Page 145 of Laird of Smoke
But then he remembered the alewife, her husband, their alehouse, and how distraught Eve had been over the injustice.So he accepted the coin and pledged to seek out the impoverished couple.They would get the recompense they deserved.
He only wished he could tell Eve.But there was no way to determine where she’d gone.And by now, the trail was cold.
Unless…
He marched to the pavilion of the king’s physician and whipped open the flap.The physician was there, bandaging a soldier’s hand.Glancing up and seeing Adam’s glare, he finished up and sent the man on his way.
“You,” Adam said.“What do you know about the hostage?”
The physician washed his hands in a basin of water.“The nun?”
“Aye.”
The physician eyed Adam as if he wondered whether he could trust him.Then he murmured, “I don’t think she was a spy.”
“Is that so?”
“Aye.I think shewasa nun.”
Adam didn’t give his opinion much credit.“Spies are skilled at mimicry.She was very good.”
“What she did was beyond mimicry.”
“What do you mean?”
“She saved a man’s life.”
Adam frowned.“Through…prayer?”In his experience, it was rare for a man of science to put much faith in miracles.
“Nay.She stitched up a knife wound.A wound I was goin’ to cauterize.I’ve ne’er seen such skill, such beautiful work.”
Adam was struck speechless.Surely that wasn’t true.He’d seen Eve at the alehouse.She’d nearly fainted at the sight of blood.
The physician shook his head in wonder.“She knew what herbs to use.And how to wrap bandages.She may not be a physician, but she’s had a lot o’ practice, healin’.I believe sheisa nun.”
“What difference does it make now?”
“Because I don’t think ye want a woman o’ God to come to harm…from either side.”
That was true.
Adam stated what he now suspected.“You know where she’s gone.”
The physician nodded.“I think she’s fled back to her convent.”
If the physician had known Eve like Adam did, he’d never dream she belonged to a convent.
Still, the man had a point.It made sense Eve would find a safe place to go.The convent she’d mentioned before, where she had friends among the sisters, was near Mauchline.He’d told her the king wouldn’t attack nuns.It seemed a convenient and likely place of refuge.
“Thank you,” Adam said.
The physician caught his arm.“Ye’ll keep her safe, aye?”
“On my honor as a Rivenloch.”
He’d keep her safe.If she was willing to allow it.At the moment, his was probably the last face she wanted to see.
The best way to infiltrate a nunnery was as a visiting monk.Convent sisters always showed deference to their holy brothers.And it didn’t hurt that, disguising himself as a man of God, it would be harder for Eve to publicly vent her rage upon him.
