Page 37 of The Highlander's Virgin Nun
“I have somethin’ else I need to speak with ye about,” Caelan added.
“Other than the identities of the people who followed ye into the woods, on yer own land?” Jayden scoffed.
“I got nay clear view of them, and they couldnae get anywhere near me. They are gone—they dinnae matter.”
Jayden rolled his eyes again, as though he could tell that his Laird was not in a mood to be argued with.
“I need ye to investigate somethin’ for me.”
“All right.” Jayden leaned back in his chair, listening.
“I want to ken more about the Abbey Rosaline escaped from. The one in Stonepeak Forest. There are two nuns there—Mother Denise Cowan, the Abbess, and Sister Maude Whyte. I want ye to find out everythin’ ye can about them. Find me somethin’ I can leverage against them. Proper diggin’.”
“Are they goin’ to come after the lass?” Jayden looked entirely confused.
“Maybe. Either way, they are evil, and I willnae let them live in peace. Find me somethin’ on them.”
“Aye, Me Laird,” Jayden said, writing down the names on a piece of parchment he took out of his pocket, with the quill on Caelan’s desk.
“And one more. Conall Shaw, Laird of Clan MacKinnon.”
“Clan MacKinnon,” Jayden echoed, running the name over in his mind. “I think they’re about a hundred miles or so up north. I havenae heard anythin’ about them in many years. Do ye think this Conall is the one that’s been after ye?”
“Nay,” Caelan replied. “He is Rosaline’s braither.”
Jayden paused his writing and looked up. “Are ye seekin’ a dowry?”
“Nay, nay dowry. I have plenty to support the lass meself. I just think he ought to ken where his sister is, and who she is marryin’. And he owes the lass answers after all these years. Track him down for me.”
“Aye, Me Laird. I’ll get on it right away.”
Jayden finally rose and left the study.
Caelan reclined in his chair, glad to have gotten the names back to his right-hand man, finally able to relax. As he closed his eyes, his mind replayed images of Rosaline—her body, her movements, and everything he had learned about her the night before. He had adored touching her, tasting her, and she was more than he could have asked for.
She was perfect.
He only hoped he hadn’t pushed her too far, too soon. She had been quiet this morning, reserved. Seeing therealher shine through the night before had been a privilege, and he was desperate to see that girl again.
Caelan knew that that in itself was wrong. He should not have done what he did. Their marriage was to be contractual only, and their relationship too. He could not let her fall for a man already doomed to die.
It was all too cruel to leave a woman heartbroken and alone when a man knew his days were numbered. He should have kept his distance, physically and emotionally, but she pulled him in too deep. Everything about her was irresistible, and he knew he would do it again.
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
“Good mornin’, Rosaline. How are ye?”
Alexandra skipped into the Great Hall, as cheerful as ever, her words tumbling after one another. A large smile played on her lips, and her eyes were warm and excited. It was hard not to resist her positive energy.
“Good mornin’, Alexandra. I’m well, and ye?”
“I’m wonderful, thank ye. How are ye settlin’ in? Did me braither buy ye new dresses?” Alexandra sat beside Rosaline and loaded her plate with fruit and bread.
“Aye, we went to the dressmaker’s a couple of days ago. She was lovely and very helpful. They should arrive in a few days, and I can give ye yer dresses back.”
“Brilliant. I am in nay rush to have me dresses back—ye can keep them. I only want ye to have clothes that fit yet comfortably. What do ye intend to do today?”
Rosaline’s mind went blank. She had simply been trying to get by every day. She had been seeking out any information she could get, trying to find the catch in her new situation, for therehadto be one. But as her search kept drawing a blank, she felt she simply had to settle.
