“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.”
“But of course you can. We leave tomorrow. The wedding is but four days off.”
“That’s enough, Mother,” Marigold snapped at her. “I tell you, I won’t be going.”
Annora didn’t know when she’d been so hurt. She believed that Marigold was acting completely out of character, when in fact the two of them had simply never been at cross-purposes before. Never had Annora made plans for Marigold and really cared one way or the other if she fit herself into them. But Megan’s wedding was quite another matter. She tried again.
“I think maybe you’re not feeling well, dear. Why don’t we sleep on it? You’ll see reason in the morning.”
Marigold glared at her mother. Annora was so taken aback that she didn’t know what to say or do. Marigold saw the look on her mother’s face and grew furious. She hated to have her plans thwarted.
“Honestly, Mother!” Marigold snapped. “Megan and I are not even close.”
“But you haven’t seen her in years.”
“Yes, I have! I saw her in the village at Hawkings Crest just weeks ago.” The words were out before she could stop them, and Marigold turned her back on her mother’s look of absolute shock. Marigold was furious with herself for blurting out such news and worked desperately to control her voice and features.
“You saw Megan?” Annora asked when she recovered her voice.
“Yes,” Marigold spoke slowly, still keeping her back to her mother. “We didn’t have a chance to speak, but she looked fine.”
“But why were you at the village there?”
Marigold’s lip curled with hatred, but she actually maintained her voice.
“I was simply meeting Roland Kirkpatrick. You know, Lord Kirkpatrick’s son.” Marigold made it all sound so innocent that Annora immediately took the bait. After all, Lord Kirkpatrick was a duke. However, Annora momentarily forgot that Roland was not the oldest son.
“Is he interested in you?”
“I think so.” Marigold was now able to turn with a smile that covered the lies in her heart.
“Oh, Marigold, my darling, that would be wonderful.”
Marigold falsely agreed with her and was able to keep her mother happy until Annora remembered a task that needed attention elsewhere.
Once outside the room, Annora realized that they had not finished speaking of the trip. She shrugged, however, sure that Marigold would make the proper choice and attend her sister’s wedding.
She wouldn’t have gone away with such confidence had she read Marigold’s real thoughts. That selfish young woman planned to be far away from Stone Lake even before the sun set that night.
Twenty-Five
“BRACKEN?” LOUISA’S VOICE WOBBLED slightly as she approached Bracken in the hall the very next day.
“Louisa, what is it?” Bracken stood in concern.
“Megan is gone.” Louisa bit her lip, and Bracken’s face clouded.
“What do you mean? She can’t be gone.”
“She told Helga that you quarreled last night.”
An audience of family members was gathering now, each one looking tense as he watched the thundercloud covering Bracken’s face.
“It’s true that we did have words, but I was certain she was beyond this.”
“Beyond what?”
“This childish habit of running away.” Bracken’s angry eyes stared off into the distance until all watched his expression turn to cold acceptance.
“I am glad it happened now,” he spoke with regret.
“What do you mean, Bracken?” This came from Stephen, whose strained features matched Bracken’s.
“I can see it was too great to hope that she was ready for such a union. I see now that she is little more than a child.”
“Oh, Bracken.” His mother’s voice held tears.
“I am sorry you have come all this way,” Bracken turned to face his family; his features a study in anguish. “It would seem the wedding is off.”
“No, Bracken,” Brice said. “I’m sure if you will but find her, you can work this out.”
Bracken slowly shook his head. “I won’t be looking. She clearly does not want me, and I can see now that’s best. It is also best for me to let her go.”
Bracken strode from the main hall. His family stood in desolation. Even Joyce looked like a statue, her youngest daughter, Kristine, clutching her mother’s hand.
“I’ve got to make him see reason,” Stephen spoke as he started after him. The others did not move. They had seen that look in Bracken’s eyes before and knew that this time his mind was made up.
All of Hawkings Crest fell into a depression as the day moved on. Chores were done and some work was accomplished, but no one was even hungry. Stephen had gone to Bracken, but as the others in the family had predicted, it did no good. After growing angry w
ith Stephen for again taking Megan’s side, Bracken took himself off on a ride. He was gone for hours, and Stephen and Brice had never been so upset.
They tried to talk with their mother, but it seemed to pain her all the more, so they made their plans quietly. They would go after Megan themselves. They even enlisted Richard’s and Derek’s help, and the men geared up and sent for their horses.
They were in the courtyard, Stephen already mounted, when Bracken rode through the gates with Megan sitting comfortably across the front of his saddle. They drew up, just as precisely planned, and Bracken captured the back of Megan’s head in one great hand and gave her a hard kiss on the mouth.
Stephen was still staring at them in utter stupefaction when Richard put a hand to his chest and said in a high, dramatic voice, “She’s very sweet, but her hair is the color of fresh carrots and frizzy like a bird’s nest. Bracken has resigned himself to her looks. He’s doing this for the king.”
Stephen’s face was more than they could have hoped for.
“It was all planned,” he said in wonder as he took in each expression. “You all knew,” he went on, continuing to stare at each of them.
Brice, Richard, his mother—everyone had been involved. The full import was slow in coming, and when it hit, Stephen threw back his head with a shout of relief. He swung from his horse and nearly ran to Bracken’s mount. In the blink of an eye he had taken Megan down and hugged her, laughing all the while.
Bracken now joined them, claimed Megan, and moved toward the laughing group.
“You should have seen your face.”
“That will teach you, Stephen.”
“It’s not often we catch you out.”
“I wish I could see it again.”
“You certainly deserved it.”
Stephen laughed in good humor, but his eyes finally narrowed on his cousins.
“I hope you know that I might not be done with you.”
Richard, who was an inch taller, approached him, his manner playfully threatening.
“You had better be, Stephen. I stared like a fool at our lovely Megan, so hear me well, dear cousin, you had better be done.”
Stephen’s hands went in the air. “I concede, I concede.”
“Come now,” Louisa called to all. “We have all played our parts well to the point that some of us are starving. I have had Kimay sneaking food to me from the kitchen all day.” The group laughed at this admission. “Let us all go in and eat.”
Cheers went up for that good news, and as Bracken draped his arm around Megan once again, her heart swelled with joy. What a precious family she was marrying! Megan had never known such contentment among so many.
There was just one question that persisted. If Joyce had made a decision for Christ, what of her children? How was it that they did not seem to share her belief ? Megan thought she could figure Bracken, since he would have already been lord of Hawkings Crest and away from the family, but what of the others? Megan could see that they all had strong convictions, but she doubted that each could claim to be a true follower of Jesus Christ.
Megan determined then and there to have some answers. She was to be wed in just two and a half days’ time, but before then, she must strive to learn the background of her husband’s relationship, or lack thereof, with God.
“Oh, Megan,” Joyce spoke in pleasant surprise the next morning as the petite redhead came from the kitchens. “I have something for you, a wedding gift of sorts. Would you have time now to come to my room?”
“Of course.” Wondering if this might not be her chance to speak privately before the wedding, Megan followed her.
“It’s a gift that belonged to my husband’s mother,” Joyce continued as they walked. “She gave it to me just before I wed Greville, and now I want you to have it.”
Megan was intrigued. Joyce’s rooms were in the tower, and it was a few minutes before they entered.
“Sit here, Megan.” Joyce indicated a chair. Megan took a seat and watched as Joyce moved to a small trunk at the foot of her bed. She returned with something dangling from her hands.
“It’s a jeweled belt,” Joyce explained. “It’s been in Greville’s family for years. I want you to have it.”
Megan’s hands came out in wonder. The ornamented belt was exquisite. Stones of every conceivable color were set in fine chain-style gold. Megan stood to slip it around her. It was a perfect fit. She beamed at Joyce and then gave her a tender hug.
“I will treasure it always.”
“Mayhap,” Joyce spoke when they were seated once again, “you will have the opportunity to give it to your future daughter-in-law.”
“Mayhap,” Megan agreed before they both fell silent.
“There is something on your mind, isn’t there, Megan?”
Megan nodded. “My father wanted me to live here at Hawkings Crest before the wedding so that I would know Bracken when we wed. It has worked better than I ever expected, but there are some things of which we have never talked. One of them is God.
“I am almost ashamed to admit this to you, but I have not spoken to him about that which means so much to me. We did not start well, and because I was raised at the abbey, I feared he would think me a religious zealot. I was not controlling my anger at that time, and I thought somehow that if he knew the stand I took in Christ, the seeming contradiction would cause him to shun all I believe.”
Joyce smiled at her in true compassion and said, “Thank you for being so honest with me, Megan, but I must tell you, Bracken’s lack of faith in Christ has little to do with you. You see, he has never hungered.”
Megan stared at her.
“Think back, Megan. Think back to when you knew you wanted Christ as your own.”
Megan was reflecting now.
“There had to be a hunger, Megan,” Joyce went on, “or you never would have reached out.”
A minute or two of silence passed before Megan recalled in a voice of wonder.
“I was desperate. My family did not know what to do with me, and there were days when I knew the nuns were ready to lock me away forever. There was such a void inside of me that I felt hollow all the time.”
Joyce nodded and continued softly “This is what I speak of, Megan. Bracken has experienced no such need. Not even when his father died did his heart feel the need. He is a devout man in many ways, but a personal relationship with God’s Son does not seem to fit into the plans he’s made for his life.
“I have such hope, Megan, that your marriage to him will make a difference. I am not telling you that your sins do not matter, but do not be afraid to be yourself with Bracken. He is a most compassionate man, and we have talked at length about what I believe. Your own story would be new to him, but I have told him what Scriptures say concerning Christ.”
Megan drew a great breath. “And what of your other children, Joyce? Where do they stand?”
Joyce smiled. “You know Stephen and Brice well enough, I think, to see that they believe as Bracken. The girls know Christ, both Kristine and Danella, but of my sons, only Giles.”
“I am sorry he will not make the wedding.”
“So is he. But his term as squire is most important for his upbringing. It is what his father would want.”
They were quiet for a time.
“Has it been very hard?” Megan asked, referring to Greville’s death.
“At times,” Joyce admitted. “When Danella was wed and then had the baby, I missed him so much. When I came to Christ, I wondered if he’d ever made that choice. And now, I know he would have been so proud of Bracken and would have adored you as l do.”
Both women stood and hugged. Megan praised God for Joyce’s words. She was so wise and caring, and Megan thought of the different women of the Bible that she had admired over the years—Sarah, Ruth, and Priscilla. She shared her thoughts with Joyce, and the older woman only smiled in humility.
The conversation then turned to Derek, and both women wept over his newfound knowledge.
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“He told me a man in London spoke with him,” Megan said. “And it was just as you’ve said, he felt an emptiness deep within, and he cried out to God to fill that void.”
“Louisa told me that she was shocked speechless when he shared.”
“Yes,” Megan agreed. “She was most upset, but I believe God used Derek’s conversion to reach her.”
“It’s just a matter of time, Megan, until they all know. I believe this with all my heart.”
Megan sat quietly, because in truth she did not feel quite so sure. She prayed then that God would increase her faith.
When they exited the room, they walked together to the great hall for the midday meal. Both knew God’s peace in the way His hand had moved in their lives, and both prayed that their lives would continue to touch those around them in a positive way for God.
Twenty-Six
VINCENT, ANNORA, AND COMPANY arrived late that very evening. Darkness was swiftly falling as they rode through the gates. Megan, whose day had stretched on without end, swiftly changed her plans of retiring and made her way to the great hall.
Not many people were up and about, which suited Megan. The greeting she shared with her parents was subdued. Megan felt helpless as to how to make it easier, but when she suddenly noticed the fatigue in her mother’s face, she knew she could at least offer hospitality
“You’ve come far,” Megan spoke softly while under Bracken’s watchful eye. “Would you like some refreshment, or would you rather be shown to your room?”
“I will retire,” Annora replied stiffly, and Megan, after a hushed word from Bracken, led the way, leaving her father in her betrothed’s hands.
Megan had chosen a resplendent group of rooms for her parents that included two large bedchambers and a small salon. Megan hoped that such an act would please her parents and make them feel welcome at Hawkings Crest. Indeed, Annora prowled the premises for just a moment, and Megan held her breath.
“Everything looks well, Megan.”
“Thank you, Mother,” Megan returned softly trying not to betray the rush of emotions within. She continued to watch her mother. She knew Bracken wanted her right back downstairs, but something in Annora’s demeanor caused her to linger. Megan knew she’d chosen wisely when Annora suddenly stopped and faced her nervously.