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He stood up and turned around, perusing her before he answered. “I think when I marry, it will be someone more like you, Willow.”
“Like me?” She held her hand to her mouth in surprise.
“I respect you for what you did, protecting Lady Hazel.”
“And I thank you for keeping her secret when you didn’t have to.”
“Oh, but I did have to,” he said with a smile and a nod. “Because I have no doubt in my mind if I had said anything at all, you would have exposed my secret.”
“We all have our secrets,” said Willow, touching her heart brooch as she spoke. She headed to the door, stopping and turning back before opening it. “Would you really have forced yourself on me if Conrad hadn’t come into the room?”
“Nay,” he said, shaking his head. “I, too, have a horrid reputation that I don’t deserve. I have to admit, I only did it because I didn’t want to leave Rothbury before I knew what it was like to kiss you.”
“Hopefully, you can shed your reputation someday, too, Sir Bedivere. Since Conrad said all those nice things about me in front of everyone, I don’t think I’ll have to worry about being called a strumpet again.”
“My situation is different,” he said. “And because of my secret profession, I am afraid I will never be able to open up and be honest with any woman the way I have been with you.”
Willow laughed. “Now that, Sir Bedivere, I assure you only happened because I put my nose where it didn’t belong.”
“I’m glad you did,” he said, sadness showing in his eyes. “It’s a hard secret to keep and one I am not proud of, I assure you. I am almost glad you discovered it because it felt good to talk to someone about it.”
“I wish I could say I was happy to listen.”
“Lady Willow, you need to understand that I would do anything to protect my sovereign – the king – your cousin. But what I didn’t tell you, is that he is not the only one who hires my services.”
Willow raised her hand and looked the other way. “Please, I don’t want to know any more. I can’t say I understand why you do what you do, Sir Bedivere. But I am sure when the time comes, you will be able to change if you want to. I think I’ve changed since Sir Conrad came back into my life, and it is a good feeling. I only hope you can experience it, too, someday.”
Bedivere smiled. “If I didn’t think Lochwood would burst into the room and take off my head, I’d hug you and give you a goodbye kiss.”
“Perhaps it is better if we just say goodbye and leave it at that. I wish you the best, Sir Bedivere, in whatever choices you make in your life.”
“And I, the same for you.”
Willow left the room feeling good about herself. She hoped that her words would help Sir Bedivere to find his path in life. But what she really hoped more than anything is that her father would agree to her marrying Conrad. Because if he didn’t, she was going to have to use her powers of persuasion once again.
