“Because I can and I should.”
She tipped her head and furrowed her brow in question.
“You’re Dougall’s sister, right?”
“Aye.”
“And you want to go live with him.”
“Aye.”
“I know your brother and I know Helene. I can get you there.”
Brenna’s eyes grew large in surprise. “But how? Me Da willnae allow me to leave this place until I am married.”
“What if we handfasted?” He’d heard all about handfasting from his sister, the history buff. “It’s only a temporary marriage. Once we leave here, we can both go our separate ways. You can live with Dougall and I can find my sister and take her home.”
“Ye’d do that fer me?”
“I would.” Zeke watched the play of emotions on her face as she thought about how this would work. Her pensive mood lasted so long that Zeke became concerned, but then her lips curved into a smile and her eyes lit with hope.
“It could work. Da’s in a hurry to get rid of me,” her voice caught as she said this and her hopeful mood of only a moment before disappeared as she cast her tear-filled eyes down and fidgeted with the folds of her gown.
“I’m sorry your Da and this family don’t value and respect you. They’re all fools.” His words seemed to brighten her mood as she gazed at him. How long had it been since someone had truly listened to her and heard her despair? He wanted to protect herfrom this crazy, loathsome family she’d been born into. Their treatment of Brenna angered him. Handfasting with her was the least he could do to get her far away from their callous disregard for her well-being.
“Me Da used to love me,” she said, her voice sounding tiny and far away to his ears.
“I’m sure he still does.”
“Nae. Not since the evil witch married him. She was supposed to marry Dougall, but he didnae want her. He wanted to marry Helene.” She became thoughtful again, taking a moment before speaking again. “I’m happy for him that he did. Da wasnae happy with him, but he saw that he couldnae change his mind and then he saw thathecould marry Greer. ’Tis the day all me troubles began.”
“Let’s put those troubles in the past. Come. Let’s tell your father our plans.” Zeke held out his hand for her to take and she hesitantly did so.
“Truly?”
“Yes. I want to get out of here as much as you want to go.”
She smiled and it warmed Zeke’s heart. She may not like him, but he’d do his best to help her.
***
The handfasting ceremony was held the next day. Brenna wore her finest dress and Zeke borrowed some clothing from her brother, Fingall. The ceremony was brief, but the symbolism of tying the knot wasn’t lost on Zeke or Brenna, both of whom appeared uncomfortable under the watchful eye of Paddraig MacRae.
Greer and Gillian, who had both taken such delight in making Brenna miserable seemed at a loss. Could it be that they were jealous that Brenna had made a good match and would beleaving Castle Treun behind for a new life? Zeke hoped so. They all deserved each other and the torment that living under this roof would bring them.
They had faced each other as the ropes were wrapped around their hands and tied. Brenna smiled up at Zeke, appearing happy for the first time since he’d met her.
“Are ye going to kiss the lass?” Paddraig said.
Zeke gazed at him and then at the others watching before dipping his head and placing a gentle kiss on Brenna’s lips. She seemed surprised and a bit embarrassed.
Everyone enjoyed the feast that had been prepared for them and then they were escorted up to Brenna’s room for their wedding night. Brenna looked as if the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders, but Zeke felt as if it had somehow shifted to his.
As they entered the room, the others all stood in the passageway gawking at them and raised their glasses to toast their first night together.
“Good night to ye,” Paddraig said, slurring his words as he was quite in his cups at this point. “May she give ye many sons.”
Zeke closed the door in his face and leaned his back up against it, he could feel the exhaustion from the day’s events hit him. Brenna thought it quite funny as she laughed and headed for her bed.
