Page 38 of The Highlander's Virgin Nun
“I would quite like to read,” she finally replied.
The words surprised her as she spoke them aloud. She had learned to read as a child and grew up always trying to find harder texts to push herself with. But at the Abbey, she had only had the Bible. She missed the fantastical tales in her father’s library, even the childhood stories she remembered hearing at bedtime. If she was truly free here, that was what she would like to spend her time on.
“Well, ye can certainly do that. We have a wonderful library, just one floor below yer room. Our maither used to be an avid reader, and the poor spines had gotten little attention since her death. Ye are welcome to browse and borrow anythin’ ye like.”
“Thank ye very much, that sounds lovely.”
“But first, if ye wouldnae mind,” Alexandra continued, “I am goin’ to go fetch some flowers. I saw some beautiful freesias growin’ outside the castle walls. We could pick some for our rooms if ye would like to come with me?”
Rosaline could see that Alexandra adored company. She had not seen any other women her age around the castle, and she realized that Alexandra likely hoped that she and Rosaline would become good friends.
While Rosaline was a more solitary person, finding her own company more comfortable, she saw Alexandra’s warm heart and knew that she would make a good friend. She needed friends around here to look out for her and give her advice. She could not do everything alone.
“Aye, that sounds lovely, thank ye.”
“Wonderful!”
Alexandra popped a few grapes into her mouth, took her bread in her hand, and pushed back the rest of her breakfast.
“Better get to them before the village girls spot them.” She giggled, standing up to leave. She gathered her skirts in one hand so they would not slow her down, and held her bread in the other.
Rosaline rose and followed suit, not wanting to dampen her excitement.
“I think some flowers will brighten up yer rooms,” Alexandra rambled on as they made their way through the castle halls and out the doors. “All the grey stone around here can really dampen yer mood if ye dinnae add color to it!”
“I think ye’re right,” Rosaline allowed, quieter than Alexandra, but trying to meet her energy halfway. Her enthusiasm was hard to match, but Rosaline did not want to appear uninterested or ungrateful for the invitation.
“I dinnae imagine there was much decoration around the Abbey ye came from.”
Alexandra paused then, as if already sensing that Rosaline might need time to talk about it. She was apprehensive to share any more of her story, but she could feel that it was important.
Alexandra was a kind soul who wanted to help, and Rosaline felt that even if she was still unsure of Caelan’s real motives, his sister could be trusted.
“Nay,” she began, deciding to be brave. “Other than some religious regalia, it was very dark and bleak. The nuns arenae allowed to have any personal belongings, so there was very little about.”
Alexandra nodded.
The ensuing silence warned Rosaline that she was about to ask more. She was simply taking the time to phrase her question correctly.
“Ye were escapin’ from there when ye met me braither, is that right?”
“Aye, that’s correct.”
They had passed through the castle gates and were walking along the castle walls. Few people were around, so Rosaline did not need to worry about others overhearing.
“Was it awful?” Alexandra glanced at her as they walked, showing her sympathy. She did not intend to pry or judge, and Rosaline felt that in her warmth.
“They were very unkind to me,” Rosaline admitted. “Me braither sent me there when me faither died and chaos broke out at our home. He paid for me stay there, but the nuns just used me. I was their servant. But more so, I was the target of their anger. They spent so much time followin’ strict rules and bein’ pious in front of others that it was as though they had to have some outlet for the malice and behaviors they were restrictin’. Unfortunately, that was me.”
“I’m terribly sorry, Rosaline,” Alexandra offered. She placed a gentle hand on Rosaline’s arm, just beneath her shoulder, and gave it a small rub. The touch was not harsh or restrictive. It was purely comforting. “Did they nae feed ye? I noticed that ye are terribly thin.”
Rosaline nodded. “Nae very much. I would generally eat whatever they left over, which was very little.”
“Well, we shall get ye back to full health in nay time,” Alexandra declared in a cheery tone. “We have plenty of food here, and I want ye to eat as much of it as yer body allows. Please, dinnae feel the need to be polite.”
“I will.” Rosaline giggled. “I want to regain me strength. I was a healthy child.”
“And so ye will,” Alexandra assured her. “Forgive me for askin’ further—I dinnae mean to pry. It’s just that I want to understand what ye have been through so that we can help ye recover.”
