“I cannae believe he sent ye fer me,” she said.
“Aye. He still loves ye lass.” Duff seemed to understand how Brenna was feeling. “I’ve been keeping an eye on the new mistress of the castle. Yer Da has been blinded by her, but I believe he sees her for who she truly is now.” Duff turned and rode away as silently as he had approached.
Zeke pulled Brenna into his arms and held her close. All this time she thought she was unloved and unwanted. He was happy she now knew the truth.
“I thought I’d never see ye again,” Brenna murmured into his chest. “I thought I would die here.”
“I’d never let that happen.”
“Zeke, I’m so sorry. I had nae right to be angry with ye.”
“Shhh… It’s okay,” he assured her.
“I’m cold.” Brenna was shivering uncontrollably.
Zeke grabbed the plaid from his saddle bag and wrapped them both in it. “There. Is that better?”
“Aye.”
Out of the darkness, he spied Dougall and Logan leading Vala across the field.
“They found yer horse.”
She didn’t respond, instead burrowing deeper into his embrace. He kissed the top of her head, holding her tight and wondering just what all of this meant.
Chapter 12
There was no guarantee that Nevil Munro wouldn’t follow them, so they traveled quickly across the highlands, careful to keep their eyes and ears open for approaching riders.
“Duff will see to it that they don’t follow us,” Dougall assured them.
“Aye, but we shouldnae let our guard down. Munro willnae be happy that we’ve taken Brenna back right from under his nose,” Logan said.
Brenna had been unusually quiet as they rode. Zeke was concerned about her. “Are you alright, Brenna?” he asked.
“Aye.” She turned her head to look at him. “What of ye? How is yer head?”
“I won’t lie. It’s still pounding, but at least it’s stopped bleeding.”
“When we get to Breaghacraig, their healer will see to it,” Brenna said.
Dougall must have overheard their conversation. “We’ve a doctor visiting the castle. Dr. Ferguson. He’s from yer time.”
Zeke noted the moment that Dougall realized what he’d just said and quickly tried to divert Brenna’s attention. “I’m fine. Really. No need for anyone to take a look at it.”
“What do ye mean when ye say yer time?” Brenna asked, obviously not to be distracted.
“Did I say that?” Dougall asked, doing a very good job of looking confused.
“Aye. Ye did.” Brenna cocked an eyebrow at her brother.
“’Twas not what I meant.” He shifted uneasily in his saddle.
“What did ye mean?”
Zeke held back his laughter. Brenna was not going to let this go.
“I meant to say he’s from the same place as Zeke.”
