Journey to the Highlands: Robbie and Caralyn (Clan Grant Series Book 4) Read Online Free PDF

to applaud and admire a lass who was a fighter, one who did all she could for her family. She’d survived unspeakable adversity and come out stronger.
    Darkness had descended about an hour past when they finally located the priory where Dundonald had sent them. Robbie stood at the gate and explained their purpose, Gracie sound asleep over his shoulder, before the guard opened the gates and allowed them in.
    As they pushed open the gates, a nun came along and issued clear instructions. “Your men sleep in the stables, my lord. We will find you a chamber and arrange for some food for your men. We do not have much, but we will share.”
    Robbie nodded his thanks and sent his men off in the direction of the stables. After helping Caralyn and Ashlyn to dismount, he handed Gracie over to her mother. He glanced at the surrounding area to see if all looked safe. Two or three guards were visible, but no one else stood out except a few nuns roaming the grounds.
    The group followed the old woman inside the priory and down a drafty passageway, sparsely lit with dancing torches. Ashlyn moved closer to her mother and clutched her hand. Gracie continued to sleep.
    The woman ushered them into a small hall and they settled at a table while the nun left to summon the prioress, promising to bring back some food for Robbie. He smiled at Caralyn and she glanced away, running her fingers through Ashlyn’s hair.
    “Mama, I am hungry.” Ashlyn slumped next to her mother on the bench.
    “Hush, love. We will eat with the sisters in a few moments, I am sure. Captain Grant will eat alone after we are taken to our chamber for the night.” Caralyn glanced at Robbie. “I thank you for escorting us here, my lord.”
    “Robbie, please. I am no lord, I am from the Highlands.”
    “As you wish, Captain. You seem like nobility to me.” She looked up into his eyes as she said it.
    “Caralyn, I must admit, I wish circumstances were different so we could get to know each other better.” He stared into her green eyes, hoping to see more than just appreciation for his role in saving her and her daughters.
    “Captain Grant, I would like that as well, but you are from the Highlands, and I am from the Lowlands. You won’t be here long.”
    He thought he caught a flicker of longing in her eyes, but it disappeared before it could take life. “I would love to show you the Highlands. Have you ever been?”
    “Nay, but I hear it is lovely.” A hesitant smile crossed her face.
    He reached over and brushed the back of his fingers across her bruised cheek. “I wish I had been there sooner.”
    “You have already done more for us than anyone has.” She reached up and covered his hand with hers, closing her eyes as she leaned into his caress.
    Robbie, totally puzzled, said, “How could that be? A lovely lass with two beautiful daughters? Ashlyn said your husband died a while ago. What happened?”
    She shook her head, “A fishing accident.”
    The door opened and the prioress strode in, followed by several nuns. A tall woman with a kind yet serious face, Robbie guessed one did not argue with her much. The nuns behind her stood quietly, awaiting her instructions. She bowed to Robbie. “Good evening, my lord. Sisters, please help with the bairns.” She stood back and waved her arms to hasten her assistants.
    Robbie and Caralyn both stood. Caralyn gripped Ashlyn’s hand. “Nay, please. I would like to keep my bairns with me.”
    The look of panic on Caralyn’s face made the prioress pause. She came closer, searching Caralyn’s face. “Did you say your bairns, my lady? Not you and your husband’s bairns?”
    Caralyn shook her head and laughed nervously. “Nay, this man isn’t my husband. These are my daughters, Gracie and Ashlyn.”
    The prioress clasped her hands in front of her. “Pardon me, your spirits are similar. I thought you a couple.” Her hand reached over and gently lifted Caralyn’s chin, turning her face so she could view her in the