Page 13 of A Flawed Scotsman

Just then, a servant entered with a tray. The girl stopped and stared at her brother and Esme bit her bottom lip to keep from giggling. Many a servant girl was enamored with her ruggedly handsome brother, who was as oblivious as a newborn.

“Did Ruari Ross leave?” Esme asked. “Did he bring good news for our clan?”

Her father’s shoulders fell. “Clan Ross is supportive. I am not sure of how strong of an alliance they offer. He remains for now. He sent a message back to Laird Ross. Once a reply returns, then Ruari will inform me what Laird Ross wishes to do.”

A trickle of apprehension filled her. Since she’d not seen the man since he’d come into her room, Esme expected he’d returned home. There were several reasons for him to return, but none was clearer than the fact that he was there as a token from Clan Ross. Was he to announce they’d take over her clan?

“In the end, if they become our overseers, is that not the same as being under the Mackenzie? Will we lose our freedom?” Esme grumbled.

“Tis not something for ye to worry about,” her father said, with a pointed look. “What ye need to do is rest.”

“What did ye propose, Father?” Esme demanded. She swallowed past the lump in her throat. It was clear that her clan was not strong enough to ever stand against someone as powerful as Clan Mackenzie. No matter how often it was whispered about, the clear and present threat never changed the fact that the possibility of becoming part of the cruel man’s clan was inevitable.

“I have proposed marriage between ye and Ruari Ross.”

Chapter Five

Ruari sat in the chamber that had been appointed to him by Lady Fraser, mentally going over ideas on how to foster a deal for several horses. What Malcolm had said was true. Laird Fraser’s brother was a master breeder. The horses in the corrals were beautiful, strong beasts. Even the devil of a horse he rode wasn’t as well bred. Of course, his steed was wild until captured and, therefore, his pedigree was questionable.

However, the more time he spent with the unruly animal, the better they’d understood each other. His mount would make a good warhorse. Unfortunately, only if it was him that rode the beast into battle, which he hoped would not come to be.

Any day now, the messenger would return, and he pondered what Malcolm would suggest he do next. He felt for the people at Fraser Keep who’d come into the Mackenzie’s focus.

Although the Fraser Clan was small, the people respected their laird. Laird Fraser was attentive to the needs of those under his care.

Since the guards had been admonished, the change was remarkable. When the guards were not on duty, there was sword practice and regular patrols around the perimeter of the land. Several times, Ruari rode out with them to exercise his horse and get a feel for how the threat had affected the local people.

Most seemed fearful, but resilient. Several farmers had spoken up, asking the guards to take back messages of hope of remaining independent.

People deserved to belong to the clan they were born into in Ruari’s opinion. A sense of responsibility made Ruari wonder how far he’d go to help them.

If Malcolm insisted that he marry, he would, of course, obey. However, he wasn’t sure how to feel about it. On one hand, it would be a duty to his clan and for Clan Fraser, it meant a strong alliance that would, hopefully, keep the Mackenzie at bay.

There was, of course, the problem of what had happened with Esme. If her attackers were, in fact, Mackenzies, then Laird Fraser would be in his rights to demand reparations and that the men be turned over to him for punishment.

And knowing the Mackenzie, he would refuse. Any trouble between the clans would then, by default, drag his own into it.

The bangs at the door got his attention and he called out for whoever it was to enter. A slender man walked in. “My laird wishes to see ye. Also, this missive came for ye.”

Ruari took the parchment. “I will be there in a moment.”

Once the man left, he unrolled the parchment.

Just moments later, Ruari entered Laird Fraser’s study. The room was reminiscent of Malcolm’s with a large table, several chairs and a decanter of whisky on the side table. The laird gestured to the whisky and Ruari shook his head. “I have not eaten yet today.”

“Were ye not offered to break yer fast?”

“I was out riding early this morning and it was done by the time I returned. I will seek something to eat…”

The laird stood and went to the doorway. He motioned a passing servant over. “Bring our guest meat, cheese and some bread.” As the servant girl scurried away, he turned back to Ruari. “I hear ye received a missive back from Laird Ross.”

Direct and to the subject at hand. Ruari preferred directness when dealing with people. He nodded. “Aye. He allows me to decide whether to accept yer offer or not. Also, he wishes to inform ye that we support ye and will ensure the Mackenzie is aware of our alliance. However, once again, he reminds ye that we will not go to battle with ye.”

“An alliance by marriage is not truly one when one clan is not willing to fight alongside another.” The laird went to the side table and poured himself a glass of amber liquid. “I understand that knowledge of our alliance would be a deterrent to future problems with Laird Mackenzie. However…” the man took a long swallow and then his gaze met Ruari’s. “What if I discover his men tried to kill my Esme?”

“That is yer decision alone, Laird,” Ruari replied. “I understand that there should be a price to pay.”

Seeming tired, the laird sat and blew out a breath. “There will be a price to pay. If ye marry my daughter, it will then be yer responsibility as well.”