“How so?” Lachlan asked.
“One thought the other hired the violent band to help conquer.” Henry shook his head. “But it was the clan leaders’ fears and hatred for each other that provoked the start of it all and then…” He shrugged again.
“It escalated out of control,” Lachlan said knowingly.
“Now the mercenaries sit by and wait,” Henry said.
Frances nodded in agreement. “And then they will finish it all and our lands will be forever lost to us.”
Night settled over the land. The children had long fallen asleep, exhausted from their ordeal. Frances and Henry had also dropped into a dead sleep after the sisters had seen to their care, offering baths and clean garments. Lachlan’s warriors had found nothing, and Evan confirmed the same when he returned. Not a trace of anyone in sight.
Still Lachlan could not sleep. He felt unsettled, as if there was something he should know, but could not grasp. He sat by the campfire warmed by its flames, the night having chilled considerably. His men slept around him, with a few standing sentry around the convent.
He caught the moving shadow out of the corner of his eye, and it took him a moment to realize that it was Sister Terese. She blended with the night shadows to slip silently along the edge of the woods.
Lachlan didn’t give it a thought; he followed her. It was much too late for her to be up and about, especially going off alone. He worried over her safety, but more he wondered where she was going and why.
He came upon her sitting on a boulder looking over the entrance of the woods and what he imagined would be a perfect spot to be at sunrise. But it was far from sunrise, so why was she here?
She sat with arms wrapped around raised knees, a dark green wool shawl draped around her and her hair was free of the usual braid she wore. It fell to her waist and glistened like strands of shimmering silk in the full moon’s light.
His tightening loins suddenly warned him to leave, get away, do anything but approach her.
“You’re welcome to join me if you’d like,” Terese said.
Oh lord, that was all he needed…an invitation.
Of course, he accepted and was soon sitting next to her. “Is this a favorite spot of yours?”
“I come here when I can’t sleep or at sunrise,” she answered, on a yawn.
“I know the feeling,” he admitted and found himself wanting to draw closer to the heat of her body, but respectfully kept his distance.
“There’s a distinct chill in the air tonight,” she said and stretched out her legs to wrap her shawl more tightly around her.
How he wished he could wrap his arm around her, draw her near and keep her warm against him, wrapped solidly in his arms.
You will definitely burn in hell, Lachlan Sinclare.
He continued to heed the warning and asked, “Why can’t you sleep?”
She shrugged.
He sensed she knew, but didn’t wish to discuss it.
“And you?” she asked. “Why can’t you sleep?”
Because you haunt my thoughts. He couldn’t speak the answer aloud so he also shrugged.
“Too many thoughts that need vanquishing?” she asked.
“Precisely,” he agreed and wondered if her musings were as improper as his. He became curious and asked, “Why did you join the convent?”
She took a moment to answer him. “I truly had no choice.”
“Why?” he asked, now even more curious.
“I had no place to go, no place to feel safe.”
“Why?”
She turned and smiled softly. “Now it is you who ask why too much.”
“Guilty,” he admitted. “But also curious.”
She hesitated.
“I don’t mean to pry.”
“No, it’s all right. It’s just a bit difficult for me to talk about,” she said and continued. “My family didn’t want me. I was a burden to them.”
Damn if he didn’t feel a stab to his heart. How could someone so beautiful and selfless be a burden? He didn’t think when he blurted out, “That’s utter nonsense.”
Her smile brightened. “You say what a friend would say.”
Since there could be nothing more than friendship between them, he was grateful for the acknowledgment and wanted her to know the same. “I am your friend.”
“That is good to know.”
“You can count on me if ever you are in need,” he assured her.
“That is generous of you, I shall remember that.”
“You have not heard at all from your family?” he asked.
Again she hesitated, wrapping her arms tightly around her chest as if protecting herself. He could only imagine the painful memories that must haunt her.
She shook her head. “You are lucky to have such a loving family.”