Love Comes Blindly (book 5) (The Fielding Brothers Saga) (9 page)

Madeline clutched the front of her wrapper, using her arms as a shield. She didn’t know what was going on, but she’d bet her life these two men were the ones she heard the other day—mainly because of the Russian soldier who was dressed in a British uniform.

The big brute Russian pushed her aside and entered. His friend tagged behind, but since there wasn’t a lot of room there was no place to go.

She huffed. “Are you quite satisfied? As I told you, nobody—”

“What’s in there?” the Scot asked, pointing to the trunk.

It had been a while since she had to lie, and she really hated doing it now. But she must in order to save Gregg. These men looked like they wouldn’t show any mercy to the man they were after.

“My personal belongings are in there—that’s all I have left from my past.”

“Personal
belongin’s
?” The Scottish man chuckled. “Didn’t think nuns could have personal
belongin’s
.”

She pulled herself taller and lifted her chin in a stubborn stance. “Will you please leave? This is not proper, and you know it.”

“Were
ya
a grand lady in
yar
past, or a peasant girl?” The Scot rubbed his chin with one hand as he unsheathed his sword with the other.

Panic choked her throat. What was he possibly going to do with his weapon? “I—I don’t see that it’s any of your business.”

“It is if I’m going tae
do
this.” The Scot jabbed his sword through the trunk.

Dizziness filled Madeline as dread poured through her. Her hands shook as she fixed her stare on the blade slowly being pulled out of the trunk. There were no signs of blood…and she prayed that was a good sign.

“I hope I didn’t ruin
anythin
’ of importance.” The Scot grinned and sheathed his sword.

“I—I’m certain you did, but it’s nothing I cannot mend.” Her body quaked and tears stung her eyes, but she refused to lose control now. She must believe Gregg was not harmed. “I hope you are satisfied that nobody is in my room. Please leave now.” Her voice shook, but she aimed her glare at them directly.

“As you wish.”
The men left her room, closing the door.

She waited until their boot steps were up the hall before she quickly opened the trunk and tossed the gowns haphazardly around the room.
“Gregg…oh, Gregg.
Please tell me you’re all right.”

Gregg’s muscular form uncurled from the ball he was in and stood to full height. Relief swept over her and she released her breath with a whoosh. He glanced at his chest and fingered the rip in the middle of his shirt.

“I have never really believed in God until now.” He shook his head. “I thought for sure I was a dead man.”

“Thank God you are all right.” Her body shook uncontrollably, and this time she couldn’t stop the tears from coming as they spilled from her eyes.

He climbed out of the trunk and gathered her in his arms, pushing her head to his chest. “There, there, my dear. I shall be fine.”

“Why…why…” She sniffed. “Why were they after you?”

“I overheard them plotting to break the prisoners free.
Tonight.”

She jerked her head back and looked into his face, hoping he was jesting. But the worried lines on his forehead and around his mouth told her he wasn’t. “You must tell the soldiers about their plot.
Immediately!”

Shaking his head, he looked at the door. “They are soldiers as well. I don’t know who to trust anymore.”

“So true.”
She sighed heavily. Yet…she knew one person whom she could trust, but it would mean sneaking out after everyone went to sleep again to get the message to the right person. “Do you think they will still try to free the prisoners tonight?”

He shrugged. “I would hope they don’t, only because now they know someone overheard them. I just wish I knew who the authorities were around here. Scotland is so uncivilized.”

“Yes, in a sense, it is.” She moved out of his arms.

Gregg exhaled deeply and ran his fingers through his hair. “I just wished I had seen their faces.” His eyes widened and he clutched her shoulders. “But you did.”

“I don’t know, Gregg.” She shook her head. “I don’t want to get involved with spy games and seeking out traitors.” She broke their contact again and sat on the bed. “I came to the Abbey to live a quiet and uncomplicated life.”

His gaze narrowed. He studied her for a few brief moments before kneeling on the floor in front of her. His fingers swept across her cheek in a gentle caress.

“Who are you really? The
Maddie
I remembered always wanted to be center of attention. She would have never settled for a peaceful life.”

“The girl you remembered no longer exists. The woman in front of you now is satisfied to live a secluded life.”

He snorted.
“Without men?”

“If necessary, yes. I’m happy right here working alongside these loving Sisters.”

“Why don’t I believe it?”

Sighing, she took his hand off her face. “You cannot believe because you choose not to.” She paused and then asked, “Tell me something, Gregg. When you were blind, what kind of woman did you think I was?”

She expected to see anger cross his features, but his face relaxed slightly.

“I thought you were the most wonderful woman in the world. You were so very sweet and caring. You went out of your way to help me.” He shrugged. “Of course, now I know why you acted like that. You wanted to impress me. You knew who I was, but I had no idea of your true identity.”

“My true identity is the woman you grew to have feelings for during your blindness.”

He shook his head, but continued staring at her. “How could you have changed so drastically?”

“My stepsister kicked me out of our parents’ house after I lied about sleeping with her husband. I had no place to go. I tried staying with my friends, but soon their parents began to get curious, so not wishing to bring scandal to my family—or to my friends—I moved on. I was forced to fend for myself, which I couldn’t do. It didn’t take long before I was out of money. I was penniless, without a home and starving myself to death. Just as I was at my lowest point, an angel was sent to help. I don’t know why God decided to bring me aid because I didn’t deserve it, but a Sister from the Abbey found me and took me in. All of the Sisters treated me with love and kindness, even though they knew I was an unwed girl in the family way.”

Tears filled her eyes but she continued. Gregg had to know the truth. “They taught me how to forgive myself and to go on. I didn’t like the person I’d been in England, and I wanted so much to change. I asked forgiveness from the people I hurt the most and then I put that part of my life behind me, starting over.”

Gregg cocked his head. “Were you considering becoming a nun at that time?”

She shrugged. “I did after Vivian died. I knew there was no kind of life for me outside the Abbey. I really had no skills that would help me secure a good position, but that wasn’t what kept me here. I actually felt accepted and loved by these wonderful Sisters. I’ve never felt that way in my entire life.”

“But
Maddie
, you’re not made from the right kind of mold to be a nun.” He stood.

She arched an eyebrow. “And pray, what is the right kind of mold?”

“Well, for starters, I have not met a nun as beautiful as you.” A grin pulled at his mouth.

Heat consumed her face. “Beauty is not the issue here, Gregg.”

“Nuns are not supposed to be passionate.”

The heat rushing through her intensified, scorching her cheeks.
“Gregg, what happened at the cottage was a mistake—”

“Mistake or not,” he interrupted, “you can still be charmed very easily, my lovely, and that is not a good quality to have if you want to become a nun.”

She smiled. “I have been doing just fine for three years so it must be you, Gregg.”

“Indeed? Do you mean to tell me that I’m the only one whose charms you have fallen for?”

“You are the only one that has tried to seduce a nun.”

He laughed again. “But I didn’t think you would be the nun I was seducing.”

“I know.” She sighed softly. “You wanted Mary.”

He shook his head and moved to the window and slightly parted the curtains. “It’s still hard for me to link the two of you together.”

“Gregg?” She left the bed and walked to him. “I’m sorry I led you to believe I was somebody else. That was not my intention.”

“It wasn’t?” He met her gaze.

“No, it wasn’t. Do you know how much I wanted to tell you who I really was?”

“Why didn’t you?”

“Because I knew what your reaction would be. I knew how much you hated me, and I was enjoying being your friend. I didn’t want it to end. I still don’t want it to end,” she finished more softly.

He looked at her for a few moments longer and then turned away, rubbing his hands on his face.
“Oh,
Maddie
.
What do you want me to do?”

“Forgive me. I want you to forgive me for hurting you, and I want you to accept me for the new person I am.”

He turned his head and glanced at her. “That’s going to be very hard, you know. You did a lot of lying to me and your family three years ago. In fact, you have lied to me since I arrived here.”

Her heart broke. “Gregg,” she pleaded as she grabbed hold of his arm. “Please believe me. I have changed.”

“I’m not sure that you really have.”

Anger surged through her and she dropped his arm. Standing tall, she faced him stubbornly. “Oh yes I have!”

He stepped in front of her. “What kind of bet would you like to wager?”

“Name it.”

He chuckled. “I didn’t think nuns made bets. It’s a sin to gamble, you know.”

“I’m trying to make a point, here.”

“And so am I.” He grabbed her by the shoulders and brought her up against his body as his mouth captured hers. She knew he was trying to prove himself right, and she wanted to remain firm with her decision, but the more his lips caressed hers, the more she was tempted to succumb. It always happened when she was in Gregg’s embrace.

His arms wrapped around her as he cradled her body. His kiss was warm and gentle and very passionate, but she still wanted to resist. She was too weak around him.

“Come on,
Maddie
,” he mumbled against her lips. “Show me the passionate woman who melts in my arms every time I kiss her.” His hands moved down her back. “Show me the woman whose lips I cannot get enough of.”

He was trying to seduce her with his words, but she would be strong…yet, if she wanted to be strong why was her body beginning to
dissolve,
and why was her mouth opening for his to take over?

“Gregg, please,” she begged mere seconds before surrendering, but just as she slipped her arms around his neck, there was a noise from the hallway just outside the door.

He broke the kiss and whispered, “I think we have company again.”

* * * *

Gregg darted behind the door just as it opened. He didn’t need to see their visitor when the man’s smell reeked of whiskey. Gregg bunched his hands into fists. Hopefully
Maddie
would get rid of the soldier again because Gregg didn’t want to hurt him… But he would in order to protect
Maddie
.

“Sir, what are you doing here?” Her voice lifted in panic.

“I decided tae pay
ya
another visit…without me friend,” the Scot said as he closed the door.

Although there was no place for Gregg to hide, standing in back of the other man was a good thing…
For now.

The soldier looked down at the floor at all
Maddie’s
gowns. “
Whot
happened here?”

Maddie
huffed and planted her hands on her hips. “If you must know, I was checking my gowns to see which ones you had ruined with your sword.”

He bent and picked one up, rubbing the silky material between his finger and thumb. “So
ya
were
a fancy
lass.”

“Sir, please leave now,” she spat as she tugged the gown out of his grasp.

“That’s not
verra
polite.” He moved closer and she backed away. “I just want tae get tae know
ya
better.”

Glancing around the room, Gregg tried to find something he could use as a weapon. Unless he confiscated the lamp on the opposite side of her chambers, he wouldn’t have any help. Then again…if
Maddie
could distract the soldier, Gregg could sneak up behind and get his pistol. He just hoped it was as easy as it seemed.

“Sir, if you don’t leave posthaste, I assure you I’ll scream so loud the roof will collapse.” She kept retreating until a wall stopped her.

A low growl came from the soldier.
“A feisty lass.
That, I like.”

The Scot’s hands shot out and within a blink, he had her in his arms as he brought his mouth down to cover hers. She struggled, but the beast overpowered her. Pushing her to the bed, they both fell upon the mattress.