Lamp Black, Wolf Grey by Paula Brackston

Author:Paula Brackston
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781466859869
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

8

MEGAN HAD GAINED an unexpected day of freedom when Lady Rhiannon decided on a whim to take the children to visit her sister on the far side of the valley. She had pointedly stated that Megan would not be required to accompany them, though she must be ready to attend to the children’s needs when they returned that night. Megan took the chance to pay a visit to her father, only half admitting to herself that she might go on to see Merlin later in the day. She did ponder the thought that Lord Geraint may have instructed his wife to leave Megan behind. If she were to do as he commanded and persuade Merlin to aid him she would need the opportunity to spend time in his company.

She enjoyed the walk through the woods to Penlan but this time did not dally to collect plants. In truth, her feelings for Merlin were distracting her so that it was often hard to focus on any given task. As she approached her father’s house she saw four horses tied to the meadow gate. Three were workaday coursers, but the fourth was a fine white destrier with legs the color of polished silver. Four men stood in the yard talking to her father. Her unexpected appearance clearly startled them. Megan noticed two of the men reach for their swords. Their hands were stayed by a small signal from the tallest member of the party. He was dressed in simple clothes but had a commanding presence.

“Megan! Come here, Daughter,” Twm said as he beckoned her. “I have customers, as you see, searching for new horses.”

Megan stepped forward and bobbed a polite curtsey.

The tall man glanced about him, looking disconcerted.

“Why do you bow your head to me, girl? I am a merchant, like your father.”

“Forgive me, sir.” Megan blushed, confused. “A destrier of such quality ordinarily signifies an owner of noble birth.” She saw the four exchange glances. Whatever they had told her father, Megan was quite certain these were not merely men of trade. The tall man had a handsome face and a shock of blond hair. As she studied him Megan realized she knew that face. She opened her mouth to speak, but another voice made everyone present wheel about.

“It seems Megan has more wit than any of you.” Merlin strode into the yard, his face clouded with anger.

“Well, well,” said Twm. “My house is a popular place for chance meetings today.”

“It is not chance that brings Lord Idris to your door, Twm,” Merlin told him.

“Lord Idris!” Twm looked afresh at the man he had taken for a horse buyer.

Now Megan knew why his face was familiar. She knew also beyond a doubt that Merlin had been right in his suggestion of Huw’s true parentage.

Lord Idris stepped forward.

“Forgive me, Twm, for this deceit. I came to seek out Merlin. Word had reached me he was to be found near your house. I cannot travel safely in the district of Lord Geraint without disguise.

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