“What have ye done?” Greer asked, eyeing Paddraig suspiciously.
“I willnae give me only daughter to that man,” he shouted.
“What do ye mean? I told ye I wanted Brenna gone from here. I willnae have her here any longer. Ye must go after him and apologize,” she shouted.
“I willnae!” Paddraig would never bow to Nevil’s demands. “The man wants to take me land in exchange fer taking Brenna. He goes too far.” He could see Greer was angry, so he softened his tone. “There is another I wish Brenna to marry. A man of far greater means than Munro.”
“Who?” Greer asked.
“Ye dinnae ken him, me love. He is the Laird of San Francisco.”
“The Laird of San Francisco? Where is that?”
“Dinnae concern yerself with that. He’s here at Castle Treun. We must convince him that Brenna would make him a good wife.” He rubbed his palms together in anticipation.
“He hasnae agreed?” Greer cocked an eyebrow apparently skeptical of his abilities.
“Nae yet.”
“Laird Munro was so angry when he left, ye’ll never get him back should this new man not agree.” He could see she wasn’t happy with him.
“Leave it to me, Greer. I’ll take care of it,” he barked.
“I hope so. Ye’ve just ruined a friendship and alliance because of it.”
“I’m only going to say this one more time. Nevil Munro is not now, nor has he ever been a friend to me.” He hoped this would put an end to the conversation. He hated when she looked at him as if he were incapable of making decisions without her telling him what to do. What did she think he had done all those years before she arrived?
“And where is this man?” Greer asked.
“Brenna is showing him the castle.”
“I just saw Brenna going to her chamber. She was alone and didnae appear verra happy. No doubt she did something to ruin her chances with this man, as well.” Her tone was testier than usual.
“I’ll speak with her. She doesnae wish to marry Munro, so she must understand that this is the only alternative she has.” He failed to mention to Greer that if Zeke Barrett didn’t want her then she’d undoubtedly remain with them until he could find a suitable replacement. One who wasn’t interested in divesting him of his acreage.
Chapter 7
Unsure of where Brenna 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.
