The Knight and the Dove (42 page)

Of course, one could learn many things just by walking the hall-ways and grounds of Windsor Castle. Bracken had spoken the truth to Megan about visiting the archery fields, but he did not intend to take a direct path there.

Megan retired to her room and spent the next hour in prayer. Bracken’s words had been right, but his delivery of the message was one of the harshest she had ever received. Megan was wrapped in pity for some time.

Many minutes passed before Megan realized the embarrassment she had caused her spouse. They had been invited as guests of the king, and Megan had spouted off after dinner like a servant girl.

Hot tears filled her eyes as she confessed her sins to God and made an effort to give the whole ordeal over to His care. Megan longed for her copy of the Psalms and Proverbs, but she had feared bringing it from her room at Hawkings Crest. Instead, she stopped and dwelt on a few of the many verses she had already taken into her heart. She found the most comfort in the first few verses of Psalm 27.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident… For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion; in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.”

Megan asked God to score these verses into her heart so that her words and actions would be changed forever. She so wanted to leave
a godly impression with those watching her in this place, and even though she knew they thought her a hysterical young female, she determined to leave a better last impression than she had a first.

Megan had just come to this resolve when Helga asked if she would see Lady Evadne, the Duchess of Ellsworth.

“Of course, Helga. Please show her into the salon.”

Megan took a moment to check her appearance and then worked at not showing her embarrassment as she joined the duchess.

“How are you, Megan?”

“I am doing well, my lady; thank you for asking.” Megan’s cheeks were slightly pink, but the other woman didn’t seem to notice.

The duchess laughed softly “Please call me Evadne. I tell you, Megan, sometimes I am very dull.”

The younger girl stared at her.

“I just figured out that you are Megan—Louisa’s Megan!”

“You know Aunt Louisa?”

“We’ve been friends for years. She could hardly wait to tell me of her conversion. Had I realized it last night, I’d have told Noella. She would have been thrilled as well.”

Again, Megan could only stare. They had both been so kind last night, but it had never once occurred to Megan that they shared a faith in Christ.

“I didn’t realize,” Megan finally said. “I’m sorry to say that Louisa never mentioned you.”

Evadne smiled. “She never said anything about Elly?”

“Why, yes, she did.”

“That’s me. She’s never called me Evadne. We met shortly after I became the Duchess of Ellsworth, and the name Elly started as a joke. Now it’s all she ever calls me.”

“You’re Elly?”

“Yes.”

Megan couldn’t stop her smile. “She’s talked of you repeatedly, telling me how thrilled you were going to be when she told you of both her and Derek.”

“And I
was
thrilled, as you can well imagine, but right now, my feet hurt.”

Megan gawked at her.

“Oh!” the younger woman finally cried. “Where are my manners? Please sit down.”

They both landed on the settee in a gale of laughter and talked for the next two hours. Megan had never met such a woman. She reminded her greatly of her mother-in-law, and Megan was like a sponge whenever the older woman talked. At one point Evadne questioned her about the night before, and Megan felt free to explain. Evadne promised to pray that God’s will would be done.

The time was growing late when Evadne asked Megan how she enjoyed marriage. Megan did not take offense; she was glad to share with someone.

“We had words this morning over the incident last night, but most often Bracken and I get on very well. We have our times of trouble, but in truth I love being married to Bracken. He is beyond kindness to me.”

The duchess studied her face. Uncertainty appeared momentarily in Megan’s eyes.

“There is something you don’t like, isn’t there, Megan?”

Megan’s face flamed, and her eyes dropped. “I can’t speak of it, Evadne. It’s a sin for me not to be content with my lot.”

Silent for some moments, the older woman placed her long, tapered fingers beneath Megan’s chin and raised the girl’s eyes to her own.

“I will not press you to explain, Megan, but if it’s what I’m thinking of, you’re wrong. There is no sin in such pleasure. Do not settle for endurance. ’Tis something to be enjoyed.”

Megan’s blush only deepened, and Evadne could tell that her words had not been taken to heart. The older woman determined to pray.

“I really must be going.”

They both stood.

“I can’t wait to see Louisa and tell her of your visit. I am sure Bracken plans for us to go there.”

“Oh, Megan.” Evadne’s voice held regret. “Louisa and Derek left just last week for Joyce’s home in the north. I know she planned to stay for a time.”

Megan surprised her with a smile. “Then I am especially glad that God gave me this time with you. It was just what I needed.”

The two embraced.

“Take care, Megan, and go with God.”

“Thank you, Evadne. You will never know how you have blessed my heart.”

They parted then, and when Bracken returned an hour later Megan was still on a cloud. She told him of their meeting, and Bracken was truly pleased for his wife. Still, he knew that the news he must share would remove some of the sparkle from her eye.

Just before he’d returned to their room, a missive had been delivered to him from James Nayland. It seemed that Megan was expected to attend Bracken’s meeting with the king as well.

Thirty

M
EGAN COULD EAT NOTHING
the following morning, but she felt no hunger, only fear, when she eventually stood outside Henry’s chambers. When they had left their rooms, Megan found dozens of speculative eyes resting on them. It was almost more than the young countess could take.

She had tried to give herself and the situation to God, but still her stomach clenched. The apprehension was not just for herself, but Bracken. He had proven himself a loyal lord, and now Megan, in a moment’s time, had evidently ruined his reputation. She felt more grief for that than anything else she’d ever done.

Bracken had not laid such a claim at her door, but it was the truth. He had been very kind to her when he’d returned yesterday, and they had spent a pleasant evening in their own rooms, but Megan knew well what she had done.

“His royal highness, King Henry, will see you now.”

The footman seemed pompous enough to be a king himself, but Megan took little notice. Bracken stepped back to let her precede him and within seconds they stood before England’s king.

“Come forward.”

The two approached, and Megan found herself under Henry’s close-eyed scrutiny.

“I hope you will grace my court often, Lady Megan, but it is to be hoped that you will learn to control your tongue.”

“I am sorry, your grace. It was very foolish of me.”

Henry nodded and felt solid confirmation that Megan was nothing like Marigold. That blonde creature would never have admitted to a
wrong. An instant later he transferred his attention to Bracken. Megan was forgotten.

“I have some lands for you, Bracken of Hawkings Crest. Are you up to the added responsibility?”

“Yes, my liege. I accept them with humble gratitude and the hope of serving you better.”

“Very good. I also have a new title for you and anticipate that you will continue to serve me well as the Duke of Briscoe.”

Bracken’s head bowed. “This humble duke thanks you, my king, and offers his sword to defend your crown as you rule England, the greatest country in all the world.”

“It is good,” Henry’s voice rang out. “Journey home safely now. I will like as not send for you soon.”

Bracken and Megan bowed their way from the room, and a moment later the footman announced their presence into the hall.

“The Duke and Duchess of Briscoe.”

Megan’s hand rested calmly on Bracken’s arm, but she could not for the life of her understand why. Bracken had been made a duke! It was all too fantastic to be real, but the fact that he had not been rebuked caused her no end of relief.

Megan realized then how proud she was of her husband. She had never heard him talk as he had to King Henry. Where had he learned to say all the right things?

The same eyes studied them as before, but this time Megan took little notice. She was too busy working through all that had just occurred. They were back at the rooms before Megan even felt her feet on the floor, and once inside Megan could only turn and stare at her husband. Bracken stared right back, his face solemn.

“Were you surprised?”

“Yes,” he admitted. Indeed, his voice sounded like he was trying to take it in as well.

“I am very pleased for you, Bracken. I thought Henry might banish you from court because of me.”

“Oh, Megan, why did you not tell me of your fear?”

She shrugged. “I thought you would only say ’twas my fault, and that would be true.”

Bracken shook his head. “It was unfortunate, but not that severe. And also keep in mind—Henry does not do things impetuously,
Megan. His plans for me were most likely settled long before now. Do not forget that I rode into battle for him over a year ago. He does not forget such things.”

Megan nodded. “Nevertheless, I am pleased for you, Bracken. You will serve well the title of duke.”

“What of yourself, Megan? You are now a duchess.”

Megan shrugged. “It was you I cared about.”

Bracken was very moved by her words. He would have shown what was in his heart, but the situation was not private enough; they could be disturbed at any moment. Unfortunately for Megan, it never occurred to Bracken to just reach out and touch her hand or gently kiss her lips. And just as unfortunately it would take some time for Bracken to understand that this was the very reason she stiffened at his touch.