Page 4 of Forgotten Secrets

“Aye, I want it!” Morag exclaimed. “I want ye to mentor me so I can find my true talent and do important things like my sister and cousins. But why can I no’ tell Fia, Willow, or Maira about ye? After all, they are Followers of the Secret Heart. I dinna think I should have to keep it a secret from them.”

“We have a deal,” Mazelina reminded her. “If you choose to honor it or not is up to you.”

“Morag,” came her father’s shout from the opposite side of the garden. “Quit talkin’ to yerself, and let’s get goin’ before it snows.” Reed walked up behind her. His shoulder-length, red hair gently lifted around his shoulders in the breeze. His long, woolen cloak like an Englishman would wear was draped over his plaid – the markings of a true Scot.

Even though Reed and his brothers were born from English parents, they grew up in Scotland. Reed had always considered himself a Scot, like Ross Douglas, the man who raised him. Reed eventually married his Scottish sweetheart, Maggie Gordon. Morag’s family lived in Scotland now while her cousins’ families lived across the border in England.

Since childhood, Morag had been fostered by the Earl of Northumberland, along with her sister and cousins. But now, everyone had gone their separate ways. Her sister and cousins were married and even the earl had left, off fighting for the king.

Morag didn’t want to be alone. And that is why they’d returned to collect her belongings and head back to Scotland. There she would be reunited with her family once again.

“I’m no’ talkin’ to myself, Da. I’m talkin’ to –” Morag stopped short when she remembered Mazelina’s warning. Turning back, she was surprised to find that the woman was no longer there. Perhaps, she had headed back into the house or, mayhap, the stable. All for the better since her presence here was supposed to remain a secret.

After letting out a deep sigh, Morag bit her tongue, trying hard not to let the secret slip from her lips. “I’m ready to go now,” she told her father instead.

Reed put his arm around her shoulders and escorted her toward the gate. “As soon as we collect yer things, we’ll join up with Branton and be on our way back to Scotland where ye belong. Yer mathair, sister, and brathairs await us.”

“Branton doesna need to come back to Scotland with us, Da,” said Morag, talking about the boy of five and ten years who had been friends with Morag and the other girls since they moved to Rothbury to be the earl’s wards.

“Aye, ye are right,” her father agreed. “However, Branton will be makin’ the trip with us at his insistence to help see to yer safety. Now that he’s a squire to Maira’s husband, Sir Jacob, he willna be able to stay away from Durham long. But he says he wants to protect ye even though I’m with ye.” Reed chuckled. “There is no need for him at all, Morag, no’ when ye’ve got me.” Reed tapped the hilt of his sword to prove his point.

“Then why did ye allow him to join us?” asked Morag in confusion. She liked the lad but would rather have had time alone to spend with her father. Morag always longed for the attention from her father that he’d graciously given Fia.

“I needed someone to drive the cart,” her father answered. “Besides, an extra sword is better than a servant who canna fight at all. Since we’re crossin’ over the border, it is always a guid idea to have more protection.”

“I suppose ye’re right,” answered Morag as they got to the gate and mounted their steeds.

“Take one last look at yer precious secret garden,” Reed told her. “This will be the last time ye ever see it.”

“Perhaps it will, and mayhap it willna,” said Morag, looking back over her shoulder, trying her hardest not to say a word about her plans. Excitement filled her to think about returning in the spring. Finally, she would have the chance to be mentored like the others. And with being the only one, Morag wouldn’t have to share the attention. This is exactly what she had always longed for.

Perhaps, Mazelina was right in saying that destiny had plans for her after all. Morag wished for Imanie to come back to life and, in her place, her sister appeared. What were the odds of that happening? Whatever plans destiny had in store for her, Morag only hoped that she would never be forgotten again.