It was Kieran Ross who sat alone at the table this morning. Although his presence gave Catriona pause, she was through being afraid of men who had no intention of causing her any harm.
His hazel gaze lifted to her, and he gave a slight nod by way of greeting.
“Just who I wished to speak to,” Moira said, motioning for her to sit. “I was just telling my dear boy about a beautiful village that I once visited, just past Fraser lands. But I cannot recall the name of it.”
“There are several,” Catriona replied, accepting a cup of hot cider. “What stood out about it?”
As Moira described the village, Catriona studied the quiet man. His bond with the cook was interesting. She’d sighted him there in the kitchen in the early mornings more than once. Although he remained quiet, it was obvious that he felt comfortable there.
“Ye must be speaking of Mulling,” she finally said.
“Yes, that is it,” Moira replied with a wide grin. “There is talk of a magical fae in the nearby woods around it that has kept it safe from attack for centuries.”
The warrior gave Moira an indulgent half-smile. “I will keep an eye out when traveling through and if I see one, I will capture it for ye.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t wish to trap a poor wee creature, but perhaps ye can ask if they can send some to live up here. Keep ye safe up here.”
Catriona could not tell if they were serious or not. She waited for the next silence before speaking. “How long do ye think ye’ll be gone?”
One of his broad shoulders lifted and lowered. “Perhaps as short as a sennight but, in reality, I would say a fortnight.”
“I am sure they will not be long. There is much planned for setting up Ewan as laird,” Moira exclaimed with a broad smile. “A celebration and then we will have to start seeking servants for him.”
“It seems rushed,” Catriona said. “The keep must be built first.”
“There is a small home already there,” Kieran said. “It will be fortified and rooms added. However, it will be ready for Ewan to move there in a short time.”
Moira rounded the table and placed a hand on Catriona’s shoulder. “Lady Ross is to speak to ye about it. I suggested that ye could help with setting up the home and hiring the servants. She alluded that ye wished for new responsibilities. Perhaps ye could be the housekeeper there since Laird Ewan is not married.”
“I couldn’t possibly...” Catriona could not think of a good reason to refuse. She had no other duties at the moment, and it made sense, since she was not married and not tied to remaining there at Ross Keep. “Oh, goodness.”
Chapter Sixteen
Despite the change in season, Ewan could not warm up. He shivered in his makeshift bedroll and considered leaving the slight warmth of it to add wood to the bonfire.
Finally, unable to take it anymore, he pushed out of his bedroll and grabbed several pieces of wood that he threw into the fire.
“Ah, yes, thank ye,” someone called out.
“One of ye could have done it,” Ewan grumbled. But he smiled knowing he, too, had been waiting and hoping someone else would add wood.
The heat from the flames was instant. He went back to his bedroll and pulled it just a bit closer to the fire and then slid between the folds.
In the morning, they would arrive in Uist. They’d make their way across the water in bìrlinns and be greeted by whoever was sent. They’d sent a scout ahead to announce their arrival so his family would not be caught unaware.
When the sun rose, everyone moved quickly, attempting to warm themselves by moving about as it made little sense to add wood to the fire at this point.
Kieran came up to Ewan. His cousin looked to him and then away. “Is there anything ye require me to do upon arriving?”
“Aye, can ye be present when I tell my brothers about my becoming laird? I will require a show of support from Malcolm.”
“Of course.” Kieran frowned. “Anything else I should know?”
Ewan wondered many times while traveling if Una remained there at the house. Hopefully now that his father was gone, she’d been sent away.
“I hope not to see anyone but family. I presume the burial ceremonies are over. The main purpose of this visit is to see my mother and siblings. There is no reason for me to pay any kind of homage to my father.”
Kieran waited, not saying a word, but obviously wishing to know a good reason.
“My father fucked my wife. I caught them together, saw with my own eyes. I almost killed him. My brothers tore me away. I demanded she be sent away.”
Ewan took a breath, looking toward the trees. “When my father refused, I left.”
When he looked to Kieran, there was no pity in the warrior’s gaze. His eyes were flat, as if he heard this type of thing regularly and it ceased to surprise him.
“I will endeavor to avoid that topic of conversation.”
Ewan laughed. “Cousin, sometimes ye surprise me. Who would guess the most intimidating of the Ross brothers had a sense of humor?”
After a simple meal, they mounted and rode toward the shore. At the scent of the salty ocean air, Ewan closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. It was the one thing he missed the most, the smell of the ocean. He also missed the sounds of lapping waves upon the shore.
There were three bìrlinns waiting, each of them manned by four men. Two would be for their horses and one for Naill, Kieran and him.
Ewan immediately recognized several of the men. He called them out by name and was given warm greetings in return. The trip over the water was swift. Ewan looked anxiously over at the larger vessel where Ban was. The horse was used to the water, but it had been some time since he’d been on it. Nonetheless, the silver animal kept its head down, seeming to be asleep.
“My horse looks like it’s about to jump over the side,” Kieran said, his gaze locked on the animal. “If he does, I will be most cross.”
“At who? Me or the animal?”
“Both,” Kieran replied.
Thankfully, Kieran’s horse remained safe and once they landed on Uist, both men and Naill mounted again.
It wasn’t long before Ross Keep came into view. The large keep was surrounded by planting fields which were kept by local villagers.
The wall that surrounded the home was not as tall as the one at Dun Airgid, mainly because they fought most battles at the shores and not at the keep.
However, if it came to it, the gates would be closed and archers posted atop. It was a safe fortress.
Ewan straightened in his saddle. Soon, he’d be faced with familiar faces and he was admittedly happy about it. Just as they neared, three men on horseback headed toward them. Kieran turned to him with a questioning look.
“Darach, Stuart and Gideon. Duncan is missing. He lives away from the keep with our half-brother, Calean. I am sure he will turn up later.”
When they got close enough, Ewan called out greetings and his brothers returned the greetings to him, Kieran and Naill.
As a group, they rode through the gates. Introductions would be made once they were indoors.
“How is Mother?” Ewan asked Gideon, the youngest brother.
“She is in good spirits.”
In other words, his mother, who had stopped caring for the late laird, was now free of him and his various lovers. It was on the tip of his tongue to ask if Una was gone, but he refrained. There would be time for that later.
The courtyard was well kept, just like he remembered. Everything in its place. The one thing his late father had passed down that was useful was his penchant for orderliness.
They dismounted and gave instructions for the care of the horses before heading into the house.
At the top of the stairs was his mother, her arm weaved through his sister Ella’s. Both were beautiful in their own right and beamed upon his approach.
“Welcome home, Son,” his mother said before hugging him tightly. “I hope ye have returned for good.”
There it was. The one thi
ng he feared: breaking his mother’s heart again when she learned he was to never return to live there.
“We have much to discuss,” he told her and pressed a kiss to her brow. “I have missed ye, Mother.” When Ella pressed against his side, he placed an arm around her. “And ye as well.”
Once inside the great room, he waited for everyone to be together and he began introductions.
First he named Kieran, son of their father’s first cousin. There were the expected astounded looks by his mother and sister at Kieran’s attractive looks. Then he introduced Naill, head archer for Clan Ross. Finally, he motioned to his family and introduced them in order. First Darach, who was to be the new laird, then Stuart, and Gideon. Finally, he introduced his mother and, lastly, Ella.
It was Darach that spoke next. “Our brother, Duncan, and half-brother, Caelan, live away from here in another family estate on the southern end of the isle. We have a large family home there from where we can better keep watch over the large village there.”
Kieran nodded in acknowledgement and everyone went to sit around a long table in the great room.
Servants quickly brought food and drink, which Ewan was extremely grateful for. He was quite hungry.
While they ate, his brothers filled him in on what had occurred while he was gone. It seemed that the youngest, Gideon, had won many a competition in the games and Stuart had recently become engaged. Ewan wasn’t used to being center of attention. It was nice that his family was glad to see him.
Everyone ate and continued speaking. It was curious that no one brought up his father’s death. Even his sister, who’d been utterly devoted to their father, did not bring up his name. Finally, after lingering much too long, Naill was shown to his rooms so he could rest.
Ewan asked to speak to Darach and his mother. Of course, his other siblings insisted on being present and he could not deny them.
They sat in his father’s study, which instantly brought back memories he wished to push away. When Darach stood behind the desk that his father had spent many hours at, it was instantly clear that things were to be very different now.
Unlike their father, Darach Ross would be a decisive but fair leader. Darach was first a warrior and second a man who put the needs of his family and people before anything else. Since young, he’d been raised to be laird. Thankfully, he’d been taken under their uncle’s wing, since their father showed no interest in training the young boy and later man to rule one day.
Darach was actually Ewan’s half-brother. His mother had died birthing him. He was muscular in the right places and lean where it mattered, looking every bit a laird.
“Once we found out ye were coming, I held back on taking my oath until yer arrival,” Darach informed him. “It is only right that all of us be together for this.”
Ewan nodded and let out a breath. “I am honored to be present. Ye will be a good and fair laird. I have no doubts ye will lead the people well.”
By Darach’s questioning look, Ewan knew his half-brother suspected he had more to say. “What is it?”
The room was crowded, with the four Ross siblings, Lady Ross and Kieran. Stuart and Gideon had to stand against the wall.
Despite having prepared exactly what to say, in that moment, he hesitated. Just then, there were voices and his brother, Duncan, and half-brother, Caelan, entered. They each greeted Ewan with a hug. Then seeming to sense tension in the air, they took their places and stood by the door and wall.
“I have something to tell everyone,” Ewan started. “Malcolm Ross has granted me a large parcel of land as well as a home. Part of my accepting the land is that I will be laird to the people there.”
There was a stunned silence. It was rare for someone to be given such a large gift, especially a second cousin.
Darach looked to Kieran. “Why not ye or yer brother? Is it a land that is under threat?”
Kieran nodded. “There are always threats in our region. However, the area that my brother granted to Ewan is fairly peaceful. A laird is much needed there as it is very far from our keep.”
“And yet none of ye would take it?” Stuart asked.
This time, Ewan answered. “There are only three brothers, Malcolm is laird, Tristan manages the hundreds of warriors and Naill and Kieran are tasked with not only the army of archers, but also guarding the northeastern borders. One of them must remain near at all times in order to ensure the safety of the laird and the family line.”
“Our other cousin, Ruari, lives in a home near the keep and has no desire to go to live farther away from the family as his wife is a Fraser and he has given his oath to go to their defense if needed,” Ewan explained.
“And he prefers breeding horses and such,” Kieran added.
Once again, there was a long silence. Finally, it was his mother who spoke. “It is a great honor to be mother to not one, but two lairds.”
“I will not bow to ye,” Duncan said, punching Ewan’s shoulder. “Ye will always be my younger brother.”
“I am everyone’s younger brother, except Gideon, and will continue to be. However,” he added with a smirk, “when ye come to my home, ye must address me as Laird.”
“I have a hard time imagining that will happen,” Stuart quipped, and everyone laughed.
Kieran pushed away from the wall. “If ye do not require that I remain, I must admit to needing sleep.” The warrior looked anything but tired. Obviously, he wished to give them privacy as a family.
When Kieran left, the family began telling Ewan of things that had happened. They kept to light topics until he began to yawn.
“We should let him rest,” his mother announced and everyone began to drift from the room.
When the men lingered, Ewan realized they would speak of what happened the night before he’d left.
“Father kept her here for many months. Finally, Mother demanded she be sent away, and she went to live in a house in the village,” Stuart said. “She remains there, along with two bairns now.”
Knowing the woman was not there made Ewan feel better, however, he still wondered at times if the eldest was his son. According to his calculations, the child could to have been conceived while he was gone. Una had tried to convince him the child had been born early, but the babe was well formed and quite large.
“What about my marriage?” Ewan asked. “Was it dissolved?”
“It was,” Darach replied. “Soon after ye left.”
He was free. He could marry, raise a family of his own and be laird. In that moment, he wanted to know more about what the position entailed. He looked to Darach. “I hope to spend a few days with ye and learn what I can.”
Darach nodded. “I expected that Mother would try to convince ye to remain.”
Obviously, there was more Darach wished to say on the topic as he waited for Ewan’s response. His family had always been close. In a way, they had to be in order to stand united against the ruthlessness of the patriarch. Their father had done his best to divide the brothers, to bring some to hate the ones who disobeyed him.
It had worked when they were younger, until they grew up and realized how unbalanced the man truly was. Their father’s animosity toward Caelan, the son from his mistress, had driven Duncan to move out of the family home.
While, the other brothers often went from one home to the other, depending on what occurred at the keep, Darach had always remained. The eldest knew he’d be laird one day and had done his best to stay there to keep an eye on whatever his father did.
“I miss being here. This will always be my home. I am thankful that ye are at the helm now,” Ewan said. He met Darach’s gaze for a long time. “I hope ye and the rest of the family will travel to my new home to visit.”
Darach nodded. “Of course.”
***
The bedchamber was dark and a bit cool. Ewan sunk into the bedding and visions swam before him.
His arms wrapped around her body, pulling her under him, needing access to every delectable inch.
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She squirmed under him, her lips curving as his hardness pressed against her inner thigh.
“I am hard for ye,” he murmured, looking into her beautiful amber brown eyes. “So very hard.”
It was then the enticing pink buds caught his attention, and he took to them with unreserved hunger, sucking on one and then the other while her moans of pleasure enveloped him.
The creaminess of her skin delighted his senses, each satiny inch passing beneath his fingertips as he trailed them lazily up her legs until reaching her apex.
Her mound fit perfectly in his palm and he slid a finger between the moist folds. Her moan was like music.
At the same time, her hands were all over his body. She dug her nails into the back of his thighs and bottom.
Lowering her head, she licked lightly over his nipples until he, too, let out a moan.
Finally, he thrust into her body and the grip of her sex around his length brought a gasp that seemed to echo in the darkness.
Again and again, he plunged fully into her, the sound of flesh against flesh floating around him. It would not be long. He’d not last. That was a pity as he hated the thought of their time together coming to an end so soon.
Bright heat pooled between his legs and Ewan’s body quaked with the need to release.
“Kiss me.” Her soft whisper played in his ears. “Kiss me, Ewan.”
His mouth opened wide in a silent scream as every inch of his body grew taut and then he came, his seed spilling, hot and wet.
To his dismay, she disappeared.
Ewan rolled over to his side, his hand still tightly gripping his manhood. It wasn’t the first time he’d done it…thought of Catriona while pleasuring himself.
Blowing out a breath and looking around the empty bedchamber, he was glad to have the room alone. Hopefully, he’d not been so loud that Naill, who slept next door, overheard.
He had to marry. He needed a woman. It wouldn’t do to continuously dream about a woman he could not have.
A Fierce Archer (Clan Ross Book 6) Page 15