Galeren stopped on his way out. “Father, why would ye spread an untruth that could harm her?”
“Captain,” the steward said. “If ye leave, I will assume ’tis because of Sister Silene. I will keep her here fer questionin’ and if I discover there is somethin’ deeper than friendship between ye, Father Alphonsus will see to her punishment.”
Galeren’s murderous gaze flicked to the priest. So, John would have Father Alphonsus punish her. He wanted to laugh at the priest. Galeren wouldn’t let anyone hurt her.
“John,” he said, using the steward’s familiar name and slipping his gaze to him. “If ye wanted me to stay so badly, ye just had to ask.”
“Ye do what ye want,” the steward pointed out. “After all these years I know what moves ye. Ye try to be what ye think would make yer father happy.”
Galeren shrugged his shoulder, letting the words fall away. “If I share the values of my father, that is a good thing.”
He turned to Lord Birchet. “D’ye truly not care if I will make yer daughter unhappy?”
“Some marriages are unhappy ones, Captain,” her father advised. “Cecilia can seek happiness outside of your marriage.”
Aye, Galeren thought. She was already on the prowl, kissing men while he was away.
He couldn’t do it. John would not have his own niece harmed.
“I canna do it, John. Farewell.”
“Bring Sister Silene to me,” the steward said to someone in the shadows.
Galeren remembered his grandsire’s warning again and stopped. “All right,” he ground out. “I will do as ye say. But not fer another month. That is when my vow is over.” It wasn’t the truth, but the church would never force him into marriage while he was taking a vow of chastity.
The steward threw up his hands. The priest glared at him, as did Lord Birchet.
Galeren walked away and left the solar. Let them think what they wanted. He wasn’t marrying Cecilia and Silene wasn’t going to be harmed by anyone.
He would make certain of it.
Even if it cost him everything.
Chapter Thirteen
Silene knew shewas being punished. Why else would God be keeping the captain from her? No. She asked for this, didn’t she? She prayed not to see him, not to be tempted by him. Wasn’t God just answering her prayers? Three days! Three days and she had not seen him. What happened at that meeting with her uncle and Lord Birchet? Did he leave Dundonald so he would not have to wed Cecilia?
Was it for the best if he had?
She saw Father Nate on her way to the church and smiled that he was going the other way, glad that he wouldn’t be at the church with her. She wanted to be alone.
“Good morn, Sister,” he said, looking her over.
She bid him good day and continued on her way.
“Have you been studying the rules upon meeting the men of the church?”
“Aye. I practice every day, Father.”
He smiled. “Do not falter before them.”
What did he mean? Why did it make her belly tighten? Why was he helping her?
“I will try not to. Thank you, Father.”
She turned to go once again. This time, his fingers closed around her wrist, stopping her.
“I have been praying for guidance about what we spoke about in confession,” he whispered. “I think the Lord has led me to a different conclusion.”