Page 62 of Love Set Apart
“The abbess is the only one who holds the keys.” A thin and pale young woman was standing beside her, which surprised Emilie so much so that she jumped. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Where did you come from?” Emilie asked.
“I’ve been following you. Most of us are here of our own free will, but those who are not generally look for ways out. I imagine you’re one of them.” Unlike the others, she smiled warmly at Emilie.
“I was just curious.” Emilie did her best to sound convincing. The last thing she wanted to do was alert the nuns to her search for escape routes.
“Why are you here?” the woman asked.
“My name is Emilie Toussaint,” Emilie said, ignoring her question and still uneasy about being seen. “You are?”
“Sister Therese.” She wore the same drab clothing the other nuns donned, but there was a sweet innocence about her which put Emilie more at ease.
Emilie decided it was best to befriend Sister Therese. Having an ally in the convent could be a good thing. “I’m happy to meet you.”
“You’re avoiding my question. Why are you here?” Sister Therese tipped her head and though her questions were pointed, it seemed she was just curious.
Deciding honesty was the best policy, especially here at the convent, Emilie said, “I’m not really sure. I was supposed to be married today and then I was accused of something I didn’t do.”
“Did it involve a man?” the nun asked, seeming quite interested.
“Yes. It did.”
Sister Therese’s eyes lit up as she clasped her hands beneath her chin. “Was he handsome?”
“I don’t see why that matters. Handsome or not, nothing happened between us, but I was not believed.” Emilie wanted to set the record straight. The last thing she wanted was for the nuns of the abbey to believe she had given herself to anyone.
“Women never are. That is why there are so many of us here.” Sister Therese cast her eyes downward, her voice taking on a sad tone.
“Are you here because you want to be?” Emilie asked.
Sister Therese took her time answering. She seemed to be thinking about what she might say. “I did not wish to be here at first, but now I am content to stay.”
“The abbess said it might be that way for me as well.” Emilie didn’t really believe that and she had no intention of finding out.
Sister Therese looked her up and down from head to toe. “You are very pretty and have such a beautiful gown. It would be a shame for you to be stuck here for the rest of your life.”
Emilie thought Sister Therese odd. She seemed friendly enough, but this last comment and the way she was gazing at her gave Emilie an uncomfortable feeling. “You don’t think you are stuck here?”
“My life outside of these walls was not desirable. Here I have a bed to sleep in and food to eat. No harm will come to me here.”
“Were you harmed before you came here?” Emilie wondered what may have happened to her.
Sister Therese appeared distressed by this question as she looked away from Emilie.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you,” Emilie said.
“I do not wish to speak of it,” the nun said through gritted teeth.
Emilie glanced at the locked gate one more time and sighed. She was about to walk away in search of another way out when Sister Therese grabbed her arm, stopping her.
“I can help you.”
“Help me?” Emilie asked, prying her arm away.
“I know you do not wish to be here. Why else would you be looking for a way to escape?”
“I’m not. I just wanted to be sure no one could get in,” Emilie lied. What if Sister Therese told the abbess? She’d be in more trouble than she was now, she was sure of it.
