do it. It will mean much to him that I am there.” The servant boy stepped on the back of Willow’s gown and she stopped and turned around with a scowl on her face. “Do be more careful,” she scolded, pulling the gown out from under the boy’s foot.

“So sorry, my lady,” apologized the servant.

“I should have brought along my handmaid,” complained Willow. “I’ll have to find Lady Ernestine and ask her if I can have one of hers assigned to me during my stay. Have you seen her?”

Morag knew Lady Ernestine was at the lists since Bedivere had just told her. But she couldn’t let her cousin, especially not in her condition, be anywhere near the field if someone was about to be killed. She could only hope it wasn’t going to be Willow’s father.

“Let’s go see if Lady Ernestine is in the great hall.” Morag took her cousin by the arm and directed her toward the keep once again, feeling very nervous for Bedivere as well as for Rook.

* * *

Bedivere hurriedto the practice yard, barely able to find Rook because the area was so crowded. Then he saw Rook with a squire helping him prepare for the joust. Bedivere trusted no one. Hurrying closer, he watched the squire help Rook don his partial plate armor.

“This is too early for a joust, Sir Rook,” said Bedivere, moving through the crowd and stopping next to him.

“I know,” answered Rook with a chuckle. “I haven’t even had food to break the fast yet. Lord Whitmore told me I was scheduled to joist with someone named Sir Raft. I didn’t want to miss it.”

“Sir Raft?” Bedivere didn’t remember hearing this name before. “Who is he? Do you know him?”

“Nay,” said Rook holding out his arm so the squire could buckle his arm piece. “I suppose he is someone the earl knew and Lady Ernestine invited. Perhaps from overseas.”

“Where is he?” asked Benedict, looking around the stable.

“I saw a man with a lance go behind the building a minute ago,” said the squire. “Mayhap it was Sir Raft, although I don’t know him either.”

“Cancel the joust for now,” Bedivere urged Rook. “Let’s go get a bite to eat.”

“Whatever for?” Rook pulled on his glove. “Everyone knows I love a good joust. I wouldn’t miss this for the world. And even though I told Lady Ernestine I am not competing for the earl’s holdings, I will never turn down the opportunity to show off my skills.”

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