Page 79 of Forgotten Secrets (Secrets of the Heart 4)

Morag giggled and rolled her eyes. “Now, that is a made up story if I ever heard one. Willow, it’s no secret that ye dinna ken how to sew.”

“I do now.” Willow handed Morag the gown and picked up a small baby’s dress, holding it in the air. “I learned, and have been sewing clothes for my baby.”

“Do you think you are having a girl?” asked Ada.

“I am not sure. And that is why I made this as well.” Willow proudly displayed an outfit for a little boy, too. “And Morag, as soon as you are pregnant, I will make clothes for your children as well.”

“This is beautiful,” said Morag, holding up the gown in front of her. “Willow, marriage sure has changed ye.”

“Marriage will change you, too. Hopefully, for the better,” added Willow with a giggle.

“What about a gown for Lady Ada?” asked Morag.

“Oh, no, that’s all right,” said Ada. “I have lost so much weight being imprisoned that I am sure none of those gowns are going to fit me.”

“Then we’ll do something about that.” Willow picked up a small box and pulled out a needle and thread. “Lady Ada, would you like your gown to be yellow, orange, or burgundy?”

Morag watched as Lady Ada’s eyes lit up and she went over to the trunk to choose a gown. Sometimes, the little things in life were taken for granted. Morag knew that now. Something as simple as a gown seemed to make Lady Ada come back to life. Morag felt blessed at this very moment and knew that she would never take anyone or anything for granted again.

* * *

A half-hour later,Morag walked through archways that were brightly decorated with colorful ribbons and bows. She wore her new gown and clutched a bouquet of fresh, small, white flowers that Maira and Fia had picked for her from down by the creek. Lady Ada had woven spring violets of purple and blue into Morag’s braid making her feel like a queen.

Morag didn’t have a fancy crown like her sister or cousins, but she no longer needed one, she decided. She was marrying Sir Bedivere, and that was more than she could ever ask for.

She made her way through the very crowded courtyard with Fia, Maira, and Willow all walking with her, arm in arm. She’d insisted on it, since this was her special day and they were her family.

When they got to the dais, she saw her cousin, King Richard, sitting with Lady Ernestine. He nodded to her and she nodded back. Now, she felt even more special than the other girls since she had a king at her wedding, not to mention a good amount of nobility from across the land.

“Morag, you are beautiful.” Bedivere stood at the foot of the dais by the priest, holding on to the arm of his mother. Lady Ada looked beautiful and so happy now that she was cleaned up. She had chosen a bright yellow gown. Bedivere gave his mother a kiss on the head and escorted her over to sit with his aunt, uncle, and siblings.

Morag’s family sat on the other side. When she got to the front, Willow took her flowers and the girls stood off to the side.

The priest walked forward with his prayer book in his hand. “This is a very special wedding with two amazing people,” said the priest before he proceeded to marry them. When Bedivere placed a ring on Morag’s finger, she looked up to him in surprise.

“Where did ye get this?” she asked.

“It was my mother’s wedding ring,” he told her. “She said she wanted you to have it.”

Morag felt the tears in her eyes. This was the last memory the woman had left of her late husband and she gave it to Morag even though she barely knew her. After the vows, they kissed and everyone clapped and cheered. Then King Richard stood, and the crowd silenced.

“I, King Richard, would like to be the first to congratulate my cousin, Morag, on her marriage to Sir Bedivere.”

The crowd cheered once again, the sound of the roar sent an exciting shiver up Morag’s spine. She had never felt so important and noticed in all her life. Everyone was paying attention to her and she loved it.

Next, Lady Ernestine stood up. Once again, the crowd silenced. The king continued.

“Lady Rothbury has been surveying every knight, baron, and earl on the list for the past two weeks and has finally come to a conclusion.”

Everyone listened intently as they waited for their name to be called.

“I asked her to give me three names of the men she thought were the most worthy of inheriting the late earl’s holdings,” continued Richard. “However, she has only given me one.”

Now, the crowd seemed to get upset. A low mumble of voices filled the courtyard.

“I have spoken with her, and decided that there is no need for more than one name, because only one man deserves to inherit the earl’s castle, lands, and riches.”

“Who is it?” someone called out anxiously.

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