Page 23 of A Flawed Scotsman

“Duty?” Catriona blew out a breath, looking quite annoyed.

“Aye, then I asked him if he chose to do as asked by his laird or because he would gain from it. He replied that he did what was best for both clans. Or something to that effect.”

“Certainly a loyal man, is he not?” Catriona’s disapproving tone made Esme glad to have her to speak to.

“That is certainly a good quality, but not what I wished to hear.” Esme shrugged. “I suppose I do value his honesty.”

“Not one mention of finding ye attractive?” Catriona tried again.

Esme shook her head. “Not at all.” She leaned closer to whisper. “He did kiss my hand. His lips lingered longer than necessary. Mother was not at all pleased.”

“That is something then,” Catriona replied, seeming a bit mollified.

Through the window, the sounds of nature intermingled with guards’ swords clashing, bringing to the forefront the reminder of what her clan was facing.

“I have to marry him, Catriona. The sooner our clans are allied the better.”

If things were switched, Esme would have the same concerns as her friend. The fact that she had always known her marriage would be arranged did not mean it was easier to accept and go into without some kind of trepidation.

“Tell me about his clan,” Catriona interrupted her musings. “What do ye know about it?”

“His cousin is Laird Malcolm Ross. Ruari says he was raised like brothers with him and the other two brothers.” Esme paused in an effort to remember anything else. “He works with horses. He’s spending time with my uncle to acquire some for Clan Ross.”

Esme sighed. “How strange that a total stranger, someone I do not know well at all, will be my husband for the rest of my life.”

Catriona gave her hand a squeeze. “I am hopeful all will be well.”

*

Tired of rolling from one side to the other, Esme sat up in bed. It was dark, much too late not to be sleeping. Her mind kept returning to Catriona’s comments. Was she, indeed, to marry a stranger? What did she know about Ruari other than speaking to him but a few times?

Her chest tightened. There was so much at stake and she had little choice. There were others making sacrifices much greater than her. Even Ruari, who was leaving his home to come and live there.

What of the fifty men coming to Fraser lands? They were leaving all they knew. Families would be displaced. All because of one overbearing and cruel man.

In that moment, she hated the Mackenzie and hoped to never have to see his face again.

Sliding to the edge of the bed, she sat with her legs hanging over the edge and allowed her mind to wander. What would it be like to marry Ruari Ross? Although he seemed like an even-tempered and fair man, only time would tell.

His chamber was only two doors down. A thought came to her and, before she could ponder overmuch, Esme crept to the door and out into the corridor.

The guard sat on the floor, wrapped in a tartan. He started and looked up at her. Esme put a finger to her lips. Then she whispered, “I am going just two doors down.”

Although he frowned, he didn’t speak, but got to his feet.

A bit mortified at the man following her, she would rather that than be killed in her sleep. “I will not be but a moment,” she whispered to the guard who didn’t reply but, instead, put his back to the wall and stared straight ahead.

She pushed the door open and peered in.

Moonlight shined in through the window, landing on Ruari who slept soundly. With one arm up over his head and under the pillow, the other was across his midsection. She gazed at him from the doorway, unable to keep from scanning his unclothed chest.

He was formidable. Even while asleep, he exuded raw masculinity.

Emboldened by his light snore, she walked in, pushed the door to almost closed and took several steps closer to the bed. As crazy as it was to be in his bedchamber, she could not turn away.

Slowly, she reached to touch his shoulder. Quick as lightning, Esme was yanked forward and flipped flat onto her back. Ruari’s body crushed hers and he held a dagger at her throat.

A whimper escaped despite her inability to breathe. Surprisingly, she was not in a lot of pain, but he was much too heavy, and her breathing was constricted by his weight on her chest.