Page 42 of A Flawed Scotsman

Ewan gave him a puzzled look. “Yer betrothed is missing. Gone.”

Despite his attempt to hide any emotion, a low guttural sound came from him. “When? I was just…” he let the sentence hang.

By the look of the room, first meal had been eaten. How late was it? Then it occurred to him.

The drink. Esme had insisted he share a drink with her late the night before. It must have been laced with herbs that he’d slept so late.”

“When was it discovered?” he finally asked, meeting his cousin’s gaze.

“Just a few moments ago. A servant went to her bedchamber and discovered that she was not in the bed.” Tristan gave him a pointed look. “She did say ye were there.”

Ruari knew his eyes widened. “I think she gave me something so that I would not hear her depart.”

The laird stalked to him. “Did she tell ye of her plans?”

“Nay. Although she kept insisting it was best to go and do as she proposed to marry whomever the Mackenzie decided so that he would release yer wife. She then plans to kill the man she is forced to marry.”

“And ye allowed her to leave?” The laird’s face was red with fury. “Why?”

“I was asleep. She gave me a drink.” Ruari stopped talking. “I will go after her.”

Laird Fraser looked to Tristan. “Will yer army go with us?”

“We will accompany ye but will not engage in battle. My brother sent us as a show of force and support. That is all.”

After directing a glare at Ruari, the laird stalked away. Ruari let out a frustrated breath. “How did she manage to slip away? Did she take a horse?”

“I heard she left through a secret passage,” Ewan said, following him to his chamber. “Where are ye going?”

“To fetch my sword,” he replied, rushing up the stairs. “I will go after her. Ye and my cousins can come, but I do not expect any of ye to put yer lives in danger.”

Ruari rode with the first contingent of warriors, led by Keithen, toward Mackenzie lands. He could not shake the feeling of responsibility. How had he not seen what Esme plotted? When she’d given him the drink, he was intoxicated with the aftereffects of their lovemaking.

Now, as he rode with the sun already high in the sky, he tried to remember how late it had been when they’d fallen asleep.

A rider came toward them from the west. “A horse is missing from a farm not too far from the keep.”

Ruari nodded at the man. “How long ago did they discover it?”

“Early morning. The farmer went to feed it.”

They’d lost almost a third of the day. Hopefully, as they rode warhorses at a gallop, they’d be able to catch up to a farm horse.

Behind them, five hundred men would follow, most from Clan Fraser. At the end of the day, blood would soak the ground and it was very possible the Mackenzie would lose. However, breaching the keep would be difficult for the Fraser Clan.

The keep came into view. The field was bare of any people, no riders or wagons in sight. To the right of the keep, the large village was quiet. The streets were empty as people had either gone into hiding at the keep or were locked indoors.

The Mackenzie expected a war.

They brought the horses to a stop. If Esme had come to the keep, she was inside now. There was nothing they could do but await the arrival of the Fraser, who would request a visit with the Mackenzie to negotiate.

It was either that or attack. If they attacked, the women inside would die.

Ruari’s chest constricted and he fought not to growl in frustration.

Why had Esme not listened to him? The stubborn woman had forced her clan into action before they’d had time to discuss and decide a course of action.

“We will wait for the rest to come,” Keithen said. Esme’s brother looked to Ruari who kept his gaze on the keep. “I appreciate ye coming with me, but it is not necessary that ye fight.”