Page 65 of The Highlander's Runaway Nun
“He willnae see me cry again,” she murmured, and Cora gave a small nod of approval. “That’s the way, lass. Chin high. Let him see what he’s sent away.”
A knock came at the door, firm and purposeful. Cora opened it to reveal two of the castle’s servants, both men with weathered faces and kind eyes.
“We’re here to carry the Lady’s trunk to the courtyard,” one said respectfully.
“See that ye daenae jostle it too much,” Cora instructed, watching as they lifted the heavy chest and carried it carefully out of the room.
“Aye,” one replied, and the sound of their boots faded down the corridor.
The chamber felt emptier once the trunk was gone. Laura turned slowly, her gaze landing on the small bundle of fur by the hearth.
“Oh, Angus…” she whispered, her heart twisting. The little pup had been sleeping, but at the sound of her voice, he stirred and padded toward her, tail wagging weakly. When she bent to lift him, he whimpered softly and licked her chin as if he knew something was amiss.
“Ye cannae come with me, wee one,” Laura said, her voice trembling as she held the pup close. “The Abbey doesnae allow dogs, ye see. The sisters would turn ye away.”
Angus gave a small cry and pressed his head against her shoulder, and the sound broke something deep inside her. Tears spilled freely down her cheeks as she kissed his soft fur.
“Hush now, me bonnie lad,” she whispered, “ye’ll be looked after. I promise ye that.”
Cora knelt beside her, her own eyes glistening. “I’ll see to him, I swear it,” she said quietly. “He’ll nae want for food or comfort. I’ll let him bask by the fire each mornin’ and give him a walk in the gardens when the sun’s warm.”
Laura nodded, brushing a tear away with the back of her hand. “Keep him here, in these chambers,” she pleaded. “Daenae let Bradley cast him out as he’s done to me.”
Cora hesitated, glancing toward the door before nodding solemnly. “Aye, I understand.”
Laura managed a faint smile and pressed one last kiss to the pup’s head before setting him down. Angus whimpered again, scratching at her cloak as she turned to leave.
“Goodbye, me sweet boy,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “Be brave for me, aye?”
The puppy sat at her feet, staring up with wide, sorrowful eyes as if understanding every word. Laura’s heart ached so fiercely she thought she might crumble where she stood. She turned abruptly and walked toward the door before she lost the will to go.
Cora followed behind her, the sound of their soft steps echoing down the long stone corridor.
When they reached the stairwell, Cora placed a gentle hand on Laura’s arm.
As they reached the castle’s lower hall, the cold morning air swept in through the open doors, carrying the faint smell of the sea. The servants were already loading her trunk onto a waiting carriage.
Laura pulled her cloak tighter around her and glanced back once at the stairway leading to her chamber. She could almost hear the faint whine of the puppy echoing down the hall, tugging at her heart with every step.
The carriage that waited in the courtyard had dark wood polished to a sheen and the wheels sturdy for the long journey ahead. The horses pawed at the ground, their breath steaming in the cold morning air.
A fine carriage to be sent away in.Laura thought as she saw padded seats and heavy curtains.
Around her, the castle’s occupants gathered in clusters, their faces etched with confusion. The maids whispered behind their hands, and a few guards stood stiffly, unsure what to say.
“Where’s the Lady going?” One voice whispered, carried on the chill breeze.
The words struck Laura like stones. She kept her chin high, though her heart trembled. Alan stood by the trunk, giving orders to a few of the men as they heaved it up and secured it behind the carriage. His expression was solemn, his movements careful, as if aware of the weight of what he was part of.
“There now, me Lady,” he said softly once the task was done. “All’s set for the road. Ye’ll be safe with us.”
Cora fussed over her cloak, pulling it tighter around her shoulders as if afraid the cold might harm her.
“Ye’ll write, won’t ye?” she asked, her voice thick. “I’ll send word,” Laura promised, though her lips trembled as she spoke. “Ye’ve been good to me, Cora. I’ll nae forget it.”
Cora’s eyes filled with tears, and she grasped Laura’s hands tightly.
“Och, lass, this shouldnae be how it ends.” Then she whispered in her ear. “He’ll come to his senses yet, ye’ll see.”
