He stared at her confused at first then asked, “Freedom?”
“Precisely, I have more freedom here at Everagis than I would ever have with a husband.” She laughed. “And don’t try to debate the matter. You’re well aware that a certain amount of obedience is expected from a wife, and no doubt you will expect it from your own. And as a husband you will have the last say in all matters.”
“It is the way of things.”
She shook her head. “How easy for a man to say that when life favors him.”
“It is a good exchange between husband and wife. For her obedience I will take good care of her, provide for her and see her safe.”
“So it is a bargain you will strike with your future wife,” she said. “Love will not enter into the agreement?”
He rubbed his chin then turned a disarming smile on her. “I think I would rather wed a best friend then pledge an undying love.”
“Why?”
“You do know you ask why much too often,” he chuckled.
“It is the only way to get an answer”—she grinned—“which is what I’m waiting for.”
“A best friend is always there for you, accepts you as you are, confides in you, laughs with you, cries with you, fights with you, but always—always forgives you, whether right or wrong. Love, on the other hand, can be unforgiving.”
Her grin faded and she nodded slowly. “How right you are.”
She continued her planting only this time he didn’t follow alongside her. He stood watching her and couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps she spoke from experience.
Chapter 5
The next day the sisters had a couple of the men move tables from two other buildings outside. By early afternoon they had dressed the tables with fresh blue cloths and began adding platter after platter of scrumptiously scented food. To it they added pitchers of cider and mead.
The men stared from where they worked on the shelters, most wiping sweat from their brows. They were all hungry, since their first meal of the day hadn’t been nearly sufficient enough, but they had yet to receive an invitation to join the sisters.
Terese corrected that as soon as she walked out of the common shelter. She approached Lachlan with a smile, noticing he already wore one. There were few times he didn’t, though in those times, she caught a glimpse of the warrior within him.
For some reason, he fascinated her. She didn’t know why, though it could be his affable nature. Most men she had dealt with were loud and demanding, not so Lachlan. He seemed ready to please whether with word or action and in turn others sought to please him. She had seen it with his men and the way he handled them, praising, though in command. Even the so-called nuns weren’t impervious to his charm every now and again, and she had to remind them how intoxicating his charisma could be.
She wasn’t adverse to it herself. Yesterday, she had actually enjoyed his company when they talked, though she remained on guard. The man could simply disarm with his clever tongue.
Gooseflesh prickled her skin when she suddenly thought of what it would be like to kiss him. Was she daft? It was a crazy thought and one that should never have entered her head.
She kept her smile bright and her musings on more important matters when she reached him. “We would be pleased to have you and your men join us for the meal.”
A few men licked their lips, others mumbled beneath their breaths, and all of them looked with expectation to their leader.
“They’ll wash up before joining you,” he said and with his order given, the men rushed to obey. “Thank you for the invitation,” he added as his men scurried around him.
“It’s a beautiful day and we have plenty. Such a day should be shared with friends,” she said.
“You think of me as a friend, Sister Terese?”
“All those who come here, we accept as friends,” she said, though gave the notion thought. Was it even possible they could be friends?
“I’d make a good friend,” he said as if wanting to persuade her.
“That is for me to judge.”
He laughed. “True enough.”
“But it is also for you to judge if you deem me worthy enough to call friend.” Surprisingly, he appeared startled and to save the moment from turning awkward, she said, “The food will grow cold. Come and eat.”
He nodded and they walked to the table in silence.
It wasn’t long before a festive atmosphere filled the air and between mouthfuls tales were told, debates were argued, and friendships formed.
Terese knew Lachlan let the men linger instead of rushing them back to work. She was glad for it gave them all a reprieve to simply enjoy each other’s company. And for the first time in five years, she realized that she did miss the company of a man. And she had a feeling the other women were reaching the same realization, all except Megan. There was still apprehension in her eyes, and Terese could only imagine the horrors of what had happened to leave such deep scars.