by Jennae Vale
The family antics continued on long into the night. They were drinking heavily and were therefore free with their words. He got the impression that if he didn’t get away from them soon, he’d be hard pressed to leave without a wife.
“Paddraig, I hope you’ll excuse me. I’ve had a very long day and I’d like to retire to my room,” Zeke said.
“Zeke, ye’d make a wonderful son-in-law, please consider marrying me Brenna. I believe ye’d find the dowry would make it well worth yer trouble.”
He was getting tired of telling them he wouldn’t marry her. How many times could he say it? “Good night.” Zeke left the room, relieved to be away from these vultures. He’d best step up his efforts to find Sara. He thought she was at Breaghacraig, but Edna had sent him here. Or maybe Olwydd had taken him to the wrong place. Either way, before he left, he was determined to continue his search and if Sara wasn’t here, he’d have to continue trying to contact Edna to find out why she’d sent him to this godforsaken place.
Zeke opened the door to his room and was surprised to see a fire blazing in the hearth. He was grateful because its golden glow lit the room just enough for him to see. He closed the door behind him and made his way to the bed.
“Zeke!” He jumped at the sound of a woman’s voice somewhere in his room. His eyes were adjusting to the low light and he peered into the corners of the room.
“Zeke, ’tis only me,” came the voice. This time he recognized it.
“Edna?” he said.
“Aye. I’m merely checking in to see how yer doing.”
“Not very good. Olwydd seems to have taken me to the wrong place,” he said.
“No. He took you to the right place.”
“Edna, I’m not at Breaghacraig. I’m at a place called Castle Treun.”
“Exactly where you’re supposed to be, lad.”
“How can that be? I was told Sara was at Breaghacraig.”
“Yes. She is. Ye, however, are needed right where ye are.”
Zeke didn’t like what he was hearing. He had a bad feeling about his. “What do you mean?”
“I cannae tell ye everything now, can I?”
Zeke held his temper in check. It wouldn’t do him any good to anger the only person who could get him back home safely.
“Can you tell me anything?”
“Nay. Just know that things are going according to plan.”
“To plan? Whose plan?” This was getting ridiculous.
“’Tis nae as simple to answer that question as ye may think.”
Getting a straight answer out of Edna was proving to be difficult.
“Are ye enjoying yer visit to medieval Scotland, Zeke? I hope so, because I thought ye might gather some useful information for your medieval martial arts studio.”
“I did spar with a warrior here at Castle Treun today.”
“Did ye now? I imagine that must have been a dream come true for ye.”
Edna was right about that. It had been great fun and he looked forward to sparring with Duff again the next day.
“Drink it all in, dear. It will be over before you know it and ye’ll be back home to yer own time.”
“So, I guess what you’re telling me is that you’ve got this all under control and that I’ll find Sara when I’m supposed to find her and not before.”
“You’ve hit the nail on the head, Zeke. Get a good night’s sleep. I’ll be in touch again.”
The energy charging the room while Edna spoke diminished, leaving a stillness and peace behind that allowed Zeke to relax enough to easily fall asleep.
Zeke spent the morning with Duff and the men. If he looked at this like a vacation where he was totally immersing himself into life at a medieval castle, he found that he was better able to deal with this detour Edna sent him on. He noted at one point that Brenna was spying on him as he sparred. She was speaking with one of the servants and positioned herself in such a way that she could peek around them and watch him. What was she up to, he wondered. The poor servant was kept in place, back to him and occasionally moved as Zeke changed opponents, giving her an unobstructed view of what he was doing.
“Young Brenna seems to be spying on ye,” Duff said, approaching him as he finished his last bout.
“I noticed that,” Zeke replied. The two men gazed in her direction and Brenna quickly moved the servant yet again to block their view of her. It wasn’t working. Zeke waved in her direction, enjoying her little game of hide and seek and Brenna bolted for the castle with the servant following close behind. It touched something in him to know she was watching him and that, despite her protests, there was an attraction there. If he was being truthful with himself he’d agree that he too found Brenna attractive. Her presence stirred feelings in him that he thought he’d lost when Helene left. The thought of Brenna sitting close at his back, her body pressed up against his, the day he’d ridden with her back to the castle, caused his manhood to stir. There was nothing he could do about it. She belonged here in her own time and he belonged in the future. Of course, it didn’t hurt to enjoy her beauty while he was here.
Zeke smiled and Duff clapped him on the shoulder, clearly entertained by Brenna’s antics. Zeke didn’t wish to contribute to the treatment she was already receiving at the hands of the women of the castle and it seemed Duff understood this too.
“I think the lass has taken a liking to ye,” he said.
“On the contrary,” Zeke said. “She’s told me directly that she doesn’t like me.”
“Women,” Duff scoffed. “Always saying one thing and meaning another.”
“I don’t know. I think she says what she means.”
“What of ye? What do ye think of wee Brenna?” Duff asked.
“She’s interesting. Everyone here seems to think I should marry her.”
“Marry an interesting woman, and you will have an interesting life. That one will keep ye on yer toes.” Duff chuckled.
“Perhaps you should marry Brenna,” Zeke said.
“The laird would never allow it. I have nothing to offer him in exchange and I’ve a wife already.” He beamed at that. “And she’s a verra interesting woman.” He clapped Zeke on the back. “Poor Brenna. She’s lost her place here at Castle Treun. The laird’s new wife doesnae want her here and she’s made it her business to see her married and away from here. I was happy to see Laird Munro ride off yesterday without her. He’s a dangerous man.”
“So I’ve heard. Why would her father do that to her?”
“He wants to keep the new wife happy. ’Tis all.”
Zeke shook his head in disbelief. What a bunch! Duff seemed like an honorable man as did the others he’d sparred with this morning, but the people of the castle were another story all together. He dusted his sword off on his breeches and placed it back in its sheath.
“’Tis a beauty!” Duff said, pointing at Zeke’s sword.
“A friend of mine crafted it for me. His name’s Quinn. He’s a master craftsman.” He pulled the sword from the sheath again and handed it to Duff, who hefted it in his hand, obviously appreciative of its weight and balance. The design on the hilt, a wolf’s head caught his eye as did the large onyx stone set inside of a Celtic knot atop the pommel. Zeke had to admit it was a beauty. Nick Mackall had it made especially for him and Zeke cherished it along with his memories of Nick.
“He did a fine job,” Duff observed as he examined the blade.
Zeke could see the admiration in his eyes as he spoke. “If I can find a way to get one back to you, I’ll have him craft you one when I get back home.”
“Ye’d do that fer me?” Duff seemed surprised by this.
“I would. I appreciate being here with you and learning some new things. Don’t get your hopes up. I’ll see what I can do.”
Duff’s smile was so big and bright that Zeke had to chuckle. Maybe Edna could help him make Duff’s dreams come true.
“If I’m still here tomorrow, I’ll be back,” Zeke said.
Duff nodded and waved to him as he walked away.
As he neared the castle entry, he heard Paddraig’s loud voice bellowing about something. He wasn’t sure what it was, but he didn’t sound happy. Closer still, he saw Brenna standing nose-to-nose with her Da in the middle of the courtyard. Those nearby hurried away to a safe distance where they could eavesdrop on what was being said. Zeke found himself among them as Brenna and Paddraig continued their argument.
“I willnae do it, Da. I willnae marry him and ye cannae make me.”
“I can and I will. I’ve allowed ye to do as ye like all of yer life and now ye will do as I like. Ye will marry the Laird of San Francisco or ye will marry Laird Munro. Those are your two choices.”
“I dinnae wish to marry at all, Da. I wish to go live with me brother Dougall and his wife, Helene.”
Zeke felt as if he’d been punched in the gut. Was this the same Dougall and Helene? Of course, it had to be. Suddenly he understood why he was here. Brenna was Dougall’s sister. Was he supposed to rescue her from these awful people?
“’Tis bad enough that yer brother disobeyed me wishes to marry that servant lass of his, but I willnae have ye running off on me as well. A good alliance is worth its weight in gold, Brenna. I wish an alliance with the Laird of San Francisco and if not him, then Laird Munro will do.”
“Sir Zeke doesnae wish to marry me, Da. Have ye not been told over and over again.”
“Fine. Then Laird Munro ’twill be.”
Brenna stormed into the castle as her Da yelled after her.
“And dinnae attempt to run away again.”
He glanced around at the silent crowd who were gathered, “What are ye all gawking at. Get back to work!” The onlookers scurried away, leaving Zeke doing his best to remain out of Paddraig’s sight. He had to find Brenna. There had to be a way he could help her escape her Da’s wishes and get to Dougall and Helene, and he thought he might have an idea how.
Sneaking in through the castle doors and past the great hall where Paddraig still railed at anyone nearby, he made his way upstairs. He wasn’t sure which room belonged to Brenna, but he hoped to find her. The sooner they put his plan in place, the sooner they would both be away from here and the sooner he’d find his sister and be on his way home.
He knocked on the first door and no one answered. He tried the second with the same result. He tried every door on the second floor and no one seemed to be around. She must not have come up here. He’d see her later at the evening meal and they could speak then.
Opening the door to his room, he was surprised to see Brenna seated on the edge of his bed looking quite forlorn.
“Brenna? Are you alright?” He noted her tear stained cheeks and trembling hands. “No. You aren’t.”
He knelt in front of her, gazing up into her teary, yet beautiful eyes. He reached a hand up to brush away the wet on her cheeks.
“I didn’t know where else to go. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t…” Her voice broke with emotion and nearly broke his heart as it did.
He’d been so wrapped up in his own problems that he’d discounted hers. “Brenna, I think I’ve got an idea to help you.” He saw a small flicker of hope light in her eyes.
“Why would ye help me?” Her soft voice shook with the last of the tears she’d shed.
“Because I can and I should.”
She tipped her head and furrowed her brow in question.
“You’re Dougall’s sister, right?”
“Aye.”
“And you want to go live with him.”
“Aye.”
“I know your brother and I know Helene. I can get you there.”
Brenna’s eyes grew large in surprise. “But how? Me Da willnae allow me to leave this place until I am married.”
“What if we handfasted?” He’d heard all about handfasting from his sister, the history buff. “It’s only a temporary marriage. Once we leave here, we can both go our separate ways. You can live with Dougall and I can find my sister and take her home.”
“Ye’d do that fer me?”
“I would.” Zeke watched the play of emotions on her face as she thought about how this would work. Her pensive mood lasted so long that Zeke became concerned, but then her lips curved into a smile and her eyes lit with hope.
“It could work. Da’s in a hurry to get rid of me,” her voice caught as she said this and her hopeful mood of only a moment before disappeared as she cast her tear-filled eyes down and fidgeted with the folds of her gown.
“I’m sorry your Da and this family don’t value and respect you. They’re all fools.” His words seemed to brighten her mood as she gazed at him. How long had it been since someone had truly listened to her and heard her despair? He wanted to protect her from this crazy, loathsome family she’d been born into. Their treatment of Brenna angered him. Handfasting with her was the least he could do to get her far away from their callous disregard for her well-being.
“Me Da used to love me,” she said, her voice sounding tiny and far away to his ears.
“I’m sure he still does.”
“Nae. Not since the evil witch married him. She was supposed to marry Dougall, but he didnae want her. He wanted to marry Helene.” She became thoughtful again, taking a moment before speaking again. “I’m happy for him that he did. Da wasnae happy with him, but he saw that he couldnae change his mind and then he saw that he could marry Greer. ’Tis the day all me troubles began.”
“Let’s put those troubles in the past. Come. Let’s tell your father our plans.” Zeke held out his hand for her to take and she hesitantly did so.
“Truly?”
“Yes. I want to get out of here as much as you want to go.”
She smiled and it warmed Zeke’s heart. She may not like him, but he’d do his best to help her.
The handfasting ceremony was held the next day. Brenna wore her finest dress and Zeke borrowed some clothing from her brother, Fingall. The ceremony was brief, but the symbolism of tying the knot wasn’t lost on Zeke or Brenna, both of whom appeared uncomfortable under the watchful eye of Paddraig MacRae.
Greer and Gillian, who had both taken such delight in making Brenna miserable seemed at a loss. Could it be that they were jealous that Brenna had made a good match and would be leaving Castle Treun behind for a new life? Zeke hoped so. They all deserved each other and the torment that living under this roof would bring them.
They had faced each other as the ropes were wrapped around their hands and tied. Brenna smiled up at Zeke, appearing happy for the first time since he’d met her.
“Are ye going to kiss the lass?” Paddraig said.
Zeke gazed at him and then at the others watching before dipping his head and placing a gentle kiss on Brenna’s lips. She seemed surprised and a bit embarrassed.
Everyone enjoyed the feast that had been prepared for them and then they were escorted up to Brenna’s room for their wedding night. Brenna looked as if the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders, but Zeke felt as if it had somehow shifted to his.
As they entered the room, the others all stood in the passageway gawking at them and raised their glasses to toast their first night together.
“Good night to ye,” Paddraig said, slurring his words as he was quite in his cups at this point. “May she give ye many sons.”
Zeke closed the door in his face and leaned his back up against it, he could feel the exhaustion from the day’s events hit him. Brenna thought it quite funny as she laughed and headed for her bed.
“Get a good night’s sleep. We’ll be leaving in the morning for Breaghacraig.” He did his best to make himself comfortable on the floor by the hearth, with his back to Brenna. He could hear her removing her gown and pulling back the bed covers. He closed his eyes and thought about his soft, comfortable bed in San Francisco, as if thinking about it could make the cold, hard floor more comfortable. He turned onto his back and thought it might be better to try sleeping in the chair. He rose to do so, removing Fi
ngall’s shirt, which barely fit him and would be too uncomfortable to sleep in. He laid it across the back of the chair and saw that Brenna was watching him.
“Ye can sleep in me bed, if you wish. We have handfasted. ‘Twould be yer right to do so.”
He would like nothing more than to crawl into bed with her. She was so sweet and lovely in her linen shift. The curves of her body, outlined by the glow of the firelight sent waves of longing through him to his rapidly hardening manhood. He mentally shook himself, clearing his head of his lust filled thoughts. She isn’t really my wife. I did this to help her. I can’t take advantage of this situation. “No. I’m fine,” he said, his voice sounding strained.
“Ye can hardly be fine. Ye’ve gone from the floor to the chair and I dinnae believe ye’ll find comfort there.”
Zeke stood, watching her. She seemed sincere. He could sleep next to her without touching her. She didn’t like him anyway, he reminded himself.
“I’ll nae be able to sleep thinking of ye up all night in that chair.” Brenna pulled the covers aside for him. “I willnae bite ye, Zeke Barrett,” she giggled.
Zeke moved towards the bed. “I hope not,” he said. “I don’t know how I’d feel about having a wife that was a biter.”
Zeke sat on the edge of the bed, removing his boots before lying back, his body relaxing into the softness of the mattress. “Thank you, Brenna.”
Brenna pulled the blankets over them both and lay down a few inches away. “I should be the one thanking ye. I ken ye didnae wish to marry me, but ye did it anyway.”
Zeke really didn’t want to discuss it anymore, so he ended the conversation. “Good night.”
“Good night, husband.” Brenna said, as Zeke groaned out loud.
Brenna stayed awake, watching Zeke sleep. She was grateful to him for helping her, but she was also finding that maybe she liked him more than she originally thought. He was a good man. Better by far than any of those who lived here at Castle Treun. Propping herself on one elbow, she used her other hand to tentatively touch his face. She imagined what it might be like to live her life with this man and as she was about to pull her hand away, Zeke’s arm snaked around her and pulled her close. Not sure what to do, Brenna rested her head on his chest and fell asleep to the steady beat of his heart.