Now, a beautiful woman slept in his bed, a laird’s daughter no less. Their bedchamber consisted of two rooms, each one easily larger than the two together that he’d lived in at Ross Keep.
The furnishings were beautifully crafted, the bedlinens soft. Although admittedly, he preferred Moira’s cooking back at Clan Ross, the fare at the Fraser’s home was good.
After dressing, Ruari went down to the great room to eat. His stomach grumbled with anticipation. Indeed, the night’s activities had left him with little energy and much need for sustenance.
It was very early. A few revelers remained sleeping on the floor in front of the hearth or along the walls to keep from being tripped over.
At a table near the kitchens sat Laird Fraser and one of his council members.
The laird motioned Ruari over. “Join us. Break yer fast.”
A maid rushed over and placed fresh bread and sliced meat before him.
Ruari ate while listening to the laird and the elderly man discuss what had to be done to move past the attacks. Listening to them, it was evident the laird was aware another attempt to invade was inevitable. It saddened Ruari that the small clan had to live under threat because of a ruthless power-hungry man.
“Are there other clans that are close who would form an alliance with ye?” Ruari asked the men.
“We have considered it. I plan to send messages to three others. But even combined, we are still not a match for the Mackenzie,” Laird Fraser said.
The other man nodded. “The smaller clans prefer to remain on the outskirts of this. Two have but a handful of guards.”
With a sword slung across his back, a guard approached. “There are Mackenzies outside the gates. They claim to have a message for ye,” the gruff man said in low tones to not be overheard by those sleeping near.
“Call Keithen,” Laird Fraser instructed as they stood. He then responded to the guard. “Keep them outside the gates until we are all outside.”
The guard went back out and Laird Fraser met Ruari’s gaze. “It will not stop, ye are aware?”
“I am.” Ruari wasn’t sure what the laird wanted to hear. That Ruari had made a wrong decision in keeping Esme there or that he wanted more support from Clan Ross? Perhaps both.
It wasn’t long before Keithen appeared. Along with Ewan and the council member, they stood at the house’s entry.
The gates opened to show a team of about twenty men. Only three rode through the gates. Surrounded by Fraser guards, the men dismounted and walked to the laird.
“Laird Mackenzie sends his congratulations and has sent a wedding gift to Lady Esme and her husband,” the guard said in an even tone. The other guard lifted up a rolled tapestry, which Ruari took from him.
Upon meeting the man’s gaze, there was only flatness.
“Is that all?” Laird Fraser asked, also in an even tone.
The guard shook his head. “He requests to meet for a discussion. Neutral territory three days hence.”
The laird remained silent, considering the words. Keithen, however, took a step forward. “Why does he wish this? We want nothing to do with yer clan.” His face twisted with fury. “Ye took innocent women and mistreated them. Ye took my mother. Why would we want to meet yer laird?”
The guard’s face turned to stone. “I am here to give a message. Not to speak on behalf of my laird.”
Keithen stood a hairsbreadth from the man’s face. “Were ye there when Mackenzie guards attacked a defenseless woman?” He pushed his chest against the man’s. “Were ye one of the group of cowards?”
“Enough!” Laird Fraser pulled Keithen back and looked to the guard whose face had reddened with anger. It was obvious the man fought hard not to argue with Keithen.
“Tell yer laird we will meet him at the appointed time.” He then gave a specific destination. Ruari noticed the other men scanned the courtyard and he wondered if they were searching for someone in particular.
It was only after they stood atop the keep and watched the Mackenzie contingent depart that the laird seemed to relax. He’d sent a messenger to the other council members, the new constable and his brother, to come at once.
“We will have messengers prepared to go to the other Frasers at the ready,” he said to no one in particular. “I know it may seem like a fruitless effort as they cannot continue to be at our beck and call. However, I am not sure what else can be done.”
“Have one at the ready to travel to Ross Keep as well,” Ruari said. “Perhaps we can seek assistance from the Grant?”
“He has remained neutral and I doubt there is anything for him to gain from joining forces with us. We are a strong clan and, combined, are strong enough to hold him off. Right now, it is a challenge for the Mackenzie, but I do not think he is willing to lose men to conquer us only to gain enemies that will constantly challenge him.”
What the laird said made sense. Ruari wondered if perhaps after weighing the options, the Mackenzie sought a way to have a truce that would work to his advantage and not make him look weak.
Three days later, Ruari, along with the Fraser and several hundred guards, arrived at the appointed location. Both lairds had agreed to no more than two hundred warriors. From atop the ridge where they came to a stop, the opposing clan appeared. It seemed the Mackenzie had kept his word, his contingent the same size as theirs.
As customary, both parties advanced until the lairds were a few yards away. Then, along with four escorts each, they rode closer until they were able to speak.
Ruari, Keithen and two guards accompanied Laird Fraser.
The Mackenzie’s shrewd gaze pinpointed Ruari for a moment before moving to Keithen and then meeting Laird Fraser’s. “I bid ye good day.”
“Ye as well,” Laird Fraser responded. “Are we here to speak of a way to keep peace?” He went directly to the point, taking control of the conversation. It was obvious by the Mackenzie’s tightening of his jaw that the move was not appreciated.
“I wish to discuss an equal alliance.”
“Yer clan is much larger and more powerful than mine, we both know it. How would we be allies and I am guaranteed that ye would use it as a tool to take over?”
“By marriage. Yer son,” he looked at Keithen, “to my eldest daughter. She has recently become widowed.”
Ruari couldn’t help but wonder if the woman’s husband’s death was coincidental.
“By yer son being married to my daughter, she would come to live with ye.”
Laird Fraser looked at the man and then over his shoulder. “We are a strong clan. Our numbers may not be as great at yers, but we can stand against ye if we have to.” He then looked to Keithen, who stared straight ahead, his features hard, the muscle in his jaw flexing with restraint.
Laird Mackenzie shrugged, acting as if he was nonchalant. However, there was steel in his gaze. “My offer will expire in three days.”
“And then what?” Keithen said between clenched teeth. “Ye attack us again and again?”
Laird Fraser held up a hand to silence his son. “I must do what is best to keep my people safe…” he stopped speaking and his brow furrowed. “I fail to see what ye have to gain with this marriage.”
“I am proving my willingness for peace between our clans. As ye say, yer clan, when combined with the Frasers of the east, is large and strong. I do not wish to continue any animosity between us.”
That a change of heart would happen so soon after battle made Ruari suspicious. Like Laird Fraser, he also did not understand why the man was doing this. To offer his own daughter to a clan so small when not joined with the other portion made little sense.
“I will send a missive with a response to ye within three days,” Laird Fraser said, meeting his opponents gaze. “I hope ye are sincere in yer offer. However, ye should understand why I cannot promptly give ye a reply at the moment.”
The Mackenzie’s chin jutted out as he considered his reply. “I have considered, after advisement, that an alliance rather than
a takeover would be more advantageous to…my clan.”
Ruari wondered if the man had started to say “to me” and realized it would reveal narcissism.
“As I said, a messenger will be sent to ye before the three days are up,” Laird Fraser repeated. With that, they turned their horses about and returned to the ridge, the entire time aware that they had given their backs to the enemy. A very dangerous thing.
*
“We must find a way to turn him down without causing a rift,” a councilman said upon their return to the keep. They were in the laird’s study, ten men sitting around a table. All had gone to meet with the Mackenzie but the conversation between the lairds was not repeated until there was no chance of being overheard.
“I will never marry a Mackenzie,” Keithen said. “I do not care how much ye discuss it. Let that be clear.”
“It would be best to turn the entire offer down, with some sort of mention of appreciation for becoming allies,” a councilmember stated.
Laird Fraser’s gaze turned steely when looking to his son. “Ye will do as I say and what is best for the clan. If I decide ye will marry the woman, then ye will do it.”
“It takes a day to reach the Mackenzie keep. He chose three days knowing it cut our time to discuss to only two days at most,” the leader of the guard stated.
Ruari cleared his throat. “I believe the Mackenzie is trying to save face. He does not plan to attack again. He realizes that we are too far for him to maintain control over even if he wins a battle. However, the man does not wish to appear weak before his people.”
“I doubt any of his clanspeople care one way or another,” the laird’s brother stated. “Most are too busy carving out a living under his stringent rule.”
Laird Fraser shook his head. “If the possibility of continuous peace exists, why would we not take it? The Mackenzie is not a sane man. He is always plotting. I do not trust him, but at the same time, if his daughter comes to live here, we can guarantee our people peace.”
A loud boom sounded when Keithen pounded his fist to the table. “I refuse.”
“I stand with Keithen,” Ruari stated. “His offer comes with an underlying threat. Accept or else. Ye cannot allow it.”
The laird’s face turned red. He swung an arm, sweeping across the table, knocking glasses over as he got to his feet. “Once again, ye speak against me. Again in my home.” He glared at Ruari who maintained eye contact. “Ye should leave immediately. I will not allow disloyalty.”
He then pinned Keithen with a menacing look. “And ye will obey me. I am not just yer father, but yer laird.”
With a hard push from the table, Ruari stood. He grew tired of the laird’s constant back and forth of whether he should remain or not.
Fury filled him as he stalked out and into the courtyard, directly to the corrals. The dirt under his feet kicked up as he paced back and forth deciding on how he’d tell Esme he was leaving.
Keithen approached. “Ye should not leave. Allow him time to calm.”
“I cannot remain. He has asked me to leave in front of witnesses. I will not take Esme, not at the moment. I must return to Ross lands and figure out what is best. Where we will live. I have land that I can build upon. Right now, I cannot take her with me. There is no time to plan. I will return for her as soon as possible.”
Upon spotting him, his cousin, Ewan, came to where they stood. “What is happening?”
“Gather the men. We return to Ross lands immediately,” Ruari growled. “We are no longer welcome here by the laird.”
Chapter Twenty
Esme stretched. She’d been with Catriona all afternoon. Although she couldn’t wait to speak to Ruari and find out the outcome of the meeting with the Mackenzie, it was best to wait to discuss it alone once they retired for the night.
Currently, Catriona slept, her friend seeming frailer than ever. Although she’d begun eating in the last few days, her countenance had not changed. There didn’t seem to be any wish to participate in what happened around her. Most of the time when Esme spoke to her about what was happening at Fraser Keep, Catriona would listen, but not respond. Instead, she’d heave a heavy sigh and would rise from the chair, limp to the bed, and lie down.
Just then, Flora returned from spending time with her bairn and eating. The woman looked refreshed. She smiled at Esme. “I will remain here for the rest of the day and night.”
“I will ensure someone arrives early in the morning to allow ye time to see about yer child and mother.”
“Thank ye,” Flora replied and went to the window. She pushed open the shutters, allowing the last rays of sunshine in. “Miss Catriona. It is time for ye to get up and walk for a bit.”
It had been a good choice to hire Flora. She did not shrink from Catriona’s reluctance. Instead, the companion encouraged her to do more.
Once in the hallway, Esme considered whether to go to her chambers and rest before last meal, or to head directly to the great hall and search out Ruari.
Upon entering the great hall, it was evident something was amiss. The room was empty, other than maids who prepared the room for last meal. There were guards at the doorway, but it was strangely quiet.
The guardsmen appeared to be lined up outside and she hurried to the doorway. “What is going on?” she asked a guard.
“A reassignment of duties now that Ross has left with his men.”
The words floated in the air, not making a bit of sense.
“What are ye saying? Ruari Ross left?”
“Aye, Lady Esme. He and the fifty men were sent away by the laird is what I heard.”
Frozen in place, she attempted to process what the young man had said. Surely he was mistaken. Ruari would not have left without speaking to her and explaining why.
Despite the fact that her brother stood before the guards and was mid-sentence, she abruptly stood in front of him and looked up into his face. “Tell me why my husband is gone.”
“Not now.” Keithen pushed her aside none-so-gently. “Go inside.”
Embarrassed and furious, she grabbed her skirts and raced back into the keep and straight to her father’s study.
The laird looked up as she entered, his brow furrowing immediately. “Esme, we must speak.”
“Tell me why my husband left.”
“I will not tolerate someone undermining me and disrespecting my orders.”
Her entire body shook with the realization that what the guard had said was true. Ruari was gone. “So ye sent him away?” She couldn’t help screaming the words.
“I told him that I did not tolerate disloyalty and that he should leave immediately. How was I to know his lack of fidelity would include ye. Leaving ye behind only means he prefers to not be tied to our clan.”
A ringing in her ears grew so intense that Esme had to shake her head. “I am leaving as well. Ye had never been like this, Father. Ye have always been fair and willing to listen to others’ opinions. That ye refuse to now worries me.”
“I am responsible for our clanspeople. The burden of keeping thousands of people alive weighs on me and only me.”
“Nay. It weighs on our family. We should carry the burden with ye. But as of late, ye are not allowing it.”
Her father’s gaze moved from her to the doorway. He did not wish to continue the conversation.
Too angry to pay heed, Esme moved closer to where he sat. “If ye continue like this, things will only grow worse. See reason, Father. I am sure Ruari wishes for peace as much as ye. How can ye call him disloyal when he fought alongside our men? He rode with ye to see the Mackenzie and brought his men.”
“I remain standfast in my decision. He stood against me in front of the council.”
“Who else?”
Her father shrugged.
“My brother?”
“He is family.”
“So is Ruari.” Outraged, she shook her head as words left her. “I am disappointed in ye, Father.”
Her mother was in
the bedchamber placing folded clothing into a truck when Esme burst into the room. “Do ye know what happened? Father sent Ruari away. My husband has gone.”
“Of course, he did not. I am sure ye are misunderstanding things, dear.” It was almost comical how unbothered her mother was at the news. Just days earlier, they had celebrated her marriage and at the announcement her husband was gone, her mother acted as if she’d just told her the weather was bonnie.
“I just spoke to Father.” Esme spoke as slowly as possible despite her ire. “Ruari was sent away because he did not agree with Father.”
When Lady Fraser let out a sigh, Esme hoped it was due to disappointment at her father. “Come sit with me,” her mother said, placing the clothes down and moving to a pair of chairs.
Once they were seated, her mother took Esme’s right hand. “Ye are much too outspoken for a woman. There are things we should not involve ourselves in. I am sure the situation will be worked out between yer father and yer husband. If he is really gone, surely, he will return promptly for ye.”
“I cannot remain idle and silent, Mother. Father sent him away…”
Her mother interrupted. “It is yer duty as a Fraser to be loyal to this family. Ye may be a Ross by marriage, but yer loyalty rests here. I tire of yer outbursts and expectations. Allow yer father and the council to work this out.”
Esme pulled her hand away and studied her mother. “How do ye do it? Remain so complacent throughout everything. Ye have no opinions other than what color thread to use or which meat is to be cooked. Our world changes around us and ye refuse to see it. Mother, open yer eyes. Please.”
Tears trailed down her face as she stood and backed away. “I cannot fathom how ye can stand by and never have an opinion on anything. It is never our place to do anything according to ye.”
Her mother stood and pointed to the door. “Go to yer chambers, Esme. Remain there. Ye are upsetting me.”
“I am not a child to be sent to my room.” Esme stalked from the room, deciding she’d speak to Keithen.
A Flawed Scotsman Page 17