Page 58 of A Flawed Scotsman

When Catriona looked to the basket, a spark of hope showed. But it was quelled when she turned to look back toward the window without reply.

The woman was broken, both physically and emotionally and there was little Esme could do. No matter what she tried, it felt like Catriona had died inside. Whoever this was that returned from being held captive was not the same vibrant and always happy person that had been there before.

“We have both been through much in the last weeks. Although I suspect yer injuries are much greater than mine,” Esme said.

A single tear trickled down Catriona’s cheek but, like usual, she remained silent.

The door opened and a maid entered with a tray. Upon it were glasses of honeyed mead, cheese and bread. Esme knew how much Catriona loved freshly baked bread, heat from it softening the cheese.

“Yer favorites,” Esme exclaimed, instantly feeling foolish. “I am famished. How about ye?”

Catriona sighed heavily and accepted the small plate that Esme offered. “I told cook to send bread up as soon as it came out of the oven.”

When Catriona took a bite of the bread without the cheese upon it, Esme wanted to scream in frustration. Instead, she ate from her plate and sipped the mead.

“I think walking outside may be good for me actually. I believe Keithen plans to go to the village today. I may go along. Or perhaps ask to take his place. Ruari and I can go. Although I am still quite sore and riding may be a bit too jarring.”

As she talked, Catriona listened and ate the rest of the food on the plate. Being she’d barely eaten in days, Esme was glad to see it.

She continued talking after placing more bread and cheese on Catriona’s plate. “I have decided it’s best not to free Dot but to allow her free roam within the keep. I was going to release her and the little darling seems to realize it and has stayed in the corral for days. She spends so much time with the horses that she seems to think she’s one of them.”

Catriona didn’t smile as she usually did when discussing Dot. Instead, she placed the plate on the nearby surface with food still on it. “Can ye call a maid to help? I need to lay down for a bit.”

“I can help ye.” Esme reached for her arm.

Upon touching her, Catriona recoiled. “Ye are hurt and sore. I prefer it if ye call someone else.”

Frustrated and wanting to groan in desperation, Esme stalked to the door instead. She peered out and waved a maid who was sweeping the corridor to come. “Can ye help her? Remain here until someone else comes. Do not leave her alone no matter what she says.”

Esme couldn’t help the tears that rolled down her face. She went up the stairs and into the sitting room where Catriona’s mother and hers sat. “We must appoint someone to remain with Catriona at all times.”

Catriona’s mother’s eyes widened. “Did something happen? Why are ye crying?”

“She is the same,” Esme replied, wiping the tears away with the back of her hand. “It hurts to see her so broken. I am worried. Her countenance is like that of someone who’s given up on living.”

“I feel the same,” the woman replied with a sniff. “Her father returned home, but I asked to stay. I cannot bear to see her this way and will not leave her alone.”

Lady Fraser patted Catriona’s mother’s hand. “We will find someone to remain with her. A cot will be set up in the room so that she is watched at all times.”

“I will go see about it myself. There are several women from the village in the great room for hearings. I am sure one of them will know someone perfect for it,” Esme told them.

Esme went back down the stairs. Her side ached a bit. She flinched at recalling the arrows piercing her body. On instinct, her hand shot out to the wall so that she could steady herself. If she reacted to injuries in that manner, how much harder would it be for Catriona, who Esme was sure had been beaten and raped by the guards at Mackenzie Keep.

The horrible man had released her to the guards without regard for her life. Why hadn’t he kept both her mother and Catriona together? Although her mother remained shaken, it was obvious she’d been treated with a lot more care.

With careful steps, she descended to the ground floor and into the great room. Her father and brother sat at the high board and oversaw requests and issues brought to them by the clanspeople. There was a larger gathering than normal, most seeming to be there to observe. It was expected since they’d just been attacked. People were anxious to know if they were safe, to then return to the village or farms and spread the word.

At a table near the back was a table of all women. Leaving whatever issues brought them there to their husbands, fathers or brothers, they sat together and talked.

Esme neared and immediately everyone looked to her. One woman smiled widely, showcasing several missing teeth. “Ye are a hero. Bless ye, Lady Esme.”

Another nodded with enthusiasm. “Truly a blessing from God. Ye save my husband’s life. I am sure of it.” The rest of the women nodded enthusiastically.

“I did what the rest of the guards and archers did,” Esme insisted, not used to so many compliments.

“My Fergus says ye have the eye of an eagle and struck men down as soon as they stepped foot inside the gates,” another woman said, looking toward a man who watched from a few feet away. “He says ye never stopped even after yer fingers bled.”

It was a bit of an exaggeration, but Esme let it go, deciding it was best to let them speak and then changed the topic. “Thank ye for all the compliments. I am grateful for the brave Fraser men.” She waited while the woman agreed.