Page 16 of The Highlander’s Virgin Nun (Highlanders’ Feisty Brides #2)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“G ood mornin’, Rosaline. How are ye?”

Alexandra skipped into the Great Hall, as cheerful as ever, her words tumbling after one another. A large smile played on her lips, and her eyes were warm and excited. It was hard not to resist her positive energy.

“Good mornin’, Alexandra. I’m well, and ye?”

“I’m wonderful, thank ye. How are ye settlin’ in? Did me braither buy ye new dresses?” Alexandra sat beside Rosaline and loaded her plate with fruit and bread.

“Aye, we went to the dressmaker’s a couple of days ago. She was lovely and very helpful. They should arrive in a few days, and I can give ye yer dresses back.”

“Brilliant. I am in nay rush to have me dresses back—ye can keep them. I only want ye to have clothes that fit yet comfortably. What do ye intend to do today?”

Rosaline’s mind went blank. She had simply been trying to get by every day. She had been seeking out any information she could get, trying to find the catch in her new situation, for there had to be one. But as her search kept drawing a blank, she felt she simply had to settle.

“I would quite like to read,” she finally replied.

The words surprised her as she spoke them aloud. She had learned to read as a child and grew up always trying to find harder texts to push herself with. But at the Abbey, she had only had the Bible. She missed the fantastical tales in her father’s library, even the childhood stories she remembered hearing at bedtime. If she was truly free here, that was what she would like to spend her time on.

“Well, ye can certainly do that. We have a wonderful library, just one floor below yer room. Our maither used to be an avid reader, and the poor spines had gotten little attention since her death. Ye are welcome to browse and borrow anythin’ ye like.”

“Thank ye very much, that sounds lovely.”

“But first, if ye wouldnae mind,” Alexandra continued, “I am goin’ to go fetch some flowers. I saw some beautiful freesias growin’ outside the castle walls. We could pick some for our rooms if ye would like to come with me?”

Rosaline could see that Alexandra adored company. She had not seen any other women her age around the castle, and she realized that Alexandra likely hoped that she and Rosaline would become good friends.

While Rosaline was a more solitary person, finding her own company more comfortable, she saw Alexandra’s warm heart and knew that she would make a good friend. She needed friends around here to look out for her and give her advice. She could not do everything alone.

“Aye, that sounds lovely, thank ye.”

“Wonderful!”

Alexandra popped a few grapes into her mouth, took her bread in her hand, and pushed back the rest of her breakfast.

“Better get to them before the village girls spot them.” She giggled, standing up to leave. She gathered her skirts in one hand so they would not slow her down, and held her bread in the other.

Rosaline rose and followed suit, not wanting to dampen her excitement.

“I think some flowers will brighten up yer rooms,” Alexandra rambled on as they made their way through the castle halls and out the doors. “All the grey stone around here can really dampen yer mood if ye dinnae add color to it!”

“I think ye’re right,” Rosaline allowed, quieter than Alexandra, but trying to meet her energy halfway. Her enthusiasm was hard to match, but Rosaline did not want to appear uninterested or ungrateful for the invitation.

“I dinnae imagine there was much decoration around the Abbey ye came from.”

Alexandra paused then, as if already sensing that Rosaline might need time to talk about it. She was apprehensive to share any more of her story, but she could feel that it was important.

Alexandra was a kind soul who wanted to help, and Rosaline felt that even if she was still unsure of Caelan’s real motives, his sister could be trusted.

“Nay,” she began, deciding to be brave. “Other than some religious regalia, it was very dark and bleak. The nuns arenae allowed to have any personal belongings, so there was very little about.”

Alexandra nodded.

The ensuing silence warned Rosaline that she was about to ask more. She was simply taking the time to phrase her question correctly.

“Ye were escapin’ from there when ye met me braither, is that right?”

“Aye, that’s correct.”

They had passed through the castle gates and were walking along the castle walls. Few people were around, so Rosaline did not need to worry about others overhearing.

“Was it awful?” Alexandra glanced at her as they walked, showing her sympathy. She did not intend to pry or judge, and Rosaline felt that in her warmth.

“They were very unkind to me,” Rosaline admitted. “Me braither sent me there when me faither died and chaos broke out at our home. He paid for me stay there, but the nuns just used me. I was their servant. But more so, I was the target of their anger. They spent so much time followin’ strict rules and bein’ pious in front of others that it was as though they had to have some outlet for the malice and behaviors they were restrictin’. Unfortunately, that was me.”

“I’m terribly sorry, Rosaline,” Alexandra offered. She placed a gentle hand on Rosaline’s arm, just beneath her shoulder, and gave it a small rub. The touch was not harsh or restrictive. It was purely comforting. “Did they nae feed ye? I noticed that ye are terribly thin.”

Rosaline nodded. “Nae very much. I would generally eat whatever they left over, which was very little.”

“Well, we shall get ye back to full health in nay time,” Alexandra declared in a cheery tone. “We have plenty of food here, and I want ye to eat as much of it as yer body allows. Please, dinnae feel the need to be polite.”

“I will.” Rosaline giggled. “I want to regain me strength. I was a healthy child.”

“And so ye will,” Alexandra assured her. “Forgive me for askin’ further—I dinnae mean to pry. It’s just that I want to understand what ye have been through so that we can help ye recover.”

“Nay, nay, go ahead,” Rosaline allowed. Alexandra’s words touched her deeply.

“Did they hit ye?”

The question stung, even though Rosaline had known it was coming. She struggled to string words together. She felt so vulnerable.

“Aye,” she managed on an exhale. “If I dropped something, wasnae fast enough, or didnae read their mind when they failed to even speak an instruction out loud, I would be punished. In various ways.”

Alexandra stopped now, placing a hand over her heart. Rosaline saw the genuine empathy in her eyes.

“I really am sorry, Rosaline. Nay one should have to go through that. I am so glad that Caelan found ye and that ye are safe now.”

Rosaline absorbed her words. Although she knew the cruelty she had suffered was wrong, oftentimes she became convinced that it was her fault. If she was sharper, more careful, and more obedient, perhaps she could have avoided some of the blows.

But Alexandra was right. It was never right to be treated that way. Rosaline hoped dearly that she was really safe now. She certainly felt a lot safer than at the convent.

“Look, the freesias are just over here!” Alexandra gushed, her eyes sparkling as she directed them a few steps further towards a cluster of bright flowers.

She must have realized that Rosaline could discuss the subject no further, and thus she dropped it. Rosaline could not deny that she did feel a little lighter, though. As if the burden of her past was somewhat lifted from her shoulders.

The women gathered flowers together, Alexandra favoring the pinks and Rosaline favoring the yellows. They tied their bouquets together with twine and walked back towards the castle with their bounty.

“I can take yers back yer room if ye like and put them in a vase with some water. The library is just on the second floor, third door on the right.”

Rosaline thanked Alexandra and said goodbye, heading straight for the library. She was still a little unsettled from the events of the day and was eager for an afternoon of rest, time alone, and maybe even some distraction in beautiful tales. She followed Alexandra’s instructions and soon found the correct door.

The library was wonderful. The walls, entirely covered in dark wood, were lined with numerous bookshelves that rose from floor to ceiling. The smell of paper and leather filled her nostrils, and she was transported to a place of calm, of silence.

Rosaline ran her fingers along the spines as she walked around the room, taking it all in. Large armchairs by tall, paned windows called her name, and she quickly sought out a few enticing titles to take with her.

She selected a childhood story she only vaguely remembered, a travel diary of a Scottish merchant, and a biography of a Scottish queen. She took them to the small table by the chairs and sat down, opening the first book, desperate to uncover its tale.

She could finally relax.

* * *

“I hope I’m nae disturbin’ ye,” Caelan said, as he entered the library, his voice far too loud for the silence that the library had known all morning.

He waltzed in, closed the door behind him, and came to sit on the armchair opposite her.

Ye are disturbin’, actually .

But Rosaline did not dare say it. She would not be rude just because she was shy after their intimacy a couple of days ago.

“I’m glad to see someone finally in here, usin’ this space. It’s had few visitors since me maither died.”

“Ye dinnae read much?” Rosaline asked.

“Havenae got the time since I became Laird.”

Rosaline nodded in understanding.

“What was she like?” she ventured.

“Huh?”

“Yer maither. Ye said that she passed givin’ birth to Alexandra, but what kind of mother was she? Who was she?”

Caelan lowered his head a few inches and blinked slowly, as if having to access a part of his mind that he usually kept locked. He took a deep breath and leaned back in his chair.

“I was twelve when Alexandra was born, so I was lucky enough to have many wonderful years with her. She would read to me often, show me how to bake bread, and nurse me to sleep. She was a brilliant woman.”

“I’m sorry,” Rosaline murmured. She felt great empathy for his tale and thought of poor Alexandra, who had never known her mother’s love, yet was such a happy soul. “And yer faither?”

“He raised us well on his own. He took time out of his day for us and fought to recover from his grief for us. Although behind closed doors, I kenned he mourned her deeply. But still, he took us on trips around Scotland so that we would ken the land we lived on and meet folk from outside of our clan. He taught me how to fight—spent many hours showin’ me how to wield a sword and protect meself. He is the reason I have won all of these battles.”

Rosaline had come to the library for an epic story, and yet her soon-to-be husband had one all along. She wanted him to know that she was grateful for his sharing and that she was listening intently.

“He, too, sounds like a wonderful man. He taught ye well.”

“It’s been ten years without him. He was gettin’ older, but he should have had more years in him. Illness took him quickly, practically overnight, and the Lairdship was thrust upon me, leavin’ me nay time to grieve him. And then the attacks began.”

Rosaline reached out and placed a hand on Caelan’s knee. He placed a hand over hers, silently thanking her for listening.

“I’m sorry, Caelan. That must have been very difficult. What about yer uncle? Could he nae assume some of the duties?”

“He didnae have the connections that me faither made for me. Didnae ken the other lairds nearby. And he had never really been involved in the runnin’ of the clan. He and me faither never got on well, so Faither never told Uncle Harrison much about the politics of it all. He didnae ken what was goin’ on.”

“I see.” Rosaline nodded.

“It’s why I am so protective of me position here. I have to ensure that the clan is ruled by the right people, as they have gone through too much already. Especially Alexandra. It is why I need an heir.”

Rosaline nodded, understanding and remembering her side of the bargain. She knew she had a purpose here and was happy to fulfill it when the time came. The idea of being able to give him something in return for all the care she was getting here was the only consolation she had.

“Anyway,” Caelan continued, his voice lowering. “I didnae come here to talk to ye about death. I came to tell ye that yer dresses have arrived.”

Rosaline was surprised that she felt a surge of excitement about clothing. She sat up and was suddenly eager to see them, to have her own gowns in colors that she had chosen, styles that she felt comfortable in.

“Mrs. Milloy is in yer rooms just now with the garments. I believe she has yer weddin’ dress also and needs to make any final alterations. The weddin’ in is two days, so we’d better have everythin’ in order.”

“Aye, so it is,” Rosaline concurred quietly.

The time of no return was approaching.

* * *

“Ah, a vision in white,” Mrs. Milloy sighed with joy as she lowered the wedding gown over Rosaline’s head.

The fabric was simple, unadorned with embroidery, lace, or beading—exactly how Rosaline wanted it. She did not like feeling bumps and lines on her skin. And yet the gown was still intricate and beautiful. A sheer layer of tulle lay beautifully over a flowing layer of silk, giving the dress beautiful movement when she turned, as the top layer drifted to catch up with the bottom one. It hugged her torso and cascaded from her hips, accentuating her silhouette. Her sleeves flared at the cuffs, in harmony with the entire garment.

“It’s perfect, thank ye, Mrs. Milloy.”

“It is rare that I am asked to make somethin’ so simple. I doubted the idea at first, but I see now how it lets the bride shine.” Mrs. Milloy beamed at her in the mirror. “Ye made wonderful choices, Miss Rosaline.”

Rosaline smiled in return. She appreciated that the dressmaker did not try to dissuade her from her desires, that she did not suggest buttons here or a bow there, but simply fulfilled her requests to perfection.

“I’m just going to pin it in a couple of places, just here at the waist and the shoulders, to get the perfect fit. And then I shall return with it on the mornin’ of the weddin’.”

As Mrs. Milloy began to gather the fabric and secure it with a small pin, careful not to prick her, Rosaline pondered the wedding once more. She wished that her brother or Victoria could attend. Someone who was there for her throughout her life, just to reassure her that she was doing the right thing.

“Will ye come to the weddin’, Mrs. Milloy?” Rosaline found herself asking.

She did not know if she was even allowed to invite people, but it simply felt right.

“Me, lass?” Mrs. Milloy looked at her in the mirror, surprised. “It isnae necessary to invite yer dressmaker to yer weddin’, love. I am happy to depart once I have dressed ye.”

“I ken it isnae customary. But would ye come anyway?”

Rosaline watched the woman’s surprise turn into sincerity, and a soft smile graced her face in the mirror.

“Of course, lass. It would be an honor.”

Rosaline felt her body relax a little, knowing that someone she had invited would be at the wedding, even though she had known Mrs. Milloy for only a few days.

The dressmaker had listened to her words so carefully and respected all of her decisions, making her preferences into something beautiful. Rosaline felt that, while she struggled to trust many people, this was a woman she could trust. Alexandra, too, was a lovely girl who had done so much for her, but she was Caelan’s sister and would inevitably stand by her brother. Mrs. Milloy was there for her.

She glanced at herself once more in the mirror, taking in her beautiful dress and seeing everything that she had overcome to be here. From a tattered black tunic that had shrouded her body and been a barrier between her skin and the harm she had faced, to a beautiful flowing white dress, delicate and fluttering with the wind.

She had truly escaped, and she hoped that the risk she was taking—marrying a man she had known for merely a week—would truly be the key to her freedom. It was all she could do.