Page 9 of Forgotten Secrets (Secrets of the Heart 4)

Chapter 3

Morag stood in shock with her mouth wide open, not sure how to respond to Sir Bedivere’s insults. It was a desirable thing to be a virgin, but no one liked to hear that they kissed like a dead fish! She had been thinking how romantic his kiss was, and how alive she felt by the tingle that ran through her. Silly of her to believe he might have felt the same way. Men like Sir Bedivere Hamilton were probably used to whores, she decided. Aye, that must be it. He most likely had never had a woman with royalty in her blood. He was most likely covering up his own insecurities by trying to point out hers.

“Did I just see Sir Bedivere kiss you?” asked Branton, walking up with the reins of a horse in his hands. He looked over his shoulder as he spoke.

“What if he did?” asked Morag, not wanting to admit she had acted so wantonly.

“Isn’t he the one who wanted to marry your cousin, Willow?”

“Aye, I suppose he is,” she answered nonchalantly, biting at a hangnail on her finger.

“That’s right. He’s the one who Willow said she didn’t like. Didn’t he try to get her into his bed before he even asked her to marry him?”

“Branton, there is no need to gossip!”

“Think, Morag. You remember. After the competition to choose brides and after Willow turned him down, he had her alone in his chamber. It almost caused a scandal. The father of the girl he was supposed to marry wouldn’t let his daughter be married to the scoundrel after all.”

“Branton, that is enough!” snapped Morag. “I dinna want to hear another word about it.” She now found herself attracted to Bedivere and his brash remark of her not knowing how to kiss made her want to try it again.

“Morag?” Branton looked at her oddly. “You are the one who is always the first to spread gossip. What is the matter with you that you are telling me to be quiet?”

“Mayhap I’ve changed,” she told him, feeling the need to jump into the conversation but yet she fought to stay quiet.

“Morag,” called out Lady Ernestine Beaufort, the earl’s late wife from the other side of the courtyard. She was thankful to be interrupted because if Branton kept up with this, she was going to join in and talk about Bedivere behind his back as well.

“Lady Ernestine!” Morag hurried over to the woman who had been her guardian for the past eight years. Branton followed on her heels.

“My dear, sweet child.” Ernestine held out her arms and Morag rushed over to give her a hug. “I am so happy you are here.” The woman wasn’t any taller than Morag. She was a round, plump lady who could barely get her arms around Morag to hug her. Tears formed in the woman’s eyes.

“Lady Ernestine, I bring condolences from my family on the death of the earl. He will be missed by everyone. He was a guid man,” Morag told her.

“Aye, he was,” said Ernestine, pulling back and dabbing a tear from her eye with a square of cloth. “Where is your family, Morag?”

“They didna come,” she hated to admit. “It was too hard for Fia to travel with the bairn and all.”

“I understand. But what about your father? Where is he?” Ernestine looked around the courtyard. “Don’t tell me he’s not here either. Didn’t he get my invitation?”

“Oh, he got it,” interrupted Branton. “I was there, so I know. He said he didn’t want to come to Rothbury.”

“Didn’t want to come to Rothbury?” The countess’ face clouded over and her smile turned into a frown. “Why not?”

“Branton,” Morag grumbled, throwing him a daggered look. “Shouldna ye be headin’ back to Durham Castle now that ye’ve escorted me to Rothbury?”

“I suppose so,” said Branton. “I’ll just sign up Sir Jacob to be considered for the earldom before I leave.”

“Oh, don’t go,” begged the countess. “I do enjoy having you here, Branton. You lived here so long that you are almost like the son I never had.”

“He is a squire now to Lord Jacob, my cousin Maira’s husband,” Morag informed her. “He needs to get back to Lord Jacob’s side.”

“Aye, but only to tell Lord Jacob I’ve put his name on the list. Then I’ll be back along with him,” Branton remarked.

“Nonsense, I’ll send a messenger to tell him so you can stay here with Morag,” insisted Lady Ernestine. “I feel so lonely now that the girls have all left and my husband passed on, so I would like you to stay. I’m sure another week or two without you isn’t going to ruin Sir Jacob.”

“Nay, that’s no’ necessary,” Morag blurted out, not wanting Branton to stay. He had seen her kiss Sir Bedivere and would most likely tell everyone about it. Not that it bothered her that much, but he was also used to gossiping with her and it was going to be hard to stop if he was constantly whispering in her ear.

“I thank you, Lady Ernestine, and will take you up on the offer.” Branton smiled widely, making Morag groan inwardly.

“Was that Sir Bedivere I saw talking with you, Morag?” The woman glanced across the courtyard to where Bedivere was now conversing with a guard.

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