The Hunter (Highland Guard #7)(33)

“Tell me what happened,” Bruce said.

Ewen gave him a brief but concise report of how he and MacLean had arrived to discover the two nuns surrounded by soldiers, and how “Sister Genna” had protected her young charge and fended the soldiers off with her threats. He described how MacLean had gone after the note to ensure it reached Bruce (which it had) and how Ewen had insisted on escorting Janet back to Lamberton.

The king’s expression, which had been very grave as Ewen described the attack, lightened with a wry smile at the last. “I’m sure she wasn’t happy about that. Janet was headstrong even as a girl and never liked following orders. I suspect that streak of independence has only grown worse in the intervening years. I’m surprised she did not try to talk you out of it.”

“She did.”

The king lifted a brow. “And you didn’t fall for her honeyed tongue?” He laughed. “I should like to have seen it. After her father died, the lass lived with Isabella and me for a time. I can’t tell you how many times I started out trying to punish her for some mischief she’d gotten into and ended up sending her away feeling as if I were the one who deserved to be sent to the nearest priest to repent.”

Ewen had no interest in rehashing old memories of Janet’s youthful follies; he was more interested in her recent ones. “The English are tightening their noose all across the Borders in an attempt to break our communication routes through the church. It has become increasingly dangerous for all of our couriers, but the women are particularly vulnerable.”

Recalling his earlier gaffe, Ewen was careful not to imply any criticism, but Bruce heard it all the same. “We cannot win the war without the support of the church—both the men of the cloth and the women. They know the risk when they agree to undertake their mission, and I will not second-guess them. Nor will I refuse help simply because it comes from a woman. Janet is the only person I can trust for this.”

Ewen clenched his mouth to prevent himself from arguing. But he didn’t see what could possibly be so important as to endanger her life.

“Have you forgotten what Bella did for me?” Bruce asked, referring to MacRuairi’s wife, the former Countess of Buchan, who’d suffered years of English imprisonment for her part in crowning the king, part of it in a cage. “Or how my wife, daughter, and sisters are still suffering for my cause?”

“That’s exactly my point,” Ewen said. “Women don’t belong in prison or cages. It’s our duty to—”

He stopped before he said the offending words, but it was too late.

“It’s our duty to protect them,” the king finished his thought.

Ewen winced. Damn it, he’d stepped in it again! The king was haunted by what had happened to his women and blamed himself for the fate that had befallen them. He didn’t need Ewen to remind him.

“It isn’t always possible,” the king said softly. He paused a moment before clearing his throat and continuing in a harder voice, “Your fears about my former sister-in-law are not unwarranted, but do not let it concern you. I’ve already started to make preparations for her return, as soon as I can arrange an alternative, which won’t be easy.”

Ewen didn’t bother to hide his relief. “I’m glad to hear it, Sire.”

“Sutherland was making it difficult with his enquiries on behalf of his wife, renewing interest in the lass, and with what you have said …” He shrugged. “Janet will have to understand.”

He didn’t sound any more convinced than Ewen.

“Lady Mary doesn’t know she is alive?”

Bruce shook his head. “We thought it was safer for all involved to keep it secret. Until recently, I wasn’t sure in which direction Mary’s loyalty lay. She was in England for many years.”

“I’m sure she will be relieved.”

“She’ll be furious,” Bruce quipped dryly. He laughed. “But I hope to appease her with wedding plans.”

Ewen frowned. “Wedding plans? But I thought Sutherland and Mary were already married.”

“They are. It’s her sister’s wedding I speak of.”

“But Janet is a …” Even before Ewen could say the word, he realized the truth. He stared at Bruce, feeling as if he’d been kicked in the chest. Or maybe a little lower.

Bruce smiled. “She hasn’t taken any vows.”

A dam burst as anger rose dangerously inside him. It felt like his whole damned body was shaking. “She is pretending to be a nun?”

He was going to kill her, or kiss her until he earned the sins he’d been paying for and she begged forgiveness for the torture she’d put him through—he didn’t know which. But one way or another, his too tempting little non-nun was going to pay.

Bruce stared at him with a frown, but Ewen was too angry to hide his reaction. “It started as an innocent mistake,” the king explained, “but ended up being the best way to protect her. Who would think Janet of Mar was an Italian nun?” Who indeed? Ewen fumed, feeling as if his head were about to explode. How long would it take him to reach Berwick? He was counting down the hours. “Sister Genna” wasn’t going to talk her way out of this one. “Lamberton said the lass has some ideas to take the veil in truth, but when she hears the husband I have picked out for her, I’m sure she will change her mind.”