A Fierce Archer (Clan Ross Book 6)

by Hildie McQueen

  “Catriona. Can I court ye for marriage?”

  As he expected, she straightened with an expression of dismay. “I-I…”

  “Do not answer me right now. Consider it. I know ye will require time and I will be patient. I have come to care for ye a great deal.”

  “Ye deserve someone who will be a good wife to ye...”

  “And ye plan to be a bad wife to someone?” Ewan jested.

  She didn’t smile. “I am not sure what to say.”

  “Ye have said yerself that I ease yer fears. When we kiss, ye do not pull away.” He took her hand and lifted it to his lips. “I want to be yer husband, Catriona.”

  When she turned away, Ewan wondered if he’d made a mistake. Time was not on his side. He had to take every opportunity that he could alone with her before arriving at Ross Keep. If he didn’t tell her how he felt, then he’d forever wonder. It was best she turn his offer down and tell him that to be together was impossible then to never truly know.

  Tears began to fall, sliding down her pretty face as she met his gaze. Ewan reached for her, but she put her hands up, effectively stopping him. Pain radiated from her and his heart sank. Catriona would not even consider anything between them.

  She let out a shaky sigh. “I care for ye, Ewan, I truly do. A part of me wishes to accept immediately. Inside, I am not sure that I would ever be truly a good and proper wife to ye. There is so much to consider.”

  Watching her walk away without stopping her was one of the hardest things he’d ever done.

  “We will camp here,” a guard announced when Ewan walked back.

  A campfire was started and, soon enough, warmth emanated to keep everyone comfortable.

  Catriona joined Lady Fraser, their heads together as they talked. He wondered if the woman was on his side and would help his cause. Or perhaps Lady Fraser agreed with Catriona. She would never marry anyone.

  “Ye do not heed my warning to stay away from Catriona. Instead of helping her heal, what ye are doing is making things worse.” Broden’s words contained barely concealed fury. “Return to yer people and leave mine alone.”

  Ewan swung to face the man. “So ye can go after her? Do not try to hide behind a façade of nobility. What ye wish is for me to be out of the way. Leave a clear path for ye.”

  “And if I did,” Broden said slowly. “I have time to wait for her to be ready. We have known each other since we were young. There is trust between us.”

  It was no use to speak to the man. They both wanted the same thing. As far as Ewan knew, he and Catriona had deeper feelings than she had with Broden. Admittedly, she did seem comfortable when around the warrior, but he’d not seen any kind of emotional response from her.

  “I will continue my quest and ask Catriona to be my wife. There is nothing ye or anyone can do to stop me.” Ewan walked away. His words stronger than what he actually felt in that moment.

  ***

  The next morning, they continued toward Ross Keep. Thankfully, they would be arriving before sundown.

  Ewan rode on one side of the carriage and Broden traded with someone else to ride on the other side. They ignored each other for most of the day, which suited Ewan just fine.

  When Lady Fraser asked them to stop, the party did so that the women could refresh and stretch. They walked together to a trickle of a creek and washed their faces and arms. It was obvious an attempt to look presentable for their arrival at Ross Keep.

  While that was happening, Lady Fraser’s companion cleaned out the carriage, sweeping the floor and fluffing the pillows.

  Watching the woman made Ewan consider that although she was a village girl, Catriona was treated like part of the laird’s family. She was accustomed to a much better life than he, or Broden for that matter, could provide for her.

  His life at Ross Keep was as part of the archer ranks. He would live at the guards’ house with very little privacy. The married men who worked for the laird often had houses in the village for their families, who they visited several times a week. For the most part, the wives had to deal with everyday life on their own. Cooking, cleaning and caring for any bairns.

  When Catriona walked back toward the carriage, she looked to be in good spirits. She actually looked up to him and smiled. His chest expanded when he met her gaze and her cheeks turned pink. There was definitely something between them and he would do everything in his power to ensure she would come to understand how much he cared about her.

  Since they were to board on Broden’s side, the warrior assisted the women back into the carriage. He leaned to Catriona’s ear and whispered something that made her giggle. Ewan narrowed his eyes at Broden, but the warrior ignored him, taking longer than necessary to help Catriona up.

  Finally, they moved forward to the final leg of the trip. The closer they got to Ross Keep, the more Ewan considered what his next step would have to be.

  There was always the possibility of returning to Uist. There, Catriona would live in his family’s large keep. They had a full staff that waited on the family. The thought of returning to his father’s realm didn’t sit well with him.

  Although not as grand as Malcolm’s home, his family’s keep was impressive and large enough for them to live there comfortably.

  “There it is, Dun Airgid,” someone said, pointing to the huge keep on a hillside. Silver Fortress. The name suited it perfectly.

  Obviously, the scouts had announced their imminent arrival because the gates were open, and several family members stood at the home’s entrance to welcome them.

  Lady Fraser was who the honors were for, but it was nice when his cousins waved at him in greeting.

  After entering the courtyard, Ewan guided the carriage driver to the center so that they could allow for the rest of the escort to flank in. The guards waited on horseback until someone assisted the women out of the carriage.

  As per tradition, Ewan hurried to the door and opened it. He peered into a wide-eyed Catriona and a smiling Lady Fraser.

  “It is best that ye assist Catriona. Take her quickly inside to a small space,” Lady Fraser instructed.

  Once Ewan assisted Lady Fraser down, the woman waved him away. Just then, Broden approached. “I will see that Catriona goes inside...”

  “See about assisting me,” Lady Fraser interrupted. “Ye are my head guard and will act as my escort.”

  A subdued Broden nodded. “Yes, of course. I apologize Lady Fraser.” He took Lady Fraser’s arm and, together, they walked to where Malcolm, Tristan and Esme Ross waited.

  Ruari Ross, his cousin, came over and greeted him. Ruari then began to instruct the guards as to where to take the horses and such.

  Catriona sat in the carriage not moving. Her wide eyes were looking from one side of the carriage to the other.

  “Come, I will ensure ye are safe,” Ewan said and held out his hand. “Take my hand.”

  After a moment, she reached out and he pulled her gently forward. Once she descended the stairs, although obviously nervous, she was curious enough to look about.

  “It is huge,” she whispered.

  “Indeed, it is.”

  “Oh, my, what a happy surprise,” Esme Ross said, while hugging her mother and looking to Catriona.

  She released her mother and rushed to Catriona and the women hugged tightly. Catriona’s bright eyes met his and she mouthed “thank ye”.

  Lady Fraser and Esme flanked Catriona’s sides and, together, they walked into the keep. Lady Fraser motioned for Ewan to follow close by. Although he was glad to remain nearby, he hoped Catriona would not need to be calmed.

  Once inside, Esme motioned to a corridor. “Ye will be staying at my and Ruari’s home. But for the next couple of days, we will be here.”

  As they walked past a doorway, Esme motioned to it. “That is where Ruari and I sleep.” They stopped and went into a room right next to it. “And ye will stay here.”

  “Oh, look at the view.” Catriona hurried to the window that overlooked the s
ide of a steep mountain.

  Esme turned to Ewan. “Thank ye so much for convincing her to come. I am beyond grateful.” The woman threw herself against Ewan, hugging him tightly. “Ye have no idea how happy I am at this moment.”

  He nodded and looked to Catriona who watched them with an unreadable expression. Upon their gazes meeting, she attempted at a smile, her lips barely inching up.

  “Yes, thank ye, Ewan. I am glad to be here.”

  “Of course.” He left the room feeling there was so much left unsaid. And yet, there was no reason for him to remain inside.

  “Ewan.” Esme followed him out. “I wish to speak to ye later.” After the cryptic statement, Esme rushed back to the room where he guessed the women would spend hours talking and catching up.

  “Welcome home,” Tristan Ross said when Ewan entered the great room. His huge cousin gave him a curious look. “What did ye do?”

  Ewan shrugged. “Do ye want a list?”

  “Malcolm will need to know if there are repairs to be made to Laird Fraser.”

  “We can speak later. But I am confident that, instead, they owe me gratitude,” Ewan replied.

  In the great room, the men who’d traveled were already being fed and would soon learn which duties they were to take over.

  Lady Fraser was already seated and chatted animatedly with the Ross wives, seeming to enjoy being the center of attention.

  Feeling a bit out of sorts, Ewan followed Tristan to the head table and greeted Malcolm. His cousin motioned for him to sit at the high board. “Is there anything we need to discuss immediately?”

  The table was far enough away from the others that their conversation could not be overheard. Given the many discussions at the moment, they could speak in normal tones without worry.

  “So ye have been told I was asked to leave then?” Ewan said.

  “Aye, the warrior, Broden McRainy, was told by Laird Fraser to inform me.”

  Ewan looked to where Broden sat with other Fraser guards. “And he did not give ye a list of my offenses?”

  “He started to, but I told him ye would tell me.”

  Letting out a breath, he looked to his right and left. Flanked by his cousins, each one of them a strong warrior, Ewan felt his family’s support. And yet, he wasn’t sure how Malcolm would react to what he did.

  “I killed the older Laird Mackenzie. I killed three Mackenzie guards and I was caught on Mackenzie lands when trying to hunt down another.”

  His eyebrows high, Tristan looked at him. “Anything else?”

  The youngest Ross brother, Kieran, met his gaze. “And I considered ye to be the least frightening of us.”

  Malcolm blew out a breath. “So, it was ye that started the battle between the Frasers and the Mackenzies?”

  “No,” Ewan replied. “That had started before I arrived.”

  Malcolm gave him a flat look. “The second battle.”

  Ruari chuckled. “He started a clan war.”

  “Aye, I killed the first Mackenzie. I believe yer wife killed the son,” Ewan replied in an equally flat voice.

  Everyone went silent for a long moment. Ruari shrugged. “Esme was saving her brother.” In truth, she’d saved Keithen Fraser when he was hung by the Mackenzie. Her precise arrow had saved him from imminent death.

  “Why did ye kill the guards?” Malcolm asked in a low voice.

  At this question, Ewan hesitated. Why had he? Was it truly over a woman he’d barely known at the time?

  “They deserved it. They kidnapped and attacked Lady Fraser and Catriona...”

  “That has nothing to do with ye or our clan,” Malcolm interrupted. “If anything, it would fall on a Fraser to take such action. Avenge what happened.”

  “Keithen Fraser did,” Ruari commented. “I believe during one of those ventures is when he was captured.”

  Laird Malcolm Ross was intimidating and stern, however, he was a fair leader who put his people first before anything. In that moment, Ewan wasn’t sure how to reply in a way that would be understandable.

  “I have my reasons,” he said, knowing it was a weak excuse.

  “The woman? Catriona?” Kieran asked in a flat tone. “That is a stupid reason.”

  “Says the married man,” Ewan retorted. “Do not judge me without knowing my motives.”

  A guard approached. “Laird, did ye wish to speak to the room?”

  “Yes,” Malcolm replied and stood. Immediately, the room went silent.

  His cousin addressed the room, welcoming Lady Fraser and her guards. He informed them there would be much to do in the next day as a large contingent of warriors departed in response to a threat.

  The Fraser guards were asked to remain at the keep until Lady Fraser decided to leave. They could assist with guard duties.

  It was not much longer before everyone sought their beds and Ewan wandered to his old room. Thankfully, it remained unused. So he carried his bags in and set them on the floor.

  Someone had freshened the linens and aired it out, for which he was thankful.

  After washing up with water from a basin, he pulled a clean tunic over his head and went to the narrow bed.

  He wondered what Catriona was doing at the moment. Was she having a restless night being in a new, unfamiliar place?

  After tossing one way and then the other, he got up and yanked on breeches and walked out barefoot.

  In the great room, there were only a few people sleeping on the floor in front of the fireplace. He guessed it was guards who’d come from the village and would be leaving the next day.

  He’d have to ask Malcolm about it. If his services were required, he would not hesitate to go.

  Upon reaching Catriona’s room, he knocked softly and whispered. “Catriona, it is me, Ewan.”

  The door opened immediately, and she collapsed against him. “Thank ye for coming.”

  Chapter Ten

  Catriona had been praying fervently that Ewan would come to her. Despite spending time with Esme and sharing last meal with her friend, upon Esme leaving, she became frantic.

  It wasn't so much being nervous or scared. Quite the opposite, she wanted company, needed someone familiar to be with.

  “I know it is too much to ask, but will ye stay here with me tonight?” she asked Ewan. “I am in need of company.”

  The request was unfair, she was well aware. To ask a man to spend the night without offering anything was not what a normal male expected.

  “Come,” he said and walked with her to the bed. He lifted the blankets. “In ye go.”

  Once she slid between them, he covered her and kissed her forehead. “Of course, I will stay with ye. Just ensure to wake me at dawn so I can slip away. I do not think it will be looked upon well to know ye allowed me here.”

  Catriona wasn’t sure what to think. Why was he acting so cavalier about it? She was about to ensure he knew she would not offer herself when he climbed on the bed, lay atop the blankets and put both hands under his head. “This bed is much more comfortable than mine.”

  Never had she been so sure of a good man until that moment. When she snuggled against his side, he immediately wrapped one arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple.

  “Do ye like living here more than yer own home?” Catriona asked.

  His shoulder shifted in a shrug. “My cousins have welcomed me here. It is like a second home. My own home in Uist is as large, but I do believe this one to be a bit grander. This family was raised by parents who loved each other. That makes a difference.”

  As she knew him to be reluctant to speak of his father, she asked of his mother instead. “What is yer mother like?”

  Ewan chuckled softly. “She is a champion. She managed to keep me and my brothers in line and never once raised her voice. It was her low tone and sharp gaze that made us quiver.”

  “I remember those looks. My own mother has accomplished them rather well.”

  Nudging her with his shoulder, Ewan got her attention. “Ye w
ill feel comfortable here, Catriona. Not only will I and my cousins ensure ye are protected, but the women here, their wives, are a close-knit group who will have ye too busy to worry about anything.”

  “I hope so.”

  “Sleep,” he whispered.

  Despite the awkwardness of sharing her bed with Ewan, very soon after, Catriona could barely keep her eyes open.

  The sound of Ewan’s soft breathing, and the rise and fall of his chest were the perfect lullaby. His chest was broad and strong, his muscular arm heavy and yet comforting on her shoulder. In a way, she didn’t wish the night to end. Would she be so bold as to ask that he sleep there with her nightly?

  It was horrible to do it, because she wasn’t sure that it was possible to promise him anything. With the bedding between them, she didn’t feel any kind of threat. However much she wanted his skin against hers, Catriona wasn’t sure what her reaction would be.

  The memory of every moment at Mackenzie Keep remained vivid. Simple things would bring back a stark reminder and it was as if she were there once again. Being held down, hit, bitten and taken by a bunch of savage animals.

  She let out a deep sigh, forcing the memory away. It was easy to feel protected when lying next to Ewan’s larger body. He exuded strength and security.

  Catriona woke with a start and took a sharp intake of breath until remembering that she’d asked Ewan to sleep in her room.

  He remained on his back. He faced away from her and was fast asleep. His soft snores made her smile. For some reason, during the night she’d pulled a blanket off and put it over him.

  Perhaps he wasn’t the only one who felt protective of the other. Outside was still dark but, in the distance, a rooster crowed alerting dawn would break soon.

  For a few moments, she soaked in the moment. Once she woke Ewan, he’d have to leave, and she wasn’t sure they’d have a moment alone for the entire day.

  Outside the security of the room were new things. Different people, who’d she’d yet to meet and had to, otherwise it would be rude. Then there were the surroundings to explore. Esme had promised to take her to the adjoining house where she and Ruari lived with a smaller staff and only a handful of guards.