Page 52 of A Flawed Scotsman

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 wasn’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.

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.