“He’s the man who kidnapped Brenna. Where is she? I’ve got to find her!” Zeke grabbed Sara by the arm and pulled her alongbehind him. They skirted around behind Munro, being careful not to draw attention to themselves.
“Is there another entrance to the castle?” Zeke asked.
“Over here,” Sara said. She led the way and Zeke followed to a side entry that led directly into the great hall.
He was relieved to see Brenna and Helene seated by the fire. He rushed to them. “Nevil Munro is here. He’s right outside.”
“What does he want?” Brenna asked. He could see that she was alarmed as her eyes flew wide and she jumped up from her seat, ready to run at a moments notice.
“I’m not sure, but I don’t want him to see you.” He glanced around the room. What he was searching for he couldn’t say and then his eyes landed on Helene.
“I’ll take her upstairs to Ashley’s chamber. Come, Brenna.” Helene said.
“Be careful,” Brenna said as she was escorted from the room.
Moments later, Nevil and two of his men made their entrance into the great hall. Zeke and Sara did their best to look as if they were surprised to see them.
“San Francisco!” Nevil said. “I’m surprised to see ye here.”
“Why is he calling you San Francisco?” Sara whispered.
“I’ll explain later.” He strode to Munro with his arm extended.
Nevil clasped it. “I’m here in search of Brenna MacRae. Have ye seen her?” he asked, one eyebrow cocked as if he already knew the answer.
Zeke didn’t answer him.
“I thought she’d be here with her brother, Dougall. And now I see that yer here, it makes me believe she cannae be far.”
“What do you want with her?”
“Before ye came along, she was to be me bride. Paddraig MacRae had an agreement with me and I intend to see that he keeps it.”
“You should be speaking with Paddraig then,” Zeke said. “No one here can help you.”
“They can. I’m here to see Robert MacKenzie. Once he hears me tale, he’ll surely see to it that what is rightfully mine is returned to me.” Nevil glanced around the hall and seeing a servant, called him over. “Get Laird MacKenzie. Tell him Laird Munro is here to see him.”
“Sir,” the servant bowed and hurried from the hall.
“Ye ken why I’m here and now mayhap ye’ll tell me why yer here,” Munro said.
“I’m here to see my brother-in-law. You’re quite aware of the fact that Brenna and I have handfasted. She is legally mine for a year and a day.”
“Yer handfasting was nothing more than a ploy to get what MacRae offered to me,” Munro accused.
“I received nothing in return,” Zeke stated.
Munro sneered at him. “Who in their right mind would wedthatlass without receiving a sizable dowry in return. I dinnae believe ye, San Francisco.”
“Believe what you like. It’s the truth.”
Zeke noted that Sara’s head moved back and forth between them as if she were watching a tennis match.
“Munro, to what do we owe this honor,” Robert MacKenzie entered the room with Cormac and Cailin by his side.
The two men greeted each other, but Zeke could feel a tension between them. “I’ve come to request yer help.”
“What exactly can I help ye with?” Robert asked.
