Brina.”
“Yes, Father.”
In spite of her recent thinking that it might be time to depart for her future, Brina suddenly felt her belly tighten as she moved across the floor toward her sire. It was very possible her father was there to tell her to go from her childhood home to assume the place that would be hers.
The day that had just passed suddenly felt too precious, but at the same time she was strangely excited by the prospect of going to devote herself to making sure that justice was carried out. As a laird’s daughter, ambitious to become a mother superior, that position would give her the authority to right wrongs.
“Good evening, Father.”
She stopped in front of him and lowered herself as she had been taught to do in the presence of her father and laird. There was a short grunt of approval, but she wasn’t sure which man made it, because her eyes were cast toward the floor to complete her submission.
“Ye perform the acts of obedience so well, but yer tone is full of fire.”
Brina raised herself and stared into her father’s eyes. He was still a formidable man, even with his hair turning gray. The wrinkles near his eyes didn’t make him look old, to her way of thinking, because her father kept pace with his Highlanders, never sitting down until they did. Even now he wore the same kilt and wool doublet as his captains, the three feathers in his knit bonnet the only difference, for they were pointed straight up with a brooch to keep them there. The captains had three feathers, but only one of them was positioned upright.
“I hear ye brought in two rabbits tonight. Tell me where ye were hunting.” Her sire’s voice was still strong and powerful too. It was also edged with authority and the expectation that his words would be obeyed quickly. What disturbed her was the hint of anger in his tone. Suspicion returned to needle her.
“Off in the north valley with Bran, in the trees there.”
Her father cast a look back at the darkened corners. Brina could feel tension flowing through the air, and when her sire looked back at her, his face was a mask of disgruntlement.
“Did ye see anyone leaving the castle?”
Brina suddenly gasped, her mind connecting her sire’s unexpected appearance and the serious nature of his questions. She should have thought to question how the woman she’d seen had been riding a horse. That fine animal was a mark of wealth, and so was the thick cloak that the woman had worn. Brina didn’t need to see that the beds were empty to understand her sire’s suspicion, but the idea stuck in her throat, for it meant that her sister Deirdre was turning her back on her clan, because Kaie had been in the kitchen.
“Sweet Christ, she’s gone insane.” The words went past her lips before she recalled that there were others in the room.
Her father made a low sound that left no doubt of his displeasure. Even though it was not directed toward her, Brina felt a ripple of apprehension travel across her skin.
“Ye have a temperament that would scare most men, Brina, but I suppose I should be thankful, for ye will tell me the straight facts.”
“Well, of course I will. I do nae lie.” Brina propped her hands onto her hips, and her father’s lips twitched in spite of the darkness of his expression.“Nae, ye do nae, for ye fear no living soul because tradition demanded that I promise ye to the church.”
There was a note of regret in her sire’s voice.
Brina relaxed her stance, her heart aching to see him in such turmoil. “I will honor yer word, Father. I swear it.”
“Ye swear too.” Robert shook his head. “It’s obvious that I did not force ye to learn to be meek and pleasing for a husband.”
Brina felt her cheeks warm. “I should have said that I promise to make ye proud.”
“Nay. Be who ye are, Brina. I let ye learn from Bran because ye needed more strength than yer sisters. Ye will have no husband to shoulder burdens for ye. I’m right proud of
“Yes, Father.”
In spite of her recent thinking that it might be time to depart for her future, Brina suddenly felt her belly tighten as she moved across the floor toward her sire. It was very possible her father was there to tell her to go from her childhood home to assume the place that would be hers.
The day that had just passed suddenly felt too precious, but at the same time she was strangely excited by the prospect of going to devote herself to making sure that justice was carried out. As a laird’s daughter, ambitious to become a mother superior, that position would give her the authority to right wrongs.
“Good evening, Father.”
She stopped in front of him and lowered herself as she had been taught to do in the presence of her father and laird. There was a short grunt of approval, but she wasn’t sure which man made it, because her eyes were cast toward the floor to complete her submission.
“Ye perform the acts of obedience so well, but yer tone is full of fire.”
Brina raised herself and stared into her father’s eyes. He was still a formidable man, even with his hair turning gray. The wrinkles near his eyes didn’t make him look old, to her way of thinking, because her father kept pace with his Highlanders, never sitting down until they did. Even now he wore the same kilt and wool doublet as his captains, the three feathers in his knit bonnet the only difference, for they were pointed straight up with a brooch to keep them there. The captains had three feathers, but only one of them was positioned upright.
“I hear ye brought in two rabbits tonight. Tell me where ye were hunting.” Her sire’s voice was still strong and powerful too. It was also edged with authority and the expectation that his words would be obeyed quickly. What disturbed her was the hint of anger in his tone. Suspicion returned to needle her.
“Off in the north valley with Bran, in the trees there.”
Her father cast a look back at the darkened corners. Brina could feel tension flowing through the air, and when her sire looked back at her, his face was a mask of disgruntlement.
“Did ye see anyone leaving the castle?”
Brina suddenly gasped, her mind connecting her sire’s unexpected appearance and the serious nature of his questions. She should have thought to question how the woman she’d seen had been riding a horse. That fine animal was a mark of wealth, and so was the thick cloak that the woman had worn. Brina didn’t need to see that the beds were empty to understand her sire’s suspicion, but the idea stuck in her throat, for it meant that her sister Deirdre was turning her back on her clan, because Kaie had been in the kitchen.
“Sweet Christ, she’s gone insane.” The words went past her lips before she recalled that there were others in the room.
Her father made a low sound that left no doubt of his displeasure. Even though it was not directed toward her, Brina felt a ripple of apprehension travel across her skin.
“Ye have a temperament that would scare most men, Brina, but I suppose I should be thankful, for ye will tell me the straight facts.”
“Well, of course I will. I do nae lie.” Brina propped her hands onto her hips, and her father’s lips twitched in spite of the darkness of his expression.“Nae, ye do nae, for ye fear no living soul because tradition demanded that I promise ye to the church.”
There was a note of regret in her sire’s voice.
Brina relaxed her stance, her heart aching to see him in such turmoil. “I will honor yer word, Father. I swear it.”
“Ye swear too.” Robert shook his head. “It’s obvious that I did not force ye to learn to be meek and pleasing for a husband.”
Brina felt her cheeks warm. “I should have said that I promise to make ye proud.”
“Nay. Be who ye are, Brina. I let ye learn from Bran because ye needed more strength than yer sisters. Ye will have no husband to shoulder burdens for ye. I’m right proud of
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