Jack by Lily Baldwin

Author:Lily Baldwin
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Highland
Published: 2016-03-01T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Jack had first met Bishop Lamberton on the open road shortly after the massacre. Having concealed dozens of newly orphaned children in the woods, Jack and Quinn had set out to hunt. After all, empty bellies needed to be filled. When the bishop’s carriage approached, they had tossed their bows and full quivers into the brush to conceal that they had been hunting on monastic land. The bishop had been kind. He bade them not be afraid and gently pulled the truth from Jack. It did not take Jack long to realized he had made a powerful ally. Jack led the Bishop through the woods to where he had hidden the children. Together, they called on Abbot Matthew at the monastery and obtained permission for Jack and his band of youthful exiles to hide in the woods. On another visit, the Bishop had arrived when the MacVie brothers had been practicing swordplay with sticks, their favorite pastime since they were lads. He had left soon after only to return again later that day with swords for each of them.

“You have the skill, my son, which the good Lord has given you,” the Bishop had said when Jack solemnly wrapped his fingers around the hilt of his new sword. “Now, you have the tools, which I have given you.”

On his next visit, the bishop had brought five black masks and five shirts of gleaming black mail. And so the Saints were born. Jack and his brothers became highwaymen for a higher cause. By robbing the English nobility riding north into Scotland, Jack provided for the children in his charge and contributed toward Bishop Lamberton’s first concern—fighting for Scottish independence.

As Jack and Isabella approached the bishop. He made the sign of the cross and blessed them both.

Bishop Lamberton smiled at Isabella. “Are you well, my lady?”

“I am, Your Excellency.”

“And I trust, my friends have shown you every due respect.”

Jack cringed when he remembered Alec’s suggestion to throw Isabella into the hole with Quinn’s approval. He also remembered his stolen kiss and sarcastic addresses. He closed his eyes waiting for Isabella to confess all to the good bishop, but she merely smiled. “They have all behaved like perfect gentlemen.”

He looked down at her. Her eyes locked with his and did not waver.

Bishop Lamberton cleared his throat, snaking Jack’s attention. “We have a situation. You were right not to leave the lady defenseless in the wood, but she cannot stay here any longer.”

Jack pressed his lips together. He wished it otherwise, but he knew the bishop was right. An English lady gone missing in Scotland meant trouble for everyone. “What is yer plan?”

“We must return her to her father,” the bishop stated.

Jack nodded. “I will take her.”

“You, an exile and thief? That is a truly dreadful idea. The only thing worse would be to include your brothers in your folly. Then you can all be captured and hung together. Aye, I’m sure Rose will be thrilled by your idea.”

Quinn stepped forward then. “The good bishop does make a point, Jack.

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