Page 50 of A Flawed Scotsman

Ruari straightened and met the man’s gaze. “I did not mean disrespect. But ye know I am right. Sending yer daughter away is not fair to yer people.”

“Will losing her be fair? The Mackenzie will attack again. I have little doubt.”

“Then why do ye not ask the other Clan Fraser to remain?” Ruari asked.

The laird blew out an impatient breath. “Because Mackenzie will take his time. He’ll wait for us to become complacent. He assumes I believed him when he agreed to a truce.”

“I have given my word to come live here, to bring fifty warriors to live here and support yer clan. Both of us know it is what is best.”

When the laird began to argue, Keithen interrupted. “Father, we should wait. As ye said, the Mackenzie will not attack right away. Let us give people time to get over what just happened. If ye still wish for Ruari to take Esme away, then I will stand with ye.”

Anger rose, but Ruari tapped it down. It was best to accept a small victory and, hopefully, have time to convince the laird to allow them to stay.

“Very well,” the laird replied. “For now, ye can remain. However, I repeat, do not ever confront or question me in my own home.”

Ruari wanted to remind the man he’d asked to leave the great room but, instead, he bowed his head. “I apologize. It will not happen again.”

Keithen then spoke to the guards in the room. “Keep the conversation that was held in here private. A word of this comes to my ears and ye will be punished without question.”

The men nodded, seeming annoyed that their loyalty was questioned.

The laird cleared his throat. By his expression, he remained annoyed. “Ensure the Ross men are given proper housing for now.” He then met his son’s gaze. “Send word to the village that we require builders to come and build a new guardhouse.”

Finally, he directed his gaze to Ruari. “Once ye break yer fast, see that yer men are aware that they will come under my lead guards’ command.” He motioned to the first guard, a tall, lithe man. “Fergus is head archer.” Then he nodded to the other man, a muscled, rugged man with a crooked nose. “Ivan is head guard.”

The men met Ruari’s eyes with challenging expressions, as if expecting him to argue the point. Instead, he looked to one and then the other. “I’ve already told them to expect a Fraser to be over them and that they are to obey without question.”

The guards exchanged surprised expressions, came forward and shook his hand. The laird dismissed the guards and they left.

“Ye are part of my family and I do not wish to have any animosity between us,” the laird began. “I am hopeful ye will be a good husband to Esme.”

“I will do all I can to ensure she is safe and well treated,” Ruari replied, unsure of where the conversation was headed.

The laird frowned. “I expect ye wish to work with horses.”

Ruari nodded. “Aye, that is where my knowledge lays. If ye allow it, I would like to continue my work there.”

“That is fine.”

Keithen and his father exchanged looks and Esme’s brother spoke next. “Will ye be participating in sword practice? I hear ye are quite accomplished in hand-to-hand battle.”

“Aye, of course. I pride myself in my skills and swordsmanship and plan to continue to remain prepared.”

“Good,” Keithen said. “We shall run practice with the men after eating.”

Together, the three men went back to the great room while speaking of what kinds of drills the men did at Ross Keep. There were puzzled looks from the people who’d obviously remained to see what would happen. Upon seeing that the three were amicable, most lost interest.

Esme was gone, so Ruari sat next to Keithen to eat. The air was heavy, death and destruction still very present. The familiar feeling of anger and hopelessness coated every surface. Just like at his own clan after so many battles with the McLeods.

The only thing that would transform things back was time. That knowledge reinforced his decision.

Chapter Sixteen

Esme peered through the window to note men lined up receiving sword fighting demonstrations. Keithen and Ruari stood before them, each taking turns sharing different techniques. Her chest expanded at seeing the two admirable men working side-by-side.

“What are you watching?” Catriona asked in a soft voice.

Rushing back to the bed, Esme’s took her friend’s hand. “It is the guardsmen, both Fraser and Ross practicing. Nothing to worry about.”