Love Comes Blindly (book 5) (The Fielding Brothers Saga) (13 page)

“
Proceed
, my child.”

“I think
it’s
tonight,” she whispered, leaning toward the curtain. “The soldiers are acting most unusual. Most of them act as if they have just returned from consuming strong spirits. That is not like them at all.”

“The prisoners are still there?”

“They were there when I left, Father Irvine.”

“Do you still have a pistol to protect yourself?”

“I do.”

“Return immediately and tell the Reverend Mother what we have talked about. She also has weapons hidden.”

Madeline sucked in a quick breath. This was something new… But she was relieved to know she could trust the Reverend Mother. “I will.”

“I will inform my men. God be with you.”

“And you, Father.”

She dashed out of the confessional and ran out of the building as if fire were on her heels. After jumping on the horse, she kicked the animal’s belly as she took off, praying she would make it in time to warn the Reverend Mother. Madeline was certain Gregg would assist as well.

Oh, Gregg…

It hurt to think of him leaving soon. Now that Lord Calvin was ready to travel, she knew Gregg and his friend would not stay much longer.

If only Gregg had forgiven her, she would feel much better. If only he would return her love…

Sighing heavily, she crouched lower on the animal and rode faster. Soon Gregg would be out of her live and she could return back to normal.

Yet…she feared she would never be normal again.

* * * *

Where had that woman disappeared to?

Gregg had waited after dinner to speak with Madeline in her room, but after sneaking upstairs to the second floor and entering her small chamber, he discovered her bed was untouched. However, he did notice her gray novice gown lay on the end of the bed, which meant she was wearing one of her old gowns now.

Very curious.

After creeping back down to the main floor, he wandered from room to room searching for her. It was as if she’d disappeared completely. He dared not ask any of the other Sisters for fear of drawing undue attention on Madeline—and
himself
. Although Lord Drake could see how much Gregg cared for Madeline, he seriously hoped the nuns didn’t see it.

An hour had passed, and Gregg’s nerves were ready to snap. He considered himself a patient man, but because of the serious nature of his upcoming visit with Madeline tonight, every minute that ticked by had him more anxious.

He tried not to think something awful had happened to her, convincing
himself
that because the Russian soldier spy was still here, then Madeline was all right. But as time slipped by and no sign of her, Gregg began to worry that maybe the Russian worked with another traitor in the group of soldiers. Gregg’s stomach twisted with dread.

Night blanketed the land, but that didn’t stop him from venturing outside. His eyesight was better—although not fully operational—but at least seeing in the dark became easier each night.

Wind howled through the trees, bending the branches low. Something foul was in the air—and it wasn’t just the scent from the stable. Uncertainty crawled over him almost like it had just before the cannon had exploded and nearly killed him and his friends. Indeed, something was wrong…and it involved Madeline.

He scoped the area as much as he could with limited vision anyway, as he slowly walked around the outside of the Abbey. He prayed in his heart Madeline was all right. As he turned a corner, a dark shadow ran right into him… But it wasn’t a shadow.
Just someone in a black hooded cloak.

A squeak came from the woman as Gregg grasped her shoulders to keep her from toppling over. The hood fell from her head and blonde tresses cascaded over her shoulders.

Relief poured through him.
“
Maddie
!
Oh, thank God you are all right.” He pulled her against his chest and held her in his arms.

“Gregg?” She raised her head to look at him. “What is wrong? There is panic in your voice. What has happened?”

The wind blew locks of hair into her face, so he swept his hand over her face to push back the curls. “I have been worried sick about you.”

Her forehead crinkled. “What? Why have you been worried about me?”

“Because you were nowhere to be found.”

“You were looking for me? Why?”

He ran his fingers down her soft cheek. “Can I not worry, my lovely? Especially when I have been searching for you for over an hour and now here you are—” he pulled back enough to look at her clothes, “—out of your novice gown and your hair falling about your shoulders. Pray
,
tell me you have not been out meeting another man, for it would surely wound me deeply.”

A grin tugged at her lips and she rolled her eyes. “And whom would I be meeting, since you are the only man I have met who has the audacity to seduce a nun.”

He chuckled. “Well, earlier Lord Calvin acted like he was enamored while in your company.”

“And is Lord Calvin missing as well?”

“No.”

“Then I could not possibly be with him, could I?”

Sighing, he leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “I’m just grateful to know you have not been harmed.”

“Not yet, but if you don’t let me go so I can get word to the Reverend Mother, we may all be in danger.”

He released her and stepped back. Had his instincts been correct when he felt danger was afoot not too long ago? “Tell me what has happened.”

She clutched his hand. “I will explain as we walk. Time is of the essence.”

 
Gregg listened intently as they hurried inside. Her gaze swept the area as they walked, and he supposed she was making certain not to be overheard.

“I confess I hadn’t really noticed the soldiers acting any differently tonight.”

She stopped and faced him. “You didn’t?”

“No.”

“They didn’t seem intoxicated?”

“Not any more than usual.”

Frowning, she rubbed her forehead. “Do you think it was wrong for me to try to get help?”

“No, but I would hate to have the truth come out about what happened to that missing soldier,” he said softly.

“Indeed, that would not be good at all.”

“If anyone takes the blame, it will be I. You had nothing to do with it. I was the one who killed him, remember?”

“Yes, but I helped dispose of the body. That puts me just as much to blame.”

He squeezed her hands, rubbing his thumbs across her knuckles. “Please don’t worry about it. Go on up to your room and I will look in on our soldiers. I shall even sneak upstairs to see if the prisoners are still there.”

“Oh, no!
You cannot! Gregg, you cannot handle them by yourself, and Lord Drake is in no condition to assist.”

“But all I’ll be doing is peeking—”

“Absolutely not.
Gregg Fielding, you had better promise me right now that you will not do this. Let my contact take care of everything.”

“Who is your contact?” He arched an eyebrow.

“Father Irvine. He visits occasionally at the Abbey, but I don’t think he’s been here since your arrival.”

“You trust him?”

“With my life.”
She nodded.

“Then so do
I
.”

“Please, Gregg. Return to your cot and allow me to visit with the Reverend Mother on this matter.”

“I will.” He kissed her forehead. “Take care.”

She smiled at him before turning and flying up the stairs. He chuckled to himself. Madeline had certainly changed, yet she was still full of mischief. Why had she involved herself in matters such as these…enough to know who the contact person was, for goodness sake! Did she not know how dangerous that was?

Inwardly he groaned. She might not like it, but he was going to do something to protect her. It was the only way.

* * * *

Madeline left the Reverend Mother’s room feeling much better. She loved that woman almost like her own mother—whom she missed terribly—but was happy the Reverend Mother was ready with weapons in case something happened tonight. The older woman’s expression was quite comical when realizing Madeline was also helping Father Irvine in trying to weed out the traitors and spies.

The hallway was quiet as she tip-toed back to her bedroom. If something were to happen tonight to break the prisoners out, she prayed she would be able to hear the commotion so she could assist in stopping them. Nothing had made her feel more important than helping her country.

At first when she started this, she wondered why men would still be traitors and spies even after the war was over, but Father Irvine explained to her that the Russians were sore losers and would do anything to strike back at England. She vowed to do all she could to assist in helping Britain.

She opened the door to her room and stepped inside. Immediately, she noticed a man lying on her bed, propped up with his hands behind his head. A grin stole across his features.

“Greetings again, my lovely.”

Gasping, she quickly closed the door and pressed her back against it. “What are you doing here, Gregg Fielding?”

“I thought I told you to keep your door locked.”

She could have laughed.
Of all things to say...
“Yes, you did.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“I suppose it’s because I have had much on my mind of late.”

He nodded. “I do understand that.” His gaze moved around the room and then met hers. “Do you mind if I come in?”

“You are already in.”

“So I am.” He scooted to the edge of the bed and stood. “Forgive me for entering without your permission, but I need to talk to you privately.”

“Well, this is certainly a good place.” Her heartbeat boomed in her chest and she couldn’t calm her nervous stomach. He held a pleasant expression, but she dared not hope he was here to forgive her. More than likely he was here to try and seduce her again—to try and convince her that she was too passionate to become a nun.

For now, he remained staring into her eyes as he walked toward her, only stopping when he stood in front of her. His fingers hooked a lock of her hair that he stroked gently.

She waited for him to say something.
Anything.
But he continued to smile as he caressed her. She had to break the spell before her heart burst from her chest. “I sincerely pray nothing happens tonight with the soldiers. At least until Father Irvine can bring some help.”

“I agree. The Abbey is not equipped for a catastrophe such as this.”

After a few seconds passed without him speaking, she asked, “Gregg? Why are you really here? I doubt it’s to discuss the soldiers.”

He released her hair and stepped back. “I needed to see you. Lord Calvin and I will probably leave within the next couple of days. I have a lot on my mind that requires to be said.”

Her breathing slowed. So, he wasn’t here to forgive her, after all. Well, she might as well hear his anger and what he needed to tell her, and wish him well on his journey.

She nodded, but didn’t move from where she stood. Heat from his body blended with hers even though they were mere inches apart. She enjoyed the connection they had always shared…liked it too much, in fact. When he finally returned to England, her heart would never be the same.

“That’s what I had gathered,” she said softly. “I’m relieved Lord Calvin is making such a quick recovery.”

“As am I.”

He lifted his hand to her face and caressed her cheek. “But I didn’t come to talk about him.” His thumb brushed across her bottom lip, and his gaze rested there. “You have surprised me,
Maddie
. I doubted a person could change as drastically as you have, but I must admit, you are not the woman I thought I knew.”

She swallowed hard and shook her head. “I’m not. I don’t ever want to be that person again.”

“You have grown into a very lovely woman, too.”

“I thank you for your tender words, Gregg.”

Sighing, he dropped his hand and stepped back. She wrapped her arms around her middle to keep from quivering. His touch always did this to her.

“I’m not a man who is used to expressing my feelings, but I will try to explain myself.” He cleared his throat and turned away from her.

He walked to the window and stopped, looking out into the night. She doubted he could see anything.

“I don’t need to tell you how trapped I felt when my brother, Nicholas, pushed me into making an offer of marriage to you three years ago.”

“No, you don’t.”

“But I feel you must know that I grew to accept the idea. Dare I say
,
I started having certain feelings for you, too?” He glanced over his shoulder at her. “You were a very passionate woman, and I enjoyed the way you melted under my touch.”

So he’d felt the same as she did back then.
Interesting.