The Knight and the Dove by Lori Wick Read Free Book Online Page A

no one. At least this had been true up to now, but this man caused her to tremble with dread. She wanted to run home, throw herself into her father’s arms, and cry her heart out, something she hadn’t wanted to do in years.
    Fortunately for Megan, none of her thoughts showed on her face. She stood before her betrothed, back straight and head high, and toldBracken in that instant that she was no commoner. However, this revelation did not soften Bracken’s heart. There were too many unanswered questions for him to be at ease.
    “I wish to have some answers from you.” Bracken turned away then and spoke over his shoulder. “Come here and sit down.”
    “No.”
    The word was not spoken loudly or with much force, but it stopped the young lord in his tracks. Megan’s trembling increased when he turned slowly and pierced her with his eyes, but she kept her head high when she spoke.
    “I have not eaten since last evening, and I wish to bathe.”
    “And I wish to question you.” Bracken’s voice told Megan that this was the end of the argument.
    “Is this the hospitality I am to expect from Hawkings Crest? You give no thought to my well-being in your desire for an inquisition.”
    Megan had unwittingly hit the mark. Hawkings Crest was known for its hospitality, something in which Bracken took great pride. Megan couldn’t have chosen more appropriate words.
    “Lyndon,” Bracken spoke without ever taking his eyes from the scruffy woman in his midst.
    “Yes, my lord?”
    “Bring one of the women to assist Lady Megan to a bedchamber and see to her needs.
    “You have one hour,” Bracken said, turning to Megan, “to be back down here for my inquisition.”
    Bracken said the last word threateningly and a shiver raced up Megan’s spine. She positively hated to be ordered about in this fashion, but when a woman old enough to be her mother appeared at her side, she left with only a glare in the earl’s direction.

     
    Nearly one hour later Megan finally rose from her bath. Helga, the servant assigned to her, was there with a piece of toweling, and she had finally stopped goggling. Megan was compassionate. She could almost hear the woman’s thoughts.
    This is the servant who works in the creamery! The one who came this morning bearing a churn!
    Sometime during Megan’s meal or bath, Helga must have realized that a mistake had been made. She had addressed Meagan as “my lady” at least 15 times.
    “I’m sorry, my lady,” Helga spoke now. “I have no clothing for you.”
    “’Tis all right, Helga. Just fetch me the furs from the bed and then you can do my hair.”
    “Yes, my lady.” The servant was swift to obey, and in just minutes Megan sat wrapped from neck to ankle as Helga stood behind her to brush out the mass of red curls.
    The action caused Megan to relax completely. She had always been a survivor, but the last week had been more than even she was accustomed to. The fight with her mother still weighed heavily on her mind, and a quick counting of the days told her that it still wasn’t time for her to have left Stone Lake, which meant that her father was probably still away.
    Megan let out a deep sigh; she was growing very sleepy. Her stomach was full for the first time in days, and she was finally clean and warm. Her head began to nod. She noticed that Helga had stopped brushing, but she couldn’t find the words to tell her to continue. A moment later something soft was laid next to her cheek and Megan stopped trying to think so her body could sleep.

Six
    “D ID YOU NOT HEAR MY WORDS ?”
    Megan woke to the sound of an angry male voice, but she had no idea where she was.
    “I told you to be in the great room in one hour. Is there something wrong with your ears?”
    Megan’s senses returned to her in a rush, and she looked up to find Bracken towering over her in a conspicuous rage.
    “There is nothing wrong with my ears,” Megan told him coldly when he continued to glare.
    “Then why aren’t you