Chapter 65 All a Father Can Do

  "Reeve Kenneth."

  "Father McGreggor."
  "How are ye fairing?"

Chapter 64 Let Them Eat Cake

  After Thames kissed her, everyone applauded.

  Or perhaps they had begun to applaud before that.  Frella was never quite sure.

Chapter 63 Frella's Father

  He stepped out from between the trees.  He watched the gypsy man from a distance.  The gypsy didn't see him, and he did not call out to him.  He did not want to be seen.  It would be best if his family knew not of his daughter, or his daughter of himself or his family.  And yet here he was, watching the gypsy prepare to marry his daughter.

Chapter 62 Cold Feet

  It was time for Thames to dress for the wedding.

  Thames dragged his feet all the way there.

Chapter 61 Frella

  Frella Longfellow finished putting on the gypsy clothes her husband to be sent to her.  She was ready to leave, to go and wed him.  Or at least she was as ready as she was going to be.

Chapter 60 What Ails You?

  Francis had worked hard all week.  He barely spent time with his frat brothers anymore, unless they studied or ate together.  In fact he had felt a little guilty about it.  To make up for it he asked if any of them would like to join him in his trip to Rosewood.  The replies had been scattered.

  "Busy," from Lord Alexander.

  "Again?" from his brother Henry.

  "I am not eager to go back to Rosewood anytime soon," had been Lord Henry's reply.  Then he had walked away muttering "the last thing I need is to visit the castle."

  What was that about?

Chapter 59 Where is My baby?

  After Lady Margaret birthed her baby some of the women helped her get clean.  Her first inclination was to protest, but she was too weak to cleanse herself.  Then they helped her into a clean shift and helped her get up on the bed to rest.  They had brought her a nourishing soup to keep up her strength.  After this she wanted to be up.  So then they helped her into her dress.  She was told how well she looked and was generally fussed over.

  Lady Margaret had been worn out up until this point.  Now she wanted to know one thing.

  Where is my baby?

Chapter 58 Come Out Child!

  Lord Allan and Lady Margaret Morse had been delighted to finally have a child on the way.  But once his wife was showing Lord Allan began to worry that their secret would be revealed.

  "I cannot attend your birth, I am a man."

  "I did not ask you to husband."

  "Surely you can not birth alone?" Lord Allan had a hint of hope in his voice.

  "No Allan, I cannot."

  "Are you quite certain?"

  "I cannot catch the babe."

  "But they will know!  We will surely be killed."

Chapter 57 Princess Jean Finds Out

  Princess Jean met Francis for sweets before he went back to college.  He had come to making frequent trips to Rosewood.  She liked to think he came for her, but it was just as likely to see his parents.

Chapter 56 One Sunday at the Castle

  Early Sunday morning King Leon ventured out and greeted Brother Michael Goodman, who conducts services in the royal chapel.  King Leon does not particularly favor Brother Goodman.  He does not particularly favor any of the monks.  Brother Michael used to care for a cat the queen used to have.  At her request Brother Goodman was granted the honor.  Thinking about it King Leon realized he really didn't care.  Well if it was Brother Gargamel he would.  Leon couldn't stand that Gargamel.

  I swear if that fool Gargamel dares to come to the castle I'll throw him in the dungeon.

  Thus the king was already vexed before his knight appeared before him.

Chapter 55 New Nun

  "Thank ye jest doesn't seem like enough.  That food will last me a spell.  I be a bard by trade, a poor one, but a bard nonetheless.  Shall I entertain thee?"

  Entertain me?  As if looking into your eyes is not enough.  Your eyes behind those curly locks...

  "Sister?"

  That is right, sister.  I was so certain, so certain about becoming a nun...then I looked into those eyes.

Chapter 54 Lord Henry Divulges

  "Francis, I'm going to see what are other 'brothers' are up to, care to join me?"

  "No thank you Henry, I'm busy."

Chapter 53 In Her Dreams

  Deep in the night Winifred Sanders visited his wife in her dreams.

Chapter 52 Unexpected Opportunities

  When Henry and Francis Frell had walked to the fraternity, Henry told Francis it meant good lodging and good food.  Francis had hoped for more.  He hoped it would be an opportunity.  Opportunity for what he did not know.  But as second born, he needed opportunities.  Working in the castle had been one, and look where it took him?  All the way to college.

  The pledging had been easy.  They had needed to do little more than get to know the Lionhearts better, entertain them a little.  Francis had wanted to befriend them ever since that party he and his papa had gone to.

  Francis did do most of the work around the frat house.  He did not mind this.  He would learn what he could here as well as in his studies.  He is a merchant man.  He was learning how best to serve noblemen - and how to get along with them.  Surely there is opportunity in that.  Francis had no idea.