Page 38 of Bride takes a Scot
“Are ye the laird’s wife, Lady Isabella? I am Friar Faelan, newly come to the MacKendrick clan. His lairdship has asked me to oversee the souls of his clan’s men and women.”
Another thing her absent-minded husband forgot to tell her about. Why hadn’t Declan told her that a friar would serve them? It was of little matter, at least for now. Isabella bowed to the man and smiled as she took in the friar, a thin man garbed in a black robe belted by a rope at his waist as was traditional for the garb of a cleric. The length of his brown hair was tapered to his head.
Most of all, she noticed that he had a kind face and blue eyes that showed affection. “It is nice to meet you, Friar Faelan, welcome. I am glad you are here for I often spent time in the chapel where I was raised.”
“Are ye devout, Milady?”
She nodded. “I am and pray every day. Will you be performing Mass and Confession?”
“If ye would like me to.”
“I’m sure Declan would like that too. Might I make my confession now?”
Friar Faelan waved her onward. “I will sit here with my back to ye and ye can make your confession.”
Isabella sat then with her back to him. “I fear, Friar, that I have impure thoughts all the time, especially about my husband.”
“Oh, Milady, it is good that ye are attracted to your husband, and I am sure our good Lord would not condone such thoughts.”
“I am trying to be a good wife, but honestly, Declan makes it difficult.”
Friar Faelan cleared his throat. “Why…ah, how does your husband make it difficult?”
“He is guarded and tells me little about himself or his life. I did not even know he was previously married and had a child until I was here for two whole days. Then there is suspicion about him…Well, I cannot speak of it. He won’t tell me what bothers him or what he expects from me. In truth, I am not sure what to do with myself or how to be his wife.” She couldn’t stop herself from sighing aloud.
“I see. Well, were ye trained on the tasks of being a wife?”
“I was. My mother was thorough and ensured I was taught every aspect of being a wife and lady to a keep. My husband’s stepmother is also making it difficult, so I try to stay out of her way when I wish to speak foul words to her. She has said the most atrocious things about him…” Isabella realized suddenly that she was gossiping. Surely the Lord wouldn’t be pleased. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t speak so of her, but…” she paused, and then admitted, “I’m not happy. It’s difficult here. As much as I try to fit in, I feel as though I never will.”
Friar Faelan shifted behind her, then answered with a gentle tone, “Ye will find your way, Milady. Given time, ye will feel more at home. Ye should not listen to suspicions about your husband from others. Instead, seek him out and ask him yourself if what is being said is the truth. Prayer will help settle your spirit and now I am here whenever ye need to speak about your troubles.”
“I appreciate that, Friar. I just wish my husband wanted me for his wife. He seems to enjoy being with me at night when… ah, when we are alone.” As if she’d conjured him with her confessions, Declan suddenly appeared in the open door of the chapel, a dark silhouette against the daylight. “Oh,” she whispered, “He is here.”
Friar Faelan rose and peered at the entrance where Declan stood. He made the sign of the cross before her. “I absolve you from your sins, Milady. Say a good Act of Contrition and pray to the Blessed Mother for wisdom. She understands your concerns. And come again soon. Shall we go and greet your husband?”
She dipped her chin, then got up and walked toward him. Before she reached him, she took a deep breath to try to rid her ire. But she was more than angry with Declan, and sooner or later he was going to have to confess to her the deceit he was hiding. “Good day, Declan. Are you here to see the friar to confess your sins as well, perhaps?”
He stared at her and didn’t speak. Claude stood next to him and gave him a shove with his elbow. Declan took her hand and squeezed it gently. “Nay, wife. We did not mean to interrupt your confession with the friar…”
“Oh, you didn’t. We were finished. I shall leave you to speak with him.” Isabella didn’t wait for his farewell and hurried through the exit. On her way back to the cottage, she smiled to herself because she hadn’t known Declan was pious. With God’s help, his sins would be forgiven. At least, she hoped thathappened. She also hoped that God would help her win his heart. But then she shook her head. She didn’t want him to love her because love was for fools. Isabella only wanted him to want her, to be treated with care as his wife.
With a scoff, she realized with a heavy heart that she was telling herself a falsehood. She wanted far more from him than she was willing to admit—his heart.
Chapter Thirteen
His wife disappearedbefore he could stop her from leaving the chapel. Declan wasn’t sure, but he suspected she might be angry with him. Her averted eyes gave her away. He had to find her when he was through at the chapel and figure out what bothered her. Declan didn’t like the tension between them and so far, Isabella had been sweet and not the irksome, overbearing wife he’d thought he would be saddled with when he was forced to wed.
He shook off his sentiment and approached the friar. “Friar Faelan, you have arrived, I see.”
“Good day, Laird MacKendrick. I am gladdened to be here and thank ye for allowing me to come and serve your clan.” Though he was young, more than a score in age, the friar had very little hair but what he did have appeared to be dark in color. Indeed, his face showed nary a whisker. He smiled widely. The clergyman seemed affable.
“Ye are most welcome, Friar. This is my brother, Claude. He aspires to become a priest and to serve God. I hoped ye might guide him and perhaps show him the way…”
Friar Faelan gave Claude a look up and down, and it appeared that his smile grew broader. “Oh, aye, it wouldst be my pleasure, Laird. Come on the morrow, Claude, early, and we’ll begin. Ye can help me get settled and figure out what’s what. Ye can spread the word that I am here.”
Claude bowed. “I would like that, Friar Faelan.”
Declan turned and said over his shoulder, “I will leave ye to it then.” He hastily left the chapel before the friar suggested he himself attend the confession. Declan wasn’t about to confess his sins, not until he figured out who his enemy was. After he sought vengeance, he would make his peace with God, and only then.