Page 8 of Awakened By Time

Chapter 3

Castle Treun - Scotland - 1517

Laird Nevil Munrowould be arriving the next day and if Brenna could possibly manage it, she’d be long gone from Castle Treun before he graced them with his presence. Rising before sunrise she packed a few things to take along on her journey. There were still a few hours before anyone was up and about, so if she was lucky she’d be gone before anyone even noticed.

She tiptoed to the door of her bed chamber, cringing when it creaked open, stopping her mid-step. There was no indication that anyone else had heard. Peeking up and down the passageway to be sure no one was about, she noted the dying flames of the torches that would light her way. Next came the stairs, which she crept down with as little sound as possible. Seeing nary a soul, she felt good about her plan to escape. Once she’d made it through the entry doors of the castle this would all become so much easier. She felt a surge of confidence rush through her as she crept into the stable to retrieve her horse. Vala nickered to her as she approached and Brenna stroked the white blaze that ran down her nose.

“Good morn to ye, me beauty” she whispered to the beautiful creature. Vala had been a present to her from her father only a few short years ago. A beautiful, dark bay with one white sock, she was Brenna’s dearest confidante. Vala was always available to silently listen to Brenna, no matter the topic. She’d seen her happy and sad. Of late, Vala’s soft, warm neck was the place where Brenna would lay her head and cry salty tears, expressing her frustration with her father and brothers. Now, this sweet horse would be her companion on her journey to a better life at Breaghacraig. She pulled Vala from her stall and saddled her, being sure to secure her bags carefully to the saddle. The trip to Breaghacraig would take her a few days, but she was sure she could find her way there and wasn’t afraid to be alone. She was far more fearful of having to wed Nevil Munro. She, too, had heard rumors of the abusive treatment he’d meted out to his now deceased wife. Her Da had never laid a hand on her in anger and it frightened her to think that this man may do just that. If he needed a biddable woman, Brenna wasnae the one for him. Her heart was broken that her Da had done this to her. She thought he loved her, but it was obvious he loved his new wife more.

A ghostly silence followed her as she made her way from the stable through the gates. Her father’s guard was snoring loudly and sleeping soundly. Unfortunately, not soundly enough.

Coughing and sputtering, the man stood blocking her way. “Where are ye off to this morn, Lady Brenna?” He straightened his plaid and raked his fingers through the knotted mess of hair atop his head.

“I’m off to visit a sick friend,” Brenna lied. She’d had some experience at thinking on her feet and it was paying off now. “I won’t be gone long.” She smiled sweetly and he returned her smile with a huge gaping grin. “Will ye be here when I return?”

“Nae. I’m only here for a while longer and then I’ll be on me way home to get some sleep.” He seemed embarrassed, she assumed it was because she caught him sleeping.

“Well, good day to ye then.” She gave him a slight nod of her head and a quick wave as she urged her horse to walk on.

“Does yer Da ken yer going?” he called to her as she rode off.

“Aye. He does.” She didn’t dare look back. She kept walking at a leisurely pace until she knew she was out of his line of vision and then she broke into a canter that she’d keep up until she was safely away from Castle Treun. Her shoulders relaxed and a smile of satisfaction appeared on her face. She’d done it. She was free!

* * *

Paddraig MacRae was angrierthan a swarm of hornets as he stormed through the castle searching for Brenna. He couldn’t believe that he hadn’t noticed she was gone. She’d been in such a foul mood of late that he assumed she was avoiding him and Greer and he was happy of it. Greer had done nothing but complain to him these past weeks about how obstinate and lazy Brenna was. If he had to listen to her castigating him one more time about how Brenna was his favorite, he’d go mad. This disappearance was beyond anything Brenna had ever done before, but it wasn’t until Nevil Munro arrived to collect his new bride that they realized she was not to be found. Paddraig was furious with himself for not locking her in her room and embarrassed to have to tell Laird Munro of her disappearance. He should have known that Brenna wouldnae obey his wishes. She was a headstrong lass and always had been.

“This is all yer fault, ye big oaf. Ye’ve allowed her to do as she will for far too long. Ye should have been punishing her for her stubborn disobedience.” Greer followed him down the passageway waving her finger in his face. “Ye’ll send her to the dungeon when she returns, do ye ken? ‘Tis perhaps where she should have been all along.”

He should have argued the point with her, but he had to agree she was right. Where had his bollocks gone? His wee wife had successfully unmanned him and he had little to say about it as long as she welcomed him into her bed. His mood and his happiness depended upon it and so he happily let her lead him around by the nose.

As they approached the great hall, they both stopped and stared at each other.

“Ye best make this right,” Greer threatened him.

“I will. Ye’ll see,” he responded as he straightened his spine and strode into the great hall with her on his heels.

“Nevil, ’tis so good to see ye.” Paddraig observed that Nevil, a man of about his own age, still looked more than capable of engaging in battle. Unlike Paddraig, he appeared physically fit. Tall with broad shoulders, his graying hair was neatly combed. He wasn’t a handsome man, but neither was he hideous. His eyes, now staring into Paddraig’s, were so dark as to appear black. “How long has it been?” he held out his arm to Nevil, who clasped it.

“Far too long,” Munro responded.

“This is me wife, Greer.” Paddraig introduced her as she moved to stand beside him.

Nevil bowed slightly in her direction.

“We’re most pleased to have ye here, Laird Munro,” she said.

Paddraig was feeling less than enthusiastic about this arrangement, but there was little he could do. Greer wanted this and he needed it. Despite what he’d told Brenna, Nevil was no friend to him. He didn’t care for the man. Never had. He’d been known to cross the border of their lands on occasion to help himself to Paddraig’s cows and then lie about it. This had been a bone of contention between them for a long, long time. Now he had a chance to create an alliance of sorts with this marriage, that is, of course, if he could somehow talk his way out of the mess Brenna had created for him.

“Where is me bride?” Nevil asked. “I wish to see her.”

Paddraig swallowed nervously. “I’m afraid she isnae here.”

“Not here! Ye were aware of me arrival. I expected her to be waiting here for me. Where is she?” Nevil’s short fuse had apparently grown shorter than even Paddraig remembered.

“Nevil, I must apologize for me daughter’s behavior and her absence. It appears she was nervous that ye wouldnae care for her once ye met and she’s run off to hide. Nerves, ye ken.” Paddraig hoped Nevil believed him, because the truth would only make things more difficult. “I’ll send someone off after her.”

“Nae need, Paddraig. If she’s to be me wife, then she is me concern. I’ll have me men retrieve her and bring her back.”