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realize then what
I agreed to. How can I send her away?”
    Baron Thomas’ closest confidant
nodded.
    “I should have refused the
Highlander, but then I had not been in such a power position.”
    “Nay, my lord, ye didn’t have the
backing of the king and the prosperity of such a rich fief. If the revolt is a
success ye shall be in great favor with their new king.”
    “It matters not to me who rules
Scotland, but being here by the border makes the issue a slight concern. She
was so small and needed our help then. I cannot negate the pact now, Johnny.
Though I wish with all my heart I could. My wife’s going to be inconsolable.”
    Bree’s chest tightened as she
watched them closely, noting the forlorn look on their faces. She knew they
spoke of her, because she was the only child who had lived at the fief for many
years. They certainly weren’t discussing Melinda, who was still in her tender
years and unmarriageable yet. There was no time to ponder it now, her lord and
lady would be expecting refreshment from travel.
    Retreating to the kitchens, she
began making a light fare of cheese and bread, and filled a tankard with ale.
She took the meal to her father’s chamber and used her foot to knock at the
door. Her father bid her entry with a shout and she used her hip open the door
wide enough to move inside. Bree set the tray on a table where her mother sat.
She waited for her lady’s command, knowing she would want something more.
    “Bree, ye look bright. Were ye
outside this day?”
    She curtseyed and smiled, trying to
be amiable. “Aye, I took a nice long walk early this morn. Can I get you
anything else, my lady? Shall I get you a cool cloth to ease the heat?”
    “Is she not the most obedient,
dutiful child, Thomas?”
    Her father turned from the window
casement and approached. “The most of any, Millie.” He had sadness in his eyes.
Bree had never once been reprimanded by him, and she maintained he cared for
her. Were he her true father, she would not have to worry about what was to
come. Yet he was the only father she’d ever known.
    Bree turned to leave, but he stopped
her.
    “A moment, Bree. Would that we speak
with you?”
    “Aye, Father?” Bree’s stomach did a
flip, churning a nervous flutter in her belly. She wasn’t wont to hear what he
would say.
    “Sit, pray, and listen, daughter.”
He motioned to her to sit in the chair next to his wife’s.
    Bree sat on the edge of the seat and
waited. Her father paced with folded hands in front of him, eyeing the
floorboards. He didn’t speak for several seconds, making Bree take notice of
the silence in the chamber.
    “Bree, ye do know you are not our
daughter in the sense that we bore you.”
    “Aye, but you will always be mother
and father to me.” She spoke verily, because in truth, they were the only
parents she’d ever known. It mattered not to her since they had taken her in
and gave her a home.
    “You came to us when you were so
young. I remember that day as if it happened yesterday. You are pure of heart.
Millie and I think of you as a daughter and always will. We would hope our
Melinda is as kind and true as you ere she comes of age.”
    She couldn’t speak. Never had either
of them spoken such kindly words to her. A knot formed in Bree’s throat and she
averted her gaze from Lady Champlain, who most likely wept.
    “I regret I’ve not made a worthy
match for you sooner, but such affairs have been settled. We shall miss you
fiercely.”
    “Have I done something to displease
ye? You know that I—”
    “Oh, nay, dearest, you could never
displease us. There’s been a request for your hand. ‘Tis a good match and it is
time you married.” Her father despaired and rubbed his forehead, a tell-tale
sign he was bothered.
    “I’ve displeased ye. You mean to
send me away.” Tears shimmered in her eyes and her voice grew thick with
emotion. She tried to compose herself by taking a deep breath.
    Her father knelt next to her. “I
have