Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 99593 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 498(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99593 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 498(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
“How can he be a better more tolerant leader if he wishes me, an innocent in all this, dead as well?” Esme said, with a brief shake of her head. “I doubt many would care as long as it brought an end to Torrance’s cruelty.” She sighed softly and laid her head on his shoulder. “I wish we could leave, walk away from it all and have a simple life together.”
“We could have a good life with my clan if this person proves worthy to lead Clan Glencairn and bears no ill will against Clan MacLeish.”
“Those are big ifs, and a man doesn’t always show his true nature right away, especially one who has so much to gain,” she said, a yawn escaping her lips.
“You are tired. We can talk more about this in the morning,” he said, lifting her in his arms as he stood.
“You know we have no choice?” she said softly.
He didn’t respond. He set her on her feet by the bed and began to undress.
Esme hesitated. She shed her garments down to her underdress and got into bed, a chill already rushing through her and another yawn attacking her.
Ryland slipped into bed naked beside her and reached over to tuck her close to his side. No more talk,” he ordered.
Esme yawned again and cuddled snug against him. “You can ignore the obvious all you want. But you know we have no choice… I must go see the Old Woman alone.”
CHAPTER 23
Esme woke the next morning to intimate touches and gentle kisses and, at first, she thought she was dreaming and was extremely pleased to find out she wasn’t. When she opened her eyes, she was startled, and her body grew taut. She had to remind herself that her husband was dead and the man who touched her with such love was Ryland.
“I love you, Esme,” he whispered, and her body relaxed to his touch.
Ryland wanted to linger but he knew someone would arrive and disturb them soon and though it was quicker than he would have liked, it was no less satisfying.
They were barely dressed when a pounding at the door caused Esme to jump in fright.
Ryland’s arm went quickly around her to hug her against him as he called out, “Who disturbs me!”
“It is Brack, my lord. Gavin has escaped.”
Ryland felt his gut twist tight as he reluctantly left his wife’s side to yank open the door.
“What happened?” he demanded, stepping aside for Brack to enter.
Brack strode in, his face taut with fury and frustration. “Two of the guards were temporarily reassigned per your orders. It was supposed to be for no more than a few moments. By the time they returned, Gavin was gone. Vanished without a trace.”
Ryland swore under his breath, his mind already racing. It was a calculated risk he’d taken—one he’d justified in the moment for the chance to learn the truth. But now…
Brack’s sharp gaze shifted past him, to Esme. She stood straight, shoulders drawn back, and her chin slightly tilted.
Brack’s eyes narrowed. “Someone saw her, my lord. Slipping out of the hut just before the guards returned.”
Ryland tensed, prepared to defend her. “That’s not possible.”
“She was seen, my lord. There is no mistaking that.” Brack’s voice held no malice, only a firm conviction. “You had the guards pulled away, and she was seen entering the prisoner’s hut alone right afterwards. What I’d like to know, and what others will soon demand to know, is why.”
Esme stepped forward before Ryland could stop her. “I went to speak with Gavin.”
Ryland swung a warning look at her, but she continued, calm but deliberate.
“I went for answers. For my husband. I believed Gavin might say something to help him understand what’s been happening. I meant no harm and certainly no betrayal.”
Brack shook his head. “That bruise on your face tells me you displeased your husband, and he gave you what you deserve. Anger may have caused your betrayal, though I don’t believe that you acted on your own accord. That you risk being seen, risk suspicion, just to help your husband? Forgive me, my lady, but that doesn’t sound like loyalty. It sounds like manipulation.”
Ryland’s eyes turned stormy, and Esme could see the change in him as he stepped between them, the air around him bristling. It was Torrance who demanded, “Do you manipulate, wife?”
“Nay, my lord,” Esme said, lowering her head. “I would not be so foolish, for you would see through it right away.”
She could be part of the plot,” Brack said. “She needs to answer for what she’s done. Because if you don’t hold her accountable, your warriors and they”—he motioned vaguely toward the village beyond— “will wonder why. Why she is spared when Torrance’s punishments are swift and brutal.”
Torrance’s jaw clenched. The truth lodged painfully in his throat. He couldn’t defend her without undoing everything. The fragile illusion. The plan. The name he’d taken to root out the treachery in Clan Glencairn.