“Not in the least, my dear. I’m glad to be of service.”
“Come,” Bracken broke in. “Our food is served.”
They all retired to the tables then, Bracken at the head, Megan to his right, and Aunt Louisa to his left. Lyndon sat by Louisa, and another knight, Kendrick by name, took a place on the bench next to Megan.
Bracken and Megan shared a trencher. Bracken was the consummate gentleman, seeing that all the best cuts of meat went to Megan’s side of the wooden platter. Conversation flowed freely among Bracken and the others, but Megan had little to say. Bracken’s eyes lingered on her for most of the meal, and by the time they finished, he felt he would do anything to see her smile.
As it was, he was about to get his wish. They had just stood when Clive, another of Bracken’s vassals, announced Vincent’s presence. Megan excused herself and moved with a calm face to the main doors of the castle, Bracken at her heels. She continued to walk sedately until she spotted him coming up the path, whereupon she ran the last six yards and quite literally threw herself into her father’s arms.
Vincent hugged her close. When he released her to put one arm around her shoulders, Bracken, who was now upon them, was able to see her smiling face. It took his breath away.
“More wine,” Bracken instructed a serving woman and then sat quietly as Vincent and his men ate their fill. In order to give them privacy, Megan and Louisa had retired to the south hearth, but there had been little talk until now. Bracken felt the time had come for him to explain. Vincent had not seemed at all upset, but Bracken knew by the way he greeted his daughter that there must be much on his mind.
“I want to tell you of your men, my lord.”
Vincent forestalled him with a hand. “We saw their graves. I thank you for seeing to the burial. Can you tell me what happened?”
Bracken shook his head. “I know little. Megan said they died saving her.”
“She was unharmed?” Vincent’s gaze grew intense.
“It would seem so.”
“And once she arrived here?”
Bracken drew a deep breath. “She was not harmed, but neither was she well taken care of.”
Vincent began to scowl as Bracken filled him in about Megan’s work in the creamery and eating and sleeping in the keep.
“I’m sorry, Lord Vincent, I was not here, but I still take full blame since I did not make provisions for the possibility of an early arrival.”
To Bracken’s amazement, Vincent did not seem distressed. Instead his eyes suddenly lit with good humor.
“You say she slept in a stall?”
“Yes, Lord Vincent.”
Vincent chuckled softly. “I think I want you to call me Vincent, and if I told you some of the situations Megan has gotten herself into over the years, you would understand my pleasure. Hear me now,” Vincent’s voice grew serious, “when I tell you that I would never countenance abuse toward the girl, but Megan is a survivor—always has been. If she had wanted into this castle before you arrived, she would have come.”
Bracken’s dark brows winged upward. It was true. Megan had been standing before him in the war room little more than an hour after he arrived.
“I’m only glad she was unharmed,” Vincent said with quiet conviction.
“Can you tell me why she arrived early?”
Vincent’s brow lowered, and all pleasure left his face. “Megan and her mother do not get on. They quarreled, and my wife took it upon herself to send Megan here. Had I been present, I would have stopped her. Unfortunately, I arrived back late last night and knew nothing of this until this morning.”
“And now that she is here, Vincent, do you wish her to stay?”
Vincent glanced up at Bracken and then down at his trencher to hide the gleam in his eye. This young lord was trying to conceal his interest, but it was there.
Good! Vincent’s heart declared. He is not a man to be bullied. With his mettle, he will make a fine spouse, worthy of my Megan.
“Since your aunt is now in attendance,” Vincent spoke aloud, “I see no reason for Megan to leave. I had planned on spending some days with her before she left Stone Lake, but I was called away.”
“Stay now,” Bracken inserted. “Stay at Hawkings Crest for as long as you wish.”
“I may do that,” Vincent replied slowly, not having thought of it. “I just may, but right now I wish to join Megan. I wish, for the sake of my men, to know what happened the night they were attacked.”
Nine
“I’M GLAD YOUR FATHER ARRIVED, Megan. I think he must have been worried about you.”
Megan smiled and nodded. She had not yet seen how well Lady Louisa could read and understand people, but she was comfortable with her. She had experienced little comfort at Hawkings Crest, and she found this a relief.
“I think you must be right. It’s so good to see him. We were to have some time together before I left, but then he was called away.”
Louisa nodded, accurately guessing more than she was told.
“Do you have many siblings, Megan?” Louisa asked with just the right amount of interest.
“Just one sister, Marigold. I haven’t seen her for some years.”
“She is older?”
“Yes, by more than two years. We have little in common. Lady Louisa, are you sister to Bracken’s father or mother?”
“I hope you will call me Aunt Louisa, as I am sister to Bracken’s mother, Joyce. After Bracken’s father died, our own father became ill. Taking all of Bracken’s siblings, Joyce moved many miles north to our own family’s keep, White Hall. Our father is dead now, too, but Joyce and the children have made their home there and are most content. You will meet her at the wedding.”
Megan nodded, looking thoughtful. “Has Bracken a large family?”
“Yes. He is the oldest, but after him are Stephen, Danella, Brice, Giles, and Kristine. Danella is married and expecting her first child, but no one else has wed. They live for the most part with my sister. I think you will meet them all at the wedding.”
Megan’s eyes had grown during this recitation, but she managed one more question.
“And Bracken’s father. Has he been long dead?”
“About six years. Greville died in battle, a great warrior he was. He made the king proud. Bracken is very much like him.” Louisa added this last bit with gentle pride, while giving Megan a sweet smile.
Megan smiled in return and asked, “And what about you Aunt Louisa, do you have children of your own?”
Louisa did have children, two grown sons whom she adored, but she was not given time to answer before the men strode into their midst.
“I have no want to upset you, Meg,” her father began, “but the men who escorted you have families. For their sakes, I wish to know how they died.”
Meg nodded, her eyes briefly skimming over Bracken and Louisa before returning to her father. She told her story quietly, her eyes on her father or on the fire in the hearth. She didn’t notice how Bracken’s jaw became rigid upon hearing the way she sat in the bushes and watched the men die. Nor did she see the pain in his eyes when he heard fear in her voice as she asked her father if he thought she would ever see the attackers again.
“No, Meg,” he assured her, taking her hand in his own. “You’ll be safe at Hawkings Crest.”
“So you’re leaving me?” The anxious words were out before she could stop them, and Megan blushed as she dropped her eyes to her lap. An awkward moment passed before Megan spoke, her eyes still downcast.
“I’m rather tired. I think I’ll go to my room.”
Both Vincent and Bracken stood.
“Will I see you tomorrow?” she asked of her father.
“I’ll be here.”
With that, Megan briefly met his eyes, wished them all a good night, and walked from the hall. Bracken’s eyes stayed on her until she was out of sight. A moment later he was relieved that Lyndon had need of him. He also bid his guests goodnight, leaving Vincent and Louisa alon
e.
“Would you like to be shown to your chambers, Lord Vincent?” Louisa asked solicitously.
“I believe I’ll stay awhile longer by the fire.”
“May I join you?”
“You do me honor, Lady Louisa.”
The two sat again. After a moment Louisa commented, “Megan is a lovely girl.”
Vincent smiled. “I know she is not certain about staying, not that I blame her after such a rough initiation, but I truly think it is best.”
“Bracken told me that she suggested her going home and his visiting from time to time before they wed.” Louisa suddenly thought that such a statement might seem impertinent, but Lord Vincent answered readily enough.
“That’s not possible,” he said quietly. “Megan and her mother do not get on well. It would be a difficult time for both of them. It would also defeat the purpose of Megan becoming better acquainted with Bracken before they unite their lives.”
“This is true,” Louisa commented and then fell silent. “They have not known a good start.”
“This is true also.”
Vincent speared her with a glance. She was choosing her words very carefully, and there was no need. He told her as much.
“In that case,” Louisa said, “I’ll tell you that Bracken seems very willing for this trial period. Megan, on the other hand, is not.”
Much the way Vincent had surprised Bracken at the table, he now took Louisa unaware by smiling.
“You are pleased, Lord Vincent.”
“Yes, I am. If I believed Bracken would shun and hurt Megan I would take her with me, but this situation has promise. Bracken will have to work hard to find Megan’s harmonious side, but I know it will be worth his effort.”
“She does seem to have a will of her own.”
Vincent chuckled. “She’s no man’s plaything, and if Bracken can get beyond her lovely face and engaging curves, he’ll find himself a wife whose worth cannot be measured.”
It was one of the most wonderful things Louisa had ever heard anyone say. She stared at Vincent for a long moment, but his eyes were on the flames, a small smile playing around his mouth.
Louisa suddenly remembered the sleepwalking and felt concern. Maybe she should go upstairs. Did Megan’s father know of the problem?
“Lord Vincent?”
“I’m sorry, my lady, I was not attending.” Indeed, his thoughts had drifted far.
“Bracken tells me that Megan walks in her sleep. Should I check on her now?”
Vincent’s frame stiffened. “Megan only walks in her sleep when something is upsetting her.”
Louisa did not know what to say to this.
“Bracken asked me to stay on if I so chose. Maybe I shall do so.” Again Louisa could not frame a suitable reply.
“I hope you will not find me rude, my lady, but I feel a sudden need to check on Megan myself.”
“Of course, Lord Vincent. I shall escort you to her room.”
The problem in the keep concerning the evening guard was swiftly handled by Bracken and Lyndon, so it wasn’t long before the lord of Hawkings Crest stood alone atop the wall. The night was swiftly closing in around him; it was one of his favorite times of the day.
Bracken was not a religious man, nor one given to praying, but he did believe in God and that He was in control. He would have given much right then to say that he knew God better, in hopes that he would then know what plans God had for the future. Bracken found himself wanting a life with Megan in a way that he hadn’t wanted anything in along time.
He could easily envision the fine sons they would have and just as easily put Megan’s fear of him at the back of his mind so that he could also envision a good marriage between them. It really made no sense. Megan clearly wished to be elsewhere, and he didn’t even know the girl. But Bracken felt a sureness deep within him that Megan of Stone Lake was the woman God had planned for him.
Bracken shrugged. He was growing maudlin. It was impossible to know what the future held, and being the logical man he was, Bracken started toward the castle. There was no point in losing sleep over the matter.
Vincent was out of the castle early the next morning, but many of the castle folk were already astir. He walked through the keep and around the grounds and was pleasantly surprised to find Bracken and Lyndon returning from the practice field. Both men were gleaming with sweat, and Vincent saw that directly behind them was the jousting field.
“Good morning to you, Vincent,” Bracken greeted him.
“And to you, Bracken. This is one of your knights?”
“Yes. Lord Vincent, meet Lyndon.”
“It’s a pleasure, sir,” Lyndon said with respect and then took himself off to the castle.
“You’re up early,” Bracken commented as they walked easily in Lyndon’s wake.
“Yes. I will accept your offer to stay for a few days, but with so little time, I did not care to lounge in bed.”
“Good,” Bracken returned sincerely. “I think Megan will be very pleased.”
“And mayhap a little more willing to remain here and get to know you better.”
Bracken smiled at his perception. “I do not wish to see her pine for you.”
“Nor do I. Keep in mind, Bracken,” the older man continued, coming to a stop, “Megan lived at the abbey for years. During her time there she learned a great deal, the most important of which is that her life there kept her unspoiled. Always remember that Megan will never yearn for a life of creature comforts. She does not put great stock in her surroundings as much as she does in the people surrounding her.”
Bracken nodded. It was a good thing to know. Still, he knew that Hawkings Crest could offer her better.
“I don’t know if you’ve been to see Megan’s room, but that chamber is just temporary.”
Vincent waved a dismissive hand. “You will find she is most settled. I would ask you, though, to take care with Megan herself. I speak without bias when I say she has many fine qualities, but that is not to say she has no faults. Pray, deal gently with her.”
Bracken was impressed with the older man’s honesty. “You are telling me she likes to have her own way.”
Vincent smiled. “What woman does not?”
Bracken only smiled in reply, but he knew that if he pressed Lord Vincent, the older man would have to admit that Megan was in a class alone.
“I do not wish to stay here, Father God, but I will do as I am asked. Please help me to know control of my actions and emotions. Please help me to deal kindly with all here.”
Megan stopped when Bracken came to mind. Did she mean him, too? In truth, she wasn’t sure. She had no wish to be mean, but knowing that he felt her troublesome, along with his interest in her sister, made Megan want nothing to do with him.
Megan immediately warned herself not to grow overly emotional. She had no real proof that Bracken was interested in Marigold. After all, he had only asked a few questions, and Megan recognized her own sensitivity where Marigold was concerned.
A knock on her chamber door brought Megan to her feet. She found her father waiting without.
“Come and break the fast with me, Megan.”
“Do you leave today?”
“No. I will be here for you.”
Megan beamed up at him and took his proffered arm for the journey down the wide stone stairs.
“This flour has been sifted?” Megan asked the baker and let a handful run through her fingers.
“Yes, my lady.”
“Please repeat the process.”
“Yes, my lady,” the man spoke, but Louisa, standing at Megan’s side, could see that he was not happy.
The older woman had to keep from shaking her head. Vincent had been gone for two days, and Louisa had steeled herself for Megan’s resentment or depression. She got neither. Megan was throwing herself into the workings of the castle with a vengeance.
Megan was the most fascinating woman Louisa had ever encountered. One moment she was tending to
a slight wound on the finger of a small child and the next she was telling the milkers, in no uncertain terms, that they would do a better job of rinsing their pottery jars. Louisa knew there were a few who wanted to toss her into the moat, but most of the castle folk were beginning to adore her.
And Bracken was no exception. Louisa could see it in his eyes. Unfortunately, Megan did not return his sentiment. She might be talking with Lyndon, smiling at him in true affection, or even laughing at some outrageous remark from Kendrick, but the moment Megan became aware of Bracken’s presence she became stiff as a poker. She was even warming up to Arik, but to Bracken she was chillingly civil.
“Aunt Louisa?”
“Yes, dear.” The women had made their way from the kitchen and baking quarters and were almost to the great hall.
“Who is Black Francesca?”
Louisa came to such an abrupt halt that Megan started. The older woman took a moment to ask, “Where did you hear her name, Megan?”
“I heard Helga mention her to Lela, but I have met no one at Hawkings Crest with that name.”
Louisa licked her lips. “She lives in the village.”
Megan nodded serenely but because she was very curious over Louisa’s reaction, she pressed her.
“But who is she?”
Louisa hesitated for only a moment this time; surely Megan was mature enough to understand.
“She is the village prostitute.”
Louisa was not prepared for Megan’s reaction. Her eyes filled with compassionate tears.
“Is she very young?”
“I’m not sure,” Louisa admitted and felt shame for the uncharitable thoughts she’d had toward Black Francesca in the past. On top of these thoughts, however, was one of horror. She couldn’t stop herself from voicing it.
“You’re not thinking of going to see her, are you, Megan?”
“Well, not right away.”
“Megan.” Louisa felt panic coming on. “I do not think Bracken would approve.” Disapproval was too mild a word, but Louisa could think of none better.