Free Love Comes Blindly (book 5) (The Fielding Brothers Saga) by Marie Higgins

order to save Gregg. These men looked like they wouldn’t show any mercy to the man they were after.
    “My personal belongings are in there—that’s all I have left from my past.”
    “Personal belongin’s ?” The Scottish man chuckled. “Didn’t think nuns could have personal belongin’s .”
    She pulled herself taller and lifted her chin in a stubborn stance. “Will you please leave? This is not proper, and you know it.”
    “Were ya a grand lady in yar past, or a peasant girl?” The Scot rubbed his chin with one hand as he unsheathed his sword with the other.
    Panic choked her throat. What was he possibly going to do with his weapon? “I—I don’t see that it’s any of your business.”
    “It is if I’m going tae do this.” The Scot jabbed his sword through the trunk.
    Dizziness filled Madeline as dread poured through her. Her hands shook as she fixed her stare on the blade slowly being pulled out of the trunk. There were no signs of blood…and she prayed that was a good sign.
    “I hope I didn’t ruin anythin ’ of importance.” The Scot grinned and sheathed his sword.
    “I—I’m certain you did, but it’s nothing I cannot mend.” Her body quaked and tears stung her eyes, but she refused to lose control now. She must believe Gregg was not harmed. “I hope you are satisfied that nobody is in my room. Please leave now.” Her voice shook, but she aimed her glare at them directly.
    “As you wish.” The men left her room, closing the door.
    She waited until their boot steps were up the hall before she quickly opened the trunk and tossed the gowns haphazardly around the room. “Gregg…oh, Gregg. Please tell me you’re all right.”
    Gregg’s muscular form uncurled from the ball he was in and stood to full height. Relief swept over her and she released her breath with a whoosh. He glanced at his chest and fingered the rip in the middle of his shirt.
    “I have never really believed in God until now.” He shook his head. “I thought for sure I was a dead man.”
    “Thank God you are all right.” Her body shook uncontrollably, and this time she couldn’t stop the tears from coming as they spilled from her eyes.
    He climbed out of the trunk and gathered her in his arms, pushing her head to his chest. “There, there, my dear. I shall be fine.”
    “Why…why…” She sniffed. “Why were they after you?”
    “I overheard them plotting to break the prisoners free. Tonight.”
    She jerked her head back and looked into his face, hoping he was jesting. But the worried lines on his forehead and around his mouth told her he wasn’t. “You must tell the soldiers about their plot. Immediately!”
    Shaking his head, he looked at the door. “They are soldiers as well. I don’t know who to trust anymore.”
    “So true.” She sighed heavily. Yet…she knew one person whom she could trust, but it would mean sneaking out after everyone went to sleep again to get the message to the right person. “Do you think they will still try to free the prisoners tonight?”
    He shrugged. “I would hope they don’t, only because now they know someone overheard them. I just wish I knew who the authorities were around here. Scotland is so uncivilized.”
    “Yes, in a sense, it is.” She moved out of his arms.
    Gregg exhaled deeply and ran his fingers through his hair. “I just wished I had seen their faces.” His eyes widened and he clutched her shoulders. “But you did.”
    “I don’t know, Gregg.” She shook her head. “I don’t want to get involved with spy games and seeking out traitors.” She broke their contact again and sat on the bed. “I came to the Abbey to live a quiet and uncomplicated life.”
    His gaze narrowed. He studied her for a few brief moments before kneeling on the floor in front of her. His fingers swept across her cheek in a gentle caress.
    “Who are you really? The Maddie I remembered always wanted to be center of attention. She would have never settled for a peaceful