Page 16

She nodded again.

“Too detailed for you to explain it all?”

She nodded again.

“Another time,” her da said and again she nodded.

Her da returned to telling her tales of her grandmother and kept Dawn laughing as she continued to draw.

“Wonderful! You are drawing and from memory,” Tate said, gazing down at the parchment once he got near enough. “What place is this?”

Dawn pursed her lips and tapped her fingers against them.

Tate appeared confused.

Kirk interpreted. “A secret place.”

Dawn confirmed with a nod.

“It is a small dwelling and appears well hidden among the trees and foliage,” Tate said, twisting his head to try and get a better view of it. “I never expected your work to be so remarkably detailed. Looking upon your drawing makes me feel as if I am standing there seeing it for myself.” He tilted his head to get a better view. “Why is it a secret?”

Dawn looked to her da.

Kirk hid his grin when he said what he knew his daughter’s response would be. “It would not be a secret if she told you why it is a secret.”

Tate’s cheeks heated in embarrassment. “Of course, how foolish of me. It is just that your drawing shows it as such a serene place that I would love to see it for myself. You absolutely must do more drawings for me, perhaps the village or the castle.” He gasped. “The large tower behind the castle, the view must be breathtaking from there, perhaps you could draw that.”

Peals of laughter and screams of delight kept Dawn from responding and she shook her head when she saw that Lizbeth was riding Beast as if he were a horse and directing him as to what child to go after.

“I will see to her,” her da offered and hurried to his feet.

“How do you draw with unruly bairns about?” Tate asked with distaste.

Dawn gestured quickly.

Tate shook his head. “I am sorry. I do not understand.”

“You are an idiot.”

Tate jumped and turned, startled to see an old woman behind him, leaning on a tall staff. “Lady Dawn says I am an idiot.”

“Nay! I say you are an idiot,” Old Mary said. “The children are not unruly; they are at play. That is what Lady Dawn said to you since you are too much of an idiot to understand it.”

This was one time Dawn was glad no one could hear her laugh.

“I am not an idiot, old woman,” Tate snapped.

“Old Mary,” she corrected. “And show some respect to an elder unless, of course, you are lacking in manners as well as being an idiot.”

Dawn had to turn her head away, fearful her eyes would betray her laughter.

“I will have you know that I have impeccable manners, having had attended endless noble gatherings and I have even been in attendance of high nobility. I am far from a commoner,” Tate said, letting her know of his displeasure at being insulted.

“Idiot,” Old Mary said again and shooed at him. “Off with you while I talk with Lady Dawn.”

Tate looked about to burst with anger but restrained himself and with a respectful bob to Dawn, said, “I will speak with you later, Lady Dawn.”

Dawn acknowledged him with a nod, and he turned, shaking his head, and strode angrily away.