The Angel and the Highlander Read Online Free Page A

women together and confessed her story. She told them of her father a powerful laird who felt his daughter a troublesome lot and wanted to be rid of her until she could serve a beneficial purpose. Then she explained that she wished to be as free as they were, and the only way she could do that was to die.
    That day Alyce carved her own name in the cross that marked Sister Terese’s grave and took her identity. She was finally free.

Chapter 3
    T erese always rose just before sunrise. She loved to greet the dawn, watch as the first ray of light peeked on the horizon then slowly spread over the land. She felt as if the heavens touched her anew and it gladdened her heart each morning.
    However, this morning her heart was a little heavy. Lachlan and his men were up at first light and asking permission to build a shelter much too close to the compound. They would hear everything the women were up to, and that wouldn’t do.
    Terese kept a pleasant smile as she walked Lachlan nearer to the entrance of the convent, away from the common shelter and the woods beyond. “I believe this area would better serve your purpose.”
    Lachlan glanced around.
    Terese offered an explanation before he could protest. “It is the only entrance to the convent.” She crossed her fingers behind her back for protection against her small lie, for she and the women had forged a significant entrance through the woods.
    Lachlan nodded. “Then it will do.”
    She pointed to woods opposite from where the weapons were hid. “You will find sturdy trees there to be build your shelter.”
    “Thank you and my men will hunt and provide fare for tonight’s meal,” he said.
    Piper caused Lachlan to jump, startled by her sudden appearance. Not so Terese, she was used to Piper popping up when least expected. The wiry young lass was quick-footed and silent in her approach, though she made herself known when she wanted to.
    “I’ll show your hunters the best hunting ground,” Piper offered.
    Lachlan signaled to Evan and he hurried over. “Evan well knows the scent of the hunt in the woods.”
    Piper tapped her chest. “These are my woods.”
    Lachlan grinned. “Would you mind sharing them with Evan?”
    Piper scrunched her nose and looked Evan up and down. “You can keep a good pace? I won’t have to hold your hand?”
    Terese kept herself from laughing and noticed that Lachlan did the same. She was glad to see that he wasn’t insulted, but rather found Piper’s remarks amusing.
    Evan was quick to assure her. “No, Sister, you’ll find me knowledgeable of the woods. There’ll be no hand holding.”
    “There better not be,” Lachlan said seriously, though his deep brown eyes twinkled with merriment.
    Evan’s pale cheeks turned scarlet while Piper shook her head and said to Evan, “Follow me.”
    “The lad is susceptible to your teasing,” Terese remarked, watching the pair walk away and wishing that Piper could know how it felt for a young man to hold her hand. At nineteen, she was the youngest of the women and had confided in Terese that she knew nothing of men, but that sometimes she found herself curious.
    “A teasing reminder,” Lachlan said. “I want my men to remember that while you are all beautiful women, you are nuns .”
    “Are you saying that I’m beautiful, sir?”
    For a moment he startled, presumably realizing he had just complimented a nun on her beauty. But he caught himself and delivered a charming smile.
    “I meant no disrespect, Sister Terese, but when a woman is beautiful there is no denying it, whether a nun or not.”
    She felt her heart catch. While he was obviously a quick-witted charmer, she couldn’t help think that it was the first time anyone had ever told her that she was beautiful. Usually, it was the opposite. An ugly shrew, that’s what she had been called far too often.
    Terese briefly savored the special moment then took control of the situation. “I will allow your compliment, but in the future, please