“Did he rip your clothing, too?”
“He insisted he needed to check for the mark of the devil on me. He ordered me to remove my gown. Then he—he jerked me closer and ripped it.” She covered her eyes as if to block out the memory. “The look on his face. He was about to force himself on me.”
Peter took her into his arms. Stiff at first, she finally relaxed and began to sob in earnest. He tried to reassure her, caressing her hair, and led her into the hall.
“Is he finally dead?” Ruth asked from the doorway of the chapel. Her voice emotionless.
Brighit jerked away from Peter and moved toward the other woman. “I didn’t mean to.”
She sounded close to hysteria but Ruth quickly gathered her into her arms in a most maternal way and led her into the next chamber, sitting her gently on a wooden stool. It occurred to Peter that although the child was not yet born, it would be well cared for by this woman. If she survived.
“Shh, now. Hush. It’s over now.” With tears shimmering on her own lashes, she stroked Brighit’s hair where her head rested lightly against her. “Did he touch you?”
The words fell like an axe at a beheading and the silence that was left was deafening. Brighit shook her head, slowly at first, then with more determination. Peter exhaled the breath he didn’t realize he was holding. The overwhelming relief made him lightheaded. He stroked Brighit’s hair and she turned her face into his palm before looking up at him.
“Then it is truly finished,” Ruth spoke with great solemnity.
“I didn’t mean to do it.” Brighit’s repeated words were muffled.
“You do not need to defend yourself to me. You need to repent.”
Brighit went rigid before his eyes.
“He’s like no other priest I’ve ever met.” Ruth didn’t seem to notice. She rubbed at her belly. “I was a virgin when I came here.”
Peter’s irritation with this woman was great but this shocking revelation knocked the air right out of him. He paused to gather his wits. “Are you telling us that ishischild growing inside of you?”
The woman gave him a sad smile. “Yes. He forced himself on me... on all of us. Used us for his own pleasure.”
“And yet you believe Brighit has sinned and needs to repent because she protected herself?”
“Murder is always a sin. That doesn’t mean God will not forgive her.” She turned back to Brighit. “Thank you for ridding us all of the curse of that man. I first came here expecting to find the Prioress. I never expected my life given to Christ would be so violated. It was certainly not God’s will.”
Brighit sniffled then swallowed, struggling to regain her composure. “Did you know the Prioress?”
“No. I just heard stories of her great faith. I’d hoped to learn from her. When I got here, she had already passed. I stayed because I didn’t know where else to go.”
“Nor do I.”
Peter’s heart squeezed tight.
“Is there someone else who can take over?” Peter’s question sounded like a demand.
“Oh, yes. Martha was the Prioress’s helper. She could become Prioress once the Bishop confirms her. That was what she was doing before Father Tinsley moved in. There had been no advanced edict that she knew of for his arrival.”
When Ruth turned to him, the encouraging smile she’d had for Brighit vanished. It was replaced by a frown almost as if she sensed his deepest desire—to remove Brighit from this place immediately. She stood abruptly.
“Let me get you something to change into... and some warm water.”
After Ruth left, Peter hunkered down beside Brighit, pushing her hair away from her face. “She is right. You did not have to submit yourself to this man. If he demanded that you do, you have every right to stop him... however you needed to.”
Brighit took a shaky breath then exhaled one slow, steadywhooshof air. “Are you certain he is dead?”
Her upset was speaking now. Peter spent a lot of time with men in battle that fought most bravely and then refused to accept the death of those around them. When he took her hands, they were cold as snow.
“Yes. He is dead. He cannot hurt you again.”
The bright, red welt on her hand had doubled in size. She inspected it. “My own father never used a cane on me.” She pushed against the skin and wiggled her fingers. “It hurts.”
