A Flawed Scotsman

by McQueen, Hildie

  When Ruari cupped her face and lifted it, Esme was jarred out of her musings. “What do ye think we should do?”

  “I am not sure. Will ye walk with me this evening? I wish to search the entire keep and know who is here for the night.”

  “Of course. It is a good idea. Not only to put yer mind at rest, but to be sure the only people here are trusted.” He looked over his shoulder toward where the men who’d been practicing remained. “I will see ye at last meal.” He caressed her face and went back to the practice field.

  “Ye are proud of yer husband I see.” A village woman whom Esme had never cared for sauntered closer. “Ye should be.” The woman looked appreciatively to where Ruari was.

  The woman, Alondra, had always been loose with her affections. Married to a guard for a short time, she and he now lived apart. Rumors swirled about the reason, which Esme ignored.

  “Why are ye over here?” Esme asked. Usually only the guard came and went from that side of the keep. The area was used for practice and, many times, because the edge of creek ran close by, guards bathed in the open afterward.

  “I bring soap and drying cloths for them. Yer brother hired me to do so. Ask him if ye do not believe me.” With a basket on her arm, the woman continued past.

  Esme rolled her eyes and walked back to the courtyard. Women like Alondra annoyed her. There were more important things to do than work so hard to catch glimpses of naked men.

  Just then, she caught sight of Dot. The deer easily jumped over the corral fence and dashed to her. “Oh, dear Dot. I have been neglecting ye as of late, haven’t I?”

  Esme ran her hands down the animal’s back, and it preened at her attention. Dot would never be free. It was much too trusting of humans. Although the young deer was skittish with others, it often followed Keithen about like a hound.

  “Tis a shame that we will not get to eat that one.” The cook stood just outside the kitchen, a basket of vegetables from the garden at her feet.

  When Dot hurried over and picked a carrot from the basket, Esme laughed. “Not only will we not eat her, but she will eat our food.”

  Eileen, the cook and head housekeeper, made shooing motions. “Away with ye, beastie. This is not for ye.”

  Unbothered, Dot wandered to the garden and sniffed at the plants. A maid screamed and shooed Dot away. The deer grabbed a leafy plant and slowly walked back out, which made both Eileen and Esme chuckle.

  “I need to figure out how to keep her penned,” Esme said. “She is unruly.”

  Just then, two guards appeared. They studied her for a moment before one of them spoke. “We heard a scream.”

  “My deer startled her.” Esme motioned to the maid in the garden. “Everything is well.”

  Most of the guards were familiar with Dot’s escapades. The same one looked to where Dot now grazed on green grasses. “Perhaps a pen can be built for her near the stables.”

  “That may not be a bad idea,” Esme replied. As much as she hated the idea of Dot being penned, it was preferable to the animal roaming free and ending up in someone’s pot.

  As she walked away, the other guard spoke to his companion. “I wouldn’t mind eating it.”

  It was the voice she’d heard earlier. A familiar voice that had sent chills down her spine. But why?

  Walking slowly, she turned to look at the guards. They were somewhat familiar, one of them was a farmer’s son that had been hired as guard recently. Going to fetch the deer, she considered what Ruari had said. The conversation could have been about anything.

  “Miss Esme.” The unfamiliar of the two guards caught up with her. “I can build the pen. Show me where ye would like it.”

  Esme let out a breath and relaxed. Everything that had happened lately caused her imagination to go too far. “I have a perfect place that Dot will enjoy. She can have the security of a pen, plus freedom to get out and graze. The corner behind the stables.”

  They proceeded forward, pausing only for a moment to discuss plans for sewing together later with a guard’s wife.

  Once they reached the appointed spot, Esme walked from a specific point to the back wall to show the men where she wished the pen to be.

  One guard shook his head. “It will not do, Miss Esme. The deer can escape in this direction. What if we build it closer to there?” He pointed to an area further away.

  Esme shook her head. “There is barely any sun in that area.” She released Dot. “Pick a place ye’d like.”

  The deer wandered a few feet, leaped over the corral fence and began to graze. Esme chuckled. “I think it’s best not to worry about it for now. She remains inside the keep and is safe here.”

  When she was snatched backward, Esme gasped. Had she about to be bitten by something?

  “Do not make one noise,” a harsh voice said, and she felt the prick of a knife’s blade at her neck. The other man quickly gagged her and, together, they lifted her and tossed her over the wall.

  Upon landing on the opposite side, all air left her lungs and Esme struggled to breathe. The men were already scrambling over the fence, but there was little she could do. It was impossible to move, her body reacting to the fall.

  “Bring horses,” one of them ordered, and began dragging her to low growing bushes. “I’ll keep her here. Hurry.”

  The voice. She knew where she’d heard them before. It was clear now. They’d been the ones who’d shot her in the forest. All this time, they’d been there in the keep. Informing the Mackenzie of everything that occurred. Calum Robertson had not been the only traitor amongst them.

  Esme’s scream was muffled by her gag but she tried again and again. She rolled to her stomach and the guard lost his grip on her right wrist. Finally, she managed to get to all fours, but he was too strong for her and yanked her around the waist.

  Esme reached above her head and scratched her assailant’s face while, at the same time, kicking with all her might. Her struggles had some effect, but not enough. When he threw her to the ground on her stomach and placed his foot on the center of her back, it was hard to move.

  Despite the situation, her mind remained clear. At the moment, Esme was breathless and unable to move, but she’d find a chance. Somehow, she’d wait to catch him unaware and fight more. The man was winded and breathed heavily. At least for now, he’d not been able to drag her farther away.

  Hopefully, the other guard would be stopped and questioned when attempting to leave with more than one horse. She prayed one of the lead guards or Keithen saw him.

  Ruari came to mind. Would he notice her absence? How long would it be before he started searching for her? Since she’d been spending so much time with her mother or Catriona, he’d not miss her absence. It was still hours until last meal and the men could have her far away by then. If they had planned to kill her, they would have done so by now. Obviously, they were taking her to the Mackenzie. But what if this had nothing to do with the feud?

  What if they were taking her somewhere to kill her so that she’d not identify them as the ones who’d almost caused her death?

  Her mind whirled and she did her best not to give up hope. When the other guard returned, it would be harder to escape. There had to be a way to distract the guard who held her hands fast. He’d not tied them, knowing she’d fight and could possibly get free.

  It was just moments later that hope evaporated when the other guard appeared on horseback, pulling a second horse behind. The man looked around. “They will see her if ye put her on the horse. We have to get her away for a bit before ye can mount.”

  “It will look strange for ye to ride away with the other horse,” the man who held her protested.

  “We can cover her up.”

  They continued back and forth. The entire time, she looked to the wall. There were no guards atop the wall there because there was no way to get away except in one direction. They would have to pass where guards patrolled.

  There was only one way out from that area because, on the opposite si
de, there was a steep hill that was almost impossible to climb on foot and horses could not traverse.

  Esme wanted to smile at their predicament. However, a desperate person was also a dangerous one and she could only pray they did not decide to kill her then and there.

  “We cannot leave her now. If we kill her, they will remember me coming out and heading here,” the guard on horseback said, sounding distressed.

  The one who held her grunted out in annoyance. “Help me bind her. I have an idea.”

  Esme fought but, in the end, could not win against two men. They wrapped straps around her, binding her arms to her sides. Then they collected thin branches and neatly placed them around her body until she was fully hidden. The two idiots grunted with the heavy load but, finally, she was atop one of the horses.

  They spoke in whispers and she could not hear past the thundering of her heart. Soon, she was moving as the horse was guided out.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Ruari watched as a guard walked in through the gates. He looked as if he’d just been in a fight. It struck him as odd when the man scanned the surrounding before rushing to the stables.

  “Did ye see that?” he asked Keithen with whom he’d just been discussing the sword practice.

  When Keithen shook his head, Ruari began walking toward the center of the courtyard. “The guard who just walked through the gates. He looked scratched up and seemed very nervous.”

  “Which one?” Keithen asked.

  After Ruari motioned to the man who was now saddling a horse, Keithen frowned. “He is not married. He may have had an encounter with an angry woman.”

  Something about the man’s actions seemed strange. From his stilted moves to the way he kept looking around and up at the guards on the wall. He then looked toward where Ruari stood, but then quickly looked away as if afraid of being caught. There was something definitely wrong with the guard.

  “He is acting somewhat odd,” Keithen admitted, his gaze pinned to the guard who tied the straps to the saddle. “I should speak to him just to ensure he is not in trouble.” Ruari agreed, walking with Keithen to the man who jerked, startled upon their approach.

  Keithen placed a hand on the horse’s rump. “Where is yer horse?”

  The man looked from Keithen to Ruari and then back. “John took it. We killed a deer and are taking it to his father’s farm to slaughter.”

  Ruari recalled that, indeed, a guard had left with two horses earlier.

  “Why did ye not build a stretcher for the deer and drag it there?”

  “Very far,” the man replied, his eyes narrowing. “Is something amiss? I am hurrying to complete this task so that I can return promptly to be atop the gate this night.”

  Keithen shrugged. “I suppose not. See that ye are back on time.”

  When the man rode out through the gates, the tightness in Ruari’s gut did not leave. Warnings of something wrong would not leave him.

  Unsure of what exactly to do, he rushed into the keep. After scanning the great room, he went down the corridor to Catriona’s chamber. He peered in to find the injured woman and her mother both sleeping.

  Then he ran up the stairs to his and Esme’s bedchamber. It was empty. Finally, he went to the laird’s bedchamber. The door was open to show no one was there.

  In the sitting room across the corridor was Esme’s mother and several other women sewing. “Have ye seen Esme?”

  Lady Fraser shook her head. “When ye find her, tell her we are waiting. She promised to join us.” The woman waved him off.

  The more he searched, the stronger the urge to follow the guard who’d left. Where was his wife? He asked several maids, and none had seen Esme. After searching the kitchen and side garden, he raced back to Esme’s brother who gave him a questioning look.

  “Esme is missing.”

  No other words were necessary. Keithen let out a loud whistle and several guards came running. “Search the entire grounds. Find my sister.”

  More guards joined them as they rushed to the stables. Ruari called out to a head guardsman. “We need ten men to come with us. Close the gates and secure every entrance. Be vigilant in case this is a tactic by the Mackenzie to distract us so they can attack.”

  The guards dispersed to their posts with practiced precision.

  Quickly mounted, Ruari and Keithen’s horses galloped through the gates which were immediately closed behind them.

  People raced away toward the village, some jumping on wagons after being warned to find shelter.

  An overwhelming fear consumed him. Picturing how broken and near death she’d been just short weeks ago fueled fury like he’d never known. His wife was in danger, her life threatened, and he would never forgive himself if something happened to her.

  In that moment, he became consumed with urgency that he had to catch the men because if they dared to hurt Esme, he would not rest until every single person responsible lay dead.

  In the distance, the guard appeared. He turned upon hearing them and urged his mount to go faster.

  “He is guilty of something,” Keithen said as they gave chase.

  By the way the guard guided his horse to run faster, he was an accomplished horseman. However, desperation would lead him to make a mistake.

  When Keithen slowed, Ruari turned to look at him then noticed the man had pulled a bow from across his back. With precision, Keithen loosed the arrow that flew directly into the fugitive’s side. The man fell to the ground, the horse continuing on without a rider.

  They caught up to find the guard moaning and writhing on the ground.

  Ruari barely set feet on the ground when he rushed to the man and yanked him up off the ground. “Where is she?”

  The red-faced man winced and attempted to reach for the arrow. “Help me.”

  Instead of letting him go, Ruari shook him violently making his victim cry out in pain. “Where is my wife?”

  When the man screamed, he realized Keithen had pushed the arrow through. “Ye best speak. I doubt Ruari will let ye live otherwise.”

  Young and barely able to withstand pain, Ruari realized the man was not an experienced warrior. He narrowed his gaze and pinned the now whimpering idiot. “I will run ye through with my sword over and again. I know exactly where to do it that will cause the most pain and not kill ye.” He loosened his grip and the man fell to the ground. Then pulling his sword, he held it to the guard’s throat. “I will only ask once more.”

  “Murray’s farm. We did not mean to harm her. It was an unintentional…” he continued babbling, but Ruari didn’t care to hear any excuses.

  He stood over the hapless man and glared down at him. “If something happened to my wife, ye will die.”

  They had no choice but to leave the injured idiot there. Ruari considered killing him but did not wish to lose another second, which could mean Esme’s demise.

  Leaving the man on the ground, they rode off toward where he’d indicated.

  It had seemed like many hours had passed but was probably only one as they neared the farm. In the distance, they spotted the horses that had been tied to a fence. One of the horses had a large bundle of branches on its back.

  They urged the mounts to go faster than the already fast speed until arriving there. A farmer, who stood in the field, waved at them in a friendly manner.

  Obviously, the man was unaware of what had happened. He headed closer to welcome them.

  “Interesting day it is turning out to be,” he said by way of greeting. “First my son and then the laird’s.”

  They dismounted and Ruari raced to the horse with the bundle, Keithen and the farmer at his heels. With his sharp dagger, he cut at the straps and, moments later, barely caught Esme from falling to the ground.

  Pale and limp, she seemed to have fainted. Both he and Keithen quickly untied the restraints around her arms and legs.

  “Esme?” Ruari tapped her face. As quick as a rabbit, she punched him in the center of his face.

 
“Esme, it is me.” He barely got the words out when she hit him again. Her eyes widened. Finally seeing who she’d hit, she yanked the gag from her mouth.

  “Where are they?” she said with a snarl and coughed.

  Upon noting his sister was well enough to hit Ruari, Keithen sped off to find the other guard.

  “I-I am not sure what is happening,” the farmer sputtered. “I will get ye water.” He then yelled to a woman who’d emerged from the house. “Get water, cloths.” Worry was etched on his face, the poor man confused and obviously fearful.

  Ruari pulled Esme against his chest. “I thought I had lost ye.”

  His feisty wife pushed away. “Ye should be going after them, not coddling me.”

  “I will watch after her.” The farmer lowered to Esme just as the woman arrived with a pitcher of water. Her hands trembled so badly that water sloshed over the sides.

  “Lady Esme. I cannot fathom what to say,” she said in a trembling voice. “Ye poor dear,” she continued while pouring water into a cup.

  Feeling assured, Ruari ran to find Keithen. Around the back of the cottage, Keithen had the man pinned to the ground, sword to his throat. They’d obviously fought by the guard’s bloodied face.

  “Tell him,” Keithen order. “Admit what ye did, ye coward.”

  The man swallowed visibly and looked to Ruari. “We were the ones who almost killed yer wife. She was badly injured, and we thought she’d die. So we shot a second arrow into her so that she wouldn’t suffer…” he stopped talking when Keithen pushed the blade deeper into his neck. A trickle of blood dribbled from the spot.

  “Then ye ran away like cowards, leaving a defenseless woman to die and letting the clan think it was the Mackenzies.”

  “I accept my punishment. I can never face my father and guardsmen again.”

  Ruari drew his sword and stalked to the fallen man. “Yer punishment is death.”

  “No!” Esme, helped by the farmer and his wife, rounded the cottage. “His punishment will be to live with the label of a coward. Ten lashes and tied to a post for ten days in the center of the courtyard will be more than enough. Death would be too swift.”