Page 59 of Forgotten Secrets (Secrets of the Heart 4)

Chapter 19

Bedivere did his best to avoid Lord Whitmore, heading out to the stables the next morning. He had come here looking for the last assassin, planning on asking the stable boy questions to see if anyone seemed out of place.

Thankfully, Lady Ernestine loved the fact that Bedivere’s family was there and was treating them like royalty, letting them stay at the castle. She was so thankful that Bedivere had saved her from the burning building that she gave his family extra care and attention. That was a good thing because with all the attention they were getting, it protected them from men like Whitmore. And with Willow and Maira spending so much time with Morag, he felt she was protected as well. He’d heard stories that Maira was a force to be reckoned with and could use a blade just as well as most men.

He would take a quick look around and then head back to the great hall and stick close to Rowen. The assassin was most likely waiting for the opportune moment to make his move.

“I figured you’d show up here sooner or later,” came a voice from behind him.

Bedivere stopped in his tracks and groaned inwardly, seeing Lord Whitmore leaning against a stall.

“Whitmore,” mumbled Bedivere. “What do you want?”

“Leave us,” Whitmore instructed the stable boy.

“Aye, my lord.” The boy bowed quickly and ran out to the courtyard.

“My man has gone missing,” said Whitmore. “Would you happen to know where I could find him?” Whitmore stood up straight, his dark eyes drilling into Bedivere.

“What man?” he asked, watching Whitmore’s face screw up.

“You know damned well who I mean. Now, tell me what you did with him.”

“All I know is that he lost the joust yesterday to Rook and then disappeared. He was probably so embarrassed that he failed that he hightailed it out of here.”

“Stop it, you fool!” Whitmore grabbed Bedivere by the front of the tunic. “I know you had something to do with his disappearance, and I promise you that you’ll pay for it.”

When he yanked on Bedivere’s clothes, Bedivere grimaced slightly at the pulling against his stitches. Whitmore noticed and yanked his tunic aside.

“You seem to be hurt in the exact spot I heard Sir Raft was wounded. I find that too much of a coincidence.”

“Let go of me.” Bedivere pushed the man’s hands away. “You need to leave here because our work together is finished.”

“It’s not finished until I say so. Since my man failed to do his job, it looks like the next one will have double the work now.”

“Why are you doing this?” snarled Bedivere.

“I am eliminating three threats against the king.”

“We both know that the bastard triplets have no plan to hurt or kill the king. So tell me, what is the real reason you want them gone?”

Whitmore looked down his nose and he donned his gloves. “Do your job and don’t ask questions.”

“I told you, I’m done doing your dirty work,” said Bedivere.

“You have one more job to do or you can say goodbye to your mother forever.”

Bedivere stopped pushing the man with his words. He had to watch his step until he was able to free his mother. “Reed Douglas isn’t even here. I can’t do the job if I don’t have a target.”

“Then finish off Rook instead, I don’t care. But you owe me and I won’t forget it.”

“Bedivere, are ye in here?” Morag showed up at the door to the stable and stopped in her tracks when she saw him talking to Whitmore. “Oh, I didna ken ye were busy.”

“He’s not busy now, but will be soon.” Whitmore turned and pushed past Morag, exiting the stable.

“What is it, Morag?” asked Bedivere, feeling as if the walls were closing in around him. “What do you want?”

“I was comin’ to tell ye that Uncle Rowen said he’s no’ feelin’ well today and that he’s goin’ to call the healer for a potion. It seems he drank too much ale last night.”

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