Page 64 of The Highlander's Virgin Nun
“Ye have been through so much, Rosaline, and I dinnae even ken half of it. Ye are far braver than me to have made it this far. Of course, ye are brave enough.”
After a moment of silence, with Eliza stroking Rosaline’s hands lightly with her thumbs, she rose and gestured to the food she had brought.
“Please eat. It will do ye good. When ye are done, ye can ring for a servant to take yer plate or bring ye more. There is plenty.”
Rosaline nodded. “Thank ye.”
“Then, please get some rest. I left ye a nightdress in the chest of drawers in case ye didnae get a chance to pack one. There are extra furs atop the wardrobe and plenty of candles to light if ye arenae fond of the dark. Breakfast will be served in the main hall at dawn, but ye dinnae have to wake up early. Take yer time, and we will make ye a plate whenever ye are ready to join us.”
Rosaline stood up. “I really do thank ye, Eliza. It is so kind of ye both to take me in and make me feel so welcome. I dinnae ken what I would have done without ye.”
“Ye dinnae need to thank us, Rosaline. Caelan was right about at least one thing—wedoowe ye. What was yer faither’s is as much yers as it is Conall’s. Thisisyer home, and ye belong here. Ye will always belong here.”
The words were too much for Rosaline’s already broken heart. She hugged Eliza tightly, resting her head on her shoulder. She had just met this woman, and here she was, clinging to her, almost in tears.
But Eliza did not make her emotions feel too big or too much. She wrapped her arms around her and held her just as tight, lightly rubbing her back.
“Sleep well, lass. Ye can relax now.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
The Scottish midlands were almost silent for the entire journey, the only sound being the clip-clop of his horse’s hooves. Caelan knew Jayden and his other men were following him at different distances, but even he could not sense them as they moved under perfect cover.
He had already passed through the clearing where he had first met his wife. It had been the perfect spot to assassinate him, but no such attack came now. He almost slowed down, in case he missed it, but he knew he could not stir any suspicion in case someone was watching.
And so he continued towards the Abbey.
He had intended to come here after he captured more attackers, but if they had yet to come, he might as well make his cover story a reality. Miller trotted on until they reached a copse of trees a few meters from the Abbey.
Under the cover of trees and the night sky, he dismounted, and after a few moments, he called out quietly, “Jayden.”
Another few moments of silence passed, and then he heard twigs snapping underfoot. He only had to wait a minute for Jayden to emerge from the darkness.
“Nothin’,” he sighed. He saw the frustration in Jayden’s tight jaw and furrowed brow. “Nothin’. I didnae hear or see a thing.”
“Neither did we. None of the men did. We spread out after a while, but we heard nothin’ in any direction.”
“Typical.” Caelan scowled.
“Do ye think they’re on to us?”
“Nay. They have never been discreet. I have won each time because these men have nay stealth. I dinnae think they have suddenly developed the ability to go unseen.”
“What should we do then, Me Laird?”
Caelan took a moment to think. He leaned back against the tree to which he had tied Miller’s harness. He rubbed his temples with his fingers and considered his options.
“We cannae force an attack if there is nay one around to attack us. We are at the Abbey now. Let’s at least settle this matter.”
“Are we really goin’ to battle nuns, Caelan?”
He laughed. “Nay. They are horrible women capable of torture, but nay. I dinnae intend to drive me dirk through a nun’s habit. We are goin’ to investigate. I want to catch them torturin’ girls, and I want ye to witness it. Then, I’m goin’ to force me way in and show them what they should be afraid of.”
Jayden, although not looking entirely convinced of the plan, nodded. “Shall I tell the men to take cover and rest for the evenin’, then come and join ye at the perimeter?”
“Aye,” Caelan replied.
Jayden jogged off to relay the plan, and Caelan awaited his return. He had to calm himself. He was about to see what Rosaline had gone through all those years. He dreaded seeing another girl, just like her, in there and going through the same horrors that she had. He knew that he would picture her enduring such torture right away.
