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lovely Stella. Aye, I will join ye. You coming, Robin?”
    “Nay, there’s a lass here that holds my interest. If only I can gain her attention.”
    Colin and Brendan laughed at their brother’s discontent. Both knew who Robin’s eyes searched for. They rose and left the hall, leaving Robin to his conquest.
     
    *****
    The dark-haired man smiled when the laird and his brother passed by. He knew where the men headed and why. Leaning against the wall, he watched them hurry to their destination, his eyes fell on the castle and his chest tensed.
    Aye, he thought, considering his life, I killed the beast Donald MacKinnon. I got my revenge. It sickens me having my own son believing Donald was his da, but at least the man can harm him no more. I long to tell him the truth, but alas I cannot. Aye, I cannot go back on my word. My heart aches, missing ye, Margaret. My own sweet Maggie, ye made me promise to take care of the lads and see to it Colin became laird. The use of the McFies worked as I planned.
    He pulled away from the wall and went inside. Robin held out a tankard to him and he took it. Regarding the middle son of Donald and Margaret, he smiled knowingly. What fine sons Margaret bore that ungrateful man.
    I kept my promise, Maggie. The lads flourish and have become good men, och they are solemn. If they only knew what a scathe of a dog Donald was, they would have felt different then. My secret is safe, and Donald MacKinnon is long dead. I rejoice every day, Maggie. I hope ye do too, my love.

Chapter Five
     
     
    Parkville Convent’s corridors echoed with the sound of girls singing as Mother Superior entered the chapel where the choir practiced. Julianna had been back almost six months since her visitation to Sara’s. Mother didn’t look joyful, and Julianna wondered what she could have done to cause her displeasure. Even with the delightful sounds of the girl’s singing, Mother’s face reflected a stern frown. She approached the aisle and pointed.
    Julianna gestured to herself, and Mother nodded. She bit her lower lip because Mother looked disgruntled. Stepping off the dais, she approached and Mother grabbed her arm, leading her from the chapel.
    “Mother, have I done something—”
    “Speak not, child,” she said. Mother pulled her to the office, and once there, she set her in a chair and motioned to be quiet.
    Julianna’s bottom was placed in the most uncomfortable chair Mother could find, known to the girls as the punishment chair. She smoothed her hands over the rough wood of the arms. Mother was one smart abbess. No one ever spoke back to her when sitting in the chair. Mother’s wimple covered her hair and her dark brows furrowed.
    “Julianna, I asked ye to hang the sheets. Did I not?” Her soft voice compensated for her stern look and blunt demeanor.
    “Aye, and I hung them. I promise.”
    “They are lying in the dirt. Did ye secure them to the lines like I told ye? You know how the wind blows here.”
    “They are in the dirt? I did forget to secure them.”
    “Ahhh, I knew it, your head is in the clouds, child.”
    “I hung them only an hour ago and was going to check them after the choir.”
    “You will need to rewash and hang them again.”
    Julianna didn’t want Mother to be upset. Her plans counted on Mother’s good grace. She would do well to keep Mother appeased and mayhap she’d be amiable to letting her stay.
    “Ye have six months remaining. Try to make them more successful.”
    Sadness overcame her at the thought of only six months before she would return to her hellish life at her father’s manor. Not only that, but she missed Sara, and she wept from the loneliness.
    Mother frowned. “What concerns ye? You’ve never gotten upset when I punished ye before. Don’t tell me you are being sincere in your sorrow.”
    “I am sincere, Mother. I don’t mean to weep, but I miss Sara, and you reminded me that I too shall be gone soon.”
    “You two have run me in circles these past