Highland Sanctuary (32 page)

"There is naught you can do. The whole situation is dependent upon Serena. The good news is that she's confessed the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior. Now all she must do is stop having those evil spells that seem to possess her entire being."

"And if she does not?" Evelina's chin trembled and she was thankful he couldn't see it.

"I think you know the answer." His voice lowered to the dangerous pitch she remembered when something had angered him.

Even after meeting Serena and talking with her, his own daughter, Devlin possessed no feeling or warmth toward her. Evelina closed her eyes, fighting the pain. She should have known not to hope for such a change of heart.

"She's yer flesh and blood . . . yer verra own daughter. Do ye have no depth of feeling for her at all?"

"Evelina, she's the cause of your leaving me . . . the ruination of the family I would've had. She's the root of our humiliation. We could have had more children, but you were too stubborn." He stood and paced around her chair like a hungry lion on the prowl. "No, I feel nothing."

"I didn't want other bairns. I wanted Serena. Ye're wrong about her. Ye always were." She let the contempt in her voice carry, trying not to lose her courage.

"Careful Evelina, after all these years, her fate is now in my hands." He grabbed her shoulders from behind, his grip so hard he bruised her flesh. She swallowed the wince that rose up in her throat. "'Twouldn't be wise to provoke me," Devlin threatened at her ear. "I asked to see you out of curiosity, not to give you some false hope that you've any power to change my mind. I wanted to know how you've supported yourself all these years. Coming from a family of high standing with plenty of servants, it must have been hard to adapt to doing everything yourself, living so humbly, and raising a child on your own."

Devlin shook her, snapping her head back. "At first I was so angry at you, I feared what I would do to you once I found you." His hands slid to her throat under her veil, tightening until it was difficult to breath, then he released her. "But after I joined the church and matured, I realized what you had undergone, and I admired your determination." He leaned to the side as if trying to see her eyes beneath the veil. "I've always thought highly of your character, Evelina. I could've never taken vows if I had not."

She shifted in her seat. "Ye won't allow me to visit her?"

"No, I will not." The words sliced through the air.

"How long shall this . . . process last?"

"That depends," Devlin stepped in front of her, linking his fingers, watching her, "on whether or not she has another fit."

"And how long will ye wait?" Evelina clenched her jaw, hoping he wouldn't wait long.

"A month, maybe two."

Her heart plummeted. Serena was likely to have another fit by then. She had to get her away from Devlin before then. "Please . . . let me see her!" Evelina wanted to beg, but she knew it would do no good. She had to depend on her faith— now more than ever.

"No!" His harsh tone grated on her nerves. "You're wasting your time asking. After what you've put me through, I'll not give in." He gripped her by the elbow and pulled Evelina to her feet, against him. "You're still my wife, Evelina. I could have you punished, but this is better." An evil grin framed his face, and he ripped off her veil. His eyes widened in horror. Devlin stepped back, his lips twisting. "My . . . my . . . you're ruined." He tossed the veil back at her.

"I've done no wrong against ye, Devlin." Evelina caught the veil. "I've lived like a nun, but I won't stand by and watch ye murder our child."

"I won't have to. The church will condemn her. She'll be turned over to the magistrate."

"So ye've already decided her fate, have ye?" Evelina straightened her shoulders. "That decision belongs to God, not ye!" She strode from the room and hurried down the dark hall.

A sennight passed without any word from St. Gilbert's Cathedral since Evelina's meeting with Devlin Broderwick. Gavin stood outside the kirk, staring up at the bell tower as it chimed the hour. Somewhere inside those gray, stone walls, Serena heard the same bells. His heart ached like an empty hole.

He unfolded the parchment paper containing the drawing Father Tomas had made for him of the inside of the cathedral. As helpful as it was, Tomas could only remember the main hallways and floors. He'd never seen the remote areas of the kirk. Father Tomas had guessed Devlin was holding Serena in a chamber on the third or fourth floor— no doubt, well away from the sanctuary and visiting kirk members.

Over the last few days, Gavin had watched who entered the cathedral, which entrance doors they used, and the hour of each visit. He noted the clergymen who departed on errands and town visits. It appeared that the kitchen had the most people coming and going and would serve as the best opportunity for him to slip into the cathedral. A tall man about his size brought fresh logs and coal each morning at dawn. He was given entrance, as none of the female servants could carry the load and set piles out back. Gavin asked around town about the man's identity and character. Mayhap he could bribe him into letting Gavin take his place for a few days.

"Still out here forming a plan of action?" Father Tomas walked up from behind.

"Aye, and I think I'm beginning to get somewhere. Thank ye for these drawings." Gavin refolded the parchment and shoved it inside a folded pocket he'd created out of his plaid. "How'd ye know where I'd be?"

"We knew ye'd be out here studying a way into the cathedral."

Evelina approached, holding out a cup. "I thought ye might like a wee bit of goat's milk this morn."

Gavin nodded, accepting the fresh cup. He wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his ivory colored lein. "Ye sweetened it."

"A bit of honey can make a world of difference."

The sound of cantering horses brought their heads around to the north. A small army of men rode toward them—Highlanders. Gavin walked toward them, squinting to make out their colors. "Is that Leith and the MacKenzies?"

"Aye, and I believe Iain McBraigh rides with them," Father Tomas said, shielding his eyes from the morning sun slanting at an angle.

"About time he showed up. I canna believe the man wanted to wed Serena and he's done naught to assist her thus far." Gavin tossed the rest of his drink down his throat and handed Evelina the empty cup. "Thank ye."

Gavin crossed his arms over his chest. "Well, I won't do the gallant thing and stand aside this time. He doesn't deserve her." He clenched his jaw, preparing a litany of ideas for a proper tongue lashing.

"Gavin! Is that ye?" Leith called as they neared.

"Aye! What is it?" Gavin strode forward, recognizing the concern in Leith's voice, his anger at Iain forgotten for the moment.

They slowed their horses when they reached Gavin's side and Leith wiped sweat from his brow. "They took over McBraigh Castle. Lord Lennox and Lady Fiona have produced a new will and persuaded the magistrate that it's a legal document. He seized Braigh Castle and ousted Iain like some common criminal."

The rest of Leith's men slowed their horses, gathering around. The animals breathed hard from the trip.

"Did ye know aught about another will?" Gavin looked at Iain, whose eyes were bloodshot and a day's growth of a beard shadowed his face. He shook his head.

"I doubt the inn could put up the lot o' ye." Gavin rubbed his eyebrows. "Have ye set up camp somewhere? Have some of the men tend to yer horses while we talk. Let's go to the inn and take refreshment."

"Aye, good idea." Leith nodded and dismounted.

"How's Serena?" Iain moved much slower. "I wrote to Father Kendrick, but he didn't return a response. My letters to her were returned unopened."

At least Iain hadn't completely abandoned her. Gavin cleared his mind, searching for a reasonable response. "They won't let any of us see her, not even Evelina. We have some ideas." Gavin gripped his shoulder in an offer of a friendly gesture. "But first refreshment. Ye look a sorry sight, my friend."

"So do ye." Iain said.

He imagined he did. Ever since Serena had been taken, he couldn't eat, sleep, or think of anything else.

Inside the inn, they secured another room for Iain and Leith and sat down at a wooden table in the tavern. A burly middle-aged woman with stringy brown hair sauntered over and glanced down at them. "What'ya havin'?"

"Some eggs, a chunk of sausage, and whatever ye have for drink," said Iain.

"We've some fresh goat's milk."

"That'll be fine. Thank ye." Iain nodded, rubbing his jaw.

"I'll have the same," Leith said.

She nodded and left through a side door. Only one other patron sat at a table in the far corner, a lone traveler who had arrived the night before.

"When was this new will proven?" Gavin asked, looking first at Iain and then at Leith.

"Not sure, but they arrived two days past to seize the castle." Iain rubbed a hand through his hair making his auburn locks stand up on end. "I fear his intentions. He's never been kind to those beneath his station. I'm concerned for the villagers."

Leith leaned his elbows on the table and linked his fingers. "We finally discovered the secret about the cave."

"What about it?" Gavin asked.

"According to Quinn, the cave is full of diamonds. He took me there. Ye can only get to it by being lowered by a rope over the rocky ledge above the sea. It goes way deep, but I didn't have time to follow the tunnel. The villagers claim there's a tunnel under Braigh Castle and another one that leads under the village."

"Did ye know about this?" Gavin turned to Iain. "Could that be why Lord Lennox is so determined to claim yer property?"

"I thought it was an auld legend," Iain said. "I never imagined it might be true. Aye, I suppose Hogan might think there's some truth to it. 'Twould explain his deceitful behavior."

"Did ye truly see diamonds, Leith?" Gavin gave his brother a direct look.

"Aye. A whole lot o' them." He produced a hard stone from his pocket. "It shines in the sun like a brilliant rainbow and I've been able to cut nearly anything with it."

Gavin examined the stone. In the tavern light, it didn't shine so bright, but he didn't doubt his brother's word.

"Evelina, did ye know about this, too? Did Serena?" A bit of hurt layered his heart at the possibility that neither of them had trusted him. They knew about all the strange things happening to the villagers. "Why would ye not share something so valuable? It could have explained everything."

"Aye." Evelina took a deep breath and nodded, her black veil bobbing. "But we agreed as a village that none of us would tell—not even the laird. We didn't want strangers pushing us from our homes. Greed does that, ye know. Look what's happened to Iain. If a laird could be ousted, imagine what could happen to poor defenseless villagers that no one wants around." She paused. "We were content and happy. We accepted each other when no one else would. If word got out about the cave, greed would have gone wild. We knew Lord Lennox suspected something and it made us even more determined to say naught."

"Then what made Quinn break his silence?" Gavin asked. "When Iain lost Braigh Castle, Quinn grew scared and came to me," Leith said. "Beacon found some important papers in the cave, but he canna read and didn't know what they were." Leith pulled out a folded parchment from his plaid. "It's an original will from Iain's uncle and a journal with entries of how the Lennox family has tried to claim the property. We need to have this will proved by someone in power, but who isn't a cohort of Lord Lennox?"

Gavin realized his brother was right, but he didn't know who in this shire they could trust. Most of their connections were further south.

The front door opened and a man walked in looking around. He glanced over at them and scratched his brown beared. "An' who might ye good people be?"

"I'm Gavin MacKenzie."

"MacKenzie, ye say?" He dug his hand into a leather pouch around his waist and pulled out a letter. Stretching his arm out, he squinted and read the name. "I was told to find Gavin MacKenzie at Braigh Castle. Don't know what to think of findin' ye here."

"I was at Braigh Castle, but now I'm here," Gavin said.

"A lass by the name of Akira MacPhearson paid me to bring ye this message from her own 'and. She said it's important."

"I'm much obliged, sir." Gavin stood, walked over, and accepted it. He recognized his sister's bold penmanship. Not wanting to worry Akira, he'd only written her husband, Bryce, and their father. Like an eager lad, he broke the seal.

Serena woke with her face pressed against the cold stone floor. Something wet trickled down her chin. She pressed her finger to stop the dripping as she attemped to sit up. Blood stained her skin. She frowned. The slight movement made her realize how her lower lip had become stiff and swollen.

Her stomach heaved, but the starvation from the last few days left her weak and empty. Dizziness made her head swim until all she saw was black. Serena waited and her sight slowly returned. She groaned, her joints protesting as she moved to her knees, preparing to stand.

"About time ye came to," Devlin's voice boomed over her. Serena froze, carefully concealing the dread she felt at having to face Devlin Broderwick yet again. He must have been sitting behind her. She turned in slow motion, gritting her teeth.

"Do ye know what happened?" Devlin sat in a wooden chair, his voice a taunt. The crumbs from his meal sat on the table beside him. She licked her lips, forcing her gaze away. Her hollow stomach churned in hunger.

She remembered being asked question after question. No answer satisfied him. Her silence enraged him. Naught she did pleased the man. She believed he was determined to sentence her guilty. She endured hours of him speaking Latin verses over her, chanting prayers she didn't understand.

"I'm sorry. I do not." Her dry voice shook, sounding much like an aged woman.

"You had another fit, just as I knew you would. You busted your lip when you fell. After all the effort I've put into you, Serena, you've resisted the cleansing. There is naught more I can do." He folded his arms and twisted his lips until lines showed around his mouth. "Believe me. It pains me to do this, but I've no choice."

Her heart raced. "Do what?" Tears stung the back of her eyes, but somehow she swallowed them. "Whatever it is, please have mercy on me."

"I've already given you mercy." His harsh tone bit into her and left a chill racing down her spine. "I've turned you over to the town magistrate. He'll see that you're given a public inquisition. Your fate is now in the hands of the town."

God, I thought my fate was with You?