Page 63 of Love Set Apart
A short, cynical laugh escaped Sister Therese. “I will help you,” she insisted. “Meet me here tonight after everyone has gone to bed. Leave your candle in your room.”
“But it will be dark. How will I see to find you?”
“The moon will light your way.” Sister Therese left her without another word.
Emilie wasn’t sure she could trust the woman. She seemed eager to help, but why? Emilie had never been suspicious. She’d never felt the need to be. Her life had been quiet and predictable. Those around her were meant to protect her, not lie to her. That was not the case any longer. Someone had betrayed her and she wasn’t sure who or why. What did she have to lose? Wishing on the moon had brought Edna and Angus to help her. That same moon would guide her to freedom tonight. If Sister Therese was able to get her out of here, it would be worth it. If she was caught, Emilie would find another way.
* * *
After evening prayers,each of the nuns went straight to their rooms, closing their doors behind them. Emilie did the same and waited until the moon was high. Peeking from her window, she saw what appeared to be lantern light in the distance. Doubt about what was about to happen crept into her mind. She’d never done anything like this before. Life for Emilie had been sheltered and there was no need for her to take risks. That was ending tonight. Getting to Robert was the main objective. If she kept the thought of him ever present, there was no doubt in her mind that she could do this.
Wrapping herself in her cloak, Emilie silently opened the door to her room. It took a minute for her eyes to adjust to the darkness before she headed down the stairs, being careful not to make a sound. Sister Therese had been right. The moon lit her path all the way to the gate where no one was waiting for her. Emilie paced back and forth for an interminable amount of time, or at least it seemed to be to Emilie. She began to wonder if Sister Therese had meant what she’d said. Her eyes peered into the darkness and saw no one. Turning to the gate she tried the latch and was surprised that it swung open. Emilie hurried through, and was about to run when the strong smell of tobacco and sweat alerted her that she was not alone.
Her heart thumped loudly in her chest as a large hand covered her mouth and an arm wrapped around her waist, lifting her from the ground and placing her atop a horse. She felt the man mounting the horse and sitting behind her as he held her close around the waist.
“Who are you?” she managed to squeak out as he loosened his hand. Fear coursed through her body and she shook uncontrollably. She should cry out for help, but the man would be angry and possibly hurt her. Besides, she wasn’t sure she would be heard or that anyone in the convent would even care enough to rescue her. The man behind her was twice her size with a gruff, cold voice that frightened her when he spoke.
“It doesn’t matter who I am.” He clucked to the horse and it began to walk. “Thank you, Sister Therese.”
“Goodbye Emilie,” Sister Therese said from somewhere in the shadows. “Good luck in your new life.”
“Where are you taking me?” Emilie asked. There was no point in looking around. There was nothing to see. The moon that had guided her to the gate was now hidden behind clouds, leaving the surrounding area so dark that she could barely see the horse she was riding atop.
“To meet your new husband,” the man said.
“I don’t understand.” She wondered if this man was taking her to meet Robert.
“You don’t need to understand. I paid Sister Therese for her services and I will collect my payment when I deliver you to your husband.”
“But I don’t want a husband.” She understood now that she was not going to meet Robert. Instead, something unspeakable awaited her.
“That is not my concern. You will do as you’re told. Do not even think about trying to escape.” A low chuckle rumbled through his chest.
“What is the point in fighting? You are obviously stronger than I.” Emilie was resigned to staying where she was. She would hope for a chance to escape or to be rescued, although that seemed unlikely.
“You are a very smart young lady. I’d hate to have to tie you up as I’ve done with others before you.” A sinister whisper in her ear sent a shiver through her.
“You do this often?” Emilie did her best to quell the shakiness in her voice.
“No. Only when the opportunity arises.”
Emilie wasn’t sure how she would get herself out of this mess. Perhaps in the light of day it would be easier for her to get the attention of a passerby.
“You will have a busy day of travel tomorrow.”
“Where am I traveling to?” she asked.
“A boat will meet me along the river. I will hand you over to them get my payment and be on my way. I don’t know where you go from there.”
“You can’t give me any more information than that?”
“I’m afraid it’s all I know. I do not have any names if that’s what you’re thinking. You may lean against me to sleep if you wish.”
Sleeping atop a horse would be impossible even if she thought she could, and the last thing she wanted to do was to lean into the man behind her. She held herself stiffly upright to avoid any such contact. Her life was in a downward spiral from which there seemed no escape. It terrified her to know that she was being sold to someone to be their wife. If they couldn’t get a wife the way most men did, then what was the reason? The sick feeling in the pit of her belly lingered through the night. As light began to filter through the clouds Emilie couldn’t help but think this had to be a bad dream, but she soon found that it was not.
* * *
Edna,Angus and Robert arrived at the Port-Royal Abbey the following morning. They didn’t have far to go from their campsite, arriving at the abbey in good time.
