Page 39 of A Flawed Scotsman

Esme would not be put off. “Father, think on it. This way, we have a chance of not losing Mother.”

“They will be suspicious. Especially if ye go right away,” her father said. “I doubt the bastard will let either woman live.”

Turning to her uncle, she hoped for him to see that what she proposed would be the best way to handle the situation. “Uncle, do ye not agree with me that this is the only way to save Mother’s life?” Her voice caught at not mentioning Catriona. What would happen to her dear friend?

“Please.” Tears trickled down her cheeks, and she wiped them away with her sleeve. This was not a time for weakness.

Silence hung in the air like a storm cloud. Finally, her uncle shook his head. “I agree with yer father. We cannot sacrifice the lives of many for two.”

Esme dashed around them, planning to go to the corrals. But Ruari caught up to her and wrapped his arms around her. “Do not go against yer father’s wishes.”

“They will kill my mother. I know the bastard will not touch his heart. He is ruthless and unwavering. There is nothing that can be done to stop him.”

Tears of fury flowed forcefully now. There had to be something she could do to stop them from killing her mother. “Help me, Ruari, please.”

“Take her to her chamber. Make sure she remains there.” Her father’s voice was tinged with anger. She knew he hated the decision he was forced to make. Perhaps she was not helping at the moment, but Esme could not bring herself to care. Sacrificing herself for her mother was an easy decision. Even if she died in the process of killing whoever the Mackenzie forced on her, it was worth it.

“Come,” Ruari said in a soft voice, half-dragging her back inside. “Let us talk about this. Maybe there is another way.”

The thought mollified her somewhat. “Do ye have an idea?”

“No, but I think we should all sit down and discuss alternatives.”

“What if the entire army that is here goes to rescue her?” Esme said, pushing away from Ruari and turning back to her father.

The sight of him with his head hung and the other men circling him made her stop. Of course, he was considering other ways. The decision would not be made lightly.

“As soon as the army is spotted, the Mackenzie will have yer mother killed.” Ruari’s words seeped through her skin like red hot pokers.

Esme closed her eyes and, like her father, hung her head. “There is no other way. I have to go, Ruari. I must go and do what I plan. Ye know it would be the only way.”

“If ye fail, then ye will be the cause of yer people coming under his rule. Think about it.”

Because the servants were busy with the injured, Esme went to the doorway just outside the kitchen and lowered a bucket into one of the rain collection barrels. She then hauled the water inside to pour into a large cauldron that hung over a bright fire.

Once the water was warmed, she filled a basin and hurried behind a screen set up on the opposite side of the room. Esme quickly washed away the grime and blood from her body.

She’d promised Ruari to go to her chamber after she cleansed herself, but he obviously did not believe her because he stood just outside the kitchen doorway waiting for her.

“There is more heated water if ye wish to wash up as well,” she offered.

Eyes narrowed, he kept his attention on her as he removed his tunic. Unlike her, he was beside the screen. Then, he, too, removed the evidence of battle. The beauty of his body distracted her away from thoughts of what had happened. The light from the fireplace glistened off his wet skin, making every muscle more pronounced.

When he hooked his thumbs on the top of his breeches and lifted a brow in question, she realized he’d caught her staring. Esme turned her back to give him privacy to finish.

Splashes made her wonder where he was washing. She fought not to turn and look. Although she’d touched the most intimate part of him, she’d not been able to see much of his body.

“Come, it’s best I get ye upstairs before yer father thinks I disobeyed him.” Ruari took her elbow and guided her through the great room and up the stairs.

She shivered and wasn’t sure if it was from the dampness of her skin, or the ending of a horrible day. “Come inside with me,” she said to Ruari upon arriving at her doorway. “Please.”

The room was dark with no fire in the hearth. Every servant was put to use downstairs caring for the injured or cooking for the hundreds of warriors.

Ruari placed several logs into the hearth and used kindling to start a fire that soon grew to life, sending warmth into the space.

“Be truthful,” Esme said to him. “What would ye do in my place? Would ye not go?”

He studied her for a long moment, the darkness emphasizing the chiseled features of his face. “I do not have a relationship with my mother, so I cannot, in truth, say what I would do if it was she. If it was my aunt, who raised me, then I would grieve and try to come up with a way to save her.”