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His tightening loins suddenly warned him to leave, get away, do anything but approach her.
“You’re welcome to join me if you’d like,” Terese said.
Oh lord, that was all he needed…an invitation.
Of course, he accepted and was soon sitting next to her. “Is this a favorite spot of yours?”
“I come here when I can’t sleep or at sunrise,” she answered, on a yawn.
“I know the feeling,” he admitted and found himself wanting to draw closer to the heat of her body, but respectfully kept his distance.
“There’s a distinct chill in the air tonight,” she said and stretched out her legs to wrap her shawl more tightly around her.
How he wished he could wrap his arm around her, draw her near and keep her warm against him, wrapped solidly in his arms.
You will definitely burn in hell, Lachlan Sinclare.
He continued to heed the warning and asked, “Why can’t you sleep?”
She shrugged.
He sensed she knew, but didn’t wish to discuss it.
“And you?” she asked. “Why can’t you sleep?”
Because you haunt my thoughts. He couldn’t speak the answer aloud so he also shrugged.
“Too many thoughts that need vanquishing?” she asked.
“Precisely,” he agreed and wondered if her musings were as improper as his. He became curious and asked, “Why did you join the convent?”
She took a moment to answer him. “I truly had no choice.”
“Why?” he asked, now even more curious.
“I had no place to go, no place to feel safe.”
“Why?”
She turned and smiled softly. “Now it is you who ask why too much.”
“Guilty,” he admitted. “But also curious.”
She hesitated.
“I don’t mean to pry.”
“No, it’s all right. It’s just a bit difficult for me to talk about,” she said and continued. “My family didn’t want me. I was a burden to them.”
Damn if he didn’t feel a stab to his heart. How could someone so beautiful and selfless be a burden? He didn’t think when he blurted out, “That’s utter nonsense.”
Her smile brightened. “You say what a friend would say.”
Since there could be nothing more than friendship between them, he was grateful for the acknowledgment and wanted her to know the same. “I am your friend.”
“That is good to know.”
“You can count on me if ever you are in need,” he assured her.
“That is generous of you, I shall remember that.”
“You have not heard at all from your family?” he asked.
Again she hesitated, wrapping her arms tightly around her chest as if protecting herself. He could only imagine the painful memories that must haunt her.
She shook her head. “You are lucky to have such a loving family.”
“They have their moments,” he admitted with a laugh.
“Your mother and father must be proud.”
His smile faded along with his laughter. “My father has passed.”
“I’m so sorry,” she said, her hand gently resting on his arm, offering comfort.
Her warm flesh and tender touch tempted, but it was her sincere empathy that caused his desire to soar…much too high. That she truly had a caring heart fired his passion beyond belief, and he wanted nothing more than to bury her in his embrace.
Instead he maintained control, though with great difficulty.
“You must miss your father,” she said.
“I do,” he admitted, realizing it had been the first time he had voiced it. “I truly do. He was a loving father, a great man and a wise laird.”
She patted his arm. “He must have been a loving father, for you spoke it before anything else.”
“You’re right.” He nodded slowly realizing how true it was. “My father always had time for me and my brothers, and especially my mother. They were inseparable.”
“Raised with such love, I’m surprised you don’t look for it yourself. Or perhaps you do and don’t know it.”
Her hand drifted away from him and he suddenly felt chilled, as if all warmth had gone with her. And oddly enough, he wondered if she could be right. In his endless quest of women, could he truly be searching for love?
She yawned and rubbed the back of her neck. “I should be able to sleep now.” She turned to him. “Thank you for the company and the conversation.”
“You are most welcome,” he said standing and reaching out his hand to help her up.
She hesitated briefly before accepting, and once she stood she walked away without saying another word.
It was just as well for in that brief moment when her hand rested in his, he was overwhelmed with the desire to kiss her.
The flames of hell are waiting for you, Lachlan Sinclare. You’re going to burn, burn, burn!
“Shut up!” he yelled at himself and stomped off, knowing that sleep would not come easily tonight.
Chapter 6
Piper woke Terese about an hour before sunrise. She knelt next to Terese’s bed and whispered, “There is something you must see.”
Rowena was already up busy making honey bread.
“Keep our absence secret from our guests as long as possible,” Terese instructed Rowena and with quick, silent steps followed Piper over the convent grounds and into the woods.
