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.The four men crowded into Mother Karine's small study, looking like awkward oafs next to the Mother Superior's tiny frame."I'm here for the Lady Aila MacLaren," said MacLaren possessively."Lady Aila was here earlier, speaking wi' Sister Enid, but she left many hours ago.Is there a reason why ye ken she would be here still?"It was not the answer MacLaren nor any of the men had expected to hear.They stood silent, looking all the more uncomfortable."Perhaps ye would like to speak wi' Sister Enid?"The men agreed and were led to her cell, having even more difficulty squeezing into the smaller space."We seek Lady Aila." This time it was Warwick who spoke in his low, gravelly voice.Sister Enid looked concerned."Lady Aila was here earlier, but she returned in the afternoon with her maid.Has she not returned to Dundaff?""Nay.""And did you not meet her along the road?""We came overland, Sister.""Ah, that explains it," said Sister Enid, her face relaxing."You must have missed her.""Ye're sure she be going back to Dundaff?" asked MacLaren suspiciously."Most assuredly, yes," replied Sister Enid, studying MacLaren's Highland garb."Would I be correct in assuming you are Sir Padyn MacLaren?"Aye." Thunder crashed again, louder and closer."Considering the poor weather, you and your men are welcome to stay the night and return to Dundaff in the light." It was a sensible suggestion, but MacLaren was anxious to lay eyes on his elusive wife."Nay, we'll be going back," said MacLaren.A giant clap of thunder shook the building."It will be black as pitch out there," said Warwick slowly."Are ye're sure Lady Aila returned wi' enough time to beat the storm?""Yes, I would say so.""Sister, Lady Aila is verra dear to us all.Are ye certain she be safe at Dundaff now?" Pitcairn spoke with a soft voice."Where she is now, I cannot say for sure.I do know she left for Dundaff many hours ago with her maid, Senga.""Then it's settled." Pitcairn spoke with relief."We gratefully accept yer hospitality, Sister Enid.""Ye may stay.I'll return," said MacLaren over the sound of hail beating a staccato rhythm on the roof."I don't cherish losing my way in the dark and ending up in a bog," said Chaumont, looking up as the hail beat down louder.MacLaren sighed.He was losing this fight.The others were right.Aila was most likely curled up by her warm fire, mocking him for riding all the way out to St.Margaret's in a storm for naught.He was tired and hungry, hungry for real food this time.The thought of a hot meal and soft bed sounded heavenly.MacLaren reluctantly agreed to stay, and the men returned to the hall to fill their empty stomachs.After a hearty meal, MacLaren once again sought Sister Enid, finding her reading in a room designated as a small library.Books were stacked on shelves, revealing a nice collection for such a small community.Sister Enid looked up from her reading and smiled a welcome to him."How did ye find my wife today?" MacLaren asked, not exactly sure what he needed to know."She was rather upset when she came to see me," began Sister Enid."She wasna by any chance wearing a solder's garb?""Yes, she was." Sister Enid motioned for him to sit in a nearby chair, but MacLaren remained standing."Was she planning to request an annulment and join the convent?""Why did you not visit her on your wedding night?"MacLaren looked away.He had not thought this nun to be so direct.There was no delicate way to answer this question, and he was not about to talk about his fear of betrayal with anyone."I went hunting the men who are burning Graham's fields." MacLaren's gaze snapped back to hers."And you dinna answer my question.Was she going to join the convent and ye changed her mind?"Sister Enid studied him with shrewd interest."You're not a man who trusts easily.""I am often correct in my judgment, and it saves time," answered MacLaren caustically.This nun was nipping at all sorts of tender spots."You've been disappointed in life.""Disappointed?" said MacLaren with a snort."That's one word for it.""You blame God.""Nay, I blame the whoring wench who deceived me." The words tumbled out of his mouth before he could remember how to speak to a nun."Forgive my language, Sister.I forget myself." Sister Enid remained quiet, looking at him expectantly.MacLaren sighed and sat in the chair opposite her."I may have wondered what I've done to offend my Lord that misfortune would befall me."Sister Enid was silent for a while before saying, "Suppose you took your knife and plunged it into my heart.What would be the outcome?"MacLaren's mouth dropped open and his brows furrowed.This was not at all the answer he had expected."I'd be condemned to hell eternal
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