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hard-bristled brush, and did not immediately answer.
    “How is my mother?” he said with a slight pant.
    “She is well. I would say the baby is due soon.”
    Kent nodded, his small face serious. “She promised to send word when the time came.”
    “Would you rather be with her? I’m sure I could arrange it.”
    The boy thought. He didn’t know any man, not even his father, whom he admired more than Bracken. Bracken was huge and black as a bear, but when Kent had overcome his initial fear of Bracken’s size,he had found a man with a heart of gold. He then realized his great fortune in his father’s sending him to Hawkings Crest to serve as vassal. He cared more deeply about his mother than he could express in words, but even though he had only been there a few months, he couldn’t stand the thought of leaving Hawkings Crest and its lord.
    “I’ll stay here.”
    “Very well.”
    The subject was dropped then, but Bracken made a mental note to keep Kent just busy enough to leave him no time to think. Kent was one of many young vassals Bracken had had in the years he had been lord, and as with many of the other boys, he’d come to care deeply for him. He was certain that as soon as the infant was born, all would be well.

     
    Back in the creamery the first churns were ready to be delivered, and for the first time all week, Megan stepped forward and spoke.
    “I’ll take this for you,” she said softly, gesturing to the churn she had been working.
    Eddie had not heard her speak since the first day and had forgotten the husky quality of her voice. The quiet authority he heard gave him pause, but he was still going to refuse her. Megan, however, had other ideas. She lifted the churn and held his eyes with her own.
    “Thank you, Eddie,” she said softly, and before he could utter a word, she moved out the door.
    Eddie glanced around, but no one else had heard the exchange, so he lost no face. He went after her then, but only to watch. He was not at all surprised to see Arik following her at some distance.

     
    Bracken, bathed and now well-breakfasted, sat surrounded by his men in what was known as the war room of the castle. They had ridden for days, accomplishing a small job for King Henry without thought of personal comforts, and now that all were clean and well fed, they spoke of all they had seen. Arik was not among them. Bracken had sent for him, but he had not as yet made an appearance.
    Hunting trophies of every size and type, as well as archaic weaponsof war, lined this large room. It was a place where Bracken felt most comfortable. The men had been talking for the better part of 20 minutes when Megan opened the door, left it open, and took several steps inside the huge room.
    Bracken did not recognize this servant and sighed gently. All too often new female servants sought him out, out of sheer curiosity. He was large and dark, and the sooner they saw him, the sooner they could put their minds to rest that he was not half bear as so many claimed.
    “We do not need anything at this time,” he said kindly to this scruffy-looking maid. “We’ll send someone if we do.”
    “I need to speak with you, Lord Bracken.”
    Bracken’s brow lowered. It was to be one of these; a servant girl who worked on her voice and mannerisms and who had visions of attracting the attention of the lord of the keep.
    “Please leave us.” Bracken’s voice was hard this time, enough to put anyone off. To his amazement, this impertinent chit moved farther into the room. Each one of his men had turned now, and Bracken felt anger kindle within him.
    “I’m sorry to disturb you, Lord Bracken,” Megan began, her voice humble and soft, her stance respectful. “I have wanted to see you for several days. I am Megan of Stone Lake. My father is Vincent. I did not know that you would be away, and I was uncertain what to do, so I stayed on here in your keep.
    “While coming to you, my father’s men were attacked some miles back. They