Page 45 of The Defiance of a Scottish Heart
Damn it all, but he’d have to work on his glare. “The abbess said many lasses who wish to join the nunnery—”
“Sheona doesn’t wish to join.”
“She might now. Stop interrupting me, Rut.”
“Fine. Continue.” She took a seat and waved at him to go on.
“Many lasses who come to her have been abused by someone.”
“That does not surprise me one bit. But apparently, it surprises you.”
“Hellfire, aye, it did. Who would dare assault my daughter? I was the chieftain of the clan.” His head ached every time he thought of the possibility of Sheona being wronged.
“Dermot, surely it does not surprise you that many of your maids are misused. Men are bigger and stronger than lasses. They can hold them down, they can—”
“Not. My. Daughter!” He stood up and bellowed at Rut, not caring who heard them. Rut stood too, surprised at his anger. “Not Sheona!”
Rut nodded and stepped closer, setting her hand on his shoulder. “I’m sure you are correct, Dermot. Why don’t you tell me exactly what happened when you went to Iona? Tell me everything. I promise to listen.”
Dermot thought on what she said, deciding it was what he needed. He needed to repeat all that had happened and what the abbess said. Just because she said it didn’t mean that anything had happened to Sheona. Did it? “When we arrived, we weregiven a small tour of the nunnery. I only had one hour to move about before the boat left. I had to use my time wisely because I was given none to spare. I saw where Sheona would sleep. I noticed other women moving about, some in robes, some in regular clothing. We met the abbess, and the first thing she asked was whether Sheona wished to take her vows. I said nay, Sheona said aye. That surprised me. I was only trying to frighten her into accepting Taskill’s suit. That’s all. But then she said she would stay. I didn’t know what to make of that. But we all decided it would be best for her to visit for a sennight, then she could make up her mind.”
“That makes perfect sense, but I don’t understand what upset you so. Is it the fact that she said that she wished to take her vows?”
“Aye. I mean, nay. I don’t know.” He rubbed his eyes with both hands, frustrated because he couldn’t explain himself very well.
“Tell me about the abbess.”
“The abbess said she would talk with me privately. She suggested that many of the lasses she sees are there because they’ve been misused. That someone has taken advantage of them. She didn’t use the termrapebut instead talked about abuse. What exactly does that mean, Rut? What happened to my wee lassie?”
“Did you ask Sheona?”
“Nay!” The word came out in such a long note that it seemed more like a sentence or a paragraph. “Nay, I didn’t ask her. How could I? I’m her sire. Men don’t talk about such things with their daughters. I need Ailis here. Why did she leave me? She is the one who should talk with Sheona, not me.”
“What can I do to help?”
“Talk with her. You ask her if someone abused her.”
“Oh, Dermot. I don’t know if she’ll answer me. Why not ask Marta to talk with her? Or Sloan? Don’t they get along well enough? Or what about Eva? They are of similar ages. I’m sure she would talk to Eva or Marta.”
Dermot sat down, thinking on this suggestion. Perhaps Rut had the right idea. Sheona would surely talk with Marta, but he couldn’t ask Marta to leave her bairns behind to go to the abbey. After all, wee Margret was still at the breast. He didn’t know much about it, but who would feed Margret if Marta left?
What about Eva? That idea held more merit since Eva was free to do as she wished. Then another idea popped into his head.
Eva and Sloan.
He bolted up from his chair. “Many thanks to you, Rut. I know exactly what I’m going to do.”
“What?” Rut asked, folding her hands in front of her.
Dermot didn’t have time to explain it, so he waved her off. “I’ll tell you later. I have something I must do.”
“Dermot. Stop where you are.” Rut’s voice told him she was not jesting.
He didn’t have time for Rut.
He had to get back on Rankin land, and he had to send Sloan and Eva to Iona to speak with Sheona.
And he’d go along, only to listen at the door.
