Page 62 of Awakened By Time
“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.
“Paddraig MacRae has a legal agreement with me. I was to wed his daughter and in exchange MacRae agreed to give me a portion of his land that abuts mine. He has betrayed me trust and instead allowed her to handfast with San Francisco here.” He pointed to Zeke. The MacKenzie men all glanced his way. Cormac seemed as if he was doing his best not to chuckle and instead coughed into his hand.
“Dinnae ye think ye should take this up with MacRae?” Robert asked.
“I’ve tried, but the man willnae listen. He has even sent his men reiving on me property. He’s stolen two dozen of me finest cows.”
“I’m afraid I cannae be of any assistance to ye, Munro,” Robert said. “I believe Zeke is legally wed to Brenna.”
“I would be satisfied if ye turned her over to me, so that I could use her as a bargaining tool to get me property back and to retrieve the land he promised me.”
“Munro, yer an idjit if ye believe I’d side with ye on this. This is a matter best taken up with Paddraig MacRae.” It was obvious Robert was done discussing the matter. “If ye and yer men care to join us for the evening meal, yer welcome to, but that is all I can offer ye.”