The Brat Page 0,35

give me the truth of the matter."

"Ah, I see." He nodded, then said, "So, you are confused as to whether this dream man is the one you should marry, or one you should definitely not marry."

"Aye."

"Well..." Edward frowned, then glanced at Becker. "Which is it, Becker? You are more knowledgeable on such superstitions than I."

Murie blinked in surprise at the king owning up to his ignorance and asking his aide, but then she realized that was what an aide was for. And, perhaps true wisdom wasn't in knowing everything, but in being willing to turn to those who do know what you don't. After all, no one could know everything. Becker did not hesitate. "I believe Lord Malculinus had it right last night, sire. Fasting or eating the rotten meat would make you dream of the man meant to be your husband. As far as I know, there is no mention of anything making you dream of one you should not marry. In fact, such a bit would be rather silly. 'Tis obvious if you should marry one, all the rest are ones you should not."

Edward nodded and smiled at Murie. "There you are, then. Whoever this man you dreamt of is, he is the one meant to be your husband." He smiled faintly. "You really dreamed of someone?"

"Aye." She blushed again.

"And it is someone you have never seen or met before?" he asked with interest.

"Aye," Murie murmured.

"Hmmm." Edward's expression became concerned. "Murie, I appreciate that you do not wish to marry and leave us, but you cannot use a dream man as an excuse to delay in choosing a husband. Phillippa will not give ground on this."

"Oh, nay, sire," she assured him quickly. "I would never do that. Besides, when I went down yesterday morn to breakfast, I saw the man from my dream."

"You did?" The king looked stunned. "Well, who is it?" Murie hesitated. "Lord Gaynor."

"Lord Gaynor?" Edward repeated sharply. "No, he has not been to court in years. Not until the day before yesterday, and always left as quickly as he arrived, usually avoiding the feasts and balls."

"He has been here before then?" Murie asked with surprise, for truly, she'd never seen him before that morning.

"Aye, but you could not have met him and gained a tendre for him," he pointed out. She realized that he'd originally thought her dream a result of her own subconscious desires.

"Oh, nay, I had no tendre when I dreamt of him," she assured the king. "I had never seen his face before. And truly, I almost feared he was a figment of my imagination until I saw him."

"But..." Edward looked confused, then asked with bewilderment, "You really ate some rotten meat and dreamed of a man you had never before seen?"

"Aye," she answered.

"I see," Edward said. "And it was Gaynor. You are sure?"

"Oh, aye. I pointed him out to Lady Reynard when I spotted him, and she knew him. She is the one who told me his name, and I am sure she is right."

"Aye. I am sure she is," he agreed. He glanced to Becker.

"Gaynor."

"Aye, sire."

"He is a good man."

"Aye, sire," Becker agreed. "Balan. A fine and faithful warrior. His father passed during the plague, and he has inherited the holding."

"Aye." The king nodded. "I was thinking to reward him for his loyalty in France, and this would be a fine reward."

"Aye, sire," Becker agreed.

Murie's eyes widened in alarm. "Sire, I have not told him I dreamt of him, and I will not do so until I am sure we suit. And then, of course, he may not wish to marry me," she pointed out, hoping Edward would not interfere. "You said I could choose my own husband. What if it ends that we cannot love each other?"

"Love?" Edward looked at her with surprise. "You do not base marriages on love, child. I did not even know Phillippa when it was decided we should marry."

"Aye, but you did say I could choose my own husband," she reminded him.

"Aye, and you have," he pointed out. "You are the one who came to me with his name."

"But..." Murie bit her lip, trying to think of a way to tell him to mind his own bloody business without causing insult. It didn't seem possible, however. Besides, he probably wouldn't listen. The man was lost in his thoughts.

After a moment, Edward glanced about, seemingly startled when he spotted her still there.

"Oh. You are excused, Murie," he said at once, then turned to Becker and