Chapter 5
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."
"Yes, let's do that," she nodded vigorously. Any idea was good if it didn't involve her having to sneak and hide. The forest was one thing. But a holy place filled with people was another.
"But then I'll have tae explain why ye suddenly disappeared again an’ why naebody can find ye," he used his hands as scales to weigh the options for himself. "The monks are very sociable around here," he said apologetically.
Taking a deep breath, she counted to ten and shut her eyes, rethinking all the life choices she had made until now. "Let's get it over with," she finally said.
"Good girl," he squeezed her shoulder and motioned for her to stay close behind.
They quickly slunk through the door and kept to the shadows.
Torches blazed in their sconces, bathing the hall in an almost blinding light.
Charlotte could hear the distant voices of monks as they prayed and chattered away.
There was a light cheerfulness within the halls of the building, a stark contrast to the dark atmosphere she had been accustomed to in her uncle's castle.
In a different life and under different circumstances, Charlotte wished she could visit a place like this.
She panicked again for the thousandth time as voices and the sound of sandals on stone could be heard down the hall.
She looked at Owen with wide eyes. He gripped her shoulders and pulled her into a nearby alcove hidden from the light.
They stumbled into each other and grasped the surrounding darkness to steady themselves.
Charlotte gasped at the feel of Owen's strong arm around her as she pulled herself up.
Owen's loin ached as he hurriedly straightened.
He tried to catch his breath. Being this close to Charlotte was driving him mad.
"Keep yer head down an’ dinnae even make a sound," he whispered through his teeth before turning back and blocking the light with his body.
Charlotte held her breath and looked around as the footsteps drew nearer.
The tiny hidden corner seemed like it had once held a statue, evident by a hole in the wall.
It was like the other dome-shaped crevices she'd seen along the way where smaller statues were kept.
She recalled someone once saying the alcoves were used by religious folk to contemplate and pray in silence.
"Brother Owen," a man's cheerful voice called to him, making Charlotte crouch as far as she could.
"Good evening, gentlemen," he greeted cheerfully. "Out for an evening stroll?"
"Just finished dinner. We lost track of time," the same cheery voice replied. "We missed ye again, Brother Owen. Were ye out?"
"Nae," Owen answered quickly. "I took some time tae pray and fast as per Brother Thomas' suggestion," he lied. "I've also taken it open meself tae rid the monastery of all kinds of creatures."
Charlotte wished he hadn't mentioned spiders, not when she was tucked away in a confined space with no escape. It hadn't occurred to her that anything may be lurking until he mentioned it.
An awkward silence ensued before anyone spoke again.
"Yes…" a second voice said in a weary tone. "Brother Thomas mentioned that ye have taken a keen interest in spiders of late."
"Just doing me part," Owen happily confessed.
Charlotte caught her breath and stifled a scream when she looked around and realized just how many spiderwebs were in the alcove with her.
Light from the torches caught the strands, making them sparkle and shine.
They must have cleaned this section at least a century ago.
I have to get out! Her mind screamed. Reaching up, she gently tugged on the back of Owen's robe, hoping he'd hurry things up.
Owen took a breath and shifted on his feet as the men continued to speak.
"It's a very noble gesture of ye indeed," the first voice said with more concern than cheer this time. "Would ye like any help with your endeavor? We would be more than willing to give ye a hand if you like?"
"Of course we would," the others chimed in unison.
Charlotte felt she would faint if she didn't get out soon.
Tugging on the back of his robe a little harder, she tried to get his attention.
The air was hot and stifling as the monks chattered on.
Her eyes darted around to see if any of the webs were occupied or if the spiders had long ago died, which she sincerely hoped they had.
"I'm sure we will get the little pest problem under control if we all worked together tomorrow," one of the men offered. "Ye could join us for mass if we give you a hand," he paused as if the following thought brought him great joy. "You could even join us for the evening walk thereafter."
"That's kind of ye, brothers," Owen answered politely.
"But I like tae dae these things on me own.
It gives me time tae pray and think on all of me sins," he continued quickly when none of the others said a word.
"I was inspired by Brother Thomas' writings on how tae better meself…
I mean oneself," he tried to cover the fact that he'd been the sole inspiration for that particular narrative.
"Och, aye," the most chatty of the monks answered. "Very inspirational of ye. I am sure Brother Thomas would be delighted to hear that."
Owen placed his hand behind his back and waved Charlotte away when she tugged on the back of his robes for a third time. Reaching out, she placed her hand in his and squeezed with all of her might to get her point across.
Owen yelped like a newborn pup and jumped an inch in the air, almost exposing her in the process.
"Are ye well, Brother Owen?" one of the monks asked with deep concern in his voice. "Should we call anyone, ye look flustered tonight?"