“I became separated from my escorts during the night. I traveled in the wrong direction. I assure ye, they are searching for me now.”
After a moment, he looked past her to someone and jutted forward with his chin. A command of some sort because several sets of footsteps sounded, walking away.
She’d been shoved into a chair in the Mackenzie great room. Only a few guards were about, no one from the village was visiting it seemed.
Not even water had been offered to her since she’d arrived several hours earlier. Instead, she’d been ordered to sit and wait for the Mackenzie to arrive from wherever he was.
Exhaustion and hunger had set in, but she refused to ask for anything. She’d rather starve than beg for drink or food from people who may have hurt her brother.
A woman walked in and, by her age, Esme guessed her to be one of the Mackenzie’s daughters.
The woman was about her age and quite pretty. Esme wondered if this was the woman he sought to have Keithen marry.
“Father. May I offer her a meal? She has been here for a long time without drink or food.” The woman looked to Esme, who studied her in return. Her hair was a light brown that had been pulled away from her face rather tightly. She glanced at Esme and it was as if she tried to communicate something. However, Esme wasn’t sure what to make of it.
The Mackenzie stared at Esme. “Why would ye ride away without yer husband?”
“He agreed that I could visit my family alone as he has duties to see to.” Esme wanted to add that it was none of his business. But being she’d been caught on Mackenzie lands, perhaps he had a reason to be suspicious.
“Is my brother here?” Esme blurted.
The man’s eyebrows rose. “Why do ye ask?”
Now, she’d made a mistake. “I am aware ye wish to have him to marry one of yer daughters.”
The woman glanced at her father, her brow crinkling.
The Mackenzie shrugged as if it were inconsequential and then looked to the woman. “She can eat, but must remain here.”
The laird walked out and, soon thereafter, Esme was served stew, bread and drink. The woman sat and began eating alongside her. In her company alone, Esme felt comfortable enough to eat.
“Are ye his daughter?” she asked the woman. The young lady nodded.
“I am Ava, his eldest.”
“Ye are married?” Esme asked, noticing she wore a band on her finger.
The woman met her gaze. She had the palest blue eyes Esme had ever seen. “I am widowed.”
Instead of a reply, Esme wanted to ask more questions. “I hope yer father allows me to go. I have to attend to family matters.”
Ava shrugged. “It is hard to know what he will do.”
“Are ye the one he wishes to marry to my brother?” Esme asked.
“Father does not discuss things with me, but I overheard it. I believe so. Although I am told yer father refused.”
“Help me leave,” Esme said, pushing her plate aside. “I do not wish to be the reason for another clash between our clans.”
Her hopes were dashed when Ava shook her head. “There is nothing I can do.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
It was now the second day and, still, they’d yet to catch up with Esme. It was obvious she’d become lost. Ruari’s fears were all but confirmed at a traveler telling them he’d seen a woman being escorted by Mackenzies.
Although he was furious at his wife and at the other women who’d confessed their plan after he’d found her gone late the morning before, Ruari was more concerned.
“Should ye send word to Fraser?” Ewan asked.
He’d already sent a scout back to Ross lands to ask Malcolm to send more men. He rode with only twenty at the moment.
“She is my responsibility, not the Fraser’s.”
They continued farther into Mackenzie lands, their banner on full display to ensure that they were recognized.
Why had Esme gone to such lengths to return home? Had she planned to return to him?
Did he wish her to? His wife had not considered him upon planning to leave.
If she preferred to return to her home to live, would he allow it?
He would. It was preferable to living in fear that she’d run away again.
His mother had left him without remorse, as a matter of fact. There was nothing to gain in forcing someone who didn’t wish to be with him to remain at his side.
It could be that Esme resented him for taking her away from her family. Maybe she had decided she’d rather risk her life than continue to live with him.
Yes, she’d brought up the excuse of Keithen being gone, but it did not justify her actions. Ruari looked to his cousin. “Once I find her, I will allow her to return to her family.”
Ewan met his gaze. “I am sure she prefers to live with ye.”
“Ye cannot be sure of it. Why then leave as she did?”
His cousin’s shoulders lifted and lowered. “Ye heard what the women said. They thought ye would be right behind her. She did not plan to be alone. Surely, she became lost and did not mean to end up on Mackenzie lands.”
Annoyed, he raked his fingers through his tangled hair.
A man on horseback appeared. Ruari looked to Ewan. “See him?”
“Aye.”
Upon noticing them, the rider galloped in their direction. As he got closer, Ruari called to the guards to lower their bows and swords. It was Keithen.
“The bastard’s got my sister,” Keithen yelled, his anger directed at Ruari. “Why is she out alone?”
“She left on her own.”
The enraged man glared at him. “How is it possible for a wee woman to escape without being seen?”
“She was seen. My keep is not a prison. No one is kept from leaving if they wish.” Ruari wanted to hit the man in the face.
Keithen’s eyes narrowed. “Why did she ride here?”
“I am sure she became lost,” Ruari said. “Ye can ask her when I fetch her.”
“The Mackenzie will think it’s a trap or trick,” Keithen said, his voice still tight. “Why would she do this?”
Ruari gave him an annoyed look. “A letter arrived. She was informed ye’d not been seen for days.”
When Keithen’s face turned to stone, Ruari knew something was amiss. “Why are ye on Mackenzie land?”
“That is not important now,” came the curt reply.
They continued forward and would reach the keep shortly. “Are ye coming with us? If so, we will have to explain yer presence,” Ewan said to Keithen.
“I will remain in the forest. Tis best not to complicate things by me killing the bastard.” And a while later, as the keep came into view, Keithen disappeared.
“What do ye suppose he is doing?” Ewan asked.
Ruari had wondered the same thing. “I would say he is avenging something. The Mackenzie did take his mother and the woman, Catriona. The woman was horribly mistreated.”
They rode to the gates and, although the huge portal was open, they were challenged by guards.
Once disclosing their names, they waited until word was sent to the laird. A long while later, guards rode along their sides as the entire party was invited through the gates.
Moments later, they were escorted into the great room. It struck Ruari as strange that no one greeted them at the entrance as was customary.
Highlanders’ unwritten customs were to greet visitors and invite them to eat a meal, whether friend or stranger.
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. Ru
ari 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?”
Her father would not have asked Clan Ross, not after throwing Ruari from the Fraser Clan. “I am not sure my father would. Can ye understand why I came?”
“No.” The blunt answer made her cringe. His face was expressionless, and she feared he preferred her to go back to her family.
“If ye allow me to go, I will. I have to see about my brother.” Esme took a shaky breath. “I want to be with ye. We are husband and wife, and I love ye even if ye do not feel as strongly for me.” When tears slid down her cheeks, Esme wiped them away angrily. “I will require at least four men to escort me. Although I doubt the Mackenzie will stop me again.”
Ruari took her arm to keep her from turning away. “I saw yer brother. He is here.”
“What?” Unsure she’d heard correctly, Esme studied Ruari’s face. “Ye’ve seen him?”
He nodded. “He did not tell me what he is doing, but I suspect some sort of work for yer father that they prefer to keep quiet.”
Breath left her. She’d been rash and stupid for leaving, openly disobeying her husband. And now he was giving her the option to leave. On the precipice of losing Ruari, Esme wasn’t sure how to repair all the damage she’d done.
“I should not have come. It was reckless. Will ye forgive me?”
For what seemed like a long moment, Ruari remained silent, his hand around her arm, gently holding her in place. “What do ye wish to do, Esme? Return with me or go to Fraser Keep?”
“I wish to return with ye.”
He’d not said that he’d forgiven her and he did not acknowledge her profession of love. When they returned to the horses, Ewan studied their faces, and waited for Ruari to say which direction they’d travel.
“North,” Ruari said and they began the trek to Ross lands.
They arrived at Ross Keep the next morning. Once inside, Esme did not look around, but hurried directly to the bedchamber. Maids were already setting up a bath for her, which she figured Elspeth had ordered. A clean nightgown was laid on the bed and, moments later, Ceilidh entered with a tray. “I bring some warm cider and a bit for ye to eat.”
“Thank ye, but I am not hungry,” Esme said, meeting her friend’s gaze. “I wish to bathe and go to sleep.”
“Of course.” Ceilidh neared. “We are so sorry. We should have seen to it that someone followed closer. It was late by the time Ruari found out and he was so furious, it was terrifying.”
Esme let out a breath. “There is no need for any of ye to feel badly. It was I who went forth without making sure that I followed. I kept going and got lost.”
Ceilidh’s eyes rounded. “Oh, no.”
“I will tell ye more once I rest.” Esme undressed, not caring that Ceilidh remained in the room and sunk into the fragrant, heated water. She closed her eyes. “I told him I loved him, and he did not respond.”
When she opened her eyes, she met Ceilidh’s who gave her a warm smile. “It could be that he was too angry to respond at that time. The moment may not have been right.”
Esme felt somewhat better. “Ye may be right.”
Moments later, as she slipped her night rail on, barely able to keep her eyes open, Esme considered waiting for Ruari to join her. The draw of sleep was too strong.
The next morning, the silence in the great room was like nothing before. The usual jovial mood when the Ross wives gathered was gone. Servants and visitors had all been told to stay out.
Malcolm stood in front of the gathered group. Next to him stood Tristan. Kieran and Ruari sat in chairs, their expressions austere.
Elspeth, Merida, Gisela and Esme had been asked to sit in four chairs placed in a semi-circle facing the laird.
Although she’d often heard of Malcolm Ross described as a heartless laird, for the first time, Esme experienced a shiver of apprehension. His expression was hard, like stone. His darkened brown gaze piercing as it landed on each of the women.
“Yer advice to Esme, that she leave this keep without escort, could have not only cost her life, but also the lives of many of our men. The Mackenzie is volatile and easy to goad. The outcome could have been very different. Our men are tired of war and to be thrown into another would have been disastrous.”
When Merida sniffed, Esme took her hand, but at Malcolm’s frown, she released it.
She looked to Ruari for support, but his expression mirrored Malcolm’s.
“I am very disappointed,” Malcolm added. “I do not care who ye are, I will not allow my clan’s live
s to be put in danger over a silly game. Am I understood?”
Elspeth, Malcolm’s wife, stood. She was the only one brave enough to stand up to the man. “We are embarrassed, all of us. It was thoughtless and a big mistake.” She turned to Esme. “We owe ye an apology as well for goading ye to do it.”
“I should have known better,” Esme replied. “I know firsthand how dreadful the Mackenzie is.” She looked to Malcolm. “I will never do anything like it again. I would never wish to be the reason for harm to come to Clan Ross.”
When Malcolm remained silent, the properly chastised women got up and went to their respective chambers. Esme needed time away to be alone. Although a bit harsh, what Malcolm had said was true.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Ruari wasn’t sure what to say to Esme. He’d not slept in their chamber for several nights. He was still furious that she’d left without taking the repercussions into consideration. The thought burned through him. As much as he wished to speak to her and accept her apology, a part of him still wondered if she did not wish to remain there with him.
Adding insult to injury, she’d not only apologized, but also professed to love him. Had she done it to ensure he’d not leave her behind?
The night before, he’d barely slept, once again rehashing everything. Had Esme even realized how badly things could have gone?
The Mackenzie could have taken it as a spying attempt by Clan Ross and drawn them into another war.
Not only that, but she’d also put her own father’s clan in jeopardy. He lifted up from the pallet in front of the hearth when he heard footsteps approaching.
Malcolm peered down at him silently. “When I didn’t sleep in my chambers, I managed to find a more comfortable place than the floor.”
Ruari sat up and yawned. “I’ve slept in worse places. Why are ye up?”
The laird frowned. “I am departing shortly to Fraser lands. With yer marriage, they are our allies. I need to ensure the Mackenzie threat is controlled.”
“Do ye plan to visit the Mackenzie as well?”
Malcolm shook his head. “In the future perhaps.”
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