Free The Knight and the Dove by Lori Wick Page B

chuckled softly. “I think I want you to call me Vincent, and if I told you some of the situations Megan has gotten herself into over the years, you would understand my pleasure. Hear me now,” Vincent’s voice grew serious, “when I tell you that I would never countenance abuse toward the girl, but Megan is a survivor—always has been. If she had wanted into this castle before you arrived, she would have come.”
    Bracken’s dark brows winged upward. It was true. Megan had been standing before him in the war room little more than an hour after he arrived.
    “I’m only glad she was unharmed,” Vincent said with quiet conviction.
    “Can you tell me why she arrived early?”
    Vincent’s brow lowered, and all pleasure left his face. “Megan and her mother do not get on. They quarreled, and my wife took it upon herself to send Megan here. Had I been present, I would have stopped her. Unfortunately, I arrived back late last night and knew nothing of this until this morning.”
    “And now that she is here, Vincent, do you wish her to stay?”
    Vincent glanced up at Bracken and then down at his trencher to hide the gleam in his eye. This young lord was trying to conceal his interest, but it was there.
    Good! Vincent’s heart declared. He is not a man to be bullied. With his mettle, he will make a fine spouse, worthy of my Megan.
    “Since your aunt is now in attendance,” Vincent spoke aloud, “I see no reason for Megan to leave. I had planned on spending some days with her before she left Stone Lake, but I was called away.”
    “Stay now,” Bracken inserted. “Stay at Hawkings Crest for as long as you wish.”
    “I may do that,” Vincent replied slowly, not having thought of it. “I just may, but right now I wish to join Megan. I wish, for the sake of my men, to know what happened the night they were attacked.”

Nine
    “I’ M GLAD YOUR FATHER ARRIVED, Megan. I think he must have been worried about you.”
    Megan smiled and nodded. She had not yet seen how well Lady Louisa could read and understand people, but she was comfortable with her. She had experienced little comfort at Hawkings Crest, and she found this a relief.
    “I think you must be right. It’s so good to see him. We were to have some time together before I left, but then he was called away.”
    Louisa nodded, accurately guessing more than she was told.
    “Do you have many siblings, Megan?” Louisa asked with just the right amount of interest.
    “Just one sister, Marigold. I haven’t seen her for some years.”
    “She is older?”
    “Yes, by more than two years. We have little in common. Lady Louisa, are you sister to Bracken’s father or mother?”
    “I hope you will call me Aunt Louisa, as I am sister to Bracken’s mother, Joyce. After Bracken’s father died, our own father became ill. Taking all of Bracken’s siblings, Joyce moved many miles north to our own family’s keep, White Hall. Our father is dead now, too, but Joyce and the children have made their home there and are most content. You will meet her at the wedding.”
    Megan nodded, looking thoughtful. “Has Bracken a large family?”
    “Yes. He is the oldest, but after him are Stephen, Danella, Brice, Giles, and Kristine. Danella is married and expecting her first child, butno one else has wed. They live for the most part with my sister. I think you will meet them all at the wedding.”
    Megan’s eyes had grown during this recitation, but she managed one more question.
    “And Bracken’s father. Has he been long dead?”
    “About six years. Greville died in battle, a great warrior he was. He made the king proud. Bracken is very much like him.” Louisa added this last bit with gentle pride, while giving Megan a sweet smile.
    Megan smiled in return and asked, “And what about you Aunt Louisa, do you have children of your own?”
    Louisa did have children, two grown sons whom she adored, but she was not given time to answer before the men strode into their