“Then you deal with her,” Lachlan and Boyd said in unison.
Andrew laughed, though he grew silent when the shrill cry of a bird pierced the air.
Lachlan and Boyd did the same. Another cry followed as if in answer then a cacophony of cries and the men relaxed, the chorus letting them know it was no signal.
“I’ll be glad to get our task done and be home,” Boyd said, his eyes sharp on his surroundings.
Lachlan understood his men’s concerns. The forest shadows and unpredictable mist added to the unease, and it didn’t help that they were placing themselves in harm’s way to retrieve a sharp-tongued woman. “We’ll be gone from here fast enough.”
Evan, the warrior sent to scout ahead emerged from the shadows of the trees. Sweat poured from his pale brow even though the start of spring retained a bite of winter.
“There’s a cropping of buildings ahead with freshly turned ground. It doesn’t look like any convent I’ve seen. It resembles more a farm, though a large cross at the entrance of one building catches the eye as do the women who tend the place.” He shook his head. “There’s not a man in sight.”
“How about an ugly shrew?” Boyd asked.
Evan cocked a brow. “None that I saw.”
“We are closer to being done with this chore,” Lachlan said, feeling a sense of relief. He’d soon have Alyce Bunnock in his grasp and they would be on their way home within a day or two.
With a command to his troop, all his warriors sat firm in their saddles and with a steady gait they proceeded over the pitted terrain, past the dense foliage, combating the creeping mist to arrive at the convent just before the sun settled in a gray sky.
Lachlan halted his men on the outskirts to what appeared to be the convent, though as Evan had informed him it more resembled a farm. The large crude cross fashioned from stripped tree limbs was the only indicator that the place was one of worship. It stood tall in front of the smallest dwellings, which he assumed designated the chapel.
There were two cottage-like dwellings past that and a short distance beyond was a thatched-roof compound that boasted two chimneys and several windows whose thick white wood shutters were closed tight. The door was also white and centered on it was a cross made of twigs.
A small field, its earth turned and ready for planting, didn’t sit far from the compound and a pathway of pine needles directed visitors straight to the white door as if welcoming all who took it.
There wasn’t a single person in sight, but then it was growing darker by the minute and more than likely the women were huddled inside the safety of the compound for the night.
“You are welcome to rest here.”
Lachlan and his men were quick to clamp their hands on the hilts of their swords so startled were they all at the unexpected voice, but upon seeing who spoke they immediately relaxed their grips.
“I am Sister Megan and this is Everagis Abbey.” She laughed lightly. “It may appear a farm to outsiders; however, to the sisters who share it with me, it is the grandest of abbeys.”
Lachlan saw how his men glared besotted at the petite, dark-haired beauty. Her skin was pale and flawless, her voice like soft musical chimes, and her radiant green eyes intoxicating. And then there was her perfectly proportioned body, large breasts, narrow waist and round hips. She certainly looked nothing like a nun.
She demurely lowered her glance. “Does my peasant attire offend you, sir?”
“No. No,” Lachlan assured her, though he did wonder whatever would make her shed her robes. She quickly settled his curiosity.
“Our daily chores favor the peasant’s dress rather than our cumbersome robes.”
“A wise choice,” Lachlan agreed while catching the agreeable nods of his men out of the corner of his eye.
“We can offer you sustenance and a place to camp for the night if you wish,” she said.
“Actually, I was sent here,” Lachlan said.
She cocked her head.
“I am Lachlan of the clan Sinclare and Angus Bunnock has sent me to collect his daughter Alyce.”
“I see,” Megan said. “It is best you come and speak with—”
“The abbess,” Lachlan finished, wanting her to realize his business was with the woman in charge.
“I will take you to the one you need to speak with.”
Megan hurried ahead of him looking more like she floated along the ground at a remarkable gait, and arrived at the compound well ahead of him and his men.
Lachlan waved Evan up alongside him. “This Megan appeared out of nowhere, not the least bit surprised by our arrival and offering us shelter. It’s as if she expected us.”
“I thought the same myself,” Evan said. “Yet when I scouted the area I detected not a soul in sight.”