by Jennae Vale
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Epilogue
A Long Forgotten Time
Book Seven of The Thistle & Hive Series
Jennae Vale
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Epilogue
A note from Jennae
Also by Jennae Vale
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Copyright © 2017 by Jennae Vale
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Created with Vellum
For David.
Chapter 1
Castle Treun, Scotland - 1517
Brenna MacRae had always been the apple of her father’s eye. That is, until he married the lass who was to be her brother’s wife and she found herself unexpectedly tumbling from that lofty position to a place she’d never been before. Ignored.
Her brothers were all too busy to even speak with her, hurrying here and there doing their father’s bidding. Her father, Paddraig, was either completely absent or could be found following his young bride around like a dog in heat. She was alone in her own home. She’d been the lady of the castle for as long as she could remember. Along with her Aunt Saundra, her father had relied upon her to manage the household, greet guests and see to any problems that might arise among clan members. Now, it seemed that Greer had been given those responsibilities and along with her sister, Fingall’s wife, Gillian, they had effectively pushed Brenna out of her honored spot at the high table.
Alone at the far end, Brenna’s voice was certainly no longer being heard. She was too far away from the conversations of her Da and the others, who all faced away from her making it impossible to hear what was being said. What could she do? After weeks of this treatment, she sat quietly, her anger simmering at a low boil and decided she must speak with her Da. She’d tried before and knew it wouldn’t be easy to get him alone, but she was determined to do it. She’d had enough of Greer and Gillian laughing at her behind her back, as well as to her face. If this was the way she was going to be treated, then she wanted to go live with her brother Dougall and his wife Helene. She knew she’d be welcomed there.
Why, only this morning she’d been seated alone breaking her fast, when the two witches arrived in the hall. They sat far enough away from her that she couldn’t hear what they were saying, but when they faced her they made it abundantly clear that she was the subject of their conversation. Whispering behind their hands and giggling constantly, she could feel her face redden and angry tears begin to collect in her eyes. She couldn’t even eat in peace! She stood to leave, wanting nothing more than to quickly escape their scrutiny.
“Brenna MacRae,” Greer shouted. “Where are ye going dressed like that. Have they given you a job in the stables, mucking stalls? Look at ye, yer hair looks fit for the birds to nest in.” Gillian cackled at this. “I’ll speak to yer Da. Ye need something to do and since yer already dressed fer it…”
Brenna didn’t wait to hear the rest. She ran from the hall, self-consciously running her hands through her hair. Once outside, she found a corner of the castle where she could be alone and weep in private.
Now, with those memories fresh in her mind, she stared at her food with little appetite for what had been served. The laughter coming from the center of the table rang in her ears. She’d had enough and without excusing herself from their company, Brenna stood and stormed from the room before she said or did something she’d regret.
“Is all well with ye, Brenna?” Saundra stopped her in the passageway outside of the great hall. “Ye look ill.”
Brenna took a deep breath to calm herself. She didn’t wish her aunt to worry about her. “I’m fine, auntie.”
“I can tell ye, lass, that I dinnae believe ye.” Taking her clenched fists in her hands, Saundra gazed directly into Brenna’s eyes. “I’m concerned for ye, me sweet. Ye’ve lost much weight, look at ye.” She held Brenna at arm’s length. “Yer nothing but skin and bones.”
Brenna wasn’t sure what to say. She knew she’d lost weight. She had no appetite to speak of and when she did try to eat, the new women of Castle Treun made her so uncomfortable that she’d rather go hungry than endure the torment they sent her way. She needed to tell someone how she felt. Her aunt was a good listener and she’d always given Brenna valuable advice in the past.
“Come, walk with me. Mayhap I can help.” Aunt Saundra tipped her head and curved her lips in a warm, reassuring smile. She hooked her arm through Brenna’s and walked with her down the passageway to Paddraig MacRae’s office.
Brenna passed through the doors into the warm familiarity of this room where she’d spent a good deal of her time over the years. The shutters were open, allowing a chill breeze to pass through the chamber. She ran her hands up and down her arms to warm herself as she walked to her father’s desk and ran her fingers over the smooth wood, thinking about all the times she’d sat here working on the clan ledgers. She shook her head in disbelief at the situation she now found herself in. Unable to stand still, Brenna moved to the hearth and stared into the fire.
“What troubles ye, me sweet lass?” Saundra asked, head tipped and concern in her voice.
“Och, Auntie. ’Tis nae a thing ye can do to help me.” She tried to hide the feelings of rejection, anger and sadness that enveloped her.
“I can listen,” Saundra softly replied.
“Aye.” Brenna was still trying to decide whether to tell her aunt what had her in such a state. She lifted a carved bird from the fireplace mantle and put it back down without even glancing at it.
“Is it Greer?” Saundra asked
“Aye.” Brenna could see the concern in her dear aunt’s face. She hesitated only a moment longer, not sure what she should share. “Aye. I hate her.” She blurted it out, relieved to say the words out loud. She’d never felt that way about anyone before, sheltered as she was here at Castle Treun. “Ever since Da married her, she has pushed me further and further out of the way. At first I thought it would be good for Da to have a new wife. It seemed to mellow him.”
“Aye. It did,” Saundra agreed.
“Now, I’m nae sure that it was good at all.” Brenna glanced around the chamber where she’d spent so much time with her Da. The warmth of the fire and the f
amiliar objects that held such precious memories to her, now only brought pain as she thought about leaving her home for good.
“What do you mean?” Saundra asked, following Brenna as she returned to her Da’s desk and picked up the ledger she had so fastidiously kept for him over the years.
“I mean that she and her evil sister take every opportunity to make fun of me clothes and me hair. They say mean, terrible things to me and they tease me mercilessly, auntie. Sometimes I walk into a room to find the two of them whispering to each other and when they see me they burst into laughter.” She sadly shook her head. “Da doesnae even seem to see me anymore. ’Tis as if I’ve become invisible to him. Me brothers are no better. I feel alone and verra unhappy.” She hugged herself, fighting back tears.
“I’m so sorry to hear it, Brenna. Ye ken I’m always here for ye. Would ye like me to speak with yer Da?” Saundra rubbed Brenna’s back.
“Nay. I should do it meself. I’m going to tell him that I wish to live with Dougall and Helene.” She watched as Saundra’s eyes widened on hearing this news.
Saundra shook her head. “I dinnae believe he’ll allow it, lass.”
“Why wouldnae he? He doesnae care whether I’m here or not.” But deep down Brenna feared her aunt was right. Why would Paddraig MacRae let his only daughter up and leave in protest over his new wife? He’d surely believe it to be a betrayal and that was one thing he did not bear well.
“I can see ye’ve made up yer mind,” Saundra sighed. “Ye must speak with him and learn for yerself. I would miss you, but I wish you to be happy, me girl.” She, better than anyone else at Castle Treun, knew the futility of arguing with Brenna once she’d made up her mind.
Brenna threw herself into her aunt’s arms. “I cannae live like this anymore. I have nae purpose here.” The tears she’d held back burst forth in a torrent of sadness.
Saundra held her close, stroking her back. “There, there, love. All will be well. Ye’ll see.”
Brenna had a hard time believing that to be true, especially if she weren’t allowed to travel to her brother.
Next morning, Brenna went to the great hall at sunrise, where she’d wait for her Da to come down to break his fast. It might be the only time she’d be able to speak with him alone as Greer liked to sleep late and never made an appearance until mid-morning.
Her brothers came and went, all while Brenna sat with a bowl of porridge in front of her. She hadn’t taken a bite, instead stirring it back and forth until it had cooled into an inedible solid mass of oats. Her appetite had not returned this morning and the longer she waited for her Da to appear, the more her stomach roiled in protest at her meeting.
Brenna’s ears perked up as she heard the sound of Paddraig’s voice coming closer to the great hall. He was laughing, which was a good sign. She sat up taller and put a smile on her face as he entered. “Good morn to ye, Da,” she said, trying to sound as bright and cheerful as possible.
“Brenna, me dear. I’m so happy to see ye this fine morning.” Paddraig walked towards her and she thought he might kiss her cheek, as he always had before Greer arrived.
The knot in her stomach loosened somewhat. There was no morning kiss, but this might not be so bad after all. She continued smiling as Paddraig MacRae sat in his usual spot and motioned for her to join him. He held a missive in his hand and was reading over it, chuckling as he did so.
“Da, I’d like to speak with ye about something,” Brenna began.
Before she could continue her Da looked up from his reading. “Brenna, me love, good news has arrived this morn and it concerns ye. I hope ye’ll be pleased.”
The knot began to tighten again. She tried to remain optimistic, but chances of good news arriving with regard to her were slim.
Paddraig took her hand in his and with the other, cupped her chin. “Do ye remember Laird Munro?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “He’s known ye since ye were a wee bairn and has been a good friend to me and to our clan. I sent word to him not long ago. His wife was recently verra ill and there was nae a thing to be done to save her. I thought he may be in need of a new wife and since yer nae needed here any longer, I offered ye.”
The room began to swim as Brenna fought to keep from fainting. She began to shake uncontrollably.
“Are ye cold, Brenna? Yer shivering as if ye sat upon an icy block.” He wrinkled his brow and examined her face. “Yer nae ill, are ye?”
“I dinnae wish to marry, Da. I came to tell ye this morn that I wish to live with Dougall and Helene.”
The happy smile her Da had been wearing was replaced by an angry scowl. This is what she had hoped to avoid. “Ye’ll do as I say! I’ll nae have another of me bairns refuse a marriage I’ve arranged.” His voice had risen so that the servants scurried from the hall and all others stopped to see what had riled him so.
“Da, he’s an old man,” Brenna squeaked, hoping against hope that it might be a different Laird Munro.
“Am I an old man? He’s the same age as I. I would never have expected this from ye Brenna. What’s come over ye? Is it that brother of yers? Is he the one who put this crazy idea into yer head?” Paddraig’s face was turning a frightening shade of red as he continued to shout at her.
Brenna didn’t dare to look up at him. She was terrified of his anger. He’d never been like this with her before, instead reserving his anger for her brothers.
“Well, speak up!” He bellowed.
Brenna shrank back away from him as the strong smell of whisky on his breath permeated her nostrils. “Da. I’m so sorry. I dinnae wish to disappoint ye or to go against yer wishes…”
“That’s me lass,” Paddraig interrupted in a more civil tone.
“Da. I’ve been most unhappy of late. Yer new wife and her sister have made me feel unwelcome in me own home. I came to speak with ye this morning because I wish to go live with Dougall and Helene.”
“Brenna, Greer has told me that ye are the one making her life miserable here. I cannae allow it. She’s me wife and I wish her to be happy. She tells me ye treat her rudely and speak unkindly of her to anyone who’ll listen.”
She did her best to control the anger that was consuming her on hearing these blatant lies. The fact that her Da believed them broke her heart. She’d need to tread carefully here. It was obvious that Greer was quite capable of making Paddraig believe every vile lie she chose to tell about Brenna. Chin trembling and eyes wide, Brenna swallowed hard and took a moment to control her voice before speaking. “That’s nae true, Da. Ye have to believe me. Please,” she begged. “Please dinnae make me marry Laird Munro.”
“I’ve said ye will and I’ll nae change me mind. Ye will marry Laird Munro. He sent a messenger with his reply and he is happy to take ye to be his wife. He will be here in two days time and ye will be wed. Ye will have what ye want. A castle to manage, much as ye’ve managed mine over the years. Ye will do yer wifely duties, as Greer does. Ye will obey yer husband and I’ll nae hear another word about it.”
At that inopportune moment, Greer and Gillian entered the room and stood, hands to their mouths, whispering to each other. Of course, laughter bubbled up as they gazed at her.
“What are ye laughing at?” Brenna yelled. She’d had enough of Greer and Gillian Matheson.
“I see ye’ve told her,” Greer said to Paddraig.
“Aye. I have,” he answered.
“It will be good for her to leave. I’m here now and ye ken how I feel about her.” The look of disdain on Greer’s face was plain to all present. “The sooner she’s gone the better.”
Brenna wasn’t surprised that Greer spoke to Paddraig as if she wasn’t there.
“Did ye arrange this?” she snarled, standing and facing down her enemy. Brenna knew the answer before she even asked the question, but she wanted to hear it from the evil witch herself.
Greer cast a steely gaze at Brenna. “’Twas merely a suggestion, but one that yer Da agreed with. Yer well past marrying age.” Venom dripped from
her voice as she continued. “I’m the lady of Castle Treun. Ye are merely here because I’ve been kind enough to allow it. Yer Da’s only wish is fer me happiness.” She glanced at Paddraig who was smiling adoringly at her as if he hadn’t heard any of the awful things she’d just said to Brenna.
Brenna couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Couldn’t believe that Greer was saying this in front of her Da and that her own father wasn’t coming to her defense. It was apparent. He wanted her gone.
Greer continued speaking, enjoying the full support of Paddraig MacRae and the obvious effect her words were having. “Yer no beauty, but no matter, Laird Munro will be happy to have ye. I told yer Da that he couldnae expect to do much better, considering, well…” She waved her hand up and down in front of Brenna. “Just look at ye. Ye look as if ye belong in the kitchen with the servants or the stable with the horses.” She barked out a harsh laugh, which was echoed by Gillian, and then placed a hand on Paddraig’s shoulder. “Ye’d be wise to do as Laird Munro says. I understand that he expects complete obedience from his wife.” She wiggled her way into the space where Brenna stood, forcing her out of the way and purposely sticking her foot out for Brenna to trip over. Unable to stop herself, Brenna hit the floor with a thud, but grabbed hold of Lady MacRae’s skirts on the way down causing Greer to lose her balance and to land atop her.
“How dare ye?” Greer began to pummel Brenna about her face and head. Brenna did her best to block her blows before her Da wrapped an arm around Greer and picked her up, placing her away from his daughter.
“Brenna. I cannae believe me eyes. I would never have expected such behavior from ye.” Paddraig seemed quite indignant with her.
“But Da, I didnae do a thing. She purposely tripped me so I fell to the floor.” Brenna thought surely her Da would’ve defended her. He’d seen what had happened with his own eyes.
“I’ll nae hear another word. To your room and stay there until Laird Munro comes to claim ye. It cannae be too soon.”