Page 9 of Awakened By Time

“As ye say, she is yers now.” He looked to Greer for her help.

“She fears ye may nae find her pretty enough, being the handsome man ye are,” Greer smiled sweetly. “She’ll need ye to reassure her and to have a firm hand to guide her in her wifely duties, just as me Paddraig has done for me.”

“I ken it will take some time for her to understand the ways of her new laird. ’Tis been many years since I’ve seen her. Is she an obedient lass, Paddraig?” Neville examined his finger nails, appearing disinterested in their conversation.

“Och. Aye. She is. I think ye’ll be pleased. She has been running me castle for many years. Now that I have me darling Greer, it’s time she found a place where she can be… useful once again.” Paddraig knew Brenna was anything but obedient, but he wasn’t about to embarrass himself or the clan by giving Nevil Munro a reason to back out of their arrangement.

“If ye’ll excuse me then, I’ll send two of me best men after her. Do ye ken where she may have been going?” Nevil asked as he headed out.

“Breaghacraig. Her brother resides there with his wife,” Paddraig said. He hoped they wouldn’t hurt her. She’d only recently become a thorn in his side, but he would never wish any harm to come to her. She was his daughter, after all.

“They’ll find her and be back in no time.” Nevil Munro left the great hall to find his men.

“Do ye think he believed me?” Paddraig asked, after he was sure Nevil was out of earshot.

“Of course he did. He needs a wife and a man of his age will be more than pleased to have a young wife to care for him.” Greer assured him.

“I do well understand that,” Paddraig chuckled as he took the opportunity to pinch his wife’s bottom. She squealed as she hurried away from him.

“Nae now, Paddraig. I must see to our guests and check with the kitchen on the progress for tonight’s feast.” She left him alone in the great hall contemplating the fate he’d chosen for his only daughter.

* * *

“Bring her back here immediately,” Nevil Munro barked at the two mounted men. “She cannae be far, but dinnae stop until ye’ve found her.”

“Aye, sir,” they replied as they sent their horses into a gallop and out through the castle gates, leaving a cloud of dust in their wake.

Nevil Munro had never been a patient man, especially when it came to women. In his mind, they were only good for managing the household and warming his bed. If they failed to meet his expectations in either of those places, they would pay the price. His recently deceased wife had learned that the hard way. The clan all believed she died of a prolonged illness, but Nevil knew the truth of the matter. Of course, there were rumors. He’d heard them, but no one dared accuse him. He hoped that Brenna MacRae didn’t try his patience. He wouldn’t tolerate it and she’d learn that quickly.

He headed back towards the great hall. Paddraig MacRae was a fool if he thought Nevil had believed a word of anything he and that conniving wife of his told him. Brenna MacRae was running because she didn’t wish to marry him. He didn’t care about her wants, she would do as he had agreed upon with her father or there’d be hell to pay. He took a deep breath to calm himself and stood outside in the cool air for a moment longer. It would hardly appear seemly if he were to vent his frustration at the MacRaes. What they didn’t know about him wouldn’t hurt them.

As he entered the castle, he did his best to look the part of the concerned husband-to-be. “They’re on their way, Paddraig. I’m sure they’ll find her before the day is done and they’ll be on their way home with her. I’ll be happy to get her back to her new home.”

Paddraig lifted his ale mug to his lips. Drinking heavily before wiping his mouth on his sleeve and pouring himself another draught. “Would ye care fer some ale?”

“Nay. I’d like to discuss our agreement, if ye dinnae mind.”

“Come, sit.” Paddraig motioned towards two chairs by the fire, indicating that Nevil should sit.

He did so reluctantly. He’d never really cared for Paddraig and he was doing his best to hide his disdain for the man. Marrying his only daughter would work out to his benefit soon enough. For now, his only wish was to collect the lass and leave as quickly as possible.

“Nevil, we’ve been friends for a verra long time, havenae we?” Paddraig said.

Munro nodded his head in reply, despite the fact that they both knew that wasn’t true.

“I believe ye ken the particulars of the tocher we’ve agreed upon, Nevil. Me last missive to ye spelled it all out.”

“Aye. It did, but there is one other thing I’d like to add. If ’tis a problem, we can call the wedding off.”

“Dinnae be daft, man.” Paddraig said.

Nevil’s eyes narrowed and he stared angrily at Paddraig.

“I’m verra sorry.” Paddraig stumbled over his words, hurrying to get them out. “Forgive me. I didnae mean to say ye were daft. What I was trying to say was there’s nae need to call off the wedding. What is it that ye’d like?”

“I’m quite pleased with the coin and cows, but acreage would make the deal complete.”

“Acreage?” Paddraig frowned, knitting his eyebrows together.