Highland Sanctuary

by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

  Serena wanted to weep. Regardless of how much of a mad monster he was, she knew he was right about her mother.

  With unwavering determination, Father Tomas induced Gavin to let him come along. Gavin hitched Sholto to a small wagon Tomas kept in a shed behind his cottage. Once they arrived in town, Gavin was glad he'd succumbed to the idea. They arrived in Braighwick in better spirits than they would have been on their own.

  Gavin secured a tavern inn with two rooms, one for Evelina and the other for himself and Father Tomas. Throughout the night, he slept little as Father Tomas snored like rumbling thunder.

  The next morning, he and Tomas consumed a plate of eggs and a chunk of bread as Evelina finally appeared, wearing a black gown and a matching veil. She glided toward them with a straight posture and floated into the chair opposite them.

  "I trust ye slept well?" Gavin asked.

  "Hardly at all." Her quiet voice drifted through the netting. "I couldn't help thinking about Serena. All sorts of things vexed my mind. I'm sure the Lord is disappointed in my lack of faith."

  "Not at all," Father Tomas said. "That's why God established grace. He's strong when we're weak. 'Tis one of the greatest blessings—to have a Savior we can depend on."

  Silence followed as Evelina and Gavin processed Tomas's words. Gavin lifted his cup of water and noticed Evelina still had no food.

  "Please forgive me for not offering sooner, but would ye like me to order somethin' to break yer fast?"

  "Nay." She shook her head. "My stomach is tied in knots at the thought of having to face Devlin again."

  "A wee bit of bread might settle yer stomach, and besides, ye need to keep up yer strength. Serena may need ye." Gavin held out a chunck of bread from his plate.

  "I'll try." Her trembling hand reached for it. She slipped it beneath her veil and chewed in silence.

  "I've been thinking about our approach—whether we should all arrive together and ask to see Serena, or if we should try alone at different times," Tomas said.

  "Aye. Such thoughts have been on my mind as well." Gavin glanced between the two of them. "While Evelina is Serena's mither and would have the best chance at seeing her, she could also be in danger from Devlin as his long-lost and disobedient wife. I don't think she should risk going alone."

  "True, but from what Evelina has said and the level of respect he's achieved in the kirk, I'd imagine him a verra prideful man. He may be too ashamed to reveal her as his wife. 'Twould make him look like a failure in his own household, and he would lose his priesthood."

  "Aye." Evelina coughed, touching her chest. "He's prideful, but that's naught compared to his need for revenge. If he's like the man I remember, vengeance will weigh him down, and he'll somehow justify it through his idea of religion."

  "Then that settles it. We'll attempt to visit all together at once," Gavin said.

  Evelina sighed. "I must admit, that does make me feel better."

  Less than an hour later, the three of them were shown into the sanctuary at St. Gilbert's Cathedral and told to sit upon the front bench. Inside, the building looked quite similar to other cathedrals Gavin had visited in Edinburg, Galloway, and London. The eerie silence thickened around them. Gavin's nerves twitched until he desired to pace. He had to grip the bench on each side of his legs to stay seated.

  Father Kendrick appeared through a door behind the pulpit. A slight grin chiselled deep lines into his expression. He first greeted Father Tomas, then Evelina, and at last, Gavin.

  "I knew it wouldn't be long before we had a visit from all of ye." He scratched his chin. "Serena is doing well, but I'm sorry to say that she canna receive visitors while Father Broderwick is in the process of an exorcism. It can last weeks . . . even months."

  "What about a supervised visit where ye or Father Broderwick is present?" Gavin asked. Hope beat with each pounding pulse that pumped throughout his body.

  Father Kendrick glanced down at his feet, shifted his weight back and forth as if considering the question. "I'm sorry, but we canna. Too much risk is involved."

  "May we write her and receive letters from her?" Evelina asked.

  "'Twould be permissible." Father Kendrick's eyes lit in obvious relief to offer some good news. "Though I must warn ye, the correspondence will be read to ensure no planned escapes or persuasion of the mind are present in the letters."

  "Thank ye, Father." Evelina released a deep breath.

  "There's one exception." Father Kendrick raised a finger and turned to face Evelina. "Father Broderwick has requested a private meeting with ye, Evelina. He asked Serena to write ye, but now that ye're here, he'd be pleased to meet with ye now if Father Tomas and Gavin will wait." Father Kendrick stepped back and tilted his head to the side.

  Determined to learn what he could of Serena's situation and condition, Gavin leaned over and touched Evelina's arm. "We'd be happy to wait for ye."

  "It's time," Father Tomas agreed.

  Evelina stepped forward, straightened her shoulders, and lifted her veiled head. "I'm ready. Lead me to him."

  As Gavin watched her leaving the sanctuary, he glanced up at the painted mural on the wall where Jesus lay on the cross with Mary bowed at his feet. Lord, be with her. Give Evelina lots of wisdom and strength.

  Father Kendrick led Evelina down a dark hall. His black robes blurred into the shadows surrounding them. Their footsteps were soft, steady clicks against the stone floor.

  Evelina thought of her flight from Devlin twenty years ago and her courage returned with each step. God had not forsaken her then. He would not forsake her now.

  He paused by an open door. "I've brought Evelina Boyd as ye requested."

  "Good. Send her in and you may leave us," a deep voice said in an English accent. Even after all these years that voice had tormented her dreams and hovered upon her mind like a ghost—something that wasn't supposed to be, but still lurking. Evelina didn't believe in apparitions, but the perception still applied to her past with Devlin.

  Father Kendrick stepped aside and waved her in. With her head held high, her chin lifted, and her spine straightened, Evelina strode into the study.

  A small fire burned in the hearth, giving the air the smell of burning wood. Lit candles graced his dark wood desk littered with an open book, parchment paper, ink, and several quills in a container. Two candelabras permitted more light on opposite walls of dark panel.

  Devlin stood and walked around the desk. Evelina wasn't expecting so much gray in his once-dark hair. He still kept it cut straight around his head like an upside down bowl and trimmed around the ears. His dark eyes sparkled through lined circles she didn't remember. He wore a black robe similar to Father Kendrick's with the exception of a silver chain around his waist. A silver cross hung from his neck and lay mid-length of his chest.

  "Please sit." He pointed to the two brown chairs at angles facing the fire.

  Evelina disliked the mischievous grin that slid across his face making his age lines even more visible. To make the best of her opportunity, she'd humble herself, bargain and beg if need be—anything to save Serena. Her gown swished as she walked further into the room and sat. She linked her black gloved hands in her lap.

  "Where is Serena? May I see her?" At least her voice sounded steady.

  "At the moment, she's fine. And no, you may not see her. I do not wish her to be influenced during the exorcism." He leaned forward. "I'm afraid you're at an advantage and I at a disadvantage. After twenty long years, you have the opportunity to see how I've aged. Must I continue conversing with you through that abominable black veil?"

  His quick denial in letting her see Serena stung like a whip. A deep ache burdened her heart, so much that it was impossible to ignore.

  "Please . . . must ye do this? Serena is a good lass. She loves the Lord with all her heart. No evil lurks inside her. What can I do to make ye believe her innocence?"

  "There is naught you can do. The whole situation is dependent upon Serena. The good news is that she's
confessed the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior. Now all she must do is stop having those evil spells that seem to possess her entire being."

  "And if she does not?" Evelina's chin trembled and she was thankful he couldn't see it.

  "I think you know the answer." His voice lowered to the dangerous pitch she remembered when something had angered him.

  Even after meeting Serena and talking with her, his own daughter, Devlin possessed no feeling or warmth toward her. Evelina closed her eyes, fighting the pain. She should have known not to hope for such a change of heart.

  "She's yer flesh and blood . . . yer verra own daughter. Do ye have no depth of feeling for her at all?"

  "Evelina, she's the cause of your leaving me . . . the ruination of the family I would've had. She's the root of our humiliation. We could have had more children, but you were too stubborn." He stood and paced around her chair like a hungry lion on the prowl. "No, I feel nothing."

  "I didn't want other bairns. I wanted Serena. Ye're wrong about her. Ye always were." She let the contempt in her voice carry, trying not to lose her courage.

  "Careful Evelina, after all these years, her fate is now in my hands." He grabbed her shoulders from behind, his grip so hard he bruised her flesh. She swallowed the wince that rose up in her throat. "'Twouldn't be wise to provoke me," Devlin threatened at her ear. "I asked to see you out of curiosity, not to give you some false hope that you've any power to change my mind. I wanted to know how you've supported yourself all these years. Coming from a family of high standing with plenty of servants, it must have been hard to adapt to doing everything yourself, living so humbly, and raising a child on your own."

  Devlin shook her, snapping her head back. "At first I was so angry at you, I feared what I would do to you once I found you." His hands slid to her throat under her veil, tightening until it was difficult to breath, then he released her. "But after I joined the church and matured, I realized what you had undergone, and I admired your determination." He leaned to the side as if trying to see her eyes beneath the veil. "I've always thought highly of your character, Evelina. I could've never taken vows if I had not."

  She shifted in her seat. "Ye won't allow me to visit her?"

  "No, I will not." The words sliced through the air.

  "How long shall this . . . process last?"

  "That depends," Devlin stepped in front of her, linking his fingers, watching her, "on whether or not she has another fit."

  "And how long will ye wait?" Evelina clenched her jaw, hoping he wouldn't wait long.

  "A month, maybe two."

  Her heart plummeted. Serena was likely to have another fit by then. She had to get her away from Devlin before then. "Please . . . let me see her!" Evelina wanted to beg, but she knew it would do no good. She had to depend on her faith— now more than ever.

  "No!" His harsh tone grated on her nerves. "You're wasting your time asking. After what you've put me through, I'll not give in." He gripped her by the elbow and pulled Evelina to her feet, against him. "You're still my wife, Evelina. I could have you punished, but this is better." An evil grin framed his face, and he ripped off her veil. His eyes widened in horror. Devlin stepped back, his lips twisting. "My . . . my . . . you're ruined." He tossed the veil back at her.

  "I've done no wrong against ye, Devlin." Evelina caught the veil. "I've lived like a nun, but I won't stand by and watch ye murder our child."

  "I won't have to. The church will condemn her. She'll be turned over to the magistrate."

  "So ye've already decided her fate, have ye?" Evelina straightened her shoulders. "That decision belongs to God, not ye!" She strode from the room and hurried down the dark hall.

  19

  A sennight passed without any word from St. Gilbert's Cathedral since Evelina's meeting with Devlin Broderwick. Gavin stood outside the kirk, staring up at the bell tower as it chimed the hour. Somewhere inside those gray, stone walls, Serena heard the same bells. His heart ached like an empty hole.

  He unfolded the parchment paper containing the drawing Father Tomas had made for him of the inside of the cathedral. As helpful as it was, Tomas could only remember the main hallways and floors. He'd never seen the remote areas of the kirk. Father Tomas had guessed Devlin was holding Serena in a chamber on the third or fourth floor— no doubt, well away from the sanctuary and visiting kirk members.

  Over the last few days, Gavin had watched who entered the cathedral, which entrance doors they used, and the hour of each visit. He noted the clergymen who departed on errands and town visits. It appeared that the kitchen had the most people coming and going and would serve as the best opportunity for him to slip into the cathedral. A tall man about his size brought fresh logs and coal each morning at dawn. He was given entrance, as none of the female servants could carry the load and set piles out back. Gavin asked around town about the man's identity and character. Mayhap he could bribe him into letting Gavin take his place for a few days.

  "Still out here forming a plan of action?" Father Tomas walked up from behind.

  "Aye, and I think I'm beginning to get somewhere. Thank ye for these drawings." Gavin refolded the parchment and shoved it inside a folded pocket he'd created out of his plaid. "How'd ye know where I'd be?"

  "We knew ye'd be out here studying a way into the cathedral."

  Evelina approached, holding out a cup. "I thought ye might like a wee bit of goat's milk this morn."

  Gavin nodded, accepting the fresh cup. He wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his ivory colored lein. "Ye sweetened it."

  "A bit of honey can make a world of difference."

  The sound of cantering horses brought their heads around to the north. A small army of men rode toward them—Highlanders. Gavin walked toward them, squinting to make out their colors. "Is that Leith and the MacKenzies?"

  "Aye, and I believe Iain McBraigh rides with them," Father Tomas said, shielding his eyes from the morning sun slanting at an angle.

  "About time he showed up. I canna believe the man wanted to wed Serena and he's done naught to assist her thus far." Gavin tossed the rest of his drink down his throat and handed Evelina the empty cup. "Thank ye."

  Gavin crossed his arms over his chest. "Well, I won't do the gallant thing and stand aside this time. He doesn't deserve her." He clenched his jaw, preparing a litany of ideas for a proper tongue lashing.

  "Gavin! Is that ye?" Leith called as they neared.

  "Aye! What is it?" Gavin strode forward, recognizing the concern in Leith's voice, his anger at Iain forgotten for the moment.

  They slowed their horses when they reached Gavin's side and Leith wiped sweat from his brow. "They took over McBraigh Castle. Lord Lennox and Lady Fiona have produced a new will and persuaded the magistrate that it's a legal document. He seized Braigh Castle and ousted Iain like some common criminal."

  The rest of Leith's men slowed their horses, gathering around. The animals breathed hard from the trip.

  "Did ye know aught about another will?" Gavin looked at Iain, whose eyes were bloodshot and a day's growth of a beard shadowed his face. He shook his head.

  "I doubt the inn could put up the lot o' ye." Gavin rubbed his eyebrows. "Have ye set up camp somewhere? Have some of the men tend to yer horses while we talk. Let's go to the inn and take refreshment."

  "Aye, good idea." Leith nodded and dismounted.

  "How's Serena?" Iain moved much slower. "I wrote to Father Kendrick, but he didn't return a response. My letters to her were returned unopened."