The Knight and the Dove (39 page)

“She is but learning what I have known for many months.”

Now it was time for Megan to smile. Bracken offered his arm.

“Come, my dove. Come below and marry me.”

Megan didn’t need to be asked twice. Placing her hand on his arm and holding her head high, she walked beside him down the great stone staircase to the crowded hall below. All whom she loved were gathered there, and just minutes later she and Bracken were joined as husband and wife before God and England.

The festivities that followed were of the richest kind. A banquet was laid out and music played. There was laughter and dancing, and Megan noticed at one point that Joyce and Louisa had even managed to wring a smile from her mother.

The hours flew. Megan and Bracken were together at times, but often as not they were separated by the crowd. Megan had just finished a dance with Kendrick when Louisa captured her.

“You must be growing tired. Come upstairs and freshen up.” It was just the rescue Megan needed. Her feet were beginning to ache, and the noise was giving her the start of a headache. Louisa chattered as they climbed the stairs, and Megan took almost no notice of where they were going. Not until Louisa stopped outside a strange door did Megan balk, but by then Louisa had hold of her hand and nearly dragged her over the threshold.

Megan stood in shock. It was her room, but it wasn’t her room. She had never been in this chamber, but all of her things were beautifully
displayed and laid out—the tapestries, bed hangings, everything. Megan stared at the bed. It was a suspended canopy bed, draped in a soft yellow cloth. Her own rich counterpane lay smooth on the mattress. Megan didn’t know when she’d seen anything so wonderful.

She would have stood for some time, simply taking in the wonder of it all, but something or someone pounded at the door. Megan started.

“What was that?”

“Only some of the servants securing the door.”

Megan looked at her in confusion, and then her face cleared.

“I forgot about Bracken’s plan for my sleepwalking, but where do I get out?”

Louisa pointed to a closed door, and Megan laughed to see Joyce standing nearby.

“I didn’t even see you.”

“I know.” Joyce came forward with a huge smile. “That door is to Bracken’s room and his dressing area. Then behind you,” Joyce let her turn, “is the doorway to your salon. The only door into the passageway is through Bracken’s dressing area, which means if you start to prowl you’ll have to go past Bracken, then Lyndon, and quite possibly Arik.”

Megan laughed and commented that she would have to look around, whereupon both women laughed.

“Later, Meg,” Louisa said. “Bracken awaits you.”

“Oh.” She had been completely unaware of the time and only just now did she understand the purpose of Louisa’s spiriting her away.

The older women helped Megan from her gown and saw her into a lovely night garment, also tenderly sewn by Louisa’s capable hands. Joyce brushed her hair, and then both women hugged her and took their leave through Bracken’s room, leaving the door open behind them.

Megan stood still for only a moment before her curiosity got the best of her. She approached the door and peeked inside. Leaning against the bedpost, Bracken stood and simply watched her. His beautiful, dark wedding coat was gone and he wore only shirt, trunks, and hose.

“Are you going to join me?” He sounded so amused that Megan came forward. The room was shadowy so she could make little out.

“Louisa said we were coming upstairs to freshen up,” Megan began when she stopped a few feet in front of Bracken.

“Do you feel refreshed?”

“Yes, but neither your aunt nor your mother mentioned that this was all a plan for my husband to steal me away.”

Bracken’s beard split with a grin. “Forgive me?”

“Yes,” Megan told him and smiled in return.

“We are both strong-willed, Megan,” Bracken surprised her by saying. “We both like to have our way.”

Listening keenly to his serious tone as well as his words, Megan nodded.

“We have quarreled and we will quarrel again, but I want our differences to be put aside in this room. When we come to this room, I want our troubles and disputes to be left at the door.”

“Yes, Bracken,” Megan told him, thinking they were wise words.

Not knowing how she would respond, Bracken was warmed tremendously by her agreement, and he stood staring at her for just a moment, his heart swelling with love as well as pride that she was finally his. A second later he reached for her, and Megan came gently into his arms.

The following day was busy. It began with a huge meal to break the fast, and then came Vincent and Annora’s departure. Megan was not certain how they would part, but it was better than she had hoped. Her father hugged her and thanked her warmly, and her mother, although reserved, did thank her for Hawkings Crest’s fine hospitality. Annora was not a woman easily pleased, so Megan took this as high praise.

Midmorning saw everyone in various pursuits and pastimes. Megan and Kristine were playing a game, and most of the men were at the archery butts. Bracken and his mother found themselves alone in her salon in the tower.

“It was a wonderful celebration, Bracken.”

“Yes, it was,” he agreed. “I’d like to repeat it, only I wouldn’t want to go through the waiting again.”

Joyce smiled contentedly. “Just remember to court her, Bracken.”

“Court her?” Bracken frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about wooing your wife.”

“Why would I do that?”

Joyce sighed very gently. He really didn’t know. He had spent so much time running Hawkings Crest that he had taken very little notice of the ways between men and women. Joyce was proud of the fact that her sons were not rakes or libertines, but Bracken was so unknowledgeable that it concerned Joyce. At a time when Bracken should have been observing his own parents’ love, he was a fatherless young man running a huge keep. Joyce prayed and answered him gently.

“Bracken, I am only suggesting that you continue to do things that let Megan know you care. I know that Megan would never be unfaithful to you, but you can make her much happier in your marriage if you let her know she is loved and desired.”

Bracken still frowned at her, and Joyce knew she would have to let the matter drop. Megan’s face from that morning swam before her eyes. The younger woman’s smile was bright, and her eyes were at peace, but her cheeks had been so pale. Maybe in time, her words to Bracken would take on more meaning.

W
INDSOR
C
ASTLE

“You say Marigold is here?” Henry asked of James Nayland.

“Yes, my king. She arrived yesterday.”

“Yesterday? Was that not Bracken and Megan’s day to be wed?”

“Yes, your grace, it was.”

Henry frowned, and James waited for the storm, but the king remained calm.

“The wedding did take place, did it not?”

“Yes, my lord, just as scheduled, and in less time, I might add, than the six months you allotted.”

Henry was silent for several moments. “Are the rumors still coming in concerning Marigold’s association with young Kirkpatrick?”

“Yes. She has been careful, but a few have seen her.”

“I must tread with caution where Lord Kirkpatrick is concerned; I want to do everything possible to keep his alliance.”

“Because of his wife’s connections with Spain?”

“Yes. See to it that Marigold is at my table tonight,” Henry now told the loyal counselor. “She hasn’t graced our courts with her fair countenance in several months, and I wish to visit with her.”

Hours later Henry had his wish, as Marigold, a vision in black, sat beside him at the head table. They had talked of many things over the course of the meal, but Henry now mentioned the wedding.

“Why didn’t you attend your sister’s wedding?”

“I will.” Marigold didn’t even hesitate. “It’s next week.”

“No, Marigold, it was yesterday.”

She really could do the most amazing things with her eyes, but Henry was not fooled.

“Yesterday? Surely you jest, my lord. I am certain my mother said next week.”

“No,” Henry said with a shake of his head while pretending to be absorbed with his food.

“I’ll have to send word of my regrets.” Marigold’s voice was a study of contrition.

“Why didn’t you want the man yourself ?” Henry asked, knowing that James Nayland, from a nearby seat, was hearing all and watching very carefully.

“My sister’s heart was set on him.” Again her voice was regretful.

“Well, she’s a lucky girl. I have great plans for Bracken of Hawkings Crest.”

“Oh?” Marigold tried for casual interest, but couldn’t quite pull it off. Henry had to fight a self-satisfied smile.

“Yes. He’s an earl now, but I have better for him.”

So as not to turn his head, Henry only glanced down out of the corner of his eye. He could not see the beautiful blonde’s face, but the hand, tightening to white around her goblet, told him all he needed to know.

Twenty-Eight

I
T WAS VERY HARD FOR
M
EGAN TO SEE
Bracken’s family leave, but the time had come. Unbeknownst to her, the family had discussed leaving in stages, but when all was said and done, it was decided that a mass exodus was best.