Page 11 of A Flawed Scotsman

“Aye. Yer father sent a missive to our clan asking for it. Yer clan is being threatened by Clan Mackenzie as ye probably know.”

She nodded as a wave of heat sent rivulets of perspiration down her temples. “Why can they not leave us in peace?”

He surprised her by taking her hand. “Tis the way of mankind. The strong overtaking who they presume to be weaker and therefore growing larger and stronger.”

“No!” When she cried out in pain as the healer pressed down on her wound, his hold on her hand tightened. “Stay still,” Ruari instructed. “The healer is putting pressure on yer side because he is rubbing a poultice on it that will draw out any festering.”

“Wh-why did yer…laird send ye?” Esme had wondered about it. If the clans were to align, lairds would usually send a party to discuss the matter, not one lone person. It had to mean Laird Ross was not seeking a strong alliance and had just sent his cousin as a show of support.

Just then, her red-faced mother hurried in. “Oh, dear,” she stopped and looked at Ruari. “What is happening with my daughter?”

The healer looked up from Esme’s stomach. “It is painful for the poultice to be spread on the wound.”

Her mother neared and Ruari released her hand and stood. “Lady Fraser, I am Ruari Ross…”

“Ah, yes. Ye are the man who saved Esme’s life.” Tears spilled down her mother’s cheeks as she threw her arms around the large man. “Bless ye for it. We can never repay ye.”

“There is no need,” Ruari replied with a soft smile. “I best go and speak to yer husband.” He looked back at Esme. “Get better.”

Her mother lowered to the same chair Ruari had been in and took Esme’s hand in both of hers. “Ye are a strong lass. I know ye can recover.”

Esme wanted to believe her. But as a new wave of pain rolled over her, she almost wished for the end to come so she’d not have to continue to suffer so.

“Look at me,” her mother commanded, and she opened her eyes.

“It hurts so much,” she said, fighting tears. “I cannot stand much more.”

“Of course, ye can. Think about that handsome man. The way he looked at ye was endearing.”

Only her mother, forever the romantic, would see this as an opportunity for matchmaking.

“Was it the feverish wet face that caught his eyes?” Esme teased. But then she sobered. “I only saw pity in his eyes, Mother.”

The healer finally finished whatever he was doing and gave her a pointed look. “I have to wrap cloths around ye. It will be uncomfortable for a moment.”

Despite the healer’s attempts to be gentle and assisted by a maid that helped her sit up, Esme cried the entire time, her body hurting so badly that she blacked out and came to several times.

It was much later, the sky dark outside the window, when Esme woke again. The healer’s last tincture had helped her sleep and the fever seemed to have lessened.

The room was cool without a fire in the hearth, which felt good to her still heated body. Next to her in the chair, her mother slept quietly, refusing to leave her side even for a moment since returning.

Outside in the corridor, there was the murmur of low voices. Whoever it was seemed to be discussing something rather ardently. Then the door opened slowly.

Someone was coming into her room and it wasn’t her father or the healer. Why would someone enter so late in the night?

Slow footfalls sounded and Esme tried to see who it was, but the room was much too dark.

Just then, her mother woke and let out a scream. Whoever it was that had entered ran out and, within moments, several guards rushed in with torches in hand.

Her father hurried into the room, his eyes moving between Esme and her mother. “Are ye hurt? Why did ye scream, Meredith?”

“I thought someone was in here. Did ye see him, Esme?” She looked to her daughter and Esme nodded.

“Aye, I saw someone enter. Whoever it was, was slight of build. It could have been a woman.”

“Ye may have startled a maid who came to check on Esme,” her father said rather crossly. “Meredith, ye should be in our chamber, not here.”

“I will not leave Esme alone,” her mother insisted, arms crossed. “Whoever it was could have meant our daughter harm.”