Ruari poured whisky into a glass, lifted it to his mouth and drank. “I must speak to ye about our departure. I have decided it would be best if my men and I remain. By departing so soon after everyone else, it will leave the clan vulnerable to attack.”
“Our main concern is keeping Esme safe. The Mackenzie is intent on her for whatever reason. Father could not bear losing her.”
“I understand. I, too, wish to keep her safe. However, to what price? Repeating yer father’s words. We cannot sacrifice the clan for one.”
When Keithen didn’t argue the point, Ruari knew the man agreed. There was no choice in the matter. If no one else could send their loved ones away to be safe, the laird shouldn’t either.
Ruari went back out to find the guards. They would not be leaving in the morning.
*
It was late that night when Esme finally came to the bedchamber. She hesitated at the doorway upon spotting her husband. “Ye are still awake.” She came to him and placed her head on his chest. “Catriona is sleeping. I came up to get a bit of rest.”
It felt good to put his arms around her. Already, she felt familiar and comforting. “Ye must be very tired.”
Esme peered up at him. “Aye. I will sleep for a bit and then get up and pack.”
“We will not be leaving in the morning.”
Searching his eyes, she frowned up at him. “When then?”
“Yer father is looking after yer mother in their bedchamber. I have not discussed it with yer father as yet, but I am considering not leaving at all.”
Her arms went around his midsection and she held him tightly. “Thank ye. Oh, Ruari, thank ye so much.”
Ruari chuckled and held her for a few moments longer. “Go to sleep. We will speak in the morning and then go to yer father together first thing.”
Before he finished speaking, Esme rushed to the corner of the room and behind a screen to undress. She emerged in a nightshift and splashed water onto her face.
Turning to him, she motioned to his body, sweeping her right hand in the air in his direction. “I suppose we should consummate the marriage.” The sentence was punctuated with a wide yawn. “At once.”
“We can wait.”
Esme closed the distance between them. “Please take yer clothes off, Ruari. I am so very tired and do not wish to argue about it.”
“More romantic words I have never heard.” Ruari undressed and then joined her in bed. He pulled her against his side. “If I were given the choice of wife and had to describe her, I am sure ye would be it.”
“Mmm.” Esme kissed his throat and then yawned into his ear. “Ye have never felt strongly about a woman then?”
“I remember as a lad, I fancied myself in love with a village girl. I think her name was Genevieve or was it Giselle? She was not very pretty. Actually, she was a bit of a cranky sort. But she shared her mother’s sweet tarts with me…”
A soft snore made Ruari press his lips together to keep from chuckling. “No, perhaps her name was Lilibeth. I wonder what happened to her. Probably married with twelve bairns by now…” He let out a long sigh and wondered how many children he and Esme would be blessed with.
“Shhh.” The whisper so close to his ear woke Ruari. A moan escaped at the stroking of his rock-hard arousal.
“Esme…what are ye doing?” He grunted out the words while fighting not to release his seed. “Stop.”
It was still dark outside and, yet, he had no idea how long it had been since he had fallen asleep. Reaching down, he removed her hand from his erection. “Ye should rest.”
She rose and straddled him. “We will consummate our union tonight. It must be done.” Her face was almost angelic as she peered down at him. “Are ye not willing? I will not take ye by force, if ye prefer I do not.”
A bark of laughter erupted, and he pulled her mouth down to his. Only a hairsbreadth separating their lips, he whispered, “I am more than willing. It is just that I was about to find my release much too soon.”
“Oh.” She frowned and lowered her lips to his.
It was no use to attempt to wait. He was painfully hard and the need to plunge fully into Esme’s delicious heat was desperate.
Rolling Esme to her back, Ruari pushed her legs apart and guided himself to her center. “I will do my best to be gentle.” The stilted words were not in the least convincing.
*
Heads turned to them as Ruari and Esme walked into the great room. The gazes that followed their progress varied. Some with admiration, some with obvious contempt. The news of their departure must have spread already.
Guiding Esme to the head table, he lowered to an empty seat next to the laird, who gave him a quizzical look. “I must speak to ye,” Ruari said in a low voice. “Can we speak in private?”
The laird shook his head. “This is nothing to discuss. Whatever ye have to say can wait now that I see ye did not depart as we had agreed. What are ye doing here?”
“Esme and I have decided to remain.”
“I gave ye an order,” the laird replied, his face tense. “Ye must take her…”
“What I must do is keep her safe. What about everyone else?” Ruari directed his gaze to the others in the room who were watching them. “Who is going to keep all the other women safe?”
It was a rebuke that could earn him punishment, he was aware. And although he doubted anyone could hear their conversation, he’d disrespected Laird Fraser in public.
“Are ye questioning my ability to keep my clan from harm?” the laird gritted out.
“I do not question yer loyalty to yer people. But I do think yer daughter should remain here to show that ye mean to keep everyone safe.”
The laird turned to Keithen, who’d approached and stood between them and others in the room. “Both of ye, to my study at once.” He stood and stalked away.
“I should come with ye,” Esme said.
Ruari met his wife’s gaze. “No. Remain here. Eat and then go see about Catriona.”
After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded.
He followed Keithen into the laird’s study to find two head guards were in the room with a very angry Laird Fraser.
“How dare ye question my decision,” the laird barked. “Ye were ordered to leave at daybreak, not to remain here and then make an entrance.”
Ruari straightened and met the man’s gaze. “I did not mean disrespect. But ye know I am right. Sending yer daughter away is not fair to yer people.”
“Will losing her be fair? The Mackenzie will attack again. I have little doubt.”
“Then why do ye not ask the other Clan Fraser to remain?” Ruari asked.
The laird blew out an impatient breath. “Because Mackenzie will take his time. He’ll wait for us to become complacent. He assumes I believed him when he agreed to a truce.”
“I have given my word to come live here, to bring fifty warriors to live here and support yer clan. Both of us know it is what is best.”
When the laird began to argue, Keithen interrupted. “Father, we should wait. As ye said, the Mackenzie will not attack right away. Let us give people time to get over what just happened. If ye still wish for Ruari to take Esme away, then I will stand with ye.”
Anger rose, but Ruari tapped it down. It was best to accept a small victory and, hopefully, have time to convince the laird to allow them to stay.
“Very well,” the laird replied. “For now, ye can remain. However, I repeat, do not ever confront or question me in my own home.”
Ruari wanted to remind the man he’d asked to leave the great room but, instead, he bowed his head. “I apologize. It will not happen again.”
Keithen then spoke to the guards in the room. “Keep the conversation that was held in here private. A word of this comes to my ears and ye will be punished without question.”
The men nodded, seeming annoyed that their loyalty was questioned.
The laird cleared his throat. By his expression, he remained annoyed. “Ensure
the Ross men are given proper housing for now.” He then met his son’s gaze. “Send word to the village that we require builders to come and build a new guardhouse.”
Finally, he directed his gaze to Ruari. “Once ye break yer fast, see that yer men are aware that they will come under my lead guards’ command.” He motioned to the first guard, a tall, lithe man. “Fergus is head archer.” Then he nodded to the other man, a muscled, rugged man with a crooked nose. “Ivan is head guard.”
The men met Ruari’s eyes with challenging expressions, as if expecting him to argue the point. Instead, he looked to one and then the other. “I’ve already told them to expect a Fraser to be over them and that they are to obey without question.”
The guards exchanged surprised expressions, came forward and shook his hand. The laird dismissed the guards and they left.
“Ye are part of my family and I do not wish to have any animosity between us,” the laird began. “I am hopeful ye will be a good husband to Esme.”
“I will do all I can to ensure she is safe and well treated,” Ruari replied, unsure of where the conversation was headed.
The laird frowned. “I expect ye wish to work with horses.”
Ruari nodded. “Aye, that is where my knowledge lays. If ye allow it, I would like to continue my work there.”
“That is fine.”
Keithen and his father exchanged looks and Esme’s brother spoke next. “Will ye be participating in sword practice? I hear ye are quite accomplished in hand-to-hand battle.”
“Aye, of course. I pride myself in my skills and swordsmanship and plan to continue to remain prepared.”
“Good,” Keithen said. “We shall run practice with the men after eating.”
Together, the three men went back to the great room while speaking of what kinds of drills the men did at Ross Keep. There were puzzled looks from the people who’d obviously remained to see what would happen. Upon seeing that the three were amicable, most lost interest.
Esme was gone, so Ruari sat next to Keithen to eat. The air was heavy, death and destruction still very present. The familiar feeling of anger and hopelessness coated every surface. Just like at his own clan after so many battles with the McLeods.
The only thing that would transform things back was time. That knowledge reinforced his decision.
Chapter Sixteen
Esme peered through the window to note men lined up receiving sword fighting demonstrations. Keithen and Ruari stood before them, each taking turns sharing different techniques. Her chest expanded at seeing the two admirable men working side-by-side.
“What are you watching?” Catriona asked in a soft voice.
Rushing back to the bed, Esme’s took her friend’s hand. “It is the guardsmen, both Fraser and Ross practicing. Nothing to worry about.”
Although they were still horribly swollen, Catriona was able to open both eyes. “I feel much better at the moment. Ye do not have to remain here all day.”
“Yer mother had to go rest. She and I will take turns to ensure ye are not left alone for an instant. I cannot have ye needing anything.”
A tear spilled down Catriona’s cheek. “I do not know why I am here. Death would be preferable to living with what happened to me.”
Her imagination had already filled Esme’s mind with all sorts of horrible images. She did not dare ask Catriona to speak what happened out loud. Surely her friend was already silently constantly reliving it.
“Ye will not only live, but ye will be happy once again. I swear it.”
Catriona’s eyes closed and she let out a long breath. “It does not feel possible.”
“Of course, it does not. Not now. I will be strong for ye, remain with ye always.”
At this, Catriona opened her eyes and met Esme’s gaze. What should have been white was blood red from being beaten. The sight made Esme want to look away in horror, to cry out in fury. Instead, she smiled at her friend. “What is it?”
“Shouldn’t ye be gone by now? I thought ye said goodbye. Or did I imagine it?”
Esme shrugged. “Ruari saw reason. We are to remain here.” She left off the part that they were not sure for how long. It was possible her father would change his mind and ask them to leave. “I am happy because I cannot fathom being away from ye.”
At her friend’s shaky breath, Esme’s heart broke. If only there was some way to ensure those that hurt Catriona would pay.
“Perhaps I shall go to the village today. I can bring ye back something.”
She continued when Catriona listened. “Tis important for me to be among the people right now. Let them know I remain here.”
Thankfully, during the last attack, the Mackenzie had spared the village, which was rare. More than anything, it made her more nervous. What if next time he wasn’t as kind?
When Catriona’s mother entered a bit later, Esme hurried out. Each day, she spent the morning with Catriona and the afternoon with her mother. As she neared the end of the corridor, Esme heard men speaking in low voices.
“Ye must find a way. I do not care how,” a man said.
Although it felt wrong to eavesdrop, she stopped walking to listen.
“There are too many eyes. Someone will see me,” another man replied.
Goosebumps formed on her arms. Were the men planning something horrible?
“Lady Esme, is there something I can get for ye?” A maid walked up to her and Esme shook her head. She hurried forward in an effort to get a glimpse of who had been talking. But upon reaching where the voices had come from, the corner behind the stairs was empty.
What had the men been referring to? Because of the hushed tones, she’d not been able to decipher who it was. She went to a guard who stood by the doorway. “Did ye see who was there a moment ago?”
The guard looked past her to the corner she pointed at. “No, Lady Esme. I only just walked up.”
“Did ye replace someone? See two men walking out?” Esme was becoming frustrated.
The guard nodded. “A group of men walked out just now.” He moved to look out and she did the same. “Them.” The guard pointed out the men to her.
Esme studied the group. All were elderly. The group usually came to the keep for first meal. Then they’d meander about and return to the village. She was quite familiar with the men and was sure they were not the ones who she heard speaking. Knowing they’d remain for a bit longer, she hurried back inside to see who remained in the great room.
There were a few people milling about. Only one man stood out and she looked at him for only a moment so as not to rouse suspicion. The man was slender and looked travel-worn. He was speaking to a council member.
She then joined her mother and aunt who sat at a table with several village women.
“Good morning, ladies,” Esme addressed the group. “Thank ye for seeing that Mother remains indoors for now.”
Her mother waved her concerns away, although by the warmth in her eyes, she enjoyed the attention. “I am fine. Tis poor Catriona we should worry about.” She held up her bandaged hand. “My wrist is already feeling healed.”
The man she’d noticed walked to the front door. She followed his movements. “Who is he?” she asked her aunt who looked to see who Esme was watching. “He does not look familiar to me.”
Her aunt shook her head. “So much despair. He comes representing several families who seek asylum.”
“Do they run from the Mackenzie?” Esme asked.
One of the village women shook her head. “Nay. From another clan south of here.”
Why was this turning out to be so frustrating? Esme hurried out to the courtyard and wandered to where the elderly group still remained. Listening intently, she pretended interest in the water well. None of their voices were like the ones she’d heard. The men she’d overheard had been younger.
Frustrated, she gave up and went in search of her father to inform him of what she heard. Esme hesitated. Or should she speak to Ruari? Being newly married, she was
n’t sure what was the best course of action.
Her father and Ruari were cordial, but she knew there was an underlying tension between them since her husband had refused to leave. Although she understood her father’s point of view, in this instance, Esme was glad Ruari had not yielded.
Lifting her skirts, she walked to the side of the keep where the men were practicing. Ruari stood with several men around him demonstrating a side slice. His muscular arms flexed as he swung.
At noticing his wife, he said something and walked to her. When their eyes met, she felt a rush. Her body’s response was a bit alarming. There was fluttering in her stomach and Esme let out a breath that she wasn’t aware she’d been holding and looked up at him.
“I must speak to ye about something.”
His hazel gaze studied her. “I need a drink of water.” They walked to a water-filled jar. Ruari dipped a cup into it and drank from it.
When he finished, Esme took his wrist and tugged. “In private.”
Her husband allowed her to pull him away from everyone and out of earshot. Still, she looked around to ensure no one was near. “I overheard something troubling just now.”
His brows creased. “Where?”
“I was coming from seeing to Catriona and, just before approaching the stairs, I heard men speaking in hushed tones. I heard one say to the other to ‘Find a way, it has to be done’. The other then replied with fear about being caught.”
“Do ye know who it was?”
“I did not recognize the voices. I would have been able to see them, but a maid called to me and they stopped talking and left.”
Ruari’s broad shoulders lifted and lowered. “It could have been a discussion about anything.”
As much as she wanted to shake him, it would have been comical being he was so much larger than she. “It sounded ominous to me. What if they mean someone harm?”
“Guards are posted at the end of the corridor and at every entrance. If, for some reason, someone who means harm makes it past the gates, they will not reach any of the bedchambers.”
What he said was true. However, the men were already inside. Whoever they meant to harm only had the guard at the end of the corridor for protection.
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