Page 34 of Highland Flame

“Aye. We’re stayin’ in Lord Rook’s old room in the catacombs,” North answered with a yawn.

“The catacombs?” she asked in disbelief. “No one should have to stay there. That is horrid!”

“Ye wouldna say that if ye saw the elaborate secret room that we are stayin’ in,” Nash explained.

“If Cam thinks he’s takin’ the bed, he’s got another guess comin’,” griped North.

“Oh, there you all are,” said Gillies, spotting them and walking over to join them. He had a nun with him.

“Yvaine, this is Sister Edna who I’ve assigned to help you with the child until I can find the girl a good home with a caring couple who will have her.”

“I dinna want to live with someone I dinna ken.” Avianca held tight to Yvaine’s skirt. “I want to live with Yvaine and Cam.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize you were married,” said Sister Edna. “Is one of these men your husband?” She looked over at Nash and North.

“Nay, we’re just Highland warriors,” said North, holding up his hands and taking a step backward, seeming spooked by the thought of marriage. He stepped on Nash’s bare foot and Nash let out a curse.

“Please, no cursing!” Gillies reprimanded them.

“Sorry,” said Nash, rubbing his bare foot.

“I am the widow of a chandler,” Yvaine told the nun. “These men were kind enough to escort me to the priory.”

“I see,” Sister Edna answered. “So, the girl is an orphan?”

“Aye. Nay,” said Yvaine, changing her mind. “I mean, her mathair died recently, but her faither is here somewhere in the priory.”

“Oh!” The nun looked over to Gillies in shock.

“Her father is not a monk, Sister,” explained Gillies. “It is a Highlander named Cam.”

“Ooooh,” she said, sounding and looking so relieved to hear that. “Her father wants to give her up to another family? I don’t understand.”

“Neither do I,” Yvaine answered softly, running a loving hand over Avianca’s head.

“Excuse me, Brathair Gillies, but can we have somethin’ to eat?” asked Nash.

“Aye. We have been stompin’ grapes all day and we’re powerful hungry,” said North.

“Of course,” said Gillies. “The main meal is over, but you two are welcome to eat with the kitchen staff. Sister Edna, please go with Yvaine and help her with the child, while I show the men to the kitchen.”

“My pleasure,” said the nun, reaching out for Avianca.

“Nay. Leave me alone,” screamed the little girl, hugging Yvaine’s knees and not letting go.

“Thank ye, Sister, but mayhap I should tend to puttin’ her to bed for tonight,” Yvaine told her. “However, mayhap ye could be of assistance tomorrow when the girl isna so tired and frightened.”

“Whatever you’d like,” said the nun, looking at Avianca with pity in her eyes.

Yvaine wanted to go and find Cam, but now she couldn’t. She supposed anything she had to say to him could wait until the morrow, after all.