Gillian was beginning to think that Father Laggan might be a bit addled in the head. Once again she patiently tried to explain. 'If anyone has done any coercing, it is I. Brodick would have gone back home if I hadn't asked him to-'
Brodick cut her off. 'She has her own mind, Father. I have neither forced nor manipulated her. Isn't that so, Gillian?'
'Yes, it is so,' she agreed. 'But Father, I'm still not understanding why you feel it necessary to play my champion. Can you not see that I am in good hands?'
Father Laggan looked as though he wanted to weep for her. 'Dear Lady, you cannot possibly know what you're getting into,' he cried out, stunned by her calm acquiescence. 'Answer me this, he demanded. 'Have you ever been to the Buchanan holding?'
'No, I haven't…'
The priest threw up his hands in despair. 'There you have it,' he said triumphantly and in a near shout.
'What I have seen of the Highlands is very beautiful,' she said. 'And I imagine that Brodick's land is just as lovely.'
'But you've never met any of the savages who call themselves Buchanans, now have you, lass?' the priest asked in a shrill voice.
It was more than apparent that Father Laggan was highly upset, and hoping to soothe him, she responded, 'No, I haven't met many of his followers, but I'm sure they're very pleasant people and not savages.'
'Dear God above, she thinks they're pleasant. Did you hear her, Ramsey? Did you?'
Ramsey struggled not to laugh when he answered. 'I heard, Father, but I would remind you of what Brodick has said. Gillian has her own mind. 'Tis my belief she will find his followers very pleasant.'
'How could she-' the priest began.
'She finds the Buchanan laird pleasant enough. He wouldn't be by her side if she did not. Brodick can be quite… charming… when he puts his mind to the task.' Ramsey choked on the last of his words and then burst into laughter.
The priest returned to Brodick. 'She can't possibly know what's in store for her.'
'Are you suggesting that I will not look out for her or that any of my clan will mistreat her?'
Father Laggan realized he'd overstepped his bounds and hastily tried to repair the damage he had done. Raising his hands he said, 'No, no, I was merely suggesting… the lass appears to be such a gentle lady… and I cannot imagine how she will survive such a harsh environment.'
Gillian couldn't understand what had precipitated this peculiar conversation and why Father Laggan was so obviously distressed. She looked at Brodick, hoping he would explain what in heaven's name was going on, but he ignored her as he spoke to the priest in rapid Gaelic. His brogue was thick, his hostility apparent, and she was horrified that he would speak to a man of the cloth in anger.
He was telling the priest how much Gillian meant to him and that he would die before letting any harm come to her. He knew she didn't understand a word he was saying, but Father Laggan did, and at the moment that was all that mattered.
Brodick was vastly amused when Gillian blurted out, 'You mustn't speak to a priest so harshly. God won't like it.' Turning to Father, she said, 'He doesn't mean to be insolent.'
'You need not apologize for me,' Brodick said.
'I'm guarding your soul,' she snapped.
'You are mindful of his soul?' the priest asked.
'Someone has to be,' she answered. 'He isn't going to get to heaven without assistance. Surely you realize that, Father, for you have known him longer than I.'
'Gillian, enough of this foolish talk,' Brodick ordered.
She ignored him. 'But he also has a good heart, Father. He just doesn't want anyone to know it.'
The priest smiled. 'You have seen this goodness within him?'
'Aye,' she answered softly. 'I have seen it.'
The priest squinted as he studied her. 'You were raised in a peaceful household?'
'Yes, I was. My uncle's home was very peaceful.'
'Yet you're willing…' Father Laggan shook his head. 'As I said before, I do not know how you will ever survive in such a harsh environment.'
'Father, Brodick and I are going to Ramsey's holding,' she said, hoping to correct any misunderstanding.
'But you will not stay there forever,' he shouted in frustration. 'You will have to go home sometime.'
'Yes, of course I will. I must go back to-'
'Gillian, how did you manage it?' Ramsey shouted.
Startled, she turned to him. 'Manage what, Ramsey?'
'If you're afraid, how did you manage to climb into the gorge to get Alec?'
'You want to discuss this now?'
'I do.'
'But I was just explaining to Father Laggan that I must-'
'Answer Ramsey's question, Gillian,' Brodick ordered.
She gave up trying to control the conversation then and there. 'How did I climb down to get Alec? It was simple. I closed my eyes.'
'It must have been difficult for you. I saw how your face turned gray a few minutes ago when you were close to the ledge.'
'I didn't have a choice, and I didn't have much time. Alec's rope was tearing.'
'Now, lass, if I could gain your cooperation for a moment, I would like to ask a few pertinent questions,' Father Laggan insisted.
At the very same time Ramsey said, 'Of course you had a choice. To do something you're so obviously afraid of required bravery.'
'Gillian did what needed to be done. Of course she's brave,' Brodick said.
She disagreed. 'No, I wasn't brave at all. I was so scared I was shaking. And I cried,' she thought to add.
'Gillian, you will not argue with me about this. I have said that you are brave, and you will accept that I know what I'm talking about.'
She didn't like being contradicted. 'Brodick, the pope is infallible. You are not. Therefore, you cannot possibly know-'
'I really would like to continue,' the priest urged. 'Now, lass, I need to know this. Are you in good standing with the Church?'
'I beg your pardon?'
'He wants to know if you're in good standing with the Church,' Brodick repeated.
She looked from one to the other. 'I believe I am.'
'And when was your last confession?' Laggan asked.
She hesitated.
'Answer him,' Brodick ordered.
Her temper flared. 'I have asked you not to take that tone with me,' she whispered. 'I don't like it.'
Father Laggan heard her. His mouth dropped open, his eyes bulged, and he stammered, 'You dare to criticize Laird Buchanan?'
Embarrassed because he had heard her rebuke, she tried to justify her actions. 'He dared to snap at me, Father. You heard him, didn't you? Shouldn't I stand up for myself?'
'Yes, of course you should, but, lass, most women wouldn't. They would fear his retaliation.'
She scoffed at the notion. 'Brodick would never harm a woman.'
Father Laggan surprised her then by laughing. 'I have heard it said that there is a special woman for every man, no matter how contrary and barbaric that man might be, and now I must admit that it is certainly so.'
'Can we get on with this?' Brodick demanded.
'Yes, of course,' Father agreed. 'Lady Gillian, I ask you again. When was your last confession?'
She blushed. 'It's been a long while.'
