Escape to the Highlands (The MacKinnon Clan Series Book 2) by April Holthaus

Author:April Holthaus
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2014-01-18T05:00:00+00:00

Jacqueline ran away from Ewan crying. She was so angry at herself for becoming involved with the son of her family’s greatest adversary. She had wished that she could send her brother and uncle a missive about Douglas’ death. She knew that with his passing, her family could now live at peace.

Her only hope now was to join the abbey where she would be safe and send a tracker to find James. He would know what to do and could get a message to her brother.

Chapter 10

Ryelle Abbey was just as large as Carlisle in proportion. With its high walls and towers, it would offer the protection Jacqueline needed. Still under Scottish rule, Jacqueline felt safe within these walls. The quiet yet busy monastery was much like the church back at Carlisle, with the sounds of praise and readings that could be heard echoing through the chapel walls.

The monk that had accompanied Jacqueline had barely spoken a word to her. She believed that he must have taken an oath of silence. As they reached the chapel, the priest came to them as they walked through the arch leading into the gathering room.

“Ye must be the lass Robert has sent here seeking an asylum,” he stated.

“Yes, I am. My name is Jacqueline Renold, Father. I thank you for your kindness in offering me sanctuary,” she said as she bowed her head to him.

“Ye are English. That I was no’ told,” the priest stated.

Jacqueline looked at him almost shameful for her heritage.

“English or no’, that is just fine, lass. God opens his doors and hearts to all of His children who seek it. All are welcome and will no’ be turned away from the house of God,” he continued and held out his hand to greet her.

Unfamiliar with Scottish customs, Jacqueline bent down and kissed the ring upon his finger. The priest looked at her and smiled.

“Yer chamber will be down the corridor with the other lasses staying wit us. We have strict rules here and expect them to be followed accordingly. I will send someone to assist ye.”

“I understand, Father. Thank you.”

Jacqueline walked down the narrow corridor and found the room at the end of the hall. Sitting down onto the straw filled bed, she laid back and sank into its softness. Jacqueline’s muscles ached from sleeping on the hard, cold ground. Lying in the bed now, she thought on how much she had missed the comforts that she was used to at Carlisle.

Sitting alone in the room for what felt like hours caused Jacqueline to do nothing but think. She wondered how different her life would have been had her parents survived. At the age of fourteen, she would have already been wed off to the first eligible bachelor. Being seventeen, she felt like a spinster.

She couldn’t help to think what had happened to James. One possibility remained that Jacqueline tried to disregard; that her brother or cousin had him killed. As much as she denied it, it would have been plausible.

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