She had to go else they would harm her to get to him. It meant they knew he cared for her! He cared for her. She wanted to rejoice but she couldn’t.
God couldn’t want this since there was danger involved.
“Why do they want you to marry her so desperately?”
“They both believe John will be king. Birchet wants a connection now. But now I believe ’tis just to keep me from ye. I agreed to wed her months ago, but John knew I didna want to take her fer my wife.”
“Is there any part of you that loves her?”
He shook his head. “No. There is no part.”
No. He couldn’t marry Cecilia. Who should he marry then?
Perhaps this was…what God wanted. Perhaps now that the captain was free, he would ask her… would she?
She closed her eyes and prayed some more. After a few moments, she opened her eyes again. “When would we leave?”
“I have a month before I am expected to wed Cecilia, but…” he paused and clenched his jaw, making the muscles dance. “Ye spoke true that this is all aboot ye goin’ before the church and securin’ John’s place on the council. That is all he wants. But unless God takes me from this earth—”
She covered his mouth with her hand. “Nay! Do not say such a thing!”
He removed her hand from his mouth and kissed her palm. “Nothin’ will keep me from ye.”
Help! What should I do?
“Go before the church, Silene. ’Tis what yer uncle wants. Tell them what they wish to hear aboot yer uncle. Ye and I will leave quietly after that. I will tell them I am returnin’ ye to the priory. Ye and I can—”
“Galeren,” she said, stopping him. “I feel as if I am in some kind of trance. I do not know if I can trust my thoughts, for they are always about you. I need time to think clearly—to pray without you being there, as well.”
He let go of her hand. His absence was painful, agonizing when he nodded and rose from the bench, and left the sanctuary.
He was giving her what she wanted. Time. Why did it feel so terrible?
Was her oldest prayer being answered? A prayer for a kind, handsome husband, to be in love and to be the mother of his children. Warmth filled her as she remembered.
She wasn’t giving up God by letting Galeren MacPherson into her heart. There was room enough for them both. But could she stand before the church leaders and pretend she wasn’t thinking about stepping away from her vows?
She left the church and looked around. She didn’t see the captain or any sign of the children as she headed back.
On her way, a woman with a long, yellow braid hanging over her shoulder came out of surrounding trees. She wore a drab kirtle of tattered tan and brown skirts. Her cloak was moth eaten and tattered.
“Are ye the novice?” the woman asked.
“Aye.”
The woman’s deep blue, fathomless eyes moved over her. “Be attentive, gel. Everyone is not who they claim to be. He deceives. He deceives and the captain does not know.”
“What?” Silene blinked. “Who are you? Who deceives?”
But the woman hurried away into the woods.
Silene stood in her spot long enough to draw attention. What did she mean? Who wasn’t who he claimed? Why was someone hiding his true purpose?
“Sister?”
She looked up at Mac and smiled.
“What are ye doin’ here? I saw ye just standin’ here lookin’ like ye were lost. Are ye all right?”