“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 abeauty. 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.
