Page 33 of A Flawed Scotsman

His cousins were struck silent. Finally, Tristan, the diplomatic one, nodded. “Ye should sleep and get rest first. We will send a messenger to let the Fraser know ye are well.” Muscular and as tall as him, Tristan had a fierce appearance. “I will go with ye.”

Ruari shook his head. “This is not yer fight.”

“That is not true,” Kieran said. “The Mackenzie has made it our fight when he dared to take ye as prisoner.”

“Ye will remain here and rest. Once the sun rises, ye will return to Fraser lands with fifty warriors. I will send the other Fraser a missive asking that he join with us to keep the smaller clan from being overtaken.”

Malcolm was fair but firm, always a good leader. Nonetheless, Ruari considered disobeying him.

“They could be under attack. A few hours could make the difference between…”

“Ye cannot expect to beat the Mackenzie even with fifty men.” Malcolm crossed his arms, his keen gaze narrowing.

His cousin understood there was more at stake for him. He was thinking about Esme and what would become of her if the Mackenzie had his way. However, Malcolm was right. No matter when he arrived, with only fifty, there was little he could do to save them.

In the kitchen, Ruari ate and drank his fill. Ewan sat at the table keeping an eye on him, while a couple lads prepared a hot bath.

“What do ye suppose yer betrothed thinks of yer disappearance?”

He considered it for a long moment. “Esme is intelligent. She will know I did not leave of my own accord.”

“Ye care for her already.” It was a statement more than a question.

True, he found her alluring and attractive, but they’d not known each other long enough for feeling to have emerged. Every night, he’d thought back to the night she’d come to his bed and how very passionate the interlude had been.

He’d been looking forward to bedding the lass and now he wasn’t at all sure the marriage would ever take place.

“I do care about what happens to her.”

Ewan met his gaze. “I am one of the fifty that volunteered to go to Fraser lands. I will come and live there with ye.”

Despite the situation, Ruari smiled. “If it comes to be, I am glad for it. Nothing is better than family. Having ye there will mean a great deal to me.”

“If ye plan to leave first thing in the morning,” Tristan announced, entering the space, “get some rest, Cousin.”

Ruari nodded. Although he looked forward to forging a future, he’d miss his family. “I will.”

*

Laird Mackenzie’s mount pawed the ground, the beast seeming much too large for the man astride who’d arrived at the appointed place with a great show of banners and warriors.

Despite her brother and father not wishing her to be present, Esme had ridden with the archers. Lined with the archers meant she was behind the warriors and away from where her father, brother and Calum spoke to the man.

Thankfully, the Mackenzie spoke quite loudly. “I imagine ye have conferred with yer clan and are aware ye do not have a chance if ye stand against me.”

The Mackenzie’s gaze moved past her father and brother before looking in her direction with curiosity.

“Where is Ruari Ross?” her father asked. “He was our guest and any harm that comes to him will fall on my shoulders.”

The Mackenzie’s expression was flat, as if he were bored. “Ross came to me of his own accord. He informed me that ye had asked for help from Clan Ross. After that, he left, I assume back to his family lands.”

It was a lie. His father and brother knew it. By the straightening of Keithen’s shoulders, Esme recognized her brother was on guard.

“Ye have a sennight to declare yerself to be in alliance with me.” The Mackenzie once again looked to the guards. “It will be that or I will consider ye my enemy.”

Hatred like she’d never felt before filled her. Esme wanted to grab the bow strapped to the side of her steed, set an arrow and shoot it directly in the man’s black heart.

The archer next to her must have noticed that her hand inched to the bow because he reached over and grabbed her wrist.