Page 45 of A Flawed Scotsman

“Ye and I do not have to marry,” Esme told Ruari. “I do not trust this will ever end. There is no need for ye to remain.”

When his gaze met hers, there was uncertainty. “Is that what ye wish?”

“Does it matter anymore what anyone wants? There is no need for our clans to unite. The Ross has shown his support of my clan and that is ultimately all we can ask for.”

“I gave my word,” Ruari replied. Interestingly, he did not say anything else which made her wonder if he was glad for the reprieve.

“However?”

“There is no however,” he replied and looked straight ahead. “Everything has already been decided. I see no reason not to go ahead and marry.” Although he smiled at her, it did not reach his eyes.

“Ruari?” Esme reached over and touched his arm. “Once I see about my mother and friend, I hope that ye and I can spend time alone to talk.”

He nodded and met her eyes for a moment. He was so extraordinarily handsome, her heart constricted at the perusal. When she looked to his wide shoulders, all she could think of was how enticing his body was.

“Something does bother me,” Esme told him. “The Mackenzie. He had this strange look when we left.”

“He will move to another target. Someone else will raise his ire,” Ruari said. “Do not worry overmuch.”

Upon arriving at the keep, Esme hurried to her mother who, other than disheveled, looked to be unharmed.

Catriona, on the other hand, had obviously been beaten. Keithen had her upon his horse and lowered her gently to waiting men who then quickly took her into the house.

She raced after them. “What happened to her?”

No one answered. She directed them to take Catriona to a bedchamber just past the great room.

“Catriona?” She hovered over her friend as the healer came in.

“I did not think I’d ever return here.” Catriona’s voice was weak. Blood trickled from her split lip when she spoke. “I wish to die…” she swallowed.

“Water, please.” Esme held a hand out to a maid who gave her a filled cup. She lifted Catriona’s head to press the cup to her lips.

Esme moved away from the bed to allow the healer and his helper to see to her friend. Unable to keep from it, she let out a shaky breath to keep from crying out loud.

It was obvious what had happened. Catriona’s dress was torn, her breasts exposed, her neck purpled with toothmarks.

“How could that man have allowed this?” she said to Keithen when he entered and stood as still as a statue.

Catriona let out a scream when her arm was straightened so that it could be splinted.

The rage in her brother’s expression startled Esme. She’d never seen him so angry. “Whoever did this will pay with his life.” He stared at Catriona’s contorted, bloodied face and then stalked away.

Catriona’s midsection was wrapped as one of her ribs was fractured and so was her right arm. There were cuts and bruises all over the poor woman’s body. Dark purpling bite marks on her neck and shoulder told a horrible truth about how much had been done to Catriona.

The healer moved back and motioned to maids who waited with a basin of water and cloths. “Ye may clean her now. Ensure not to jostle her arm overly.”

Esme returned to Catriona’s bedside. Her friend whimpered, tears mixing with the dirt on her cheeks. The maids neared with warm water and cloths and they began to clean Catriona, who seemed to hurt with each jostle.

“There, there.” Esme did her best to console Catriona and took a wet cloth to wash away blood and dirt from her face. “Ye will feel much better once the herbs take effect.” Esme looked to a maid who tossed dirty water out of the window. “Bring more water and some whisky.”

The young woman hurried off and Esme returned her attention to Catriona. “Ye are alive and safe now.”

“Wh-where is my mother?”

“She was quite upset at seeing ye. I will send someone to fetch her once ye are cleaned up.” By the shocking swelling of Catriona’s face and so many injuries, she wondered if her friend’s mother would pass out at the sight.

“Is there something ye wish to say?” Esme said to a guard who stood at the doorway.