Page 67 of A Flawed Scotsman

“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.”