Page 53 of A Flawed Scotsman

“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?