Page 10 of A Highlander Bound by Oath
"Just Charlotte will do," she said bluntly.
Owen sighed and gave up as the trees opened, revealing the dark meadow that lay between them and the monastery grounds. The building loomed on the horizon with its ever-watchful towers, reminding him that his past wasn't too far off.
"Is that it?" Charlotte asked. "Is that the monastery?"
"Ye'd be surprised if it wasn't, wouldn't ye?" Owen smirked, eliciting a glare from her. "I doubt there are many other buildings around here where men would cluster together in robes," he paused to consider. "Nae any buildings that I would like to visit anyway."
"You made your point." She narrowed her eyes and glared at him. "You don't have to be so sarcastic about everything," she pouted slightly again.
He laughed as he set out over the grass, with Charlotte struggling to keep up.This is going to be fun, Owen thought to himself. If not interesting, staying with a woman like her would surely liven things up at the monastery. He only hoped that he could pull it off. He'd have to devise yet another plan to make his mad life work.
CHAPTER FIVE
Charlotte followed closely behind as Owen led the way into the monastery grounds. She was mesmerized by the tall walls and fine stone masonry. The high arches and intricate statues were something to behold. She gawked at the size of the grounds and the cultivated greenery. She'd heard of how beautiful the Lanercost Monastery was, but she never dreamed it would be this magnificent.
The centerpiece of what she could only assume was the front yard was a giant white statue of a lady praying. Tiny sculptures of birds adorned her feet, posed as if they were in mid-flight. Charlotte breathed in the earthy rain musk as the dark clouds roared and swelled on the horizon. They'd made it back in the nick of time, it seemed.
"Be careful," Owen hissed at her as Charlotte nearly bumped into his back. She'd been so taken by the scenery that she hardly noticed he had stopped. He held his arm out and gently pushed her behind a wall as a group of monks passed.
They quietly spoke of the evening mass without glancing in Charlotte and Owen's direction.
"Sorry," she whispered sheepishly when they had passed. She noticed how all the monks dressed in the same brown robes; the only exceptions were the beads they were around their necks. Some wore wooden and others preferred glass.
"Keep yer wits about ye an’ watch where ye are going; they will throw us both out if we get caught," his eyes were serious as he admonished her.
She nodded a reply as he stuck his head around the corner to see if the coast was clear.
Owen motioned for her to follow as he popped back out from behind the wall, keeping to the shadows as best he could. The growing storm and rumbling thunder helped to conceal their moves.
They wove their way in and out of the impressive monastery gardens before reaching a large wooden door. Owen pulled Charlotte to the side of a potted bush and whispered in her ear. His hot breath sent shivers down her spine. "There's just one corridor left 'afore we get tae the room."
She nodded gratefully, relieved that the sneaking ordeal would be over soon. Her heart was already pounding in her chest from all the times they'd narrowly escaped being caught.
"There's just one problem," he looked at her in all seriousness.
"What is it now?" her hope died as her heart sank in her chest.
"This is the only corridor that leads to the rooms. There is nae other way to sneak in or out," he looked to the side and considered his words. "Come tae think of it, it was probably done that way on purpose tae prevent people sneaking in and out. Very clever idea if ye want to keep a close eye on people."
"Get to the point," she snapped irritably. The man was devilishly handsome and cunning, with his dark green eyes and rugged good looks. But she was beginning to realize that he had an annoying habit of going off on tangents. That and his penchant for sarcasm worked on her nerves.
"It's the main hallway that serves as the passage to most of the building," he waited until she realized what he was saying.
"There are usually many people in the passage, aren't there?"
He nodded and pursed his lips in an apologetic gesture. "Ye will more than likely have to hide along the way. There shouldnae be any people still up, but as I can see, some men are wandering around after the mass, nae calling it an early night as usual. Be careful, lass."
"Please tell me your room is right at the start of the passage?" she asked hopefully.
Owen shook his head.
"Halfway?" she tried again.
He shook his head again. "Sorry, lass, it's right at the end."I think Brother Thomas did that tae keep an eye on me, actually. Now that I think of it.
"Can't we disguise me as a monk? I could put on one of your robes and walk in silence with my head downcast," Charlotte pitched the first idea that came to her mind. "I could hide back here, and you could go and fetch one of your robes."
He scratched the back of his neck and lifted the corner of his mouth as he thought through her plan. "I think the other monks would likely stop an’ ask who ye are, even if it's me answering an' nae ye. If we pull it off, I can say that yer a visiting monk with a vow of silence."
