Page 84 of A Flawed Scotsman

Upon his eyes adjusting to the dimness, Esme raced to him and threw her arms around his waist. Her face pushed into his chest. He could not see if she was harmed or not.

The only other person in the room was a woman who stood by a table, hands clenched in front of her. The woman was silent, her gaze moving from him to Ewan. “Father wishes ye to join him in his study.”

It was just like the Mackenzie to use theatrics.

It was only when his tunic became wet that he realized Esme was crying. Ruari took her by the shoulders and moved her back so that he could inspect her. Other than a dirty face and reddened nose, she looked to be unharmed.

“Are ye hurt?” he asked, wishing they were alone so he could console her.

Esme shook her head. “I wish to go home.”

Did she want to go to Ross Keep or her childhood home? It was not the moment to ask. “Remain here. I will go speak to the Mackenzie.”

After a moment, she nodded and allowed a guard to escort her outside.

He and Ewan then followed the woman down a corridor and were shown into a room where the Mackenzie and several other men were. There was a large table in the center.

“Ensure they are served,” the Mackenzie said to maids who hurried forward with a tray of food and another with drinks.

“I am glad ye came to fetch yer wife. I was not sure where to send her.”

“If ye would have asked, I am sure she would have told ye,” Ruari replied, not sitting.

The Mackenzie motioned to the chairs. “If ye would join me for a drink, I would like to speak about the conflict between our clans.”

Ewan looked at Ruari and then spoke. “Is there a conflict between us?”

“Not with Ross, no,” the Mackenzie said, waving a hand. And then obviously annoyed, he motioned to the chairs again. “Ye. Yer wife and yerselves came here.”

Ruari and Ewan pulled back chairs and sat. The man was right. They’d trespassed on his lands. “My wife got lost and ended up on yer lands. I am here to fetch her and to thank ye for keeping her safe.”

“As ye know,” the laird began, “I am not on good terms with her father. And so, it was unexpected that his daughter would be roaming about. Especially after several of my guards have gone missing.”

The sentence was left hanging, bait for Ruari to take.

“So ye think my wee wife is strong enough to overtake yer men and cause them harm?”

The man’s eyes narrowed. “Nay. But ye are.”

As much as Ruari wanted to push away from the table and slam his fist on it, he kept his temper in check. “I have no reason to kill any of yer men, nor do I wish to do so. To what end? What purpose would it serve?”

His keen eyes on Ruari, the Mackenzie stroked his beard. “I do not know. I will ask that ye leave my lands and warn her family to keep their distance. There are still matters pending between us that, for now, I will let rest.”

*

By the time they rode away from Mackenzie Keep, the sky was darkening. Soon, they’d have to make camp. Esme rode with Ruari, leaning back on him. She was glad for his strength as she could barely keep her eyes open.

“Do ye wish to return to yer clan? If so, I will send ye with escort.”

His question caught her off guard. She’d assumed that after all she’d done, he’d forbid it. “Ye would allow me to go?”

Ruari motioned to Ewan and the party came to a stop. “We will return in a moment.” Her husband helped her down and dismounted. He then led her a short distance away. “I will not force ye to remain with me. If ye wish to return home to live, I will not stop ye.”

Her eyes rounded upon realizing what he had just offered. Heart thundering in her ears, she tried to figure out what to say. Of course, she wanted to see her family, but she did not wish to leave the marriage.

“I only came because I worried about Keithen. I wanted to help find him if it was needed.”

“Do ye not think if yer father required help in finding him, word would have been sent?”