The nuns looked up when she entered.But instead of greeting her with welcoming smiles, they stopped chattering and swiveled their heads toward the abbess in expectation.
The abbess stood up from the table.“Welcome home, Sister Eve.Ye made it by Martinmas, as ye promised.”Then she opened her arm to the place of honor on her right.“Ye have a guest who’s been waitin’ to see ye.”
Eve’s smile froze in horror as she followed the abbess’s gesture.
Rising from his seat was Adam, dressed as a monk.
The abbess politely inquired, “I believe ye know Brother Adam?”
Eve resisted the urge to spin on her heel and make a hasty exit.Flee to Ireland.Or France.Or even bloody England.As far away from Rivenlochs as she could get.
“Sister Eve.”His voice was low, grim, filled with accusation.
It was the accusation in his voice that gave her the strength to stay where she was.
How dared he take that tone with her?As if this was allherfault?
He was the one who’d passed himself off as an outlaw when he was a damned Rivenloch.
He was the one who’d betrayed her…twice.
He was the one who’d stolen her heart…and her virtue.Who’d promised to marry her…and then abandoned her.
Her eyes watered now, with griefandrage.
But she wouldn’t let him win.This was her home.This was her destiny.He was in her house now.She wouldn’t let him ruin her entire future.Not again.
“Brother Adam,” she said in a level voice.
The nuns were watching both of them expectantly.
She forced a smile.“I hope I haven’t kept ye waitin’ too long.”Before he could reply, she pivoted to the abbess.“I fear the mule is on his last legs, Reverend Mother.He couldn’t even carry me home.”
“Well,” the abbess said in the awkward silence while Adam stared at Eve.“I suppose I shall have to see about acquirin’ a new beast.”
Finally, Adam spoke.“The Reverend Mother tells me ye traveled to Rivenloch.”
Eve reminded herself never to confide in the abbess again.The Reverend Mother couldn’t keep a secret longer than she could hold her breath.And from the lack of impressed gasps from the rest of the nuns, everyone already knew.
But that was a rather bold comment from Adam, knowing who he was.
“Indeed,” she said.“I hear ye’re quite familiar with Rivenloch yourself, Brother.”
A crease formed between his eyes as he realized she might know his secret.
“I’ve been a few times, aye.”His voice faltered slightly when he asked, “Did ye meet with the laird?”
“Oh aye,” she assured him.
But from his sickly expression, he was not assured.
“Come sit between us, Sister,” the abbess instructed, indicating the space to her right.“Ye must be starvin’.Dinner will be served anon.”Adam sat back on the bench, leaving room for Eve, and the abbess leaned toward him to confide, “’Tis quite a feast we serve on Martinmas.”
Eve had no appetite whatsoever.Her stomach was roiling with a volatile wave of emotions.Anger.Hurt.Outrage.Sorrow.Shame.Fury.
Nonetheless, she sat quietly beside the abbess as she said a prayer of thanks for the bounty and the novices began to serve dinner.
The first offering was Sister Eithne’s famous leek pottage, served with barley rolls and butter.
