Page 59 of A Flawed Scotsman

“I am looking to hire someone as a lady’s companion. Not for me, but for Catriona. Is there someone, one of ye know, who needs work?”

Later that day, Ruari guided her past the kitchens and to the garden. Esme wondered what he wished to speak about, deciding to remain silent until they finally came to a bench.

“Ye should sit,” he more ordered than asked. “I have seen ye going here and there for hours. Ye are not fully recovered as yet.”

It would be easy to agree as it had only been three or four days, she wasn’t sure which since her harrowing experience at the hands of the men who meant to kill her. Later, she’d found out they’d been executed in the courtyard. She was still angry at her brother for that. He’d seemed to have agreed with her request they’d be lashed and bound.

Esme glared at her husband. “I would like to go to the village. I need to see about the people. I must speak to several women about coming to work. Catriona requires a companion. This is not a time to be idle.”

Instead of a reply, he sat on the bench and pulled her down to sit on his lap. When he wrapped his arms around her, it became impossible to move despite the loose hold.

“Can someone else not be sent to the village?” His indifferent tone grated on her already fragile nerves. “There are plenty of guards and others about. One can be sent.”

She turned in his arms and, despite her annoyance, could not resist admiring the bright hazel eyes. “I wish to do it myself. They will not be able to know if the woman’s temperament is what Catriona needs.”

His hair had grown considerably since his arrival, now resting on his shoulders. She wondered if he preferred it long. Upon meeting him, it had been sheered, the brown waves tamed. Now they were wild, framing his handsome face without apology.

“Do ye prefer yer hair long?” she asked. By the lowering of his brows, the off-topic question had surprised him.

He shrugged. “I do not think about it.”

“I see.” Esme studied him. “I do not wish to be angry with ye. There are things we must discuss. Can ye take me to the village so that we can have time alone to talk?”

He glanced around. “We are alone now. If we go to the village, I will insist on an escort.”

It was understandable. The air still smelled of blood and battle. The threat of attack was still fresh and within the realm of possibility that it could happen at any moment.

“My friend needs help,” Esme said, laying her head on his shoulder. “Why do I feel as if ye are unhappy right now?”

Ruari tightened his hold on her. “I am not unhappy with ye. I am frustrated at all that has happened. Despite the truce, we are all aware that a threat remains. I am angered that I was not able to protect ye from being taken. Ye could have died.” His voice grew hoarse and he let out a long breath.

When she lifted her head and looked at him, her chest constricted. Ruari felt that he’d failed her, and it made her mad. The men who’d tried to kill her had caused damage to not just her physically, but her husband as well.

“I am glad they are dead then. Because ye are very important to me.” Her breath caught at the words escaping.

The expression on Ruari’s face was a combination of surprise and confusion. “Do ye mean that?”

“Aye,” Esme said with a nod. “I care for ye, Husband.”

He cupped her face and kissed her hard, his mouth hot and demanding. When he stopped and met her gaze, there was a softness to him she’d never seen. “Ye mean so much to me as well. When they took ye, I felt as if my world would end if anything happened to ye. I am thankful that ye are my wife, Esme.”

Esme leaned forward, kissing him with the fierceness of claiming him. This strong, brave man was hers. He belonged to her, body and soul. And her entire being was his for life.

The feel of his body against hers was comforting and, at the same time, alluring. She pushed back and smiled at him. “Ye must come to bed early tonight. I do not wish to fall asleep without ye next to me.”

Ruari nodded. “I am anxious to join ye, minx.”

“Take me to the village, please.” Esme slid off his lap and stood. “If we go now, we shall return in time for last meal.”

“There is no talking ye out of it, so then we go. Allow me time to get a guard escort.” Ruari pressed his lips to hers. “Go and fetch whatever ye need. We will take a wagon.”

Satisfied, Esme rushed back inside to inform her mother and Catriona’s mother. Since her father and brother remained engrossed in clanspeople business, she continued past the great room and up the stairs to find her mother.

After informing them, she stopped by Catriona’s room once again. Her friend would never be the same. Of that, she was sure. But Catriona was strong and would recover. A part of Esme wished for a way to enact revenge, but this one time she feared her mother was correct. A woman had to know her place.

The ride to the village was uneventful. The perfect weather helped her spirits lift. Esme took a deep breath and looked to Ruari. “This is how our life should always be. Peaceful. Why is that horrible man so intent on destroying it?”

“I do not know. Men like him need no reason other than their need to be powerful.”