Chapter Thirteen
Sheona
Sheona climbed out of the boat and stared, taking in the beauty of the Isle of Iona. They made their way across the beach, watching for the rocks and stepping carefully.
“Da, it’s beautiful. There’s a view of the sea in almost every direction.”
“It is. I’m sorry I never brought your mother here. She would have loved it.”
Sheona turned to their guide. “That building. Is it the nunnery?”
“Aye, the abbey is beyond the nunnery. Also a stunning building.”
“And the nuns sleep there?” Sheona asked.
“Aye,” their guide said. “The prioress is Mother Mary, and she is who you must visit first. They say there are around ten nuns housed here. And there’s an orphanage nearby.
That grouping of cottages we passed along the way is where the orphans are kept by four women.
I’ll give you an hour to visit, then I must take off.
If you wish to go back to Mull, meet me here in that time.
Otherwise, I’ll not return for two days when I bring supplies. ”
Dermot handed the man a coin and said, “I’ll return by then.
” He picked up Sheona’s bag, and they strolled down the path to the stone building, made with arches around the outside of the main building in the center.
There were benches everywhere, a garden that had been overturned as the season ended, and a small orchard of fruit trees not far away.
There were two nuns busy picking what apples they could.
“Greetings to you,” one called out. “Are you here for a visit?”
Dermot said, “Old Chieftain Dermot Rankin of Clan Rankin and my daughter Sheona. We’d like to tour the nunnery, if you please.”
“Of course,” one said. “My name is Ada, and we’d be happy to give you a small tour. Ilene can take you about while I stay and finish our work for the day.”
“Welcome,” Ilene said before Ada returned to her work. Both wore long black robes that swept along when they walked. The slight breeze was a bit cool, but not too bad.
Ilene led them down the path and asked, “Are you considering taking your vows, Sheona?”
Her father said, “Nay.”
Sheona answered, “Aye.”
Her father was more surprised than she was at her quick reply.
His brow furrowed, and he tipped his head at her, but she ignored him.
It was the stillness, the calm beating of the waves against the rocks echoing across the area, the scent of the sea that called to her.
A flurry of terns flew over them, their frantic chirping putting a smile on her face.
“The birds welcome you,” Ilene said.
Ilene had beautiful brown eyes, her wimple covering the color of her hair, but her smile was as warm as any Sheona had ever seen. She led them into an extensive building and stood at the doorway. “This is where the sisters eat. The kitchen is at the far end, and many help with the food.”
Then she led them out the door and into a second building.
“This is where we sleep.” The nun opened the door to one large chamber and stood off to the side, holding the door while they perused the sleeping chamber meant for six or less.
“There are three large chambers with shared quarters. The prioress has her own chamber. The chapel is at the far end. I can show that to you, then we’ll look for Mother Mary in her office. Please follow me.”
Sheona and her father followed. Sheona took in everything along the way. It was a simple beauty, the colors of autumn giving way to the coldness of winter, though no snowflakes had flown yet. There were a few squashes in the garden yet to be harvested.
“Have you any questions?” Ilene asked.
“Are there any men here?” her father asked.
“Nay, none. We have the few who bring supplies. There are several monks on the other side of the abbey that is down that way, but they rarely bother us. On occasion, we are invited to mass there and we enjoy it. But not often. We keep to ourselves, using our chapel except on special occasions.”
Separate from men. Never to be stared at as if she had gold coins pinned to her chest. No more lustful glances. And no worry of that ever happening to her. That shameful act she’d learned about. The act that sent a chill down her spine whenever she thought of it.
How did women survive marriage?
She would never have to worry on it if she lived here. Perhaps she did belong at the nunnery.
They continued down the path toward the chapel when the sounds of heavy work caught her.
Ilene pointed to an area up ahead. “Oh, you can hear Brynja and Hildi practicing. Come watch for a bit.”
Sheona stepped off the path and froze at the action taking place in front of her. Two women threw spears at a target at the end of the clearing. Each had a unique grunt that could be heard whenever they launched the long weapon. But that wasn’t what caught her attention the most.
It was their dress.
Ilene waved her hand at the two women. “I just love their clothing. They honor their Norse heritage with the garments they wear and the braids in their hair. Come, let’s greet Mother Mary.”
But Sheona couldn’t tear her gaze from the lasses throwing spears.
They both wore leggings like Dyna and Gwyneth did, but with long tunics and boots, more colorful than the Granthams wore.
They had spots where daggers clung to their clothing, as if they sewed an extra layer for their weaponry.
And their braids were so striking that Sheona wished to plait her hair in the same way.
Brynja had three braids on each side of her head, pinned out of her face.
Somehow, the six braids were woven together into a large plait at the back of her head.
Striking, mysterious, and a bit sinister looking.
Exactly what Sheona wished to become. Convinced this was the place for her, she thought on what she would miss if she chose to stay.
Her sister, her brother, and her wee niece were the only things she would miss. Her father had become more of a nuisance, so the idea of getting away from his constant insistence on wedding quickly was most welcome indeed.
She’d miss Marta, Margret, and Sloan. Eva too. Was there anyone else she would miss?
She briefly thought of Taskill but rejected that because she knew he would be relieved to find that she was no longer available. Her father would no longer pester Taskill into something he didn’t want.
And she could live in peace and forget about a man with golden hair and a smile that could melt any lass’s heart.
They’d arrived at the office, and the nun knocked on the prioress’s door.
“Come in, if you please.”
Ilene opened the door and said, “Greetings to you, Mother Mary. We have visitors. This is Chieftain Dermot Rankin and his daughter Sheona, who is considering taking her vows.”
“Please come in. Chief, I recognize your name from the Isle of Mull.” The woman also wore dark robes, her hair covered. But she looked to be younger than Sheona would have expected. She had a warm smile and welcoming eyes, a pretty shade of blue.
“Old chieftain. My son is the present chieftain.”
“And your daughter wishes to take her vows?”
Her father looked more confused than she’d ever seen him. “I’m not certain.” He glanced over at Sheona, but she said nothing. “She’s considering it.” Then he waved his arms over his head. “What the hell do I know?”
The prioress arched a brow at him and her father quickly apologized. “Forgive me. I forgot where I am. What I’m doing. Why I’m here.” Then he shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know what I’m doing. Talk to her.” Then he stepped outside.
“Your father doesn’t wish for you to take your vows, lass?”
“He suggested it. I didn’t think I was interested, but I would like to stay for a while and consider it. If you don’t mind. May I stay and think on it?” Sheona couldn’t stop the tears from forming in the corners of her eyes. She blinked hard to stop them but failed.
“I will allow it, but please allow me to speak to your sire alone, lass. Did you bring your things with you?”
She nodded, the lump in her throat expanding.
“Ilene!”
The door opened, and the prioress said, “Please show Sheona to the chamber with Hildi and Brynja. She will be staying for a bit. Do you agree, Sheona?”
Sheona nodded, excited to be with Brynja and Hildi. She left, casting a quick glance at her father before he was called into the prioress’s office.
She was glad to be staying, to get some time away from her father.
Time to think.