Page 46 of Unforgotten
Ella squeezed her eyes shut, shoving back the sharp dislike that twisted her gut every time she thought about the comely widow. Not only had she succumbed to the sin of lust while away from Kilbride, but now jealousy plagued her.
Inhaling deeply, she began a prayer. “Dear Lord, please free me from all envy and jealousy,” she murmured, her voice fervent. “I will only look to ye for all I need. I pray I will be more and more like ye. Conform my mind and thoughts to yer thoughts, Lord.”
Ella broke off there, concentrating as she prepared to repeat the prayer.
However, a knock at the door interrupted her.
Rising to her feet, Ella smoothed her habit. It grew late. She couldn’t think who could be knocking upon her door at this hour.
Was it Gavin?
A mixture of dread and excitement churned through her then. She hated herself at that moment, for her weakness where he was concerned.
“Aye,” she called out. “Who is it?”
The door swung open, and a tall figure stepped inside. Yet it was not a man with dark-blond hair, warm blue eyes, and a boyish smile, who turned her will to porridge.
The man who invaded her space was dark-haired with storm-grey eyes and a wolfish expression.
“Mac … MacKinnon,” Ella stammered, shocked by his presence. “What do ye want?”
It was a rude, direct question. But then, any man who strode into a nun’s bed-chamber didn’t deserve a polite greeting.
MacKinnon kicked the door shut behind him, the hungry look in his eyes quickening. A grin stretched his lips.
“That’s a fine question, Sister Annella … one I intend to answer.”
He advanced upon her. Suddenly, Ella’s bed-chamber seemed a cage. There was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.
Breathing fast, she backed up and found herself pressed against the wall with MacKinnon looming over her.
This close he was overwhelming. He also reeked of wine, and Ella noted that his gaze was glassy. He’d come here on a drunken impulse, one he was likely to regret come morning. She had to convince him to leave.
“Please go,” Ella gasped out the words, hating how nervous she sounded. “Ye shouldn’t be in here.”
“This is my broch,” he drawled before reaching out and stroking her cheek. “I decide where I’m permitted to enter.” His grin widened. “Ye are a pretty one … too bonny to give yerself to God.”
Ella froze, her jaw clenching. His touch made her skin crawl, as did the feral look in his eyes.
“I’ve always been fascinated with nuns,” he continued, oblivious to her reaction, or perhaps not caring. “Ye are forbidden, with yer pious faces and secretive ways … but I know the truth. Behind closed doors, ye are all whores.”
Anger started to pulse within Ella’s breast, a living thing that wouldn’t be quietened.How dare he?
MacKinnon stepped closer still, his muscular body pushing her hard against the wall. She felt his arousal pressing against her lower belly and panic surged.
“There’s a lass at Kilbride,” the clan-chief whispered. “Lady Leanna MacDonald of Sleat … do ye know her?”
The question caught Ella off guard. Her hand was inching down, gathering the material of her habit so that she could reach the knife she always carried strapped to her left calf. But his words stalled her.
“Aye,” she replied cautiously. “Why?”
“She was promised to me,” MacKinnon growled. His hand slid down Ella’s jaw to her neck, before the fingers splayed across her throat. “Before I wed Siusan.”
Ella stilled as she remembered the conversation she’d had with Sister Leanna nearly two years earlier. Like Mother Shona and Sister Coira, she knew the reason behind the young woman’s arrival at Kilbride. It was to avoid this man.
“That’s right.” MacKinnon’s mouth twisted. “We were to be wed, Lady Leanna and I … but her father came between us.” His hand tightened around Ella’s throat then. “I want ye to give the lass a message for me. Will ye?”
Ella swallowed. The pressure on her neck was getting uncomfortable, and the look on his face scared her. She wanted to deny him, but she knew to do so would be foolish. “Aye,” she whispered.
