Castle Treun - Scotland - 1517

Laird Nevil Munro would be arriving the next day and if Brenna could possibly manage it, she’d be long gone from Castle Treun before he graced them with his presence. Rising before sunrise she packed a few things to take along on her journey. There were still a few hours before anyone was up and about, so if she was lucky she’d be gone before anyone even noticed.

She tiptoed to the door of her bed chamber, cringing when it creaked open, stopping her mid-step. There was no indication that anyone else had heard. Peeking up and down the passageway to be sure no one was about, she noted the dying flames of the torches that would light her way. Next came the stairs, which she crept down with as little sound as possible. Seeing nary a soul, she felt good about her plan to escape. Once she’d made it through the entry doors of the castle this would all become so much easier. She felt a surge of confidence rush through her as she crept into the stable to retrieve her horse. Vala nickered to her as she approached and Brenna stroked the white blaze that ran down her nose.

“Good morn to ye, me beauty” she whispered to the beautiful creature. Vala had been a present to her from her father only a few short years ago. A beautiful, dark bay with one white sock, she was Brenna’s dearest confidante. Vala was always available to silently listen to Brenna, no matter the topic. She’d seen her happy and sad. Of late, Vala’s soft, warm neck was the place where Brenna would lay her head and cry salty tears, expressing her frustration with her father and brothers. Now, this sweet horse would be her companion on her journey to a better life at Breaghacraig. She pulled Vala from her stall and saddled her, being sure to secure her bags carefully to the saddle. The trip to Breaghacraig would take her a few days, but she was sure she could find her way there and wasn’t afraid to be alone. She was far more fearful of having to wed Nevil Munro. She, too, had heard rumors of the abusive treatment he’d meted out to his now deceased wife. Her Da had never laid a hand on her in anger and it frightened her to think that this man may do just that. If he needed a biddable woman, Brenna wasnae the one for him. Her heart was broken that her Da had done this to her. She thought he loved her, but it was obvious he loved his new wife more.

A ghostly silence followed her as she made her way from the stable through the gates. Her father’s guard was snoring loudly and sleeping soundly. Unfortunately, not soundly enough.

Coughing and sputtering, the man stood blocking her way. “Where are ye off to this morn, Lady Brenna?” He straightened his plaid and raked his fingers through the knotted mess of hair atop his head.

“I’m off to visit a sick friend,” Brenna lied. She’d had some experience at thinking on her feet and it was paying off now. “I won’t be gone long.” She smiled sweetly and he returned her smile with a huge gaping grin. “Will ye be here when I return?”

“Nae. I’m only here for a while longer and then I’ll be on me way home to get some sleep.” He seemed embarrassed, she assumed it was because she caught him sleeping.

“Well, good day to ye then.” She gave him a slight nod of her head and a quick wave as she urged her horse to walk on.

“Does yer Da ken yer going?” he called to her as she rode off.

“Aye. He does.” She didn’t dare look back. She kept walking at a leisurely pace until she knew she was out of his line of vision and then she broke into a canter that she’d keep up until she was safely away from Castle Treun. Her shoulders relaxed and a smile of satisfaction appeared on her face. She’d done it. She was free!

* * *

Paddraig MacRae was angrier than a swarm of hornets as he stormed through the castle searching for Brenna. He couldn’t believe that he hadn’t noticed she was gone. She’d been in such a foul mood of late that he assumed she was avoiding him and Greer and he was happy of it. Greer had done nothing but complain to him these past weeks about how obstinate and lazy Brenna was. If he had to listen to her castigating him one more time about how Brenna was his favorite, he’d go mad. This disappearance was beyond anything Brenna had ever done before, but it wasn’t until Nevil Munro arrived to collect his new bride that they realized she was not to be found. Paddraig was furious with himself for not locking her in her room and embarrassed to have to tell Laird Munro of her disappearance. He should have known that Brenna wouldnae obey his wishes. She was a headstrong lass and always had been.

“This is all yer fault, ye big oaf. Ye’ve allowed her to do as she will for far too long. Ye should have been punishing her for her stubborn disobedience.” Greer followed him down the passageway waving her finger in his face. “Ye’ll send her to the dungeon when she returns, do ye ken? ‘Tis perhaps where she should have been all along.”

He should have argued the point with her, but he had to agree she was right. Where had his bollocks gone? His wee wife had successfully unmanned him and he had little to say about it as long as she welcomed him into her bed. His mood and his happiness depended upon it and so he happily let her lead him around by the nose.

As they approached the great hall, they both stopped and stared at each other.

“Ye best make this right,” Greer threatened him.

“I will. Ye’ll see,” he responded as he straightened his spine and strode into the great hall with her on his heels.

“Nevil, ’tis so good to see ye.” Paddraig observed that Nevil, a man of about his own age, still looked more than capable of engaging in battle. Unlike Paddraig, he appeared physically fit. Tall with broad shoulders, his graying hair was neatly combed. He wasn’t a handsome man, but neither was he hideous. His eyes, now staring into Paddraig’s, were so dark as to appear black. “How long has it been?” he held out his arm to Nevil, who clasped it.

“Far too long,” Munro responded.

“This is me wife, Greer.” Paddraig introduced her as she moved to stand beside him.

Nevil bowed slightly in her direction.

“We’re most pleased to have ye here, Laird Munro,” she said.

Paddraig was feeling less than enthusiastic about this arrangement, but there was little he could do. Greer wanted this and he needed it. Despite what he’d told Brenna, Nevil was no friend to him. He didn’t care for the man. Never had. He’d been known to cross the border of their lands on occasion to help himself to Paddraig’s cows and then lie about it. This had been a bone of contention between them for a long, long time. Now he had a chance to create an alliance of sorts with this marriage, that is, of course, if he could somehow talk his way out of the mess Brenna had created for him.

“Where is me bride?” Nevil asked. “I wish to see her.”

Paddraig swallowed nervously. “I’m afraid she isnae here.”

“Not here! Ye were aware of me arrival. I expected her to be waiting here for me. Where is she?” Nevil’s short fuse had apparently grown shorter than even Paddraig remembered.

“Nevil, I must apologize for me daughter’s behavior and her absence. It appears she was nervous that ye wouldnae care for her once ye met and she’s run off to hide. Nerves, ye ken.” Paddraig hoped Nevil believed him, because the truth would only make things more difficult. “I’ll send someone off after her.”

“Nae need, Paddraig. If she’s to be me wife, then she is me concern. I’ll have me men retrieve her and bring her back.”

“As ye say, she is yers now.” He looked to Greer for her help.

“She fears ye may nae find her pretty enough, being the handsome man ye are,” Greer smiled sweetly. “She’ll need ye to reassure her and to have a firm hand to guide her in her wifely duties, just as me Paddraig has done for me.”

“I ken it will take some time for her to understand the ways of her new laird. ’Tis been many years since I’ve seen her. Is she an obedient lass, Paddraig?” Neville examined his finger nails, appearing disinterested in their conversation.

“Och. Aye. She is. I think ye’ll be pleased. She has been running me castle for many years. Now that I have me darling Greer, it’s time she found a place where she can be… useful once again.” Paddraig knew Brenna was anything but obedient, but he wasn’t about to embarrass himself or the clan by giving Nevil Munro a reason to back out of their arrangement.

“If ye’ll excuse me then, I’ll send two of me best men after her. Do ye ken where she may have been going?” Nevil asked as he headed out.

“Breaghacraig. Her brother resides there with his wife,” Paddraig said. He hoped they wouldn’t hurt her. She’d only recently become a thorn in his side, but he would never wish any harm to come to her. She was his daughter, after all.

“They’ll find her and be back in no time.” Nevil Munro left the great hall to find his men.

“Do ye think he believed me?” Paddraig asked, after he was sure Nevil was out of earshot.

“Of course he did. He needs a wife and a man of his age will be more than pleased to have a young wife to care for him.” Greer assured him.

“I do well understand that,” Paddraig chuckled as he took the opportunity to pinch his wife’s bottom. She squealed as she hurried away from him.

“Nae now, Paddraig. I must see to our guests and check with the kitchen on the progress for tonight’s feast.” She left him alone in the great hall contemplating the fate he’d chosen for his only daughter.

* * *

“Bring her back here immediately,” Nevil Munro barked at the two mounted men. “She cannae be far, but dinnae stop until ye’ve found her.”

“Aye, sir,” they replied as they sent their horses into a gallop and out through the castle gates, leaving a cloud of dust in their wake.

Nevil Munro had never been a patient man, especially when it came to women. In his mind, they were only good for managing the household and warming his bed. If they failed to meet his expectations in either of those places, they would pay the price. His recently deceased wife had learned that the hard way. The clan all believed she died of a prolonged illness, but Nevil knew the truth of the matter. Of course, there were rumors. He’d heard them, but no one dared accuse him. He hoped that Brenna MacRae didn’t try his patience. He wouldn’t tolerate it and she’d learn that quickly.

He headed back towards the great hall. Paddraig MacRae was a fool if he thought Nevil had believed a word of anything he and that conniving wife of his told him. Brenna MacRae was running because she didn’t wish to marry him. He didn’t care about her wants, she would do as he had agreed upon with her father or there’d be hell to pay. He took a deep breath to calm himself and stood outside in the cool air for a moment longer. It would hardly appear seemly if he were to vent his frustration at the MacRaes. What they didn’t know about him wouldn’t hurt them.

As he entered the castle, he did his best to look the part of the concerned husband-to-be. “They’re on their way, Paddraig. I’m sure they’ll find her before the day is done and they’ll be on their way home with her. I’ll be happy to get her back to her new home.”

Paddraig lifted his ale mug to his lips. Drinking heavily before wiping his mouth on his sleeve and pouring himself another draught. “Would ye care fer some ale?”

“Nay. I’d like to discuss our agreement, if ye dinnae mind.”

“Come, sit.” Paddraig motioned towards two chairs by the fire, indicating that Nevil should sit.

He did so reluctantly. He’d never really cared for Paddraig and he was doing his best to hide his disdain for the man. Marrying his only daughter would work out to his benefit soon enough. For now, his only wish was to collect the lass and leave as quickly as possible.

“Nevil, we’ve been friends for a verra long time, havenae we?” Paddraig said.

Munro nodded his head in reply, despite the fact that they both knew that wasn’t true.

“I believe ye ken the particulars of the tocher we’ve agreed upon, Nevil. Me last missive to ye spelled it all out.”

“Aye. It did, but there is one other thing I’d like to add. If ’tis a problem, we can call the wedding off.”

“Dinnae be daft, man.” Paddraig said.

Nevil’s eyes narrowed and he stared angrily at Paddraig.

“I’m verra sorry.” Paddraig stumbled over his words, hurrying to get them out. “Forgive me. I didnae mean to say ye were daft. What I was trying to say was there’s nae need to call off the wedding. What is it that ye’d like?”

“I’m quite pleased with the coin and cows, but acreage would make the deal complete.”

“Acreage?” Paddraig frowned, knitting his eyebrows together.

“Aye. I’d like to increase me holdings by adding another two ploughgates of the land that currently abuts me property along with more oxen to work the fields.” Nevil did his best to keep the glee from his eyes as he watched Paddraig choking on this news.

“I’m nae sure I can agree to this,” Paddraig responded.

“Well, then, I’m nae sure I can agree to marry yer daughter.” He rose from the chair, making a show of leaving.

“Wait. I’d like to ride out to see exactly what land yer speaking of,” MacRae blurted out, stopping him before he left.

Nevil returned to his seat. “Understandable. We’ll go when me men have returned with yer daughter. We’ll all ride towards Munro castle and once ye’ve agreed to me terms, I’ll take Brenna home with me and make her me wife. I’ve written out the new terms here.” He handed Paddraig the new contract. “Ye’ll need to sign it. Ye see, I’ve always felt that land was rightfully mine. It once belonged to me grandfather.”

“Did it now?” Paddraig asked.

“Aye. Then yer grandfather placed a wager on it and through some underhanded methods, he won. Me grandfather, being an honorable man, gave the land to him. I think ’tis only right that it end up back in me hands. You understand, I’m sure.”

Paddraig looked down at the contract. His face a study of confusion, frustration and anger. It did Nevil’s heart good to see it. Whether he married this lass or not, he was going to get his land back. Brenna MacRae would only sweeten the deal.

* * *

“The nerve of that man changing our agreement at the last minute as he’s done.” Paddraig MacRae’s fist pounded on his desk as he sat in his office. “I’ll nae give him that land. Do ye hear me, Greer?” Anger consumed him as he waved the contract in the air.

“The whole castle can hear ye, Paddraig. Ye’d best keep yer voice down to a low roar if ye dinnae wish Laird Munro to be privy to our discussions.”

“And that story he obviously made up about our grandfathers. Can ye believe it?”

“I wasnae alive at the time and neither were ye, so I couldnae say,” she answered with a note of sarcasm in her voice.

“I’ve never heard the tale before this day. If it had happened as he said it did… If me grandda had bested his grandda, then that would be something the family would’ve bragged on. ’Tis why I dinnae believe him,” he harrumphed.

“If ye wish to marry yer daughter to him, and ye ken how important that is to me, then ye’ll agree to it.” Greer narrowed her eyes, nostrils flared, ready for a fight.

Paddraig did his best to appease her. “Greer, me love, I ken ye wish to see Brenna gone from the castle, but do ye nae think there may be someone else who would have her?”

“Nae. It must be Munro. He is here now and he’ll gladly take her off yer hands today, if we can find her. I cannae wait any longer for ye to find her a husband.” Nose in the air, as if she’d just smelled something distasteful, she flipped her hair over her shoulder and glared at him.

Greer surprised Paddraig when, a few weeks back she told him she had offered Brenna to Munro without his knowledge. He’d been angered that she’d overstepped her bounds, but then he’d softened when he understood that if he ever wished to bed her again, it would be necessary to marry Brenna off as soon as possible.

* * *

Brenna spent her first night alone, settling in just off the wooded path that led towards Breaghacraig. She kept her dirk close as she wrapped herself in her plaid and leaned her back up against a tree. She was dog tired, but she had somehow managed to gather brush for a fire and to make herself a meal from the items she had stolen from the kitchen at Castle Treun.

She felt good about herself for the first time since her Da had married Greer. The slow and steady toll the two sisters had taken on her had slipped from her shoulders and now that she was away from them, Brenna only had happiness and her independence to look forward to. She’d no longer have to answer to Paddraig and her brothers. There’d be no more humiliation at the hands of Greer and Gillian. She was sad to leave her Aunt Saundra behind along with the only home she’d ever known, but this was what she had to do to be free. She was sure this was her destiny and she planned to make the most of it.

The sounds of the night were everywhere from the hooting of owls overhead to the howl of a wolf off in the distance. Any misgivings she had about her journey were best left behind. She doubted she’d sleep well, but she’d drift in and out until the morning light sent her back along on her way. Brenna breathed in the fresh pine scent, a fragrance she’d always loved. One of her first memories was a journey with her Da. One where they camped among huge pine trees alongside a rill. Her Da built a fire and she sat in his lap, enveloped by his strong arms. She had no fear, knowing he’d keep her safe from any and all dangers. Paddraig held her close as he told her tale after tale of his own childhood. She had been enthralled with it and with her Da. It saddened her that her bond with him, one she always thought unbreakable, had been destroyed by that conniving Greer Matheson. These sweet memories were only that… memories. It was best to let them go, along with the life she’d once known. This was to be a new chapter in her life and she welcomed it.