Page 44 of A Flawed Scotsman
The gates of the keep opened and a line of about twenty horsemen rode out. Then a second line joined.
The flanks of Mackenzie warriors parted to reveal Laird Mackenzie with two men. One of them was Calum Robertson.
Chapter Fourteen
Esme’s heart thundered in her chest at seeing Calum on a horse beside the Mackenzie. The traitor had the nerve to meet her gaze and lower his eyes to her mouth. She snarled in return.
“I demand ye release my wife and the other woman.” Her father’s loud words seemed to bounce from the keep walls.
The Mackenzie gave them a droll look. “If ye concede and join my clan by marriage, I will. After all, she will be the future grandmother to Mackenzie bairns.”
“There will be no concession. Ye have broken yer word too many times for me to trust anything ye say.” Her father’s voice trembled with fury. “Let us avoid bloodshed, Mackenzie.”
The man looked past them to the huge assembly. He seemed taken aback, his sharp eyes narrowing. “Ye bring Ross warriors with ye? So ye have allied with them then?”
“I am married to a Ross now,” Esme said, the words spilling out of her mouth before she could stop them. “Last night, our union was consummated.” She met the laird’s gaze, not wavering.
Esme fought not to look over her shoulder to Ruari.
When she slid a look to Calum, he’d paled. “I am Ruari Ross’ wife now.”
“Is that true?” the Mackenzie snapped, looking to her father who’d remained without expression.
“Aye, they came together last night, as husband and wife. We have witnesses.”
Esme didn’t dare look at her father. Was he aware that, indeed, Ruari had spent the night in her bedchamber? Certainly, Ruari had left her chamber upon awakening.
“Is that why he is here then?” The Mackenzie’s shrewd eyes moved past her to Ruari.
The Mackenzie looked to Calum who swallowed visibly. “Why were ye not informed of this?”
“I left before it happened.”
“Was a clergyman inside the keep when ye left?”
Calum nodded. “Aye.” He lifted his gaze to Esme and then to her father. With a guttural cry, he pulled out a dagger and attempted to stab Mackenzie but was cut through by a warrior swiftly. With a shocked expression, Calum fell from his horse.
The Mackenzie looked down at the dying man and chuckled. “It seems I’ve been bested by a strong-willed lass. This time.” He looked to the men behind him. “Bring the women.”
“I hear ye are a brave young woman,” the Mackenzie said, meeting Esme’s eyes. “I would have been glad to have ye as part of my family.”
He then looked to her father. “There will not be bloodshed today, Fraser. However, ye will soon see that an alliance would have been in yer favor.”
When her mother and Catriona appeared, they were escorted by warriors who released them to run toward them. Catriona stumbled the entire time, seeming disoriented and unstable on her feet. Esme held her breath, expecting at any moment for an arrow to fly through the air and strike them. Only when both were lifted to horses by guardsmen did she let out a relieved breath.
Her father kept eye contact with the Mackenzie. “I would like to return to my clan and guarantee them peace, but I know ye will not cede this easily.”
Laird Mackenzie shrugged. “I am not one to give up, however, I am also not foolish enough to fight a clan with a strong army behind it unless provoked.”
“Is this a truce then?” her father asked. Esme held her breath.
Finally, the Mackenzie replied, “Aye.” When his gaze moved to her, Esme knew he lied. The man was formulating what to do next as the word left his mouth. She looked to her father who seemed satisfied and wondered if she’d imagined the look. Surely the man would not speak the agreement in front of so many and then go back on his word?
As they turned away, she turned and glanced at the man again. The corners of his lips lifted. Her skin crawled.
Things were not over. Not by a long shot.
Halfway between Mackenzie Keep and hers, the Ross warriors split off and headed north. The Frasers from across the river continued forth. They’d remain for another few days before returning.
