The Angel and the Highlander Read online

  Was that a punch of disappointment to the gut he felt? Mind your thoughts, he warned himself silently, and ordered firmly, “I need to speak with the abbess.”

  “I’m afraid that won’t be possible,” Sister Terese said just as decisively.

  Lachlan had enough. He wanted to speak with the abbess and now. He wanted to get Alyce into his custody and ready for the return trip home, leave by first light and finish this task he never wanted part of in the first place.

  “I must insist,” he said, locking his dark eyes with her blue ones, and damn if the color didn’t remind him of the sky on a hot summer’s day, and he felt like melting into them. He cleared his head with a quick shake and spoke forcefully. “Now! I will see the abbess now!”

  Sister Terese kept her hard gaze locked with his, then blinked softly several times, closing her eyes, lowering her head, then raising it after a moment and opening tear-filled eyes. “The mother abbess is dead.”

  Lachlan didn’t hide his shock. He nearly choked when he asked, “What happened?”

  “Mother Abbess succumbed to an illness shortly after our arrival here.”

  “I am so sorry to hear that. Have you taken over her duties?”

  Sister Terese nodded. “I have.”

  While the loss was certainly tragic, it didn’t change his plans and he wanted to see to them immediately. “Then it is you I need to inform that I have come for Alyce Bunnock at the request of her father. I am to return her home so that she may wed.”

  Sister Terese rolled her eyes and shook her head slowly.

  Lachlan assumed she expected a problem from Alyce and sought to assure her. “There is no need to concern yourself with the situation. I will handle Alyce Bunnock.”

  “I’m afraid not—”

  Lachlan didn’t let her finish. “Believe me, Sister Terese, whether Alyce wishes to go with me or not, will make no difference. She will return home with me. Now, please, take me to her so I can deliver the news and be done with it.”

  Sister Terese stared at him for a moment and then gave a sharp nod. “Follow me.”

  Lachlan was surprised when they left the compound, a torch in her hand as she led him down the pine-strewn path. They looked to be headed in the direction of the small cottages, and he immediately wondered if Alyce was so difficult to get along with that they had given her separate quarters.

  His curiosity took over when they left the pine path and passed the two cottages. Had they confined Alyce to some remote dwelling to be rid of her?

  They finally came to a stop in an area devoid of any dwellings and Sister Terese pointed to a spot just beyond her.

  Lachlan glanced at her as if she were crazy. There was nothing there—until the woman raised the torch she carried, the flicking light casting a broader glow across the area.

  Lachlan froze when he saw several crosses stuck in the ground, some tilted oddly while a few stood straight.

  Sister Terese glared at him. “Not only did Mother Abbess and several of our sisters die, but so did Alyce Bunnock.”

  Chapter 2

  Lachlan stared at the tilted cross with crudely carved letters, the last squeezed in tightly to finish the name Alyce. It took a moment to comprehend that the grave marked the end of his mission.

  “Were you with her when she died?” Lachlan asked. “Her father will want to know that…” He didn’t finish, for he didn’t know how Angus Bunnock would react to the news. Would he cry over the loss of his daughter or would he be relieved that a troublesome daughter was gone?

  “I understand,” Sister Terese said softly. “You can tell him that she didn’t suffer and she truly is at peace.”

  He nodded, not knowing if it would be enough to assuage Bunnock’s loss, but at least it would be something.

  “Please let me offer you and your men food, shelter and rest,” Sister Terese said, “before you begin your long journey home tomorrow.”

  She turned and holding the torch high to light their way retraced her steps to the compound. As he followed, he wondered if it would be wise to leave the five vulnerable women unprotected.

  He hastened his steps toward her thinking to discuss the matter with her before they reached the door. He halted abruptly when he suddenly found himself too close to her. He tempered his steps to keep an appropriate distance from her, silently admonishing himself for allowing his eyes to fall on her swaying hips and rounded backside.

  Looking at her as a desirable woman instead of a nun wasn’t proper, but damn if she didn’t have an attractive backside. It was just the kind he liked, squeezable, especially so when the woman was riding him.

  You’re going to rot in hell, Lachlan, for such lascivious thoughts.

  His silent warning did little good, since he couldn’t help but think of how her long blond hair would fall over him and tantalize his naked body as she rode him.

  Burn! You’re going to burn forever in hell.

  His second warning should have been like a cold splash in the face. However, with his loins lusting he’d need more than a splash. He’d need a good dunking in a freezing cold lake.

  He jumped at the soft touch to his shoulder.

  “Forgive me,” Sister Terese apologized. “I called your name several times but you didn’t answer. The news has obviously disturbed you, and how insensitive of me not to have offered my condolences.”

  Damn, but if he wasn’t going to suffer never-ending damnation.

  He let her think what she would and mumbled what he hoped passed for a thank you, but was really a plea for forgiveness. After all, he didn’t want to rot, burn, or suffer never-ending damnation.

  “Food and rest will have you feeling better,” Sister Terese offered and extinguished the torch in a bucket near the door before opening it.

  For a brief moment the half-moon cast a soft glow over her face and he near gasped. He had thought he had known beauty, but seeing her face kissed by the moonlight he realized he had never known it until this very moment.

  The splash of light from the open door was what he needed to clear his head and his lust. He entered the common shelter glad for the chatter, delicious scents, and the company of his men.

  He quickly joined them at the long table; the nuns busy filling tankards with mead and heaping more food on the platters in the center. His men were enjoying the generous fare of meat, fish, potatoes with wild onions, and bread.

  Silence fell around the table when Lachlan informed his men that Alyce Bunnock was dead.

  Boyd broke the silence. “We’ll be leaving then at first light?”

  “No,” Lachlan said shaking his head. “With signs of mercenaries in the area, I don’t think it would be wise to leave the nuns unprotected.”

  Sister Terese stepped forward. “No one bothers us. We do fine here and we are needed here.”

  “That may be but I can’t leave you here,” Lachlan said.

  “The people need us,” Sister Rowena argued, her smile firm.

  “We cannot desert them,” Sister Hester added

  Sister Megan hugged the pitcher of mead she held. “This is our home.”

  “I don’t mean to upset you, but I believe the church would want to know your circumstances,” Lachlan clarified.

  “The church does,” Sister Terese said. “It was our mission to establish a convent to help convert the pagans. Slowly, we are accomplishing what we were sent to do. Only the church has the authority to order us to abandon our post. So you see, we cannot, nor will we leave here.”

  He admired her dedication, and it was obvious she would remain tenacious about her decision, leaving him only one choice.

  “I will contact the church,” he said.

  Sister Terese shook her head. “That isn’t necessary. We are doing as the church ordered.”

  “But with far less help and much more vulnerability than expected,” Lachlan corrected. “I would feel more comfortable notifying the church.”

  “That will be fine,” Sister Terese agreed, thoug
h obviously with reluctance. “We will await the decision. Now eat and rest. We will make sure you have plenty of food to take when you leave tomorrow.”

  “You misunderstand,” Lachlan said. “We’re not going anywhere. I will send two of my men to see to the task while the rest of us remain here.”

  “That isn’t necessary,” Sister Terese repeated adamantly. “You would be stuck here two months at least, or more if the church takes time to respond.”

  “We could use a respite, and you our help,” he said resting back in his chair with a smile.

  “That’s asking too much of you and your men,” she persisted.

  “Not at all.” Lachlan glanced around the table at his men. “Do any of you object?”

  Every man shook his head.

  “Your men have no say. They have to obey you,” Sister Piper objected strenuously, surprising everyone, though Evan grinned.

  Lachlan watched as with a firm nod Sister Terese silenced Sister Piper, her mouth shutting with a petulant pout.

  “They serve him as we serve the church,” Sister Terese reminded.

  “Then you agree,” Lachlan confirmed. “We will remain here until we hear from the church.”

  “I truly do not wish to impose—”

  “Nonsense,” Lachlan interrupted another of her attempts to object. “I would feel remiss in my duty if we did not remain here and see you safe until the church determines your fate.”

  Sister Terese nodded. “It would seem there is no changing your mind.”

  Lachlan stood and bowed gallantly. “I and my men are at your service, Sister Terese.”

  “I appreciate your offer, but you will find we are self-sufficient here.”

  “As are we,” Lachlan said and with another bow and smile he sat in his chair. “We will not impose on your generosity. We will provide food and construct a temporary shelter for ourselves.”

  Sister Terese nodded, though Lachlan noticed the tight set of her lips. She appeared annoyed, but was wise enough to realize that any further debate was futile.

  “This common shelter houses our sleeping quarters, which lie beyond that curtain,” Sister Terese said with a nod toward it. “So, out of respect and courtesy, I ask that you not enter here unless invited.”

  “Of course,” Lachlan said agreeably. “We do not wish to upset or interfere in your routine; only to help.”

  Sister Terese smiled and Lachlan felt a sting to his senses. Her prominent cheekbones took on a sculpted beauty and her blue eyes sparkled like a brilliant jewel. Once again warning signals went off in his head while his body was quick to heat.

  Never-ending damnation, he silently reminded himself.

  “I am sure you and your men will be busy hunting and erecting your shelter.”

  Erecting. Why did she have to use that word?

  “That we will,” he said quickly and wondered over the wisdom of his decision to remain there, especially since the only women he and his men would be around were five attractive nuns.

  Lachlan and his men settled for the night not far from the common shelter. They had built a fire and afterward enjoyed the warm sweet cakes Megan and Hester had brought out to them. The men were quick to sleep after that, even Lachlan found himself more tired than usual.

  He blamed it on the long, strenuous journey. He had intended to decide tonight on who would return to Caithness, but his exhausted body had other ideas. Morning would be soon enough. He pulled the blanket up over him to fully surrender to sleep. Just as his eyes were about to close, he thought he caught a glimpse of a moving shadow approaching their camp. He struggled to keep his eyes open, told himself to get up, wake the men and admonished himself for not posting a guard. Why hadn’t he posted a guard?

  His thoughts were foggy and he fought the heavy hand of sleep that seemed to squeeze at him. His eyes shot open wide, but only briefly. In that single moment he saw not one, but several moving shadows descending on him and his men. He thought to yell out, but instead his eyes shut and darkness swallowed him.

  “Did he see us?” Terese asked Rowena.

  “Not clear enough to identify anyone,” she assured.

  “How much time do we have?” Hester asked.

  “Three hours to be safe, though the lot of them will probably sleep through until morning,” Rowena said.

  “We can’t take any chances,” Terese said. “Let’s be done with it.”

  The five women hurried to the storage hut. They were quick and agile, though they had only the moonlight to guide their steps. Three went inside and shifted the baskets of food around, then brushed an area of dirt aside on the floor to expose a hatch. Hester swung it open and Piper dropped down inside.

  Light suddenly spewed from the opening followed by bows and a cache of arrows. Rowena collected the weapons Piper handed up. In turn Terese, Hester, and Megan took them and one by one hurried them to their quarters.

  When the women were finished and the storage hut returned to normal, the five nuns met in the common room. They sat around the long table looking from one to other.

  Terese finally spoke. “We knew something like this could happen.”

  The other women nodded.

  “If we keep our wits about us, we can get through this,” Terese said. “I will insist that Lachlan make certain that the church knows that our work here has been successful. Once church superiors hear we are converting the pagans they will issue orders for us to continue. Lachlan and his men will leave and we will be left to ourselves once more.”

  Megan shook her head. “With the time they are going to spend here, they could easily discover the truth.”

  “She’s right,” Hester agreed. “They think to protect us so they will constantly be watching us.”

  “And we will be watching them,” Piper reminded.

  “And when the people need our help?” Megan asked. “How do we ride out of here with our weapons in full view?”

  “That is why we are holding this meeting,” Terese said. “We need to make plans, be prepared.” She looked from Piper to Rowena. “I need you both to find a spot in the woods to hide our weapons.”

  “I know the perfect spot,” Piper said. “We can have it done tonight.”

  Terese nodded and turned to Megan. “Make excuses to visit the farmers; while I know they will not betray us, they need to be aware of the situation.”

  Megan nodded and clenched her hands tightly.

  Terese reached out, resting her hands over Megan’s. “It will be all right. We will survive this.”

  Megan grabbed hold of Terese’s hand. “The time I’ve spent here at Everagis is the only time in my life that I have ever felt safe.”

  Terese watched as in turn each woman nodded. “We have survived and grown strong together. We will remain so. I promise you that.”

  “But the church—”

  Terese didn’t let Megan finish. “I will do whatever is necessary for all of us to stay safe.”

  “You’ve already proved that,” Hester said.

  “Then trust me once more when I tell you we will be fine.”

  Piper jumped up, a flourish of dirt drifting off her. “There’s time to get the first cache of weapons hidden.”

  As each woman stood Terese knew they proclaimed their trust in her. She was the last to stand.

  “Together,” Terese said and the women echoed her command.

  A few hours later with perhaps four hours left until sunrise, Terese fell into bed exhausted. She hoped to drop right off to sleep, but past events came flooding back to torment her, as did worries for the future.

  She wished she could have convinced Lachlan to leave, but it was obvious from the beginning that he would have it his way. He charmed, trying to make it seem that what he was doing was for the best of others, but it truly was to get his own way. She didn’t doubt women easily submitted to that quirky charming smile of his, or that he was used to their surrender.

  This time, however, he was dealing with nuns so he had
to behave.

  Though what if he discovered the truth?

  It had seemed like an answer to her prayers five years ago, not that she had wished ill will on anyone. She knew her circumstances had been of her own doing. But when the nuns began to die of a sickness, she had realized she had a chance to be free, along with the other four women.

  Mother Abbess had rescued each one along the way. Rowena had been beaten beyond belief and left to die along a lonely road. No one had expected her to live, but she had fought bravely for her life and thanks to the nuns’ help she had survived. A near starved Hester had been saved from a selfish innkeeper. Mother Abbess thought she convinced the man to do the right thing and surrender the young woman, but Terese had paid several coins for Hester’s freedom. As for Megan, she had been the worst of the lot. She had walked out of the woods dazed, bloodied and her garments nearly ripped off her. It took her months before she even spoke to anyone and to this day no one knew what had happened to her. Then there was Piper. One day she popped up out of nowhere, dirt streaking her clothes and skin and a dusting of earth trailing after her wherever she went. They soon learned that she loved the woods as she would a mother and knew it just as well.

  Mother Abbess offered them a home at the convent, but only if they took vows. The women quickly agreed. With no place to go, no protection, what other choice did they have?

  All plans fell apart shortly after their arrival. Mother Abbess was the first to fall ill, the nuns soon followed. Terese took command and soon had those healthy enough building shelters and preparing the land for planting. She also instructed the women in the use of weapons and horsemanship. And before they knew it they were defending the surrounding area from troubling bands of bandits. To keep their identity safe, they took on the persona of mercenaries and soon spread gossip about the fierce band in hopes of keeping trouble away.

  When all was done, she and the four women were the only ones left. She wanted what those four women had—freedom.

  She gathered the four women together and confessed her story. She told them of her father a powerful laird who felt his daughter a troublesome lot and wanted to be rid of her until she could serve a beneficial purpose. Then she explained that she wished to be as free as they were, and the only way she could do that was to die.