Page 18 of Awakened By Time
Chapter 7
Unsure of whereBrenna had run off to, Zeke made his way back to the great hall.
“Zeke, there ye are!” Paddraig’s welcome seemed over-the-top to Zeke. Maybe he was like this with everyone, he couldn’t tell. “And where’s me Brenna?”
“I don’t know. She had something to do I assume. She left me in the capable hands of Duff, who was kind enough to spar with me. I haven’t had a chance since I left home to find my sister.”
“Oh, good. I’m happy he was of service to ye.” Paddraig clapped him on the shoulder.
“Is there somewhere that I can get cleaned up and lay down for a while? I also haven’t had the benefit of a bed for days.” It would be a pleasure to be clean and to have a pillow to rest his head on. He was exhausted.
“Greer!” Paddraig yelled. “Me wife will show ye to yer chamber and see to a bath fer ye. I hope ye’ll join us for our evening meal.”
“I’d like that.”I can’t wait to see what new ways you’ll find to get me to marry your daughter.
“I’ll send someone to retrieve ye when ’tis time.”
“Aye, Paddraig. What do ye want? The servants could hear ye all the way out in the courtyard.”
“Greer, this is Zeke Barrett, the Laird of San Francisco.”
“I’m pleased to meet ye,” she said, not hiding her admiring gaze.
“Show our guest to his chambers, love. And see to a bath for him. He’ll be joining us fer the feast we would have shared with Laird Munro if he hadn’t left us so swiftly.”
Zeke was surprised to hear this news. “Isn’t he to marry your daughter.”
“Aye. He had some things to attend to at his own castle. He’ll be back.”
Zeke got the impression he was being lied to again, but he had no proof, nor did he wish to cause any problems with these people.
“Come with me, sir,” Greer motioned to the entry and beckoned Zeke to follow her.
“How long do ye plan to stay here with us, Laird?”
“Only as long as necessary. I’m searching for my sister. Paddraig says she’s not here. Are there others who live outside of the castle walls?”
“Aye. There are. There are many crofts not far from here, and a village. Do ye believe she may be there?”
“I don’t really know.”
They walked up a spiral staircase to the second floor and then down a passageway with doors here and there on either side. Greer came to a stop in front of one of them and pushed it open. “I hope this chamber suits ye, m’laird. I’ll have a bath sent up fer ye at once.”
“Please, call me Zeke. I’m sure it will be fine. Thank you for your hospitality.”
“’Tis me place to manage the servants and the care of our guests. It used to be Brenna’s job and I’m afraid she is feeling quite out of place now that I’ve married her Da. It will be good for her to marry and leave this place.”
“Why couldn’t she just stay here with her father?” Zeke asked.
“’Tis only right that she find a husband and marry. I wish it werenae Laird Munro, but it seems he’s the only one interested in her. Poor dear. He has a reputation for…” she didn’t finish her sentence.
“A reputation for what?” Zeke asked. He knew what she was up to, but he was curious to hear what she had to say.
“I hate to gossip, but I’ve heard this many times.” She lowered her voice to a whisper and glanced around. “’Tis said that he killed his wife because she would not do his bidding. I fear the same fate may befall our dear Brenna. She is hardly the sort of lass who will behave herself. Her Da let her run wild here at Castle Treun and so she never learned to be obedient.”
“If he killed his wife, why hasn’t he been arrested?” Zeke was shocked to hear this. Why would her father arrange for her to marry a man who was a murderer? He didn’t know Greer at all, but he was pretty sure she was playing him. Knowing Paddraig, he’d probably encouraged her to do it.
“Ye see, there’s no evidence. He told everyone she was ill and threatened the servants and any who he even thought would know, that if they said anything they, too, would have a similar fate.” She shook her head and smiled sweetly up at Zeke, her voice back to normal. “I’ll leave ye now. Ye need yer rest. Dinnae worry about Brenna. She’s a resourceful lass. She’ll learn quickly not to disobey Laird Munro.” She turned and left Zeke staring at her back as she made her way down the passageway.