The Knight and the Dove (35 page)

“May I speak with you?”

Bracken’s eyes roamed her face. She looked tired and upset, and he found his heart burgeoning within him that she would come to him at all. At the moment he thought he would hand her the moon if she asked it of him.

“Why don’t I meet you in the salon.”

“I believe Louisa is sewing in there.”

Bracken opened his mouth to say that he would ask her to leave but changed his mind.

“Give me a moment, and we’ll walk to the tower.”

Megan waited in the hallway. Just a minute later, Bracken joined her. They walked silently up the stairs to the tower and when they had gained the first large salon, Megan led the way inside. The room was empty, as Bracken knew it would be, and although he wanted to make himself comfortable in one of the chairs, Megan continued to stand.

She seemed nervous, and it wasn’t long before he found out why. She faced him squarely, forced herself to look into his eyes, and said, “My attempts to hire a castle steward have failed miserably. I have let you down as well as all of Hawkings Crest.”

Bracken hated her shame. He had never worked at anything the
way he had worked at this relationship. He was very pleased at the way she’d come to him, but not at the shame he had caused her to feel.

“The task before you is not easy, but I feel you are doing a fine job. Do not rush yourself. Take your time in finding the right man.”

His words were no help. Tears did not come to her eyes, but her voice wobbled horribly.

“But there is so much to do, and the wedding approaches. I do not think I can keep up the pace.”

“Then you must delegate the jobs. You take too much on yourself.”

Megan’s eyes were huge. “You told me I was to see to Barton’s duties personally.”

Alarm washed over Bracken. That was exactly what he had said. How could he have forgotten? No wonder she retired so early these last nights and looked so tired by the middle of the afternoon.

Without speaking, Bracken took Megan’s hand and led her to the double settee. He sat beside her after she’d sat down, but he could see instantly that she was not relaxed. Her back was stiff as a poker, and she did not lean into the upholstered support.

“Megan,” Bracken began tenderly.

“I’m not going to cry.”

“It’s all right if you do,” he said kindly.

“No, it isn’t,” Megan declared. “You are going to think you are marrying a child, not a woman grown and capable. I—”

Megan cut off when Bracken’s arms went around her and he swept her over against his chest. Megan looked up into his face, and tears filled her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Bracken.”

“Shhh,” he hushed her, pressing her head down against his shoulder. “I have asked too much of you. We will find Lyndon, and he can take over some of your duties. The rest we will delegate as well. I will not have my wife sick with exhaustion on her wedding day.”

Megan’s look was so comical that Bracken chuckled.

“Now what goes through that fascinating head of yours?”

“The wedding. I have lived here as Megan of Stone Lake for so long that sometimes I find it hard to believe we are really going to wed.” Megan looked up into Bracken’s eyes. “Do you ever find it hard to believe?”

“Ahh, no,” he drew the words out for several heartbeats and shook his head very slowly. The next moment his head lowered, and his lips touched down on Megan’s. The kiss might have turned more intimate, but a voice spoke from the door.

“Have I missed the wedding, Bracken?”

Bracken’s head came up, and a huge smile split his face.

Megan’s response was not so pleasant. Her head spun, and she stared in panic at a small, plump woman with hair so black and curly that Megan couldn’t help but wonder how she ever managed a brush through it.

In the wink of an eye, Bracken had them both off the settee and was turning Megan toward the door.

“Megan, I want you to meet my mother.”

Megan’s mouth opened in horror. “Your mother?” she squeaked.

Bracken was urging her forward, but Megan’s mouth was still moving like that of a fish out of water. Joyce did not seem to notice, and enfolded Megan in her arms as soon as the younger woman was within arm’s reach.

“I’m so pleased to meet you, my dear,” she said when she was finally holding Megan in front of her. “Louisa said you were lovely, but I had no idea.”

Megan had still not made a suitable reply, but again, Joyce did not seem to notice. She turned abruptly to Bracken.

“And what business have you taking advantage of this girl before the vows are spoken?”

Bracken only smiled, his eyes alight with pleasure.

“Now, come and hug me, and I’ll think about forgiving you.”

Bracken gave his mother a hug that lifted her free of the floor. He dropped a kiss onto her cheek just as he set her back down and spoke with one arm still around her.

“Hello, Mother.”

“Hello, dear.” Joyce’s face was now wreathed in soft smiles. “How are you?”

“I’m doing well. How was your trip?”

“Long, but worth seeing you and Megan.”

Joyce now transferred her gaze back to her future daughter-in-law. She reached out and touched the soft skin of Megan’s cheek.

“Oh, Megan, Megan, how long I’ve prayed for you. You must come
below right away. The rest of the family is dying to meet you.” With that she swept away, and Bracken began to follow. He was out the door by several paces when he realized Megan had not accompanied them.

“Megan,” Bracken spoke as he poked his head back in the door.

“I’m so ashamed.”

Bracken came back in.

“There is no reason. Mother was but teasing. She does that quite often. I can assure you—we’ve done nothing to feel shame over.”

“But she’s right, the vows have not been spoken.”

Bracken sighed gently. “It is as I say, Megan; we have done nothing wrong, and in little over a week, we will be free before God and man to touch each other at will.”

Megan’s face flamed, and Bracken knew he would have to let the matter drop. He gently took her hand and led the way toward the stairs, thinking as he went that marriage or no, they might not be as free as he hoped.

Megan laughed until she had tears in her eyes. She was in the upstairs salon with both Joyce and Louisa, and the two older women were telling stories from their childhood. Megan didn’t know when she’d been more entertained.

After having what Megan considered a poor beginning, she and her future mother-in-law had certainly made up for lost time. Lady Joyce was one of the most delightful women Megan had ever met. Her walk with God was so close that she found joy in nearly everything. In some ways she was a quiet rebuke to Megan, who tended to worry overly much and wanted her way in most matters. Joyce was a true example of the joy Megan read about in the Scriptures.

Megan had not been in attendance when Louisa told Joyce her news, but Louisa reported that it had been a very tearful scene. There were further tears when Joyce then came to Megan to thank her for the part she had played. Megan had been present when Joyce had shared the news with her family, and the look on Bracken’s face was still in her mind. He appeared to be skeptical yet yearning at the same time. And Megan was struck by how little conversation they’d had concerning religious matters.

His sweet treatment of Megan had been growing as the days passed, but there was very little time for them to be alone. Nearly every barrier was down between them, and Megan had few reservations over the marriage.

“Now, Megan,” Joyce suddenly said to her. “When will your parents arrive?”

“I’m not sure they will,” Megan told her matter-of-factly.

Joyce’s look became very intense then, and her voice changed as well.

“Can you tell me why?”

Leaving some of the details out, Megan simply reported that Bracken had taken her away from a difficult situation and she had not heard from her parents since.

Joyce nodded her wise head as she completely heard Megan out, and then asked, “Would you say that your mother is a prideful woman, dear?”

“Yes.” Megan didn’t even have to think.

“Then I should expect her if I were you. It’s not every man and woman who draws Henry’s attention as Bracken and you have. She would never wish the gossips to say that she showed a lack of interest in you.”

Megan was extremely impressed with her logic. Such a thing had never occurred to her, but it was so true. Annora was not a hypocrite, but she did like to be seen making socially correct moves.

“I had resigned myself to not seeing them, something to which I’m rather accustomed,” Megan admitted, “but I think you are correct. They will be here, possibly at the last moment and only until the ceremony is over, but they will come.”

“Will you be glad if they come, Meg?” Louisa asked.

“Yes and no. You can see my quandary now more than ever, Louisa. It is easier to be away from them, but if I never see them, then I will have no opportunity to share Christ.”

“Oh, Meg,” Louisa said. “You have been such an example to me.”

“I have also been a dreadful stumbling block as I struggled with some horrible sins. I’m only glad that God can save His chosen ones despite all I do to destroy His work.”

“You are too hard on yourself, Megan,” Joyce told her. “We all sin,
but you show a clear pattern of trying to change, and those are the children God can work through no matter what.”

Megan smiled at her, and they talked on. It was so wonderful to have the time. Bracken had been good at his word, and many of Megan’s duties had been delegated until after the wedding. Her dress was done, and she was feeling more rested each day.

“I was hoping I’d find you together,” a voice spoke from the doorway. All the ladies turned to see Richard and Derek enter and close the door.

“You’re welcome to join us,” their aunt told them, “but we must warn you—it’s women’s talk.”

Both men smiled at Joyce.

“In truth,” Derek’s voice was low, “we just need your momentary attention.”

“Sounds intriguing,” Louisa said in a false whisper and found out very soon that she had guessed correctly. The men were seated, and the women listened in rapt silence for several minutes. After a time Megan asked but one question.

“When do you want this done?”

Richard answered. “The wedding is in four days’ time, so I think sometime tomorrow will be perfect.”

Megan’s smile was huge. They spoke of the plan for several more minutes, and then the men went on their way. Megan, no longer diverted by Richard’s plan, also took her leave. She had become resigned to not seeing her parents; now she needed time to prepare her heart.

“Why, Marigold,” Annora spoke with pleasure to her oldest daughter as she entered the younger woman’s bedchamber, “I love that dress. Is that what you will wear to Megan’s wedding?”

“No, Mother.” Marigold’s voice was bored. “I’ve decided to go to London.”

Annora was taken off guard.

“But you can’t, dear. Megan is to be wed.”

“I realize that.” Marigold sounded testy, which was unusual where her mother was concerned. “I just won’t be able to make it.”