“No need to apologize. Do ye intend to take orders, Freya?”
She shook her head. “Nay, I don’t.”
“Then, what brings ye here?”
She drew in a breath. “I was being forced to marry a man I did not want. I ran away, and somebody directed me here.”
“I see. Well, we offer protection to women and girls in yer situation, Freya. However, we are limited with what we can do. I can let ye stay for two days, to gather yourself and decide what ye will do next. If ye are willing to work for yer keep, ye can stay for seven days. I cannot offer ye more charity than that, much as I would like to.”
Freya felt a surge of relief. One week was not a long time, but it wasenough.
“I’m more than happy to work for my keep, Abbess.”
“Good,” the Abbess rose to her feet, coming around the desk to face Freya, who hastily jumped to her feet. “What can ye do? Cooking, laundry, sewing?”
Freya’s cheeks burned. “No, I’m afraid not. I-I can’t do any of those things.”
The Abbess’s eyebrows flickered, only for a moment.
“We are starting from scratch, then. I am glad ye did not lie about it, though. I cannot abide liars.”
Was this a pointed comment? Freya flinched, not sure how to respond. Fortunately, it seemed that no response was needed. The Abbess eyed her for another long minute, then gave an approving nod, as if she had seen something she liked.
“Can ye read, lassie?”
Freya blinked. “Of course.”
The Abbess frowned. “Of course? Ye say it like it’s obvious.”
“Well, I…”
“Many women do not have the opportunity to read and write. And for most, it’s not because they have no inclination. It’s because it’s forbidden for them, or they never have the chance. I’ve encountered many women who would love to read and write and express themselves with words they’ve never learned. And then I’ve met others that take it for granted. Ye seem like the latter.”
Freya flushed, turning away. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to imply that. I suppose I do take it for granted. I can’t imagine not being able to read and write.”
“Well, for those of us who do have the privilege, it’s best to make the most of it. We have a good library here, and ye are encouraged to use it, if ye like.”
“Thank ye, Abbess.”
“Step over here, Freya,” she said, leading the way to the largest and most detailed portrait on the wall. “Do ye know who this is?”
She shook her head. “A saint?”
“A Biblical character. Deborah, after whom our order is named. What do ye know of Deborah?”
Freya racked her brains. Had this Deborah ever been mentioned in a sermon at the McInnes Chapel? If so, she couldn’t recall it. She couldn’t recall any women ever being mentioned in the sermons, beyond the righteous Mary and the sinful Eve.
“I… I don’t. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize,” the Abbess said again. “We can only learn by admitting our own ignorance. Deborah was a remarkable woman. A prophetess, a politician. She was a judge of Israel for many years, and also served as a military leader.”
Freya’s eyes nearly popped. “Truly? A woman?”
The Abbess shot her a wry smile. “Shocking, I know. Deborah sat beneath a palm tree, and men and women alike came to her for judgements and wisdom. A great military general came to her for support, and begged her to accompany him into battle. She did so. He was afraid, ye see. She was not. Men who believe that women have no place in politics or battle or education clearly do not read their Bibles. Deborah was a fine woman, indeed. I do my best to run a convent that she would approve of.That includes embracing women who, well, shall we say, do not toe the line, eh?”
Freya blinked up at the woman. “I don’t understand.”
The Abbess clapped her on the shoulder. It was a surprisingly strong blow.
