Laila part 6
6
Edith was certainly pleased with the spies when they made their report. So Laila had entertained a male visitor and once a week for the past three weeks too.
He'd very likely put that gleam into her eyes with pretty words and by giving her that ridiculous comb.
Had he promised her marriage ? Well he'd only make her miserable if that were allowed to come to being.
Had he simply ruined her for his own selfish pleasure ?
There was no other option in her mind now. Enid must be brought to realise that had the girl been put safely behind a convent wall at 15 and made to take the veil; then all this would have been avoided.
Well she'd certainly be off to a convent now. Edith would see to that.
The next morning when her Mother and her Aunt Edith came on their visit a terrible surprise awaited Laila.
Enid's eyes were filled with sorrow and bitter disappointment as they rested on her daughter.
“ After all I taught you about men, “ she spat bile with every word; “ you go and let one of them into your haven. “
Laila looked at her in horror. How had they found out ?
She'd thought every one in the village would have been glad that she'd found some happiness at last.
It seemed though there were those whose sympathies were available to the highest bidder.
Edith put a cloak around her niece's shoulders.
“ You needn't pack anything, “ her gloating voice grated on Laila's raw nerves;
“ you'll be renouncing all possessions where you're going. “
At the door Laila turned and looked her mother in the eye.
“ I'll always hate my father for what he did to you, “ she said quietly;
“ but you two have been wronging me for it ever since. My John is nothing like the men you've always warned me about. He's never shown me anything but kindness, friendship and respect.
On his last visit he offered me marriage and I accepted him. I just want you to know that wherever you send me I'll find some way to let him know where I am. “
And with that Edith poked her in the back to make her walk down the stairs.
She got Laila into the cart that she and Enid used to take their wares to their customers.
She both blindfolded her and tied her hands and feet together. The girl would not be let to either escape or know where she was headed for.
When the blindfold was finally removed and the ropes untied Laila found herself blinking in the light outside the walls of what she assumed with a heavy heart was a nunnery.
She asked her Aunt in a flat, dispirited voice where they were; only to be told that she didn't need to know that.
It wasn't as if she'd ever be leaving here.
They stood before the Reverent Mother and Edith announced in a voice that brooked no argument that her niece would be taking holy orders.
The nun regarded her serenely and then turned to Laila.
“ You can speak I assume child ? “ she asked.
Laila looked surprised. “ Yes Mother I can, “ she answered.
The nun nodded. “ In that case I'm sure your Aunt will understand that it is not my policy to take on a new postulant unless she asks for it herself. Is it your wish child ? “
Laila paused to consider her position. If she spoke the truth and said no, what would she do ? Aunt Edith would not take her home; and even if she found out where she was she had no notion of how to get back to Chester.
Her best hope of letting John know where she was; was to enter the convent and get to know the sisters before telling them her true feelings.
“ May I asks some questions first please Mother ? “ she asked.
The nun smiled gently “ of course you may, “ she replied.
Laila's heart shot a little spark of unholy glee at the annoyance on Aunt Edith's face.
“ Could you please tell me where we are Mother, “ she asked.
The nun looked amazed at this; but answered her anyway. “ This is Rosedale Priory my child, “ she said. “ And I am the Mother Prioress. “
Laila nodded her thanks then asked on. “ Are we still in Cheshire Mother ?
I've never heard of Rosedale before you see. “
The Prioress looked at Edith with indignation. Had the woman told her niece anything ? “
“ No my dear, “ she replied. “ I fear you're rather further from home than you imagined. We are in North Yorkshire. “
Laila shot one look at her Aunt that made it clear she renounced all ties with her from this moment.
“ Just one last question if you please Mother Prioress, “ she asked. “ How long will it be before I take vows ? “
“ It is a long process my dear, “ she was told. “ We have to ensure that you are fully ready to make so final a commitment as your vows to God would be. “
Laila's heart lifted at these words and hope seemed possible again.
“ You will be a postulant for at least six months and perhaps for as long as two
years, “ the Prioress continued; “ then if you wish to continue you will have a year as a novice sister before taking the final vows. “
It was better than Laila could have hoped for and clearly a long way from what Aunt Edith had imagined. Six months would be ample time to put her plans in motion.
She turned a much sunnier countenance upon the Prioress. “ Mother I would like to become a postulant here please. “
TBC