“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. Hetruly 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.
