Forbidden Heart by Quinn Paula

Author:Quinn, Paula
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2020-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Silene knew she was being punished. Why else would God be keeping the captain from her? No. She asked for this, didn’t she? She prayed not to see him, not to be tempted by him. Wasn’t God just answering her prayers? Three days! Three days and she had not seen him. What happened at that meeting with her uncle and Lord Birchet? Did he leave Dundonald so he would not have to wed Cecilia?

Was it for the best if he had?

She saw Father Nate on her way to the church and smiled that he was going the other way, glad that he wouldn’t be at the church with her. She wanted to be alone.

“Good morn, Sister,” he said, looking her over.

She bid him good day and continued on her way.

“Have you been studying the rules upon meeting the men of the church?”

“Aye. I practice every day, Father.”

He smiled. “Do not falter before them.”

What did he mean? Why did it make her belly tighten? Why was he helping her?

“I will try not to. Thank you, Father.”

She turned to go once again. This time, his fingers closed around her wrist, stopping her.

“I have been praying for guidance about what we spoke about in confession,” he whispered. “I think the Lord has led me to a different conclusion.”

Silene’s eyes opened wide and grew bluer. Of course, he was going to continue to chastise her. “Father—”

“Silene, you are not yet a nun. You are allowed two years to decide because people change their minds. ’Tis all right to change your mind. If the Lord sent the captain—”

Her heart accelerated. “Why do you mention him? I never said—”

“’Tis obvious if one just looks. He corrected one of his men who called you a nun as if he never wanted to hear those three letters together again.”

Silene recalled him doing the same with the men when they traveled here. “That means nothing.” He said their feelings were obvious to anyone who looked. What if someone from the church found out? But one of them already knew. Father Nathanial was part of the church. Was it obvious to Father Alphonsus, too? What would she say before them if they asked?

“You mistake friendly fondness for something it is not. The captain and I are friends. Good friends. Like he and Lady Matilda are. Do you understand now?” she asked softly with a gentle smile.

He nodded and backed away. “Fergive me.” He buried his hands in the folds of his sleeves and left her alone. The instant he turned to go, her smile vanished, and tears burned her eyes. She hurried through the inner gate and reached the church. She opened the heavy, creaking door and looked over her shoulder to make certain no one was behind her. Her veil nearly came free and flew away when a mighty wind blew in from the north.

The north—where the captain’s kin lived.

She stepped inside and looked toward the altar. Father Alphonsus wasn’t there. She was happy to find the church empty.

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