The Angel and the Highlander (7 page)

“Perhaps we should keep you. You might prove an advantage to us.”

“You would tire of my blatant tongue soon enough,” she advised.

“True,” he agreed and answered her query without her having to repeat it. “Our leader is not here.”

“I am from Everagis Abbey, a short trek through the woods and over a hill or two. And you are?”

“I am Septimus.”

“A seventh son,” she said knowingly.

He confirmed with his own nod. “I suppose this help you can offer us comes with a price?”

“No, it comes with no attachments, though your help I would appreciate.”

“Let me hear what you have to offer.”

“Two clans north of here fight,” she said.

“The MacMurdos and the Longhills,” Septimus confirmed. “They know better than to bother us.”

“I don’t believe so,” Terese disagreed, shaking her head. “Two men now scout your land, I believe in preparation of an attack.”

“How do you know this?” he asked skeptically.

“Sister Piper is intimate with the woods, knowing its every sound, sensing its every presence. She came to me with the news and then showed me the footprints these men have left on your land and ours.”

He remained silent for a moment and then once again spoke in a foreign tongue and the two men who had remained seated stood and rushed off.

“Sit,” he said.

Terese, with Piper still clinging to her hand, sat near the fire.

He sat across from them. “Now tell me what I can do for you.”

“Presently, the church has sent a small group of
warriors to protect us, but they will leave in two or three months.”

“Leaving you vulnerable,” he said.

“Not only the convent, but the farms around us,” Terese confirmed. “In exchange for your protection of the convent and the farms, we will share our harvest with you and tend your ill or injured.”

“How do you know you can trust us?”

“You are men for hire,” Terese said confidently. “I offer you a good exchange, one that will benefit you. You would be a fool not to accept.”

“Your tongue is too sharp.”

“My tongue is honest,” she snapped. “I present a decent, honest trade.”

“Take the offer and share our bargain with no one, or it will be no more.”

The bone-chilling voice commanded with a strength that sent a shiver through both women. Terese knew the voice came from somewhere in the dark that surrounded them. She also instinctively knew by the power of his voice this was not a man to cross.

It wasn’t only the coldness of his voice, but the emptiness of it that frightened her. To her, this man had no heart.

“I give my word,” Terese said and shivered once again, for she feared she had just signed a pact with the devil.

L
achlan stood and stared for a moment before he walked up to Sister Terese, wondering if she was truly there, when on the third morning he woke just before sunrise and found her in her usual spot waiting for dawn. He had gone there the past two days since her absence, hoping she had returned and now that she had, he wanted simply to hug her.

Damnation!

He didn’t need to be reminded he was once again tempting the fires of hell.

“Did you miss me?”

Her query stunned him, though he regained his composure fast enough and with a smile sat beside her and admitted, “I missed our morning chats.”

“I’ve grown accustomed to sharing the sunrise with you, Lachlan,” she said, keeping her glance steady on the brightening horizon.

At the sound of his name spilling from her lips, he felt his heart catch as if for a brief moment a hand had squeezed it.

“You are an interesting man to talk with.”

Interesting?

Most women found him charming, but none had ever found him interesting.

Woman? She’s a nun!
The warning resonated like a church bell clear and loud in his head.

“Where have you been?” he asked, wanting to distance himself from such wicked thoughts and wanting answers to several pending questions.

“To assist pagans who needed our help.”

“Why didn’t you let me go with you?”

“The pagans are a strange lot. It took much work to have them accept us,” she said.

Her explanation seemed reasonable enough, yet it didn’t satisfy him. “You could have given it a chance.”

She turned then and smiled at him, and he thought his heart would stop beating. The sun was just rising and its brilliant glow illuminated her face. He was struck with awe by her beauty.

“Your tongue charms easily enough, but the pagans look for more in a man.”

“And you don’t think there is more to me?”

“I think there is much more to you,” she said, “though you let no one see it.” She scrunched her brow. “Why do you hide?”

“I don’t hide,” he objected.

“You do,” she nodded. “You hide behind your calculating charm, afraid to let people know you are a truly selfless and caring man.” Her smile returned. “Is it a way for you to be different from your brothers, in a sense your own man?”

He laughed. She was too astute for her own good.

She laughed along with him. “I knew it. I’m right.”

“Two older brothers and a favored younger one, what was I to do?” he asked with a shrug and a smile. “I had no choice. I had to find something that would make me stand out, while allowing me to be me.”

Her smile broadened, and she nodded slowly as if she truly understood him and her reaction encouraged him to continue.

“I discovered that I could coerce with words. Even my brothers were susceptible to my charm, and once I learned that…there was no stopping me.”

“Did you ever think it wasn’t your charm but perhaps your honorable nature that did the coercing?”

He paused to give her suggestion thought. He recalled how often his father discussed pending clan matters with him and asked for his opinion. Afterward, he would tell Lachlan that he admired his perceptive nature and that he should use it more often instead of relying on his charming tongue. His mother, in her own way, had advised him to be who he was.

“You’re thinking on how right I am,” Sister Terese said confidently.

“You are an insightful woman.”

“It is needed in my position,” she said.

How I wish you weren’t in that position.
He almost cringed at his thought, but managed to remain composed.

“You have much responsibility,” he said, reminding himself of his own responsibility.

“I enjoy it,” she said, scooting her knees up to wrap her arms around. She breathed deeply and raised
her face to the morning sun. “Sunrise is so very beautiful.”

“Beautiful,” he whispered, looking at her, for her beauty truly astounded him. He felt a punch to his gut as if someone attempted to remind him of his manners.

She turned to him again. “I was wondering if perhaps you could offer George, Gelda, and their children a home with your clan? I know if they are with you, they will remain safe.”

That she had such confidence in his ability to protect made him all the more intent on protecting
her
. Actually, it was a necessary need in him to make certain she remained safe, though it didn’t lessen his guilt about seeing that he would be the reason she and the other sisters were returned home.

But wasn’t Everagis their home now? They certainly had worked hard to make it so. And if they could not remain here, where would church officials send them? Would they separate the women who seemed as close as blood sisters? And more so, after his time here was done, would he ever see Terese again?

He chased such questionable thoughts away and answered her. “They are welcome at Caithness, home of the Sinclares. I believe there is even a vacant farm that needs a tenant.”

Terese laid a gentle hand on his. “Beatrice is right. You truly are a hero.”

Her warm palm tingled his flesh, but then her innocent touches always did. He knew they were meant to comfort, nothing more, but that didn’t
matter; his body responded anyway. Whether she laid a hand on his hand or on his shoulder, her touch sparked something inside him that he could not deny. He had known many a woman’s caress, but none, not one, had the power to stir his passion so easily.

While he loved the pleasure of her touch, he knew it was wrong. And he wished that he could shove her hand away, but that would be rude. Instead he kept his eyes on the bright ball of sun.

“I am no hero,” he told her.

She chuckled and gratefully her hand drifted off him. “I would say you are modest, but I know better.”

He laughed. “You have gotten to know me well in the short time I have been here.”

“You have made it easy for me to get to know you.”

“How so?” he asked curious.

“Our talks,” she said brightening. “When two people spend time talking they are bound to get to know each other.”

“And become friends,” he said, wanting her to know without a doubt he was her friend.

“And become friends,” she repeated.

They both turned to stare at the sun high in the sky. He was glad she thought of him as a friend, but if he were honest he wished there could be more between them. He berated himself for such sinful thoughts. He had to forget how her lips were perfect for kissing, how he itched to take hold of her slim waist and then roam his hands over her generous hips. And finally cup her firm backside with eager hands.

He stood quickly, needing desperately to put distance between them. “I will see you later.”

He hurried off and because he never looked back, he never saw the look of regret his hasty departure had left in her eyes.

Later that day, Terese wasn’t surprised to learn that Frances and Henry would also find a home with the clan Sinclare. She had expected as much from Lachlan. While she could spy the warrior within him, she was more interested in the man who seemed to truly care about people. Unlike many warriors in her clan, he wasn’t always commanding, demanding, or loud. What surprised her most about her talks with him is that he listened. He truly seemed interested in what she had to say.

He was the type of man she could have feelings for, but knowing that was impossible she chose to have him as a friend.

Terese stood in the field continuing to daydream instead of finishing the planting.

It was Megan who startled her out of her musings. She wore a smile, but her words expressed the opposite. “I believe Andrew keeps a watch on me.”

Terese covered her own concern with a pleasant grin, wanting no one to suspect their conversation was anything but ordinary. “How so?”

“He’s been lingering around me. He thinks I don’t notice him, that I’m too absorbed in my chores, but I see him. And he followed me to one of the farms the other day.”

“You let him?”

Megan nodded, her forced smile spreading. “It was a visit to the Timmins farm.”

Terese nodded knowingly. Rachel Timmins would birth her third babe in a month’s time, so there was a good reason for Megan to be there. Of course, Rachel and her husband Robert knew the truth about the sisters and were staunch supporters.

“I have noticed that I’m not the only one being watched,” Megan said. “I see that Boyd and Evan have kept keen eyes on all of us with Lachlan keeping the keenest eye on you.”

“What do you mean?” Terese snapped and realizing she had shown her temper quickly renewed her smile.

Megan covered her chuckle. “Lachlan is smitten with you.”

“Don’t be silly,” Terese said but wondered if it dare be true.

“If he didn’t believe you a nun, he would have made his feelings known by now.”

“He charms, that’s all,” Terese said trying to dismiss it as nothing, while secretly thinking…was it possible?

Megan shook her head. “No, this is more than charm. He worried incessantly about you while you were gone. That’s not merely charm, that’s caring.”

Terese tried to dismiss it once again. “He’s just a friend.”

“He’d be more if he could.”

“How would you know?” Terese challenged, wishing Megan could confirm it, since no man had ever
cared in such a way for her. And it touched her heart and tempted her dreams.

“Let us continue planting as we talk,” Megan suggested, “so no one will suspect anything of us.”

Terese quickly followed her lead, eager to hear more.

Megan continued as they dropped seeds on the prepared ground. “I have seen more lust in men’s eyes than I have seen love. But when I did, it was so genuine that it moved me to tears. I see that memorable look in Lachlan’s eyes when he looks at you.”

Terese felt a catch to her heart. Why did it have to be now, like this…when she wasn’t free to love this man?

“You loved once?” Terese asked, needing time to digest the thought.

“More importantly,” Megan said softly,
“I was once loved.”

Conversation ceased and Terese’s only thought was that after all she had been through, all she had fought for, that there was finally a possibility that love was knocking at her door. And the sad part was…she couldn’t answer it.

T
he summons for help came just before dawn, while the whole abbey slept. Piper was the first to hear the familiar, continuous screech of a bird that was no bird, and alerted the other women. They donned men’s clothing and with silent steps snuck away from the abbey so as not to be heard. They fetched their weapons in the woods and proceeded to the Timminses farm, where their horses were kept. Then without hesitation they rode to Gillian’s, the farm that was under attack.

Terese knew that once Lachlan departed the abbey Septimus, by order of his leader, would have his men guarding the area, and there would be no more need to continue the ruse of mercenaries. Until then, when a summons for help came, the women would have to answer.

The women arrived before any severe damage could be done to the family or the farm. It took more than a skirmish to conquer the small group of clan warriors who had made it past the mercenary camp without detection. It took all of the women’s skills
and strengths, the use of wit rather than brawn, and Terese’s strategizing skills to combat them.

The women made the warriors believe there were more fierce mercenaries than the five of them. Piper set traps in a particular area and the other women made certain they drove the warriors right into them.

Unfortunately, as the conquered warriors beat a hasty retreat, one released an arrow that found its way into Terese’s upper arm. Before the other women could retaliate, Septimus and a few of his men appeared and finished off the retreating warriors.

Septimus’s black stallion pranced majestically around her chestnut mare. “What foolishness is this?” He reached out and pulled off the stocking cap that kept Terese’s long blond hair hidden, the silky strands falling in a mess around her face. “If I hadn’t recognized you, you would all be dead right now.”

“You’re the one that let this group get past your camp,” Terese shot back as she fought the burning pain in her arm.

“Let her be,” Hester warned, riding up beside him brandishing her sword.

“You are a fool,” Septimus spat. “Are you blind to the many men that surround you?”

Hester laughed. “It takes only one sword to kill one man.”

Septimus grinned and looked to Terese with a shake of his head. “You taught these women courage, didn’t you?”

“What difference does it make?” Hester demanded.

“Few truly brave leaders exist,” Septimus said. “I and my men respect those who do. Sister Terese has earned our respect.”

“And that means…?” Hester challenged.

“More than you know,” Septimus said with a cold stare that turned Hester silent.

“How did you know we were here?” Terese asked, turning paler by the minute.

Rowena rode up just then and shooed everyone out of her way. “You need to be off your horse so that I can tend that.”

“I wouldn’t do that,” Septimus said. “There’s a contingent of warriors from your abbey headed this way and something tells me that they don’t know about your warrior skills.”

Terese shook her head, trying to keep her mind focused, but the pain was taking its toll.

“Go,” she ordered Septimus. “They must not know about you and your men.”

“What of you?”

Terese sent him a hard glare. “You doubt my ability to handle this?”

“No, I would never be as foolish as the man who comes for you.”

Her eyes widened and Septimus eased his horse closer to hers.

“Neither I nor my leader are fools. He advises caution with this game you play, for he has no doubt it will bring retribution.”

Terese groaned as he rode away, his men following. Septimus intimated that he knew that she and the other women weren’t nuns, but did he? She had no time to think on this new worry. Gratefully, all four of the Gillians were fine and William, the oldest son, offered to help return the horses to the Timmins farm. And the women needed to return to the abbey with all haste, while hopefully avoiding Lachlan and his men in the process.

“Piper,” she called and the wiry young girl appeared in a flash. “Can you misdirect them?”

“Yes,” she answered without hesitation. “I know how they picked up our trail.”

“How?” Terese asked, the other women, just as curious, having joined in.

Hester answered. “It was me. I had forgotten the extra cache of arrows and backtracked to retrieve them, not covering my tracks good enough.”

“What’s done is done,” Terese said. “What matters is what we do now.” She ordered with the confidence of a true leader and in minutes the women set to work.

When it was only she and Rowena, Terese asked, “How bad is the wound?”

“The arrow went clean through the fleshy part of your arm,” Rowena explained. “It’s going to hurt like hell removing it, and it may require a few stitches if the flesh tears. Then we have to be careful of poison setting in and of course fever—”

“No more,” Terese protested, her head spinning and
her arm already unbearably painful. “Let’s be done with it.

“I’d prefer if we waited until we return to Everagis,” Rowena said. “Piper will have Lachlan and his men running in circles, which will delay their return, giving us time to properly mend you.”

“It’s quite a chance we take sneaking back to Everagis with an arrow through my arm.”

“A necessary chance,” Rowena said firmly. “I have all I need there.”

Terese nodded and while Piper saw to her chore, Megan and Hester, with William’s help, saw to the care of the horses and stowing the weapons.

Just after sunrise, she and Rowena managed to sneak in through the secret entrance the women had installed in the back end of the common house. It was a good thing too since Terese collapsed in a chair unable to bear much more pain.

Rowena opened the wood shutters just enough to peek outside to see a few warriors prowling about. “You were right,” she said, returning to Terese’s side. “Lachlan did leave some men behind.”

“A seasoned warrior would,” Terese said. “That’s why I worry he will return sooner than expected, so we must hurry and remove this arrow and mend me.”

Rowena nodded and hurried to gather everything she needed, and just before she was ready to begin…

The door crashed open, slamming against the wall, and in strode an enraged Lachlan. Megan, Hester, and Piper were forced in behind him by Andrew, Boyd, and Evan.

“I want the tru—” Lachlan’s shout ended abruptly. “What happened?” He was quick to go to Terese’s side.

“What does it look like?” Terese said snappishly and Rowena nudged Terese’s foot with her own.

The warning came too late. Lachlan slammed his fist on the table, causing not only the items there to jump, but everyone in the room. “You will tell me the truth…all of it.”

Terese was in no mood to play nice, especially since he was being so forceful and besides her arm hurt like hell. “And I shall do that now while my arm is turning poisonous?”

After a deep breath he calmed and asked, “How can I help?”

Before Terese could tell him his help wasn’t necessary, Rowena spoke.

“Your strength could be an advantage in removing the arrow. The men must leave and the sisters need to see to their chores.” The three women nodded and hurried to their rooms to change into their own garments.

Terese was about to protest Lachlan’s help when he leaned down and pressed his nose to hers. “Not a word.”

His command hadn’t stifled her objection; it was the suffering in his dark eyes. It was as if he shared her pain and the realization stole her breath, making her gasp.

“What’s wrong?” he asked with an anxious yet gentle hand to her shoulder.

“Nothing,” she said, still feeling breathless.

Lachlan hunched down in front of her. “I am so very sorry that you suffer this pain and that I will cause you more pain removing it.”

Terese didn’t think; perhaps it was the pain, or maybe she just needed to touch him, for that’s what she did. She placed her hand upon his cheek and his warm flesh was the tonic she needed to soothe her soul. And with caution gone, she rested her forehead to his and said, “I need you.”

She felt him ease away from her and say, “She’s delirious from the pain.”

Terese raised her head, shaking it. “No, I’m not.” She then looked to Rowena. “We can’t hide the truth any longer. They are bound to discover it sooner or later and we’ve burdened ourselves long enough with it.”

“What are you talking about?” Lachlan asked.

“First, the arrow,” Rowena advised. “And the others should be here when…”

Terese nodded her agreement. “You are right.” She looked to Lachlan. “Take the arrow out and then I will tell you the truth.” Though she would not reveal her true identity. Never would she tell him her true identity.

Rowena twisted Terese’s long hair up and secured it with two combs. She then ripped the sleeve off and away from around the wound and handed her a piece of wood. “To bite down on for the pain.”

Terese took it with a smile, though she felt anything but brave.

Lachlan spoke quietly with Rowena for a few moments and then it was time. Terese closed her eyes and clamped down on the thick stick with her teeth. She didn’t have to worry, with the first onslaught of intensely burning pain she passed out.

She was stretched out on something hard and her eyes fluttered open; through hazy vision she could make out Rowena standing over her.

“Good timing, I’m all done,” Rowena said.

Lachlan popped into view. “It was better you fainted. The arrow was stubborn and didn’t want to let go of you.”

Terese went to move and a searing pain shot through her arm. She groaned and grimaced.

“It will be painful for a while, then merely sore and finally heal as long as—”

Terese shook her head. “I don’t want to hear all that could go wrong. Just tell me what I need to do to keep it right.”

Rowena went into a list of things, finishing with, “But I don’t expect you to listen.”

“I’ll see that she does,” Lachlan said.

“That might work,” Rowena said with a chuckle.

“Help me up,” Terese ordered.

“See, already she doesn’t listen,” Rowena said but did as Terese asked, though Lachlan took over and assisted Terese, his arm going around her.

Terese kept her arm wrapped around Lachlan’s after he had helped her to sit up. It was a good thing too, since she felt dizzy. She rested her head to his shoulder. “The room spins.”

“Take your time,” Lachlan said, holding her firm.

She wished she could stay there resting against him. That he was muscled, his body taut, was obvious, but it was the warm comforting feel of him she liked the best.

Her vision cleared completely, the dizziness passed and she was able to sit without help, so she had no choice but to let him go. But she didn’t. She held on to him for a few more moments until common sense warned her to release him.

When she finally did, he seemed reluctant to let her go. “Are you sure you feel well enough?”

“I’m fine, though you could help me to a chair,” she said and was surprised when he carefully scooped her up into his arms and placed her gently on a chair. It felt even better resting against his chest, the woodsy scent of him teasing her nostrils and her senses.

It was over too soon and too soon she would have to tell him the truth.

“The others wait outside,” Rowena said.

Terese had forgotten Rowena was there. For a moment she only had thoughts of herself and Lachlan. Could that be why she wanted the truth revealed? Did she want Lachlan to know her a woman free to do as she chose?

“Bring them in,” Terese said before her thoughts turned too crazy.

Megan, Hester, and Piper entered and joined Rowena and her at the table. Lachlan chose to stand, arms folded across his chest.

“Before you start I’d like to have a say,” he said.

Terese nodded.

“I thought more was going on here than met the eye. I must admit I never expected that the five of you had taken on the persona of mercenaries. I’m sure you had a reasonable explanation, and I can assure you that neither I nor my men will reveal your secret to the church. Of course,” Lachlan said with the hint of a smile, “there is the stipulation that you never again do such a foolish thing.”

Terese knew the other women felt as she did, that they would allow no one to dictate to them. They had survived on their own this long and they would continue to do so.

“What you tell to the church doesn’t matter to us,” Terese said.

The other women nodded in agreement.

Suspicion dawned in Lachlan’s eyes. “And why is that?”

“It’s simple,” Terese said. “Not one of us is a nun.”