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“I spent limited time with her.”
“Your choice?” Lachlan asked.
“Circumstances.”
“Or is it that you wish not to speak ill of the dead?”
“Alyce Bunnock was not a bad woman,” she said, no longer able to stand there and not defend herself. “And it is not appropriate to speak callously of the dead.”
Her reprimand wiped the smile off his face. “I meant no disrespect. I only—”
“Wanted to satisfy your own curiosity,” she finished for him and held up her hand to prevent further protest. “Alyce Bunnock is dead and buried. Let her rest in peace.”
He nodded, though she could see he wasn’t pleased by her command. He let a gentle smile surface and graced his tone with charm.
“I will inform the church officials of how dedicated you all are to the convent and how you all wish to continue your work.”
“Please also add that we have worked diligently with the pagans in the area and they are prospering through our efforts.”
“You have converted many?” he asked.
“Yes, we have converted many to our ways,” she answered, not bothering to define our ways for him.
“The church, I am sure, will be happy to hear this.”
She was counting on that and hoped the next couple of months would not prove as difficult as she feared. “Then let your men be off, so that this matter may be settled as soon as possible.”
“I hope that our stay here will prove more of an asset than a hindrance.”
She hoped the same herself, but a little help from the heavens wouldn’t hurt. “God willing all will go well.”
A raised voice caught both their attention. When Terese turned to see Megan marching toward her, her dark curly hair bouncing madly around her flushed face, and with one of Lachlan’s men close on her heels, she feared the heavens might finally be upset with her never-ending string of lies.
“Tell this man…” Megan shook her finger at the warrior who now stood beside her.
Lachlan supplied his name. “Andrew. He is trustworthy and courageous.”
“That may be the case, but I am in no need of him,” Megan insisted.
Andrew offered an explanation. “She is, that is Sister Megan is, going to visit a few farms and I thought perhaps she could use help.”
Megan looked to Terese. “And I told him I don’t need his help, thank you very much.”
Terese knew from the brilliance of Megan’s green eyes that she was annoyed. It was a trait all the women were aware of and they treaded lightly around her at those times.
“It is very thoughtful of you, Andrew,” Terese said and hoped her excuse would prove viable. “But Sister Megan always goes alone. She enjoys the solitary walks.”
“But she’s so-so-so—little,” Andrew finally spit out.
Terese almost rolled her eyes, knowing his remark would only provoke Megan’s annoyance more. And sure enough, Megan turned on Andrew with a flourish.
The six foot, lean-muscled man took a step back as Megan, all five feet three of her, vehemently shook her finger in his face, though she had to stretch her hand up to do it.
“You think size makes a difference? Why—why I could—”
Terese stepped in before Megan said something she would regret and would make matters worse for them. She grabbed hold of the waving finger. “Sister Megan, Andrew is merely trying to help, while here.”
A reminder of who the man thought her to be had the desired affect and the color of Megan’s eyes instantly softened. She was quick to offer a suitable apology. “Forgive me. I thought only of myself and the walks I so enjoy.”
Andrew hastily offered a compromise. “I could keep a distance from you so that you feel as if you walk alone.”
Megan smiled and all the women loved to see her smile, since it had taken almost two years after she had joined them for her smile to return. But her smile obviously had a different affect on men, for Andrew looked as if he had been punched in the gut, his soft blue eyes popping wide.
Terese looked to Lachlan and nodded.
He shook his head and with a sigh addressed the matter. “Perhaps another time, Andrew.”
He didn’t respond; he simply continued to stare at Megan.
“Andrew!” Lachlan said firmly.
“Huh?” Andrew said, turning his head so sharply that his black shoulder-length hair whipped him in the mouth and with a quick swipe he shoved the strands away.
“You can join Sister Megan another time,” Lachlan repeated, then looked to Terese before turning his attention to Megan. “Of course, that is if Sister Megan doesn’t mind.”
Terese nodded at Megan to agree. Aware that Lachlan had gently ordered her to concur with him and being that it would give Megan time to inform the farmers of their situation, she happily complied with his silent command.
Megan understood and smiled once again. “I would enjoy Andrew’s company another day.”
“I assume we are finished here?” Terese asked of Lachlan. “I have duties to see to and I wish to speak with Sister Megan before she takes her leave.”
