Page 80 of A Flawed Scotsman

Esme groaned. “I tire of hearing that.”

“Our place is to control situations without them realizing it,” Elspeth finished, and every head bobbed in agreement.

“I do not understand,” Esme said.

“What do ye want?” Merida asked, pushing her auburn locks away from her babe’s grasp.

After considering, Esme replied, “To return home and assure myself that all is well.”

“Is it wise?” Ceilidh interjected.

“It could be dangerous, especially since ye will ride near Mackenzie lands,” Elspeth said next.

Her spirits fell.

“However,” Gisela said. “If ye leave, ensuring to be followed closely, I am sure Ruari will catch up in time to keep ye from harm.”

They quieted when a guard approached and informed Elspeth and Merida that their husbands were about to travel to the village.

“Will my husband and Ruari remain?” Gisela asked.

The guard nodded and left.

A grin stretched across Gisela’s face. “I will help ye.”

With olive skin, dark eyes and luscious brown hair, Gisela was stunning. Esme wondered how it was that fate brought two extraordinarily attractive people together. Gisela’s husband, Kieran, was the lightest of the Ross brothers, and by far the fairest. At first sight, Esme had been struck silent at seeing him.

Obviously, it was a common occurrence because no one paid attention to her reaction.

“I am not sure what to do,” Esme admitted.

“First, ye pack food and a wineskin. Ye hide it by an exit,” Merida said and then added, “ensure that Ruari sleeps well by pleasuring him”

Ceilidh giggled, her face pinkening. “Slip out at daybreak.”

“Tell the stable lad that Ruari is joining ye shortly while ye saddle yer horse,” Elspeth instructed next.

Merida leaned forward conspiratorially. “And then ride through the gates as if the devil himself were chasing ye. Shortly after, Ruari will be roused and follow.”

“Keep going until ye are far enough away and refuse to return. He will take ye the rest of the way. Of that, I am sure,” Elspeth said.

The plan was easy. Esme could not see what could go wrong, other than Ruari being roused too soon, which she doubted since there was no reason for the stable lads to not believe her.

“I will do it.”

*

It was still quite dark when Esme slipped out and across the courtyard. Her bundle under her arm, she went to the stables and found that everyone was asleep. No one in sight. Glad not to have to speak to a stable worker, she went to a stall and coaxed a sleepy mare out.

Soon thereafter, she rode through the gates unchallenged. Just as she passed, she looked up and one of the guards peered down and stared at her.

Esme lifted a hand in greeting. His was much slower in response.

Satisfied the man would go fetch someone, she urged her mount to a gallop. The mare was not in the mood for goading and instead trotted, then slowed back to a walk.

“Ye have to go faster. At this pace, my husband can catch us by walking,” Esme grumbled.

Finally, the mare decided to pay heed and, soon, she was past the village and headed to the path along the river that she knew would lead to her home. Several times, she looked over her shoulder, thinking she heard something, but each time there was no one.