when this is over.”
She turned to the door, opened it, and stepped inside. Into a sea of men who all turned to look at her as she entered, leaving the five warriors outside.
All went silent for an eternal moment, and then someone cleared his throat and the buzz of their voices began again.
“Well now,” said a man suddenly standing behind her. “This must be Sister Silene.”
“Aye, my dear niece.” John hurried over and introduced her to the men.
Her heart thumped hard in her chest but remarkably, she didn’t feel anxious or afraid.
“Sister Silene, ’tis a delight to meet you,” said a bishop. He was a tall man with foggy, brown eyes and thin white hair that fell over his large ears. He’d been introduced as The Most Reverend Thomas Graham, Bishop of Glasgow. “May I ask, when did you take your vows?”
Her eyes opened a little wider, and then she remembered her habit and smiled. “Oh, Your Excellency, I have not spoken them yet. I am a novice. My white habit was destroyed while traveling here. The steward’s kind wife found a gray habit for me to wear for now.”
The bishop’s smile was laced with regret. “When will you take your vows?”
“My ceremony is next spring.”
He glanced at a group of leaders standing close by and listening.
“Stewart?” called Abbot Neville of Scone. “We were told she was a nun.”
“She practically is one!” her uncle defended.
“Practically,” said Abbot Neville for all to hear, “is not good enough.”
Chapter Fourteen
Silene stepped into the brisk night and looked up into Galeren’s eyes. He was the last person she wanted to see. She looked away.
“Captain,” she managed to speak. She didn’t know how. “You and your men may go. As you can see, I have two escorts, Father Michael and Father Benedict.”
“What is it? What has happened?” Galeren asked, not paying attention to her introduction. He looked angry, frightened. He moved to touch her, but she stepped back before her two escorts took notice.
“Please, Captain,” she pleaded softly. “Go. We will speak another time.”
She didn’t want to see him, smell him, feel him in her blood. She didn’t want to talk. She needed to be alone to shiver and weep in private.
She was falling in love with the captain. Falling in love with a man.
Are You angry?
“Please excuse me, Captain.” She turned on her heel and left. He didn’t follow her. She was glad. She didn’t want to explain.
Her time had come to an end, taken from her. The church would not offer her uncle any favor or place on their council for having a novice in the family. They were stretching things accepting a nun. They were quick to remind the steward of it.
But they were here, her uncle had pointed out. Why couldn’t she speak her vows now? They agreed. There was to be a ceremony in two days.
Two days. Not next spring.
She walked, stunned and numb, back to her chambers. She didn’t remember when her two escorts left her.
Two days.
She entered her chambers wishing she’d never met the captain. If she hadn’t, she would have been thrilled to say her vows in two days. Now, her heart was breaking.
If he hadn’t come for her, she would have spoken her vows to God and if she had met Galeren later, it would be too late for anything…
Was this feeling that it wasn’t too late so comforting because there was still time to do something about it?
She wanted more time to pray. She had a lifetime decision to make in just two days. Speak her vows to help her uncle or run away with the captain.
If she ran away, her uncle would have no more need of her and would likely have her followed and killed for shaming him. He’d already promised to make her life, and whoever was with her, a nightmare. She didn’t doubt him.
Not only would her decision change her life, it could cost her her life, as well. Or Galeren’s. Or both.
She pulled off her veil and wimple, everything down to her chemise and boots, everything but her beads around her neck.
Even if God wasn’t angry with her, riding to the north with an army on their backs didn’t appeal.
She fell to her knees before her bed and clasped her hands together. She’d been trained since she was fourteen to give her life to God. Why would He send a man like Galeren MacPherson into her life? Why did Galeren find her the most peaceful places to pray? Help her