A Whisper Through Time (The Bridge Through Time #7)

Chapter 1

Brenna MacRae had always been the apple of her father’s eye. That is, until he married the lass who was to be her brother’s wife and she found herself unexpectedly tumbling from that lofty position to a place she’d never been before. Ignored.

Her brothers were all too busy to even speak with her, hurrying here and there doing their father’s bidding.

Her father, Paddraig, was either completely absent or could be found following his young bride around like a dog in heat.

She was alone in her own home. She’d been the lady of the castle for as long as she could remember.

Along with her Aunt Saundra, her father had relied upon her to manage the household, greet guests and see to any problems that might arise among clan members.

Now, it seemed that Greer had been given those responsibilities and along with her sister, Fingall’s wife, Gillian, they had effectively pushed Brenna out of her honored spot at the high table.

Alone at the far end, Brenna’s voice was certainly no longer being heard.

She was too far away from the conversations of her Da and the others, who all faced away from her making it impossible to hear what was being said.

What could she do? After weeks of this treatment, she sat quietly, her anger simmering at a low boil and decided she must speak with her Da.

She’d tried before and knew it wouldn’t be easy to get him alone, but she was determined to do it.

She’d had enough of Greer and Gillian laughing at her behind her back, as well as to her face.

If this was the way she was going to be treated, then she wanted to go live with her brother Dougall and his wife Helene. She knew she’d be welcomed there.

Why, only this morning she’d been seated alone breaking her fast, when the two witches arrived in the hall.

They sat far enough away from her that she couldn’t hear what they were saying, but when they faced her they made it abundantly clear that she was the subject of their conversation.

Whispering behind their hands and giggling constantly, she could feel her face redden and angry tears begin to collect in her eyes.

She couldn’t even eat in peace! She stood to leave, wanting nothing more than to quickly escape their scrutiny.

“Brenna MacRae,” Greer shouted. “Where are ye going dressed like that. Have they given you a job in the stables, mucking stalls? Look at ye, yer hair looks fit for the birds to nest in.” Gillian cackled at this. “I’ll speak to yer Da. Ye need something to do and since yer already dressed fer it …”

Brenna didn’t wait to hear the rest. She ran from the hall, self-consciously running her hands through her hair. Once outside, she found a corner of the castle where she could be alone and weep in private.

Now, with those memories fresh in her mind, she stared at her food with little appetite for what had been served.

The laughter coming from the center of the table rang in her ears.

She’d had enough and without excusing herself from their company, Brenna stood and stormed from the room before she said or did something she’d regret.

“Is all well with ye, Brenna?” Saundra stopped her in the passageway outside of the great hall. “Ye look ill.”

Brenna took a deep breath to calm herself. She didn’t wish her aunt to worry about her. “I’m fine, auntie.”

“I can tell ye, lass, that I dinnae believe ye.” Taking her clenched fists in her hands, Saundra gazed directly into Brenna’s eyes. “I’m concerned for ye, me sweet. Ye’ve lost much weight, look at ye.” She held Brenna at arm’s length. “Yer nothing but skin and bones.”

Brenna wasn’t sure what to say. She knew she’d lost weight.

She had no appetite to speak of and when she did try to eat, the new women of Castle Treun made her so uncomfortable that she’d rather go hungry than endure the torment they sent her way.

She needed to tell someone how she felt.

Her aunt was a good listener and she’d always given Brenna valuable advice in the past.

“Come, walk with me. Mayhap I can help.” Aunt Saundra tipped her head and curved her lips in a warm, reassuring smile. She hooked her arm through Brenna’s and walked with her down the passageway to Paddraig MacRae’s office.

Brenna passed through the doors into the warm familiarity of this room where she’d spent a good deal of her time over the years.

The shutters were open, allowing a chill breeze to pass through the chamber.

She ran her hands up and down her arms to warm herself as she walked to her father’s desk and ran her fingers over the smooth wood, thinking about all the times she’d sat here working on the clan ledgers.

She shook her head in disbelief at the situation she now found herself in.

Unable to stand still, Brenna moved to the hearth and stared into the fire.

“What troubles ye, me sweet lass?” Saundra asked, head tipped and concern in her voice.

“Och, Auntie. ’Tis nae a thing ye can do to help me.” She tried to hide the feelings of rejection, anger and sadness that enveloped her.

“I can listen,” Saundra softly replied.

“Aye.” Brenna was still trying to decide whether to tell her aunt what had her in such a state. She lifted a carved bird from the fireplace mantle and put it back down without even glancing at it.

“Is it Greer?” Saundra asked

“Aye.” Brenna could see the concern in her dear aunt’s face.

She hesitated only a moment longer, not sure what she should share.

“Aye. I hate her.” She blurted it out, relieved to say the words out loud.

She’d never felt that way about anyone before, sheltered as she was here at Castle Treun.

“Ever since Da married her, she has pushed me further and further out of the way. At first I thought it would be good for Da to have a new wife. It seemed to mellow him.”

“Aye. It did,” Saundra agreed.

“Now, I’m nae sure that it was good at all.” Brenna glanced around the chamber where she’d spent so much time with her Da. The warmth of the fire and the familiar objects that held such precious memories to her, now only brought pain as she thought about leaving her home for good.

“What do you mean?” Saundra asked, following Brenna as she returned to her Da’s desk and picked up the ledger she had so fastidiously kept for him over the years.

“I mean that she and her evil sister take every opportunity to make fun of me clothes and me hair. They say mean, terrible things to me and they tease me mercilessly, auntie. Sometimes I walk into a room to find the two of them whispering to each other and when they see me they burst into laughter.” She sadly shook her head.

“Da doesnae even seem to see me anymore. ’Tis as if I’ve become invisible to him.

Me brothers are no better. I feel alone and verra unhappy.

” She hugged herself, fighting back tears.

“I’m so sorry to hear it, Brenna. Ye ken I’m always here for ye. Would ye like me to speak with yer Da?” Saundra rubbed Brenna’s back.

“Nay. I should do it meself. I’m going to tell him that I wish to live with Dougall and Helene.” She watched as Saundra’s eyes widened on hearing this news.

Saundra shook her head. “I dinnae believe he’ll allow it, lass.”

“Why wouldnae he? He doesnae care whether I’m here or not.” But deep down Brenna feared her aunt was right. Why would Paddraig MacRae let his only daughter up and leave in protest over his new wife? He’d surely believe it to be a betrayal and that was one thing he did not bear well.

“I can see ye’ve made up yer mind,” Saundra sighed. “Ye must speak with him and learn for yerself. I would miss you, but I wish you to be happy, me girl.” She, better than anyone else at Castle Treun, knew the futility of arguing with Brenna once she’d made up her mind.

Brenna threw herself into her aunt’s arms. “I cannae live like this anymore. I have nae purpose here.” The tears she’d held back burst forth in a torrent of sadness.

Saundra held her close, stroking her back. “There, there, love. All will be well. Ye’ll see.”

Brenna had a hard time believing that to be true, especially if she weren’t allowed to travel to her brother.

***

Next morning, Brenna went to the great hall at sunrise, where she’d wait for her Da to come down to break his fast. It might be the only time she’d be able to speak with him alone as Greer liked to sleep late and never made an appearance until mid-morning.

Her brothers came and went, all while Brenna sat with a bowl of porridge in front of her.

She hadn’t taken a bite, instead stirring it back and forth until it had cooled into an inedible solid mass of oats.

Her appetite had not returned this morning and the longer she waited for her Da to appear, the more her stomach roiled in protest at her meeting.

Brenna’s ears perked up as she heard the sound of Paddraig’s voice coming closer to the great hall. He was laughing, which was a good sign. She sat up taller and put a smile on her face as he entered. “Good morn to ye, Da,” she said, trying to sound as bright and cheerful as possible.

“Brenna, me dear. I’m so happy to see ye this fine morning.” Paddraig walked towards her and she thought he might kiss her cheek, as he always had before Greer arrived.

The knot in her stomach loosened somewhat. There was no morning kiss, but this might not be so bad after all. She continued smiling as Paddraig MacRae sat in his usual spot and motioned for her to join him. He held a missive in his hand and was reading over it, chuckling as he did so.

“Da, I’d like to speak with ye about something,” Brenna began.

Before she could continue her Da looked up from his reading. “Brenna, me love, good news has arrived this morn and it concerns ye. I hope ye’ll be pleased.”

The knot began to tighten again. She tried to remain optimistic, but chances of good news arriving with regard to her were slim.