“No babe is innocent,” the Abbess corrected. “He entered this world in sin and—”
“And that doomed him?” Sara snapped. “Alexander had done nothing to anyone. He simply entered this life ready to live, and his grandfather, the Earl of Balford, planned for his immediate demise.”
“Hush your lies,” the Abbess scolded.
Sara ignored the Abbess and focused on Cullen. “Alexander’s mother—”
“Alaina,” Cullen said. “Her name was Alaina.”
Sara had only seen the woman briefly when she entered the abbey, but her name fit her. Her features had been stunning. Any man who glanced her way would find it hard to take his eyes off her. “I heard that Alaina pleaded for help for her child, begged that he not be harmed, and screamed when he was ripped from her arms.”
Cullen turned smoldering dark eyes on the Abbess.
“She lies,” the Abbess said.
“You saw my son die?”
“No, I was told of his passing—” The Abbess gasped, and with a shocked glare looked at Sara.
Sara grinned. “I informed the Abbess of Alexander’s passing.”
“Y-You lied?” the Abbess sputtered in disbelief.
“I took pity on the babe. He did nothing to deserve such a horrendous fate. So I saw that he was sent someplace safe.”
“Where? Where is he?” Cullen demanded.
This was her chance, more than likely her only chance, and as much as she felt for the Highlander’s loss, she couldn’t let it stand in her way. Besides, it truly was a small favor in return for what he wanted. He had nothing to lose and everything to gain. It was more than a fair bargain she would strike with him, or so she forced herself to believe.
“I want to see you reunited with your son, but I need something from you first. And I feel it is best we discuss it in private.”
The Abbess objected, but as Sara expected, Cullen was quick to dismiss her protests and requested they be shown privacy.
Cullen wasn’t comfortable in the chapel. He stood tensely between the front pews and the altar. He had long ago lost faith, and with Alaina’s senseless death, his faith had completely perished. His own actions and courage were what he relied upon, and what would return his son to him. Then and only then would he settle his debt with the Earl of Balford.
He forcibly pushed revenge out of his mind. His son required all of his attention, and he could not afford to dwell on the horror of what Alaina had gone through in delivering their child and knowing his fate.
Whatever this woman wanted, he would give her. She had, after all, taken pity on his son’s plight and had courageously seen to his safety. He owed her for saving his son’s life. No price was too high. He would pay whatever she asked.
Wanting this ordeal over and done with, he spoke directly. “How much do you want for the information?”
“I want you to marry me.”
Cullen stood stock-still, staring at her for a moment until he found his voice. “What?”
“You heard me correctly,” Sara said bluntly. “I need to marry immediately, and you’re the only man available.”
He glanced to her stomach.
“No, I’m not with child. I’ve never even bed a man.”
His brow went up.
“Think what you want of me. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that I wed. My father demands that I marry the man he has chosen for me—” She shuddered at the thought. “Or I take my vows here at the abbey. I have been unsuccessful in securing a candidate of my own, but since I have something you want and you have something I want, I assumed we could bargain.”
Cullen walked in a slow circle around her, taking stock of the woman who stood between him and finding his son. She wasn’t a beauty, as Alaina had been, her features more common, unmemorable, though her bright red hair certainly couldn’t be forgotten. Her curls sprung crazily around her head like flames out of control. She stood far too tall for a woman, and her ill-fitted, plain brown skirt and tan blouse did little to define her body. Her blue-green eyes, however, intrigued him. He couldn’t say why. The color was common enough, but there was something else there in the depths. He just couldn’t quite define it.
She also was obviously outspoken, direct in her manner, and did not care if her words disturbed or shocked. To be so blatant as to tell him that she had never bed a man, or to not care if he believed her, was not good manners.
Marriage meant little to him. If he couldn’t marry and spend the rest of his life with the woman he loved, then he would not wed at all. His love had died with Alaina. He’d never love as strongly as he loved her. He wouldn’t even want to try to love again.