When a Young Heart Loves (The Secret of Moonacre Fanfiction)

Welcome to the De Noirs

Loveday and Sir Benjamin stood up to greet the newcomer. "Mr. Dalton! It's good to see you!" Loveday welcomed Harold with a smile, "please join us, there's plenty of room for everyone."

Harold and Luke bowed and made their way towards them.

A servant squeezed in two chairs between Mr. De Noir and Robin for Harold and Luke to sit in. Harold sat down wearily, letting the weight of his body sink into his seat. Luke struggled to sit down, not wanting to bend his torso.

"Harold, it's been over two months!" Coeur said.

Harold took off his cap and ran his hands through his hair. "We ran into some trouble. John's gone." His voice was strained.

Mr. De Noir took a drink from his goblet. "What happened?"

Luke and Harold exchanged looks. Guests sitting nearby were listening intently. Henry stood behind Harold, not wanting to leave his father's side.

"We were attacked," Harold finally responded as he leaned into the table, not wanting others to hear.

"Attacked? Like the rumors?"

Harold jerked his head towards Luke. "This one's lucky to be alive. Almost got dragged off. Had a hard time recovering," Harold paused looking around again. A few other guests were trying to listen in. Harold warily looked towards Maria, Sir Benjamin, and Ms. Heliotrope who were listening intently.

"It's ok they're family now," Loveday said putting an arm over Benjamin's shoulders.

"Dragged away? What could thieves possibly want with merchants?" Mr. Havisham asked. He had moved to stand behind Coeur to hear them better.

"It's not thieves," Luke said. He paled as his thoughts took him back. Back to the night his torso had been torn open and he had almost been carried away like a sack of food.
"It's not bandits," he repeated as he raised his shirt to reveal a large scar, still red and tender along his torso.

Those that could see gasped in horror. Luke slowly lowered his shirt and felt his head reeling. He swayed in his seat and Harold had to place a hand on his shoulder to steady him.

"I think this matter deserves a private conversation," Mr. Havisham said.

Harold nodded. "The merchandise made it, Luke could still use some rest though."

"Certainly," Mr. De Noir snapped his fingers and the butler appeared once more. The butler escorted Luke to one of the guest rooms and called for his meal to be taken up with him.

Maria felt her head spin. She recalled the bearded sailor's information, and now seeing Luke's scar, there was something about it all that seemed familiar to her, but she couldn't quite make it out.

Robin saw the strained look on Maria's face. "Princess, are you ok?"

The adults shared glances between each other. Sir Benjamin narrowed his eyes in Robin's direction only to be smacked in the arm by Loveday. Harold raised his eyebrows as he looked between the two.

"Ah, so this is the Moon Princess. It's nice to finally meet you," Harold said to Maria.

"I -uh-yes, pleasure to meet you," Maria responded. She was embarrassed to be referred to as the Moon Princess in such a public setting.

"I hear you saved all of Moonacre."

Maria blushed. She noticed a few De Noirs had turned to look at her. "I couldn't have done it without Robin or Loveday though."

"Robin? Really? What did you do to get that boy to help you? Last I heard he and Henry were trying to catch you."

Maria explained how she had trapped Robin and forced him to help. It was the first time telling the story and they were all extremely amused. Robin's friends could not stop laughing and Mr. De Noir shook his head in disappointment.