and a lass of the same name who Mac thought was pleasing to the eye. Silene missed Mac. She missed the four of them bantering all day. She loved that one or two of them even started praying with her before they came to Dundonald. Mac was one of them. Morgann was the other.
When they reached the doors, Mac bid her a good day. “Twas good seein’ ye again, Sister.”
Mac would never betray Galeren. He was Galeren’s best friend, and a good one to her, as well. She hoped he was genuine. How would she know? What did she know of men? Friends?
She headed for her chambers but stopped when she heard her name. She turned in the hall to see her uncle, the steward.
He hurried toward her. “I was lookin’ for ye.”
“You found me,” she said with a smile, despite his stoic expression.
“The leaders of the church are here. Over a dozen bishops and priests are here to meet ye.”
What? Today! No! “Uncle, I—”
For a moment, his gaze softened on her. “I know. I wasna expectin’ them either.” He clenched his jaw and straightened his shoulders. “I hope ye are ready fer them. If ye are not, then go practice. They expect certain rituals to be performed. Ye are to know what they are. Vanquish all distractions. There will be an informal gatherin’ in the town hall at dusk. Dinna fail me, Niece.”
“How could I fail you?” she asked with a quirk of her brow.
“Ye will remember what ye are and forsake all others. I dinna care what ye feel. Ye will put it all aside and fulfill the purpose fer which ye were born.”
“I need more time, Uncle.”
His eyes opened wider then darkened on her. “More time fer what?” He didn’t let her answer. “To decide if the priory is right fer ye? Let me help ye, Sister. If ye say or do anythin’ other than speak yer vow next spring, I will make yer life and the life of whoever is with ye a livin’ nightmare. I will destroy what ye desire.”
“You threaten me?” she asked, trying not to sound as incredulous as she felt.
“I see it more like a promise.” His grin looked almost misshapen with satisfaction. “Remember. Dusk.”
He left, disappearing down the hall. She needed to go to confession about how she felt about her uncle. He sought prestige and little else. He didn’t care about her, so there was nothing else to say.
When she turned down the corridor, she saw Will huddled in a shadowed corner laughing with a woman.
Silene smiled and ducked into her chambers before they saw her. She shut the door and locked it. She leaned against the other side for a moment and then went to her bed. What was she to do? The captain wanted her to leave Dundonald with him—perhaps leave St. Patrice’s.
She wasn’t returning to the priory. She’d known it before she left. Was she going to Invergarry instead? Or would her uncle make good on his threat?
Where was the captain? She wanted to go find him. She wanted to tell him that her uncle had threatened her. No. He didn’t need to know. Not yet. Why rile him up and draw more attention to them? She had to go before the church whether she went with Galeren or not. She had to ease her uncle’s suspicions and prove that he was favorably tied to the church—after he’d just threatened her. She couldn’t do it.
Closing her eyes, she breathed and tried to remain calm. They were going to ask her about God. That she could do.
Would the captain be there? John had said it was informal. Did she want the captain there? Would she draw strength from him or let him sap her of it?
She made the sign of the cross and removed her veil and wimple. She felt hot. It was hard to breathe.
What was she going to do about the captain? Did going with him mean giving up her vows? Not unless she went to his bed as his wife. If she chose him over her vows was it forgivable? Father Nate confused her. She had the comforting feeling that it was.
She breathed out a little laugh. Who knew if Captain Galeren even wanted a wife? Oh, the questions were making her feel mad.
She looked around the room to the folded gown smuggled into her bag by little Adam’s mother in Hamsertown. She went to it. She hadn’t unfolded it and she’d barely touched it.