Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
All were caught up in the joyous reunion; it was Megan who saw opportunity in the moment and urged Terese and Piper to take their leave before anyone noticed.
They did. The last thing Terese saw of Lachlan was his charming smile as he spoke to the happy parents about their daughter and son’s bravery. She bid him a silent good-bye, and oddly enough, realized that she would miss him.
A crazy thought, that should never have entered her head. And she suddenly felt guilty for having snapped at him. It was nonsense to be angry with him simply because he knew what he wanted and more than likely would get it.
She had been foolish to ever think her father would actually let her live her life the way she chose. He had reminded her often enough of her duty to him and the clan. And while he had encouraged her boldness, her need to be herself, when the time came, she was expected to reign in her independent nature and be a dutiful daughter.
Unfortunately, she could never accept that, so she had no other choice but to die. And she had better remain dead if she wanted to live free, which was why she had to remember she was the understanding, patient Sister Terese, not the snappish, shrewish Alyce Bunnock.
Terese and Piper made their way through the forest, their nun attire tucked in the cloth sacks that hung on their arms, along with other essentials. Terese would do what was necessary and then return to the convent, hopefully with this ordeal laid to rest.
Lachlan couldn’t believe that Sister Terese had left when he had ordered her not to go alone. He hadn’t learned of her absence until hours after she had been gone. He had been so caught up in the children’s happiness and too intent on finding out more, if possible, about the warring clans from the parents, that he had forgotten about Sister Terese.
No, that wasn’t completely true. He had assumed she would listen to him, follow his orders and wait for him to accompany her to wherever it was she wanted to go. When he discovered from a reluctant Sister Rowena that Sister Terese had gone deep into pagan territory, he grew even more annoyed.
She was placing herself in danger, though no one else seemed to agree with his assessment of the situation. The other sisters assured him that Sister Terese would be fine; she had been there many times before without incident. His men even seemed unconcerned, Boyd suggesting that Sister Terese could look after herself.
Nothing anyone said mattered and he planned on following her with Evan’s help. Evan had gone into the forest just a few moments ago to see if he could pick up their tracks. Lachlan waited impatiently, Andrew joining him.
“Sister Megan assured you that Sister Terese would be gone two, maybe three days at the most,” Andrew reminded.
“And much can happen to her in that time,” Lachlan said.
“She’s a resourceful and determined woman.”
“And a beautiful one,” Lachlan snapped and cringed at his words.
Andrew pursed his lips to prevent a grin.
“Don’t say a word,” Lachlan warned.
Andrew obeyed, though he couldn’t keep a grin from bursting clear across his face.
He was doomed to damnation for even allowing himself the thought that he would miss her. He found he enjoyed conversing with her, or simply spending time with her. Her smile was always pleasant and her tongue thoughtful, though he could see that a spark of temper lay beneath her agreeable nature.
Lachlan saw Evan before he heard him, his steps too light to make a sound.
“I’ve never known anyone with Piper’s skills,” Evan said as if in awe.
“Which means you can’t pick up their tracks,” Lachlan said annoyed.
“Not a sign.” Evan smiled broadly.
“And why does this make you happy?” Lachlan asked, growing more annoyed.
Evan wiped the smile from his face. “I’m not happy, not happy at all. It’s just that…” He ran his hand through his tousled brown hair. “She’s amazing. I’ve never seen anyone cover tracks with such skill. Not a footprint or scent. Nothing.”
“Are you telling me that she covered her tracks on purpose?” Lachlan asked, now angry.
“That she did,” Evan confirmed.
Lachlan began to pace. “She made certain no one could follow. She paid no heed to my order at all.”
Andrew and Evan nodded, both knowing it was their safest response.
Lachlan stopped and glanced at the woods as though it waited to swallow him up if he should enter. He tempered his anger and instead asked himself why. Why did she feel the need to purposely leave him behind?
Lachlan turned suddenly and asked Evan, “Have you noticed how much time Sister Piper spends in the woods?”
Evan smiled and nodded. “Much more than I do.”
“Which means she practically lives there,” Andrew said.
“And what of Megan?” Lachlan asked turning to Andrew. “How often is she gone from here?”