Highland Sanctuary (22 page)

"Nay." He shook his head. "There's no need. Will ye not tell me where she is?"

"Nay. I see no women among ye and there's a good number of men to be chasing a simple lass." Evelina faced him, determined to stay strong and show no fear. She willed her heart to beat steadily.

Vicar Kendrick blinked and set his jaw at an angle. "The people who witnessed her falling fit believe she may be demon possessed. I agreed to come and check out their claims to keep them from storming yer home and causing unnecessary harm."

"There's not an evil bone in her body." Evelina forced herself to swallow, keeping her tone even. "Ye can ask Father Tomas. He's known her from infancy."

"And where is Tomas?" His eyes flickered like hard flint. "It's been a while since I've seen him."

"He should be here soon. I've sent someone to fetch him." Evelina tried to control the trembling in her voice. "An auld woman who has lived with us for many years is dying, and I hoped Father Tomas would arrive in time to say the last rites over her." She looked away before he could further witness her distress.

Vicar Kendrick glanced up at the sky, blinking as drops of rain slipped beneath the plaid he held. "He may be detained by the storm." A thin trail of water rolled from his moving lips, down his chin, and dripped onto his chest. "I could say her last rites. I'd consider it an honor for the inconvenience we've caused."

Evelina opened her mouth to reject the offer, but paused. What if she could win this man's favor and influence him into believing Serena's innocence? Would his word carry weight with the local kirk? She needed to consider every possible option. Father Tomas had always said, "The Lord's ways are a mystery and higher than man's ways."

"The others would wait out here, of course." He leaned forward as if sensing her willingness.

"In the storm?" Lightning lit the sky in flashes of white. "Father Tomas will come in spite of the weather. I've no doubt of it."

He grinned, revealing slight lines around his gray eyes. "They'll be in the rain whether we remain here or carry on our journey. 'Twill only detain us a wee bit."

Detain them? Wasn't that exactly what she wanted? It would give Gavin time to get Serena behind the safety of the castle gates to explain the situation to the laird and devise a plan. "Where will ye go from here?"

"To Braigh Castle. The Earl of Caithness says she's a servant there."

Evelina worked hard to keep her expression free of her thoughts. She stepped back and held the door wide. "Ye're welcome to come in."

Vicar Kendrick turned and explained to the rest of the men that they would continue on to Braigh Castle after he gave the last rites to a dying woman. Their expressions ranged from frustration to confusion, but no one dared speak against the vicar. They murmured among themselves.

"Good day, gentleman!" Tomas said behind them.

Evelina breathed a sigh of relief. The men parted. Tomas made his way through them. Vicar Kendrick continued holding the plaid over his head and turned. Tomas paused. As the men faced each other, instant tension clung in the air like thick smoke. Evelina folded her arms, even more uncomfortable than before.

"F-father K-kendrick." Tomas acknowledged him with a nod. His confidence vanished and stammering replaced it. Evelina's heart turned over in fear. He had to recover his nerves. She needed him right now. "What brings ye this far from t-town?"

"I'm glad ye've come," Evelina said. "I don't know how much time Gunna has."

"Then I'm not too late?" Tomas stepped around Vicar Kendrick.

Evelina shook her head.

"Father Kendrick, ye coming in?" He glanced over his shoulder.

"Tomas, we need to talk. I was hoping ye'd help me with a difficult matter," Vicar Kendrick said.

"Indeed, just as s-soon as I've taken care of Gunna." He stepped to the bedside and took Gunna's stiff hand in his. Tomas bowed his head and began praying.

It was the longest prayer Evelina had ever heard. She smiled to herself, knowing Tomas intended to give Gavin and Serena more time. Finally, he made the sign of the cross. "Amen."

"I hope that long prayer wasn't meant to stall me. Besides the men waiting for me outside, another group traveled straight to the castle and didn't stop here," Father Kendrick said. "Even though we had no proof that Serena is there, the Earl of Caithness is with them. As Iain MacBraigh's cousin, he believes he might have some influence on the laird."

Hogan Lennox stormed into the great hall where Iain and Gavin waited in matching chairs carved of oak with tall backs. Gavin stretched his long legs, crossing them at the ankles. He gripped the armrests and braced himself for the earl's anger.

"Iain, what is the meaning of this?" His cloudy eyes first rested on the laird and then slithered to Gavin. His lips twisted in obvious contempt. Resting one hand on the hilt of the sword at his side, he dropped his other fisted hand on his hip. "Why won't ye let my men at arms gain entrance? 'Tis an insult that ye hold them at the gate with strange men from another clan."

"I realize it may seem untoward, cousin, but I've my reasons. To what do we owe yer unexpected visit?" Iain kept his mild expression calm, to Gavin's relief. Yet he noticed Iain didn't offer the earl a seat, and he'd never before witnessed the laird's lack of manners.

"Yer cold greeting is verra distressful." Hogan stroked his thick gray beard, glancing at Gavin. "I would speak privately with ye."

"Gavin and I haven't finished our business as yet. He's trustworthy. Ye may speak in front of him."

Silence lengthened between them. Gavin kept still as the two of them stared at each other. Hogan blinked first, folded his arms, and adopted a warrior's stance. "Verra well. I came to warn ye about Serena, the lass that works for ye, but it looks like I didn't make it in time."

"What about her?" Iain kept a steady gaze.

"She was at the market this morn with him," Hogan pointed at Gavin. "I'm assuming ye've already heard the news of what happened—or at least their version of it."

"Aye." Iain launched into the description Gavin had related to him. When he finished Iain crossed his ankle over his knee and raised an eyebrow. "Does that sum up everything for ye?"

"Indeed." Hogan nodded his gray head and straightened his shoulders. "A clergyman from St. Gilbert's Cathedral will soon be here with several townspeople who witnessed how the lass behaved. Do ye intend to deny a man of God entrance into yer home? I'd advise against it. They'll all think she's bewitched ye. Such an action could seal her fate before she even has a chance to stand trial."

"Trial?" Gavin repeated, not liking the direction of this conversation. "Have ye already determined she's to stand trial, then? No one from the kirk has seen her as yet."

"Too many people witnessed her falling fit to question their word against hers. The matter will not be ignored." Hogan's menacing glare boiled Gavin's temper. He gripped the chair arms.

"I was there and only a handful of people really saw what happened. The rest could see naught for the bodies that bent over her. The majority could only hear the boastful screams of the woman selling medicine herbs."

Hogan ignored Gavin. "Iain, I've counseled ye before on the foolishness of keeping this Village of Outcasts. They've been naught but trouble for yer uncle and now ye. The land where they live is fertile. With hard-working souls, it could turn a nice profit for ye. But these vagabonds living there now will do naught but drain yer coffers."

Gavin felt the color drain from his face as his heart paced. Iain must have sensed his anger for he held up his palm to keep Hogan silent.

"Ye surprise me, cousin. For one so determined to cast off evil, ye take no delight in holding those dear to God in value. Those outcasts or vagabonds as ye've called them, have a soul and deserve as much compassion for their conditions as those worthy of praise for achievements."

Hogan's face darkened as he looked down at the floor. After a few moments he took a deep breath. "I've compassion for those who canna help themselves, but ye must admit there's evil in the village. Have ye not heard of the strange things happening of late? Cattle reiving is a common thing among feuding clans, borderlands, and the poor trying to sustain themselves, but pure killing and the laying to waste of good beef? What would be the witless purpose unless it's a sacrificial offering? And the attack upon the blind lass? Or the fire outside the kirk, locking people inside? These are the works of evil."

"I'll have ye know that Serena and her family were locked inside with the rest of us." Gavin shook with anger. "If ye expect yer argument to hold merit, ye need to do better."

Taking a couple of steps toward him, Hogan glared as if he wanted to pierce him with a bow and arrow. "Nay, but none of these strange acts took place before ye arrived. Should that be ignored? I think not."

"If ye've an accusation to make, mon, then make it. Otherwise, 'twould be prudent of ye to examine yer thoughts before sharing them. I was in the kirk as well when the fire was set, as were most all my men."

"Most . . . but not all." Hogan grinned like a man who had caught his prey. "Mayhap, ye have a traitor among ye, one who is angry with a ruling ye gave or feels overlooked next to yer favorites." He gestured to Gavin. "What say ye to that?"

"Only this, if I do have a traitor, Serena Boyd canna be guilty of the sorcery ye claim."

"Maybe not the strange events in the village, but there still remains the matter of her falling fit. Try and explain that one."

"Women swoon often enough." Gavin waved his hand to dismiss the issue.

"Aye, but they don't stiffen in spasms like a mad animal, or foam at the mouth and roll their eyes into their eyelids. What that lass did was no simple female faint."

A servant rushed in. "My laird, more men have arrived at the gate. Two clergymen are demanding entrance."

D
oreen led Serena to the east wing. She carried a single candle in a brass holder and shielded it from the draft as they walked. Serena yawned and covered her mouth. She hoped she could stay awake long enough to properly prepare for bed.

"I thought ye might like to be on the same hall as Gavin for protection. Though the laird doesn't have many overnight guests, the castle has a lot of strange noises. Having someone nearby will be a comfort."

"Ye're so thoughtful, Doreen. Why did ye not put me with the rest of the servants or near ye?"

"I've a verra strong feeling the laird would prefer ye to be treated as a guest. It might be less comfortable with the other maids," Doreen said, moving ahead.

"Why?" Serena blinked, confusion mixing with her weary mind. "Have I done something to offend the others? Do they already know about this morn at the market?"

"Nay." Doreen shook her head. "I've yet to hear that tale. I'm talking 'bout how the laird favors ye. Have ye not seen the way he looks at ye? 'Tis odd that ye were invited as a guest to the feast—to be served by those ye normally work with."

Serena gulped. She had realized it. Mayhap she should have been more firm in her protests to Iain. Shame crept through her. Should she have not accepted the gowns, even for the benefit of the village lasses? Doubt invaded her mind until her temples throbbed. She rubbed the side of her head as if the simple act would ease the pressure.

"Doreen, please, ye must know there is naught between us. I'm of too low birth for him to consider marriage and I'd never consent to aught else. The thought of dishonoring my mither or my Lord is too much."

"Serena, I trust ye, but men are different from us. King David of Jerusalem had a heart for God, but his lust for Bathsheba overcame his good reason. The laird is a mere man as David was, with more power than ye." Doreen paused in front of a closed door on the left. "Ye'll be two doors down from Gavin's chamber."

"Aye, and I remember Craig is across the hall." Serena clutched Doreen's arm. "What an imagination ye have. Ye could be a gifted storyteller. The laird may have shown me special favor, but that's the extent of it."

Doreen paused in front of the chamber where Serena would be staying. She inserted a key and turned it. The lock snapped and the door opened. Doreen strode across the chamber and set the candle upon a corner table. She laid her hands on her waist. "What do ye think? Will this do?"

Glancing around the chamber, Serena noticed the large bed in the center. It looked so grand compared to her thin mattress in the narrow loft at home. While running the castle, Serena had seen many beds like this, but never once considered that she'd have the good fortune to sleep in one. A carved double-door wardrobe stood against the entrance wall. The mantle fireplace faced the foot of the bed.

"We can bank a warm fire for yer bath since the storm cooled off the summer heat. If ye don't mind, I can bring ye one of my nightgowns." Doreen pointed to the far wall. "If ye open the shutters, ye'll see a beautiful view of the sea. On warm nights ye can sleep with it open and hear the lulling sound of the ocean waves upon the rocks below. I'm in the east wing as well, a floor above ye in the servant quarters."

Serena had never needed to be on the servants' floors as her duties were in the main part of the castle. She nodded. "Aye, a warm fire and a bath would do me good. Then I'll tell ye what happened at the market, why I'm in trouble, and a wee bit about my sordid past."

Doreen lit more candles around the chamber. Serena shivered in her wet garments, eager to donn a warm, dry nightgown, even if it was borrowed.

"Have ye eaten?" Doreen asked.

"Nay." Serena shook her head. "But I would delight in some nourishment."

"I'll see to everythin'." Doreen left the room.

Serena built a fire. Her damp clothes were heavy as she spread out her skirt around her to dry. She rubbed her hands together over the flames. Doreen returned with a tray of black bean soup, some cider, and a chunk of bread. She laid a white nightgown on the bed.

In between bites, Serena told Doreen of the day's events and her falling fit. Once she'd had her fill, Serena pushed her plate aside. Doreen continued to sit in silence.

"Do ye think me evil?" Serena asked.

"Nay! Of course not." Doreen looked at her as if offended.

"I wish there was a way to get ye out of this mess. Gavin MacKenzie and the laird may have a lot of pull with the town, but not even they can defy the kirk. No one can. Even the King himself must relinquish some power. It represents God's sovereign authority." She grabbed Serena's hands as moisture gathered in her eyes. "I'm verra worried for ye."

Someone knocked on the door.

"Come in," Serena called.

Two men servants carried in a tub. Four maids followed with buckets of steaming water.

"Over here by the hearth," Serena directed.

The men grunted as they set the tub. The maids poured the water. Warm steam clouded the room, causing Serena to look forward to a relaxing bath. She rubbed her hands like a child waiting for a sweetmeat.

When the servants left, Doreen stood and picked up Serena's discarded tray. "I'll go and let ye bathe in peace. Is there aught more I can do?"

"Nay, thank ye for everything." Serena gathered the nightgown in her arms.

"Ye shall always have it. I won't soon forget how ye taught me to write my name and ye came to care for my mither two years ago while I worked in Braighwick. She might've died if not for ye." Doreen smiled, before turning and quitting the room.

Serena sighed as she undressed and laid her garments by the fire. She dipped her hand into the water. At first it scalded her skin and then she adjusted to the heat. She pulled it out. Her pink skin glistened in the firelight, now cool in the air.

Is this what burning at the stake felt like? Until she was too numb to feel anymore? Fear slithered through her body. Trembling, she slipped to her knees, hanging onto the side of the tub.

"Oh, God!" she cried, her chest heaved, and the tears freely poured. "Please help me. I don't want to die like that. Please—"

Gavin stood over the rocky cliff listening to the constant waves below, letting the salty air open his lungs. The unseen wind brushed his face and neck. Could he be feeling the very breath of God? At home Father Mike had a Latin Bible, and Gavin remembered a passage in the book of Genesis saying, "And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."

Surely, if ever there was a place for God to hear a man this would be it. An orange orb lifted from the gray sea, ever so slowly, lighting the sky from the dark night to a new dawn. The sun continued to rise, every second transforming the image to a bigger, brighter view until its color no longer mattered—only the magnificent light.

An overwhelming feeling of awe wrapped around Gavin. He fell to his knees. It was as if he had God's personal attention, the audience of the Most High. Gavin trembled, struggling to form words from his thoughts. Burdened for Serena, words burst from his heart to his tongue without thought, and faster than he could have ever dreamed possible. After a while he fell silent, more at peace than he had felt in a long while.

Footsteps approached from behind. "I thought I might find ye out here." Leith's voice was still hoarse from sleep. He settled beside Gavin. "I prayed for her."

"Thank ye," Gavin said.

"Was it as bad as they say? Her fit, I mean?"

"Aye, but not the way they would have ye believe." Gavin draped his elbows over his knees and linked his fingers. "She stopped breathing. Her body shook, gasping for air. I thought she was dying. I was afraid of losing her. I've never felt so helpless."

"Well, it doesn't sound like she would have made it without ye. That witless mob would have tied her to the stake without an inquisition of any sort."

"The vicar plans to question her today. Both he and the earl stayed the night." Gavin rubbed a hand over his face. "I hope she got plenty of rest. She'll need to be clearheaded."

"Father Tomas stayed as well," Leith said. "After the mob grew weary of the rain and finally left."

"How is the work on the wall?" Gavin asked.

"One more month and we should be finished with the outside repairs facing the sea." Leith grabbed his shoulder. "Ye ready to go in and break yer fast?"

"I suppose I'd better get it over and done with. The earl and I didn't part on friendly terms. I've yet to hear him utter aught that doesn't benefit him in some way." Gavin rose to his feet and stretched his arms high above his head.

"What do ye think he wants?" Leith asked.

"Not sure. But I don't trust him." Gavin walked toward the castle. "He seems to have no tolerance for the villagers."

"Aye." Leith walked beside him. "I've gathered that."

They entered the side door from the courtyard. The tables in the great hall were already full of biscuits, ham, eggs, and pastries. Candles were lit everywhere. Servants bounced here and there. Both Father Kendrick and Tomas sat across from each other in amiable conversation.

The laird appeared from the direction of the solar and took his place at the table on the dais. Gavin and Leith settled beside the two clergymen. The only one missing was the earl. Gavin hoped he wasn't searching for Serena.

"I trust everyone slept well last night." Iain glanced around the room.

"Aye, verra well." Vicar Kendrick nodded.

Gavin studied his brown hair and facial features. While he was plain, Gavin guessed him to be in the mid-thirties.

"And the rest of ye?" Iain glanced at Tomas, Leith, then Gavin.

"The beds were quite comfortable." Leith said. "I think Gavin enjoys our view of the sea."

"Oh?" Iain raised his eyebrows. "So ye're in the east wing, then? It is a bonny view."

The earl strolled in and took a seat beside Iain at the table on the dais. He was well dressed in his dark blue and purple plaid. He looked down upon them from his perch like a king ruling over the underclass.

"Good morn, gentleman." His cheerful tone was very unexpected after their awkward parting yestereve.

"Father Kendrick, as our guest, would ye bless the food?" Iain asked.

Gavin glanced in Tomas's direction, hoping he wouldn't feel slighted, but all he saw was the top of his bald head in a bow.

Father Kendrick said an honest prayer that was nothing like the recited Latin Gavin expected. When he included Serena and Evelina, Gavin snapped to attention. The man kept his face down, hiding his expression. Afterward, they plowed into the food, dipping healthy portions onto their plates.