by Jennae Vale
Zeke laughed out loud at this pronouncement, but then thought, Why not play along? “Yes. I am the Laird of San Francisco. You’ve a keen eye, Paddraig.”
“As I said, yer a fine man with a sword and ye have that certain look about ye that says ye are a man of quality. Ye carry yerself as a man of means. Tell me more about San Francisco. Mayhap someday I will visit there.”
“We’d be happy to have you join us.” Zeke said. He failed to mention there would be time travel involved. “I believe you’d be very impressed with our castle and our people.”
Paddraig threw back his whisky and poured himself more. He held the decanter up to Zeke, who shook his head at the offer.
“Continue. I’m fascinated,” Paddraig said. “Is yer castle larger than Castle Treun?”
“Castle Treun?” Zeke asked, puzzled by this.
“Aye. Me castle. Castle Treun.” Paddraig repeated.
Zeke thought this was Breaghacraig, but he didn’t say anything. He’d had a sneaking suspicion that Olwydd wasn’t headed in the right direction. What was Edna up to? “Yes. It’s a vast castle. You could fit two, or perhaps three of Castle Treun easily into San Francisco.”
Paddraig seemed suitably impressed. “Ye must have a large clan then.”
“I do. Thousands of people.”
“I knew when I first laid eyes on ye that ye must be a verra important man.” Paddraig was smiling gleefully at him now. “Are ye a married man?”
“No. I’ve no time for that. I keep very busy. It’s a lot of work being laird, as I’m sure you well know.”
“Aye. ’Tis why I have a wife. She does all the hard work.” Paddraig winked.
Zeke chuckled at this.
“Ye need a wife, Zeke Barrett and I’d be happy to offer me daughter Brenna to ye. She’d serve ye well. She’s run me castle since she was a wee lass.”
“I thought she was to marry Laird Munro.” Zeke was shocked at how easily this man would offer his daughter to a complete stranger.
“Aye. But the marriage hasnae taken place yet. We’re still working out the details, ye ken. I think ye’d be better suited to me darling Brenna. Munro’s an old man.”
“I’m not in the market for a wife, as I’ve said. I’m here to find my sister and return home with her and her husband.”
“There’s a fine dowry that comes along with a lovely lass. Ye’ve seen her with yer own eyes. Granted she was a sight from running away, but wait until ye see her after she’s bathed. She’ll surely take yer breath away. I believe she’d make ye quite happy.”
Zeke shook his head. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, Paddraig, but I don’t want to marry your daughter.”
Brenna stood outside the great hall listening to her father’s conversation. How dare he offer her up to yet another man? She’d told him she didn’t wish to marry. She couldn’t believe her ears and it angered her all the more when she heard Zeke turn down his offer. Why wouldn’t he want to marry her? She would make a good wife. She’d run his castle better than it had ever been run. The nerve of him to not even consider it. It was a good thing she wasn’t looking for a husband, or her feelings would be hurt. Clearing her throat to alert the two men to her presence, she entered the great hall. They both turned to gaze at her and she forced herself to breathe as she looked into the eyes of the impossibly tall, impossibly handsome man who’d done his best to rescue her.
“Brenna, me love. Ye look much better now. I’m afraid our friend, the Laird of San Francisco, didnae get to see ye at yer finest out there in the field.” He turned to Zeke. “What do ye think. Isnae she lovely?” He wrapped his arm around Brenna’s shoulders as if it was a common occurrence for his daughter to run away and one he had no issue with.
“Very,” was Zeke’s brief answer.
“Why do ye nae take our guest on a tour of the castle, me dear? I’m sure he’d find it most interesting.”
She eyed her father with suspicion. She knew what he was up to and she also knew this man didn’t want her.
“I’d like that,” Zeke said.
“Come back after yer tour and we’ll speak more about finding yer sister.” He practically pushed Brenna into his arms as he ushered them out of the great hall.
“I’d appreciate that,” Zeke replied.
“Shall we?” Brenna slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow and smiled up at him. She had to find a way to get this man to take her away from here. She no more wanted to marry him than she did Nevil, but if her Da thought she’d be marrying him then he’d be happy to see her off on her way. She could then make it to Breaghacraig and to the safety of Dougall’s home.
Paddraig may have found a way out of his agreement with Nevil Munro. He didn’t care who Brenna married as long as she married someone and went off to live with them. Greer was most anxious to see her gone and it was his goal to keep his wife as happy as possible. If it meant ridding himself of his only daughter, then so be it.
“Where is Brenna?” asked Nevil as he returned to the great hall and scanned the room.
“She’s showing our guest around the castle,” Paddraig poured whisky for Nevil.
“Alone?” he questioned.
Paddraig nodded. He poured himself yet another tot.
“Do ye think it wise to leave yer daughter, me betrothed, alone with another man.” Nevil’s disdain for Paddraig was showing.
“Dinnae worry yerself. I wish to speak with ye about our agreement.” He placed the decanter back on the table and took his time savoring his whisky. He’d show Munro who was in charge around here.
“What do ye wish to discuss. We have an agreement, dinnae we?” Nevil was getting testy with him.
“Not completely. Ye see I dinnae wish to give up any of me land and it seems ye would like a good bit of it.”
“It’s a small price to pay for me to take yer daughter off yer hands. Yer wife has made it abundantly clear to me that she wishes her gone.”
“Greer has no say in this matter. I disagree with this new contract. ’Tis too much. Our original agreement is all I’m willing to offer.”
“What is this? Earlier you couldnae wait to be rid of Brenna. Ye would have given me anything I asked of ye and now of a sudden ye’ve changed yer mind.”
“Aye. I have.” Paddraig could see Nevil’s anger rising and he wished to calm him. “Think on it. We can talk more later.”
Nevil stormed from the room and Paddraig smiled to himself. He’d get exactly what he wanted out of this deal. He only had to convince the young Laird of San Francisco that it would be in his best interest to marry Brenna.
Chapter 6
Still seething, and completely confused as to why she should be so angry with this man who tried valiantly to save her, Brenna stiffly escorted Zeke around the castle. All she could think about was the fact that this man she hardly knew had refused her father’s offer of marriage. Was there something wrong with her? Did he find her unattractive? She reminded herself that she didn’t wish to marry anyone, not even this man. Though she found him to be quite pleasing to the eye. She’d already discovered that he was a fine warrior. Then there was his solid body and rippling muscles. Brenna wondered what was wrong with her. She had seen men before and never thought about their muscles. Perhaps it was the kindness she saw in his eyes, that was certainly not something she was used to seeing. She knew it wasn’t the best way to start a conversation, but she couldn’t help herself, she had to know.
“Why did ye tell me Da that ye didnae wish to marry me?” Brenna tried to control the irritation she felt from showing in her voice.
Zeke for his part seemed taken aback by her question and why wouldn’t he be. “I don’t even know you,” he answered.
“Must ye know the lass ye’ll marry?” she asked. This wasn’t something she knew to be common. Daughters of lairds often, if not always, married whoever their fathers told them to marry.
“If I was interested in marrying anyone, yes, I’d have to know them. I’d have to spend
time with them. I’d have to love them.”
“’Tis important to ye?” She batted her eyelashes at him in a shameless attempt at flirting, something she was not very good at considering she’d had no practice whatsoever.
“It is, but I’m only here to find my sister, not to find a wife,” he stated very matter of factly.
“I see.” It was a reasonable answer to her question, but it still didn’t sit well with her. Brenna broke eye contact with him, lowering her head and pursing her lips. She couldn’t let him see her disappointment, so she did her best to relax the knot which had developed in her belly and gazed back up at him. She’d so enjoyed riding close at his back, feeling those hard, rippling muscles beneath her fingers, but it was apparent he had felt nothing at all for her. Those muscles and this man were not for her. There must be something about her that he didn’t care for. She wondered once again what it could be. “Thank ye much for trying to save me from those men,” she softened her voice, truly grateful that he’d come along even if it made no difference in the end. “They wouldnae have hurt me though, ye ken.”
“I had no way of knowing that. I only did what my instincts told me to do.” Zeke’s eyes wandered to the practice field and the men sparring there. “Do they do this every day?”
“Aye. They must be prepared for battle at a moment’s notice,” she explained.
“Do you suppose your father would object to me joining them while I’m here?”
“Nae. He’d be happy to have ye. Come. I’ll introduce ye to me Da’s new captain.”
They walked away from the castle to an open area away from the hustle and bustle of the courtyard. There were several men engaging each other in swordplay. Brenna could see that this excited Zeke. She’d never understand men. What was so enticing about trying to knock each other senseless and then rolling around on the ground in the dirt?
A large, broad-shouldered man with jet black hair, who appeared older than the rest stopped what he was doing to greet them.
“Duff, this is Zeke Barrett. He’s the Laird of San Francisco,” she said, affecting an air of importance.
“I’m pleased to meet ye, sir. What can I do for ye this fine day?” Duff nodded his head in a slight bow.
“I’d like to spar with you while I’m here. It’s part of my daily routine at home. I’m hoping that you can teach me a thing or two.”
“Of course. Yer welcome to join us whenever ye wish. It would be me pleasure to personally spar with ye, sir.”
“I’d like that,” Zeke replied.
Brenna tugged on his arm to let him know she wanted to move on. He exchanged goodbyes with Duff and they were off again. Saundra caught Brenna’s eye and waved to her. “’Tis me Aunt Saundra,” she explained. They walked towards her.
“Och, me dearest lass. I’m ever so happy ye’ve returned to us unharmed. Ye had me worried.” Saundra gazed lovingly at her niece and gently held her face in her hands. “And who have we here,” she asked glancing at Zeke obviously impressed by what she was seeing.
“This is Zeke Barrett, Aunt. He’s the Laird of San Francisco,” Brenna replied.
Saundra appeared impressed with this information. She eyed Zeke from head to toe and then coyly raised an eyebrow in Brenna’s direction. Luckily Zeke hadn’t seemed to notice or Brenna would have been quite embarrassed, but Saundra appeared determined to embarrass her no matter, “Mayhap ye can convince yer Da to let ye marry this one instead of that old codger, Munro.”
“Aunt, please.” Brenna pleaded, her cheeks turning a rosy shade.
Zeke for his part must have thought it funny because he chuckled and then said. “I’m pleased to meet you, Saundra, and Paddraig has already brought up the subject of marriage.”
“Oh, has he now? Brenna would be so much happier with a man like ye, strong and virile,” she smiled sweetly at him.
“Aunt, enough. He doesnae wish to marry me!” Brenna shouted. Her frustration at her current situation was too much for her to bear and she lost her temper with her sweet aunt, but was quick to apologize. “I’m sorry. I didnae mean to yell.”
Saundra exchanged glances with Zeke. “Will we see ye for the evening meal?”
“You will,” he replied.
“Good. Ye’ll sit next to me and ye can explain to me why ye dinnae wish to marry me beautiful niece.” Saundra walked away, leaving a very red faced Brenna and a bemused Zeke.
Brenna covered her face with her hands and turned away from Zeke. She was so embarrassed. She couldn’t possibly look at him. What must he think of her?
“Brenna,” Zeke’s hands touched her shoulders as he turned her to face him. He gently removed her hands from her face. “I’m sorry I can’t marry you.”
His soft voice and kind words took her by surprise. She gazed up into his eyes and saw the truth of the matter reflected there. He was a kind man and it wasn’t his wish to hurt her. He truly was sorry. There was something about him. Something undeniably attractive to her. He wasn’t anything like the men of Castle Treun. Not only was he the most handsome man she’d ever met, but he had manners. He was strong and brave and she believed he could best any one of her Da’s men and unlike any of them, he seemed to be honestly concerned for her. “I understand,” Brenna muttered dejectedly. “I must marry Laird Munro. ’Tis me fate. I must marry the man me father has chosen for me.” She shook her head, clearing her mind.
For a brief moment she had forgotten that she was angry with him. She’d walked the courtyard with him and found herself wanting him to like her. It was foolish of her. She didn’t like him, she was just pretending to and he obviously didn’t like her, so there was nothing else to be done about it.
“Why on earth is everyone so determined to marry you off so quickly?” he chuckled. “Are you a trouble maker?”
She couldn’t tell if he was serious, but she’d had enough for one day. “I dinnae ken what ’tis like where yer from, Zeke Barrett, Laird of San Francisco, but here at Castle Treun ’tis quite rude to insult a lass.” She glanced away from him, upset that she found herself in this situation. Upset that she was being forced to marry and upset that this man thought it so amusing. “Ye can laugh at me all ye like. Ye and everyone else here, but I—”
“I wasn’t laughing at you. I’m sorry if it came across that way. I just don’t understand why…”
Brenna didn’t allow him to finish. “There’s nothing for ye to understand. As I was about to say before ye interrupted me, I’m nae going to marry anyone, ever!”
“I’m sorry if I insulted you. That wasn’t my intention. It’s just that everyone I’ve met here today, including you, has spoken to me about marriage.”
“I wouldnae marry ye if ye were the last man on earth! I dinnae even like ye!”
“I’m going to assume you don’t want to finish the tour,” Zeke said, looking at her with those impossibly blue eyes.
“Aye. I believe I’ll leave ye now.” Brenna turned, red-faced and walked away determined not to look back.
Zeke watched Brenna walk away. She was an interesting young woman. Yes, she was very pretty. She had long dark hair that framed her face. She had very expressive hazel eyes that flashed fire when she was upset. If he met her in San Francisco, he might ask her out, but here in the midst of whatever was going on at this castle, he did not want to get involved. It was obvious that her father had chosen a husband for her with little thought to what she might want. The man was more than twice her age. It was understandable that she had run away, but he wasn’t going to be her savior. That wasn’t why he was here. His only goal was to find Sara and to that end, he’d better start looking.
Zeke wandered the courtyard, keeping his eyes open for his sister or Logan, but they were nowhere in sight. He wandered back to the practice field to join the men there.
“Yer back already,” Duff noted.
“I am. Care to spar?” Zeke asked.
“Do ye even need to ask, lad?” Duff chuckled.
“I guess not,”
Zeke laughed.
The two men took their fighting stances and Zeke was pleased to find that he and Duff seemed to be evenly matched. They were about the same height and both were in good physical condition, the only difference being that Zeke was leaner than the bulky Duff.
Zeke kept his eye on his opponent. He didn’t wish to be caught off guard. He mirrored Duff’s footwork and waited for him to make the first move, which he did in short order. It’s a good thing Zeke was prepared. Duff’s first blows were hard and fast, almost knocking Zeke off balance. He recovered quickly and used his speed and lithe movements to parry Duff backwards as he attempted to evade Zeke’s sword. Back and forth they went and despite the cool air, Zeke broke a sweat. Duff moved in closer and grabbed the hilt of Zeke’s sword, crushing Zeke’s hand in the process. He was forced to let his sword drop to the ground, effectively giving Duff the victory.
“Yer good,” Duff said.
“You’re better,” Zeke replied.
“Come back tomorrow.”
“I will.”
Zeke picked up his sword and walked back towards the castle. Duff had given him quite a workout and it had been exhilarating. Whatever he learned here, he’d be able to use to make his students better using authentic medieval tactics. This was a benefit he hadn’t even considered when he asked Edna to send him here.
“Nevil, I’ve told ye, I willnae give ye any of me land in exchange fer me daugher. The dowry I’ve offered is all I’m willing to give.”
“That is not acceptable,” Nevil barked.
“I think I’ll make an agreement with the Laird of San Francisco then. I believe he’d be a much better match for me Brenna.”
“Yer Brenna isnae the biddable woman that I wish, or that ye presented her as, but I would make an exception in honor of our friendship, if ye would be willing to amend our agreement as we discussed yesterday.”
“Nevil, ye and I have never been friends, unless yer definition of the word is different than mine. And so, it seems we’ve come to a disagreement over our agreement. I withdraw the offer of me daughter.”