Page 22 of A Flawed Scotsman

“I am aware, Mother. However, Dot has been around humans for far too long. She is much too trusting of people. Otherwise, how were the men able to catch her?”

“They caught three others I remind ye.”

“With snares no doubt,” Esme insisted. “I am willing to bet Dot was the easiest catch of all.”

By her mother’s expression, what she said was true. However, she did not press the subject. Instead, she turned to Catriona and hugged her friend, careful not to hurt herself. “Why did ye stay away so long?”

“My grandmother was horribly ill. She died.” Catriona squeezed her eyes shut as pain rolled over her.

“I am so very sorry,” Esme said, hugging her friend again. “I wasn’t aware.”

Catriona shook her head. “I can only be grateful that ye were not taken away from me as well.”

Her mother huffed. “She is recovering well. As long as we can keep her from moving about so much, I do believe ye will have a quick time of it.”

“I was just telling Mother there is much planning to do. I have something exciting to tell ye,” Esme said, motioning for Catriona to sit.

Her mother stopped Catriona. “Do not sit. First, let us get Esme to her chamber. Ye must rest.” Her mother took one arm and motioned to Catriona to take the other. “Up we go.”

The entire keep was clean and refreshed as her mother had instructed that every inch be scrubbed and mopped.

Upon entering her bedchamber, Esme was pleased to note the same went for the now pleasant and airy space. The bedlinens had been changed, flowers placed on a table by the window and the curtains had been exchanged for a lighter fabric.

Used to their close relationship, her mother made excuses and left Esme alone to speak to Catriona.

“Tell me what is happening, I am most curious,” Catriona said as soon as Esme’s mother left.

“My father sent a missive to Laird Ross. He asked for an alliance by marriage.”

Catriona’s eyes widened. “Did he reply?”

“Yes. He did so by sending his cousin here to speak for him. His name is Ruari Ross.”

“What did he say?”

“That he agrees to the alliance…through marriage.” Esme gave her friend a tentative wry smile. “I am to marry him once I recover.”

Both hands over her mouth, Catriona’s wide eyes met hers. “Ye are to marry a total stranger? Does this mean ye will be leaving?”

Esme shook her head. “Nay. He has decided to remain here. Actually, there are fifty men traveling here from Clan Ross in a show of support.”

Catriona’s wide eyes met hers again. “It must be the tall, handsome man I saw just before entering. He is most bonnie.”

Esme could not help the curve of her lips. “Aye, he is. But that is not what is most important. It means we will be allied with Clan Ross. They are as powerful at Clan Mackenzie.”

Her friend let out a sigh. “That is very good news.”

Catriona let out another long sigh. “Ye must spend time with him. Get to know more about him.”

“Aye, I know,” Esme frowned. “What if he is not as he seems? I have no way of knowing.”

“What do ye know?”

She considered the short conversations they’d had. “When he was young, he was left by his parents to live with his uncle, Laird Ross.” Then something sprang to the forefront. “When I asked, he did inform me of his interactions with father, which I find quite different.”

“That is different.” Catriona bit her bottom lip in thought. “Does he seem glad for yer marriage?”

It was not like bedtime stories in faraway lands where a princess and a prince fall in love. Instead, the reality of marriage for most people was a means to an end. “When I asked why he agreed to the marriage, he replied it was his duty.”