Page 57 of A Fearless Rebel

Catriona couldn’t help but smile at Esme’s motherly actions when she touched her face and met her gaze. “How do ye feel today?”

“I am not sick,” Catriona said. “I am well and have taken over working in the gardens. Today with the drizzle, the plants will be happy.”

“Aye,” Esme let out a breath. “It is quite a dreary day.”

“When do ye go back?” Catriona reached for Esme’s hand. “I hate it when ye leave.”

“Not for a while. I will not leave until I am absolutely convinced Keithen will be well.” Her friend looked up at the second story windows. “He is not well at all right now.”

Catriona had loved Keithen Fraser most of her life and the thought of any future without him made her ache physically.

“I am sure he will recover. He is strong,” she said, trying to convince herself as well as Esme. “Ye will see.”

“Have ye gone to see him?”

Ever since Keithen married Ava Mackenzie, Catriona had done her best to keep her distance. As much as she treasured her friendships with Esme and her brother, he was not to be hers, ever. And although she accepted it, it still hurt.

“Nay, but I will. How is he faring?”

Esme shook her head. “So many injuries.” A tear trickled down her face and Esme wiped it away. “A broken leg, bruising everywhere, his face so swollen it is hard to tell if it’s really him. Thankfully, he spends most of the day sleeping.”

A shudder traveled through Catriona. Had everyone said the same about her when she’d returned from being subjected to days of men taking turns with her? Most of them were violent, enjoying hurting her.

Esme, ever perceptive, touched Catriona’s shoulder. “We should go inside. The rain is getting harder.”

There were a few people keeping dry in the great room. A group of men sat at a table, talking. At another table, Catriona presumed the men’s wives rocked young babes as they waited out the rain before heading home. By the fireplace, two guards stood. One of them was Broden, whom she’d known for many years. The other was Ewan Ross, the man who’d come there to provide help to the clan.

“Esme,” Catriona said. “Are the Ross guards to remain here?”

Since the late Mackenzie’s death, the threat was considerably lower so she’d hoped most of the new strange men would leave.

Her friend shrugged. “Father says they will. Especially as there are reports the new laird may be very sick and could possibly be removed from leadership.”

“Good. I hope the Mackenzie Clan is disbanded,” Catriona said with a snarl. “I hate them.”

“I hate them as well,” Esme said.

Catriona frowned, considering Ava Fraser. “Except for Ava. She is kind.”

Esme huffed. “She is the reason for Keithen almost dying. She is an idiot.”

It was best not to argue with Esme. Once her friend made up her mind about something, it was impossible to change it. Although Catriona understood why Ava did what she’d done, it had been reckless.

“If it was Fraser Keep that had been attacked, would ye not wish to know if yer mother and brother survived?”

Narrowing her eyes, Esme considered her words. “I would find out in a way that would not get my husband killed.”

“May I have a word?” Broden pulled Esme aside.

Just as Catriona was about to turn away, Ewan Fraser neared. “Miss Catriona, it is good to see ye out.”

Her heart thudded. She’d yet to have a conversation with a man other than the laird and Keithen. “I-I, aye.”

Hazel eyes met hers for a second before she looked away. “Is there a seamstress at the village? I require new tunics. The three I brought with me are either torn through or ripped.”

Unsure what to do, she panicked. “I will mend them. Just bring them to me at last meal.”

“Ye do not have to do it.”