She smiled at him across the table.
"Aye, but no matter.
"Tis only a game."
"Nay. For a soldier who can no longer go to battle, it is more than a game. It is a challenge of skill. To beat me, you must think like a soldier."
"Aye." She studied the man across the chessboard.
"When next I challenge you, Richard, I will beat you."
"I look forward to our duel, lass." He looked up at his brother, who stood beside the fireplace, his hand resting on the mantel.
"Bring me a goblet, Morgan, and let me celebrate the fact that I have finally found someone who will force me to work at this game. Unlike,"
he added with a wink to Brenna, "most of those who challenge me in this place."
With a smile Morgan filled two goblets and handed them to Richard and Brenna. It pleased him to see his brother so animated. How ironic that it should be this reluctant Scotswoman who should bring such changes to Greystone Abbey and its inhabitants.
As Morgan handed his brother a goblet he grinned.
"You only beat me because I allow it."
"You have not beaten me at chess in over a year. I only challenge you to keep my hand in the game."
As Morgan filled his goblet, Brenna studied the flames of the fire.
Except for the hiss and snap of the logs, there was no sound to break the stillness.
"There is such peace here," Brenna said to Richard.
"I can understand why you wanted to be here."
"It was not peace I sought.
"Twas sanctuary from the cruel stares, the helplessness I felt."
She heard the pain in his words and grew silent. But with effort, Richard pulled himself out of his dark thoughts.
"Is there such a place in your land, lass?"
She shook her head.
"If only there could be such peace for my people.
It is my most fervent wish for them. Alas, my poor land has been besieged for generations. There is no safe refuge for my clan. "
"If you accede to Elizabeth's wishes, there can be peace between our people." Morgan's tone was abrupt.
"Is marriage to an Englishman such a terrible price to pay?"
Brenna went very still. Hadn't the same question been troubling her for days now? Yet, if the thought of sacrificing herself was repugnant, the thought of sacrificing her sister was too painful to contemplate.
"I believe I could endure anything for the sake of my people. If your queen would agree that my marriage would seal a bond of peace, I would accede to her wishes. But I will not allow Megan to be part of the grand design."
"Megan?" Richard was suddenly alert.
"My younger sister. She escaped into the Highlands before I was captured."
Richard looked impressed.
"She eluded your men, Morgan?"
"Aye. At her sister's coaching she made it to the safety of the forest, where she was swallowed up. But there was no need to go after her. The Lady Brenna was our prize."
Prize indeed. Richard stared at the woman who sipped her wine, then glanced at his brother, who watched her through narrowed eyes. He finished his wine and stifled a yawn.
"I would retire now, Morgan."
"So soon?"
"The Lady Brenna had me in the garden for hours today, supervising the planting of trees."
Morgan was suddenly alert.
"You planted trees, my lady?"
Brenna flushed, knowing that she had overstepped her bounds.
"Forgive me, my lord. But several of the trees were beyond saving. And I thought..." Her cheeks grew several shades darker.
"I had no right."
"If Richard approved of them, you had every right." He turned to his brother.
"Where are the trees planted?"
"Near our old fountain. They shade our mother's old rose garden."
Morgan felt both a flush of pleasure and a trace of annoyance.
"I will see these trees on the morrow."
Stepping behind his brother's chair, he began to push it toward the doorway. A waiting servant took the chair when they had bid goodnight.
"Come, my lady," Morgan said abruptly.
"I will see you to your room."