Page 21 of A Flawed Scotsman

So, he’d been watching. Esme was secretly pleased. “He did offer marriage in an effort to help me from having to leave.”

When he looked away in the direction Calum had gone, Esme almost told him about her apprehension.

Once inside, she motioned to a table. “Will ye join me for a small repast? I am a bit hungry.”

Ruari gave her a quizzical look. “I can for a moment. Yer uncle waits for me to discuss purchasing horses. I am going to acquire some for my cousin.”

“What will happen back at Ross Keep? Is there someone there to take yer post?”

With a pensive nod, he helped her to sit and then sat across the table from her. “I am not sure yet about it. I plan to travel there once we are married to discuss such things. I have an apprentice that is almost ready, so I am not overly worried.”

“Yer clan is at peace at the moment, is it not?”

“Aye. After a long time, we finally have had a period of no battles.”

Esme looked about the great room. Her clan had not fought in many years. They’d relied on the alliance with the larger Clan Fraser, which deterred most would-be encroachers. Until they’d caught the eyes of the Mackenzie, there had been little threat to their borders.

Now, guards patrolled the borders, often returning injured or not at all after a clash with Mackenzie warriors.

“I do not understand why he will not let us be. Our lands and people would be of little gain to him.”

Ruari studied her for a long moment. “If he overtakes yer clan, then it would force the larger Fraser Clan to defend ye. Ultimately, Clan Mackenzie could very possibly defeat them, and it would make him the most powerful laird in the region. Once that is done, only Clan Campbell would be able to go against him.”

That he took the time to explain such things to her was extremely rare and pleasant. Ruari did not insist that she, as a woman, should not be concerned with such things. In her mind, it was important for the women of a clan to be knowledgeable in order to stand next to their husbands and provide proper counsel.

When a servant brought warm bread and cuts of meat, Esme ate and washed it down with cider.

Ruari bit from the bread and studied her for a moment. “It is best that I go speak to yer uncle. Do ye require help with anything?”

Without thinking, she reached for his hand and he allowed it. Long, callused fingers wrapped around hers and it felt natural. Esme looked up into his eyes. “I owe ye so much already. How can ye ask that? Not only did ye rescue me from death, but now ye will save my clan from a powerful man. Thank ye.”

When he bent over their joined hands and pressed a kiss to hers, her breath caught at the intimate gesture. No, it wasn’t so much the kiss to the hand that was sensual in nature, it was the way his gaze never left hers and the lingering of his lips on her skin.

“Ye need to go rest.” Her mother approached, breaking the spell.

The corners of Ruari’s lips twitched and he winked at her before turning to her mother. “Lady Fraser, I assisted Esme inside and now I must go speak to yer husband’s brother.” He gave a soft nod and walked out of the room.

Her mother’s gaze followed his movements. “He is much too handsome.”

When Esme giggled, her mother gave her a pointed look. “Men like him can cause women not to think clearly and give them too many liberties.”

So her mother had seen what had transpired between them. Esme smiled, looking in the direction Ruari had gone. “Is that so, Mother?”

“I must speak to the healer and ask that he come and ensure yer injuries were not made worse with all this moving about,” her mother said, changing the subject.

“I will not remain in bed every day,” Esme replied, placing a piece of meat on bread and lifted it to her lips. “It is time for my recovery as there is much to do. We must discuss my wedding.”

At the mention of the wedding, her mother’s eyes lighted up and her worries seemed to evaporate. “Oh, goodness, ye are right. There is much preparation to be done.”

“Esme!” Catriona burst into the room and raced to her. “I did not know. Forgive me.” Her friend neared and fell to her knees so to inspect her face. “What happened to ye?”

“I am recovering from injuries that occurred in the forest. It was mostly my fault for chasing after Dot.” She looked to her mother. “Where is Dot?”

“She is in the corral, tied with a long rope to ensure she doesn’t escape again,” her mother replied with obvious disapproval. “Yer brother had men go to the forest to find her. They returned with three other fawns before Dot was identified by yer father.”

Esme giggled at the picture of the men returning with random deer.

“It is not in the least bit a reason to laugh,” her mother chided. “If anything, the animal should be let free.”