Page 327 of Wicked Highland Heroes

All fear, along with Iain’s generous mood, vanished. “She is among those who care for her. You would do well not to insinuate otherwise.”

“Aye, well…you know what I mean.”

“I understand what you wish to accomplish, but

’tis unnecessary.”

Father Brennan’s lips tightened. “She wishes to return to the abbey.”

Iain sighed. “I have been away too long. What did she tell you?”

“That is between her and me.”

“I cannot help but notice you never refer to her by name.”

Father Brennan scratched his head. “I had not noticed.”

“What would her name be, Father?” Iain recognized the feigned look of surprise on the priest’s face.

“You mean she did not tell you?” He made a tsking sound. “What a shame.”

“I would be obliged if you told me.”

Father Brennan smiled. “I was wondering how long it would take you to ask me outright. She instructed me not to tell you.”

Iain raised a brow. “Instructed? Seems to be a lot of that going around.”

Another laugh. “Aye, she threatened me with the fires of hell should I betray her confidence.”

The twitch at Iain’s mouth tugged hard. “An interesting threat.”

“Thank God she was born a woman. A man with that cunning would be dangerous.”

“What did she do?”

“She asked to make confession, and during confession she told me her name was—” he cleared his throat. “Afterward, she reminded me that everything in the confessional was privileged.”

“Surely you can see through such a ruse,” Iain blurted.

Father Brennan’s mouth puckered. “Mayhap, but you took her, so now you will have to deal with her on her terms.”

“What terms would those be?” Iain asked, though sure he was getting a fine dose of those terms now.

The priest chuckled. “Lad, if I knew that, I would be given sainthood.” His expression sobered. “Her pride has been injured.”

“What do you mean?”

“You took her without so much as a by-yourleave.”

“That has nothing to do with pride. It is the way of things.”

“She is a grown woman, not a young maid. She would prefer to make her own choices and not be dictated to by a husband.”

“The choice has been made.”

“That is not the impression she gave,” Father Brennan replied. “You, on the other hand, have not so much as a pang of conscience?”

“I made no secret I wanted her.”