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one of your children on a single occasion, but twice? It’s a wonder the child lets you out of her sight.”
    Elspeth moved forward to otter her opinion. “ ’Tis my fear you’ll never catch a husband for that one, mi’lady.”
    Brenna put her hands over her ears. She hated it when the nursemaid referred to her as “that one.” She wasn’t one of the piglets, after all.
    â€œI’ll catch a husband by myself,” Brenna shouted.
    Joan walked into the hall in time to hear her sister’s boast.
    â€œWhat have you done this time, Brenna?”
    â€œNothing.”
    â€œThen why are you sitting all by yourself? You’re usually squeezed up next to Mother, talking her ears off. Tell me what you’ve done. I promise I won’t lecture you.”
    â€œI sassed Mama. Did Papa catch your husband for you, Joan?”
    â€œCatch a husband?” she asked. She didn’t laugh for fear of hurting Brenna’s tender feelings, but she couldn’t stop herself from smiling.
    â€œI suppose he did,” she admitted.
    â€œDid you help?”
    â€œNo. I’ll meet my husband on the day I marry him.”
    â€œAren’t you scared he’s ugly?” Brenna whispered.
    â€œWhat he looks like won’t matter. Papa assures me it’s a strong alliance,” Joan whispered in response.
    â€œIs that good?”
    â€œOh, yes. Our king has given his approval.”
    â€œRachel says you have to love your husband with your whole heart.”
    â€œThat’s only a foolish wish. When she’s old enough, she’s going to marry a man named MacNare, and Rachel’s never met him. He doesn’t even live in England, but Father isn’t concerned about that. He was swayed by promises and gifts MacNare gave him.”
    â€œElspeth says Papa won’t ever find anyone for me. She says Papa’s too busy for the likes of me. I have to catch one by myself. Will you help me?”
    Joan smiled. “I can see this is worrying you. I’ll be happy to help.”
    â€œHow do I get one?”
    Joan pretended to consider the matter for a long minute before she answered.
    â€œI imagine you select the man you want and then you ask him to marry you. If he lives far away, then you must send a messenger to him. Yes, that would be how you would do it. You know, Brenna, Papa would be unhappy to hear us talking like this. It is his duty to find someone for you. Why are we whispering?”
    â€œMama told me not to talk.”
    Joan burst into laughter. The noise alerted Elspeth, who immediately rushed over.
    â€œPlease don’t encourage her, Lady Joan. Brenna, you were told to keep quiet. Doesn’t that mouth of yours ever rest?”
    â€œI’m sorry, Elspeth.”
    The nursemaid snorted in disbelief. “No, you’re not sorry.” She moved closer, wagged her finger in front of Brenna’s face, and then said, “One of these days God’s going to march in here and lecture you sound, young lady. Mark my words. You’ll be sorry then. He doesn’t like little girls who sass.”
    Elspeth finally left her alone, and Brenna fell asleep waiting for company to arrive. Her sister Rachel shook her awake and pulled her along to stand with her older sisters.
    Brenna hid behind Rachel’s back until her name was called and she was dragged out for display. She was suddenly feeling too shy to look up at the company, and as soon as her papa finished bragging about her, she moved behind her sister again.
    None of the strangers paid any attention to her, and so she decided to sneak out of the hall while everyone was ignoring her. She turned around, took one step toward the entrance, and then came to a quick stop.
    Three giants came through the door. She was too stunned to move. The one in the middle was taller than the other two and held her interest the longest. She watched him closely, and when her parents hurried