AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We came alone,” said Willow. “They were not able to make it. Once we got the missive saying you signed my father up for the competition, we knew we had to be here.”
“What’s going on over there?” Rook slid off his horse and threw the reins to a stable boy, eyeing up the smoldering mews.
“Lightnin’ struck the mews and Lady Ernestine was injured,” Morag explained.
Rook removed his cloak and threw it in the cart. After helping his pregnant daughter to the ground, he took off at a run to help with the burning mews.
“Willow, I’m so happy ye are here.” Morag fell into her cousin’s embrace. “My, ye are gettin’ big,” she said, rubbing Willow’s belly.
“I’m not big, I’m six month’s pregnant,” Willow answered with a sniff. “Morag, I need to get out of the rain and this smoke. It’s not good for the baby.”
Morag looked over to the mews, seeing that the situation was being handled. “Let’s go to my chamber and change into dry clothes. Then I want to check on Lady Ernestine.”
Willow and Morag entered the keep, stopping at the door to the great hall where Bedivere was tending to Lady Ernestine. He looked up anxiously and summoned her with a wave of his hand.
“Is that Sir Bedivere Hamilton?” asked Willow.
“Aye,” said Morag, smiling at Bedivere, proud of what he had done. “We are betrothed.”
“Betrothed?” Willow held a look of horror on her face. “Nay, Morag, you can’t be.”
“Well, we are. Now give me a moment to see what Bedivere wants and I’ll meet ye up in my chamber.”
“Where do you want the trunk?” asked Willow’s servant, hauling it into the keep.
“It’s the first room up the stairs on the right,” Morag told the boy and ran to Bedivere’s side.
“Where is the healer?” growled Bedivere. “I thought you were going to send him over.”
“He’s no’ here?” She looked around. “I was told the castle’s healer was in the village and that another healer is takin’ his place. I sent him over here. I wonder where he is.”
“Nonsense, I don’t need a healer.” Lady Ernestine called to her handmaid. “All I need is to wash up and change and I will be right back to check on the situation. Sir Bedivere, would you be kind enough to see that things are in order at the mews?”
“Of course, my lady,” he said with a bow.
“My Uncle Rook is out there, too,” Morag told him.
Bedivere’s head snapped up. “Sir Rook is here?”
“Aye,” she told him. “He just arrived with my cousin, Willow.”
“Morag, come here,” called out Willow impatiently.
“I’d better go. Willow is pregnant and wet and that is never a good combination.”
“Morag, wait.” Bedivere followed her and stopped her with a hand to the shoulder.
“What is it?” she asked.
He looked over her head at Willow, and seemed disturbed. “I have been trying to talk to you.”
“We’ll talk, I promise.” She reached up and kissed him on his cheek. “Right after I see to my cousin and ye see to the mews.” She hurried over to Willow and they ascended the stairs. As soon as they entered the room, the servant left and closed the door. Willow grabbed Morag’s hand.
“Sit down,” said Willow, seeming very upset for some reason.
“Sit down?” Morag looked at her as if she were addled. “We are soppin’ wet. We need to remove our clothes and dry ourselves by the fire.” Morag turned to go to the hearth.
“You can’t marry Bedivere,” Willow blurted out, stopping Morag in her tracks.
