Collapsing over her, he gasped for breath, gulping in air while murmuring a strange string of words.
Catriona herself could barely breathe, but she managed to wiggle from under him and gulped in a full breath as he did the same.
“It has never ever been this good.” He grinned like a loon. “Never.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Two months later – early autumn
Atop his steed, Ewan rode ahead of the party that headed to Dun Airgid. His half-brother would be arriving in the next day or two and they’d agreed to first meet at Malcolm’s home.
Although Ewan and Catriona had a large home, depending on how many people Darach traveled with, it could be that there would be too many to accommodate comfortably.
He looked over his shoulder to the carriage in which Catriona and her faithful companion, Maisie, rode and his lips curved.
Two years ago, upon arriving at Ross Keep from Uist, never would he have imagined a life like he had now. A lairdship, people to oversee, a large family that supported him and, above all, to be married to the love of his life.
Everyone in the keep had adjusted to their lifestyle now. Usually, he and Catriona were not expected to rise early, as they’d come to an agreement to spend evenings alone getting to know one another.
They often stayed up until the wee hours of the night, talking about anything and everything. She’d become his confidant and adviser.
When first meeting her, he recalled that Esme had told him about Catriona’s intelligence and sensible way of seeing things. It was true…she often guided him to make decisions in a way that soothed people’s ire.
Their lovemaking had turned into an art form of discovering each other’s body and learning what satisfied each of them best. Ewan did his best not to think of bedsport with Catriona when not alone as it could be embarrassing.
Even then, he shifted in the saddle and looked across to a guard.
“Riders in the distance,” the guard said. “It is not our scout.”
Immediately, they called for a halt and the accompaniment of guards surrounded the carriage.
“Ye should get in the carriage as well,” the guard instructed.
“I will not cower,” Ewan protested.
“Laird, ye must.” The guard left no room for argument.
After guiding Ban to the back of the carriage, Ewan dismounted and went to the carriage, grumbling under his breath.
Catriona gave him a worried look. “Why have we stopped?”
“Our scout is delayed. We will move with more caution until he meets us.”
“Oh,” she replied, paling. “I hope nothing is amiss.”
Maisie met his gaze and turned to Catriona. “I hope they didn’t send Giles. The boy will stop and talk to a tree and is always late for everything.”
The scout was not Maisie’s brother, but Ewan didn’t clarify it to Catriona. “If it is Giles and he causes us to be delayed, he will be banished back to the stables.”
Maisie giggled. “He would hate that.”
Their interchange seemed to calm Catriona. Ewan leaned sideways to look forward. So far, there didn’t seem to be any kind of threat.
Just then, they came to a stop and one of the guards came to the door and opened it. “Laird, we are being greeted by Munro warriors.”
Ewan met Catriona’s gaze. “Gisela’s family. No need to worry.”
“Gisela’s family?” Catriona peered out. “I’d like to meet them as well.”
“This is not her family now,” he clarified. “They are her family’s guardsmen.”
Upon exiting the carriage, his horse was brought forward, and Ewan mounted. He wore the Ross colors with the crest pinned on his chest. Flanked by four warriors, he rode to where the group of six Munro men formed a line.
“I am Ewan Ross, new laird of the Ross northern lands. I am sure yer laird has been informed as he attended the festivities on my behalf.”
One man, who he assumed was the leader nodded. “Aye, Laird, we are aware. We are not here to threaten ye, but to help escort ye across our lands. We are currently at odds with a neighboring clan and do not wish any harm to come to ye or yer people while in our territory.”
He wasn’t used to special treatment. In all the times he and others had traveled through Munro lands, they’d not been stopped. Several times, he himself had seen Munro patrols. They’d always remained friendly.
“Who do ye fight?” he asked as they continued forward toward Malcolm’s land border.
“The Mackay,” the man replied. “Nasty bastards they are.”
Moments later, fearing for his wife’s reactions to this unexpected interruption in travel, he returned to the carriage to reassure Catriona.
Surprisingly, she seemed serene when he opened the carriage door and peered in. “They are, indeed, from Clan Munro and have asked to escort us through Munro lands. It seems they’ve been having problems with the Mackay.”
“That is good then,” Catriona replied, meeting his gaze. “Be with care.”
Not caring that Maisie sat next to Catriona, he leaned forward and kissed her soundly. “I will. Soon, ye will meet Darach. Be prepared for him to tell ye stories of my childhood mischiefs. Do not believe a word he says,” Ewan told her with a wink.
The rest of the journey went without incident. Upon reaching the Ross land border, the Munro patrol turned back to their own lands.
While thanking them, along with sending greetings and thanks to Laird Munro, Ewan informed them of their plans to return back through their lands the following week. The men seemed certain there wouldn’t be any issue but promised to keep an eye out for them.
Ross Keep came into view and Ewan let out a long breath. He expected that his half-brother would travel with perhaps another of his siblings and their mother.
Although he was extremely proud of his family, he wondered what their true feelings were of him becoming laird. His mother had seemed happy for him, but sad that he was to permanently live so far away.
As far as Darach went, his half-brother was not one to ever show emotion. On the other hand, one never had to wonder what Darach thought as he was quite blunt. It mattered little to Darach if feelings were hurt. At the same time, he was forever honest.
***
The day after arriving at Ross Keep, Catriona felt as if she’d barely gotten her breath when the announcement was made that the travelers from Uist were to arrive.
She, along with Elspeth, hurried to the front entrance of the home, while Malcolm and Ewan stood just in front of them.
The party consisted of four guards in the lead, then two men on horseback, followed by a carriage and behind that a small contingent of what Catriona assumed were warriors and archers.
Once the entire party entered, two riders and the carriage came to a stop. The guardsmen were guided to line up behind it.
The two men dismounted. By their size, they were definitely Ross men.
When Ewan, Malcolm and Tristan greeted the newcomers, Elspeth leaned to Catriona’s ear. “Ross men are certainly attractive are they not?”
“Very much so,” Catriona said, her attention on one of the visitors.
One of the men stood out from the others.
Of all the Ross men she’d met up until this point, none were like him. The sun brought out the light shade of his hair, the wind blowing the golden tresses sideways as he spoke to the others. He was tall of stature, about the same height as Ewan.
The other brother, who was of the same coloring as Ewan, was greeted by Tristan with hands on shoulders. It was as if two giants faced off.
Unlike the greetings with the Ross cousins, the golden-haired man hugged Ewan, which led Catriona to believe he had to be the eldest, Darach Ross.
“Do ye think he is the eldest, Darach?” Catriona asked Esme, who’d come to stand next to her while Ruari walked over to join the other men.
“Who?”
“The golden one.”
“He r
eminds me of a lion,” Esme said, eyes narrowed. “It is hard to tell. Both of the men who just arrived are wearing both a tartan and crest. However, the blond one does act like a leader. Look how he and Malcolm stand. Yer husband as well.”
“The stance of lairds,” Elspeth proclaimed. “If they do not come to make introductions soon, I say we go inside.”
It was as if Malcolm heard her, which was impossible, but he looked over and motioned to the golden one toward where the women stood.
The other newcomer hurried to the coach while Ewan, Malcolm and the golden-haired man walked toward them.
“Ladies, I present Darach Ross, Laird Ross from South Uist,” Ewan said. “The other, who’s gone to see about our mother is my brother, Stuart.” He then proceeded to present first Elspeth, since she was the lady of the house, followed by Catriona and, lastly, Esme.
Darach was astonishingly handsome, with mesmerizing eyes a color that made it hard to pinpoint. At one point, Catriona thought them green, but soon decided perhaps blue. He seemed to find her interesting as well, his cool gaze moving over her face.
“Lady Catriona, I am pleased to meet ye. If ye find Ewan lacking in any manner, do not hesitate to inform me.” His demeanor and tone remained formal, but there was a glint of humor in his eyes.
Just then, a woman neared, Scottish through and through, with bright green eyes and red waves that had been pulled up into a lose hairdo.
“My mother, Lady Mariel Ross,” Ewan said. Upon their gazes clashing, Catriona immediately loved her.
Catriona kept note of everything Elspeth did. Visitors were seated based on their ranking and with there being three lairds present, it was quite a production.
At the high board, Malcolm’s right side was ceded to Darach. Elspeth, Ewan and Catriona on the left.
Catriona was glad to have Ewan’s mother on her side. Lady Mariel Ross was gracious and beautiful, making Catriona wonder why her husband sought another woman to consort with.
As soon as the meal was over, Lady Mariel asked about her bedchamber, claiming exhaustion from the travel.
“I will show ye,” Catriona said and stood. Upon reaching the doorway of the guest room, Lady Mariel insisted Catriona come inside with her.
The woman seemed to gain energy. She went to the bed and dropped her shawl and then pulled pins from her hair, shaking the red strands loose. “I cannot stand to have my hair pinned up all the time,” she grumbled.
“Come sit with me for a bit,” Lady Mariel said, motioning to a pair of chairs.
As soon as Catriona sat, Lady Mariel smiled broadly. “I wish to tell ye how happy I am to see my son married. It is obvious to me in the short time I’ve been here how well suited ye are.”
“He is a good husband to me,” Catriona said. “We love each other.” Her cheeks heated at disclosing this to her husband’s mother. However, in Catriona’s opinion it was important to soothe the woman’s worries about her son being hurt again.
“I am sure ye will both be very happy. I am anxious to see yer home.”
“And I am as eager for ye to spend time there with us.”
Catriona was surprised when the woman caressed her cheek, a glint of tears in her eyes. “My son has been through a great deal. He needs a good strong family. Ours is still reeling from the loss of my husband and all that occurred in the last years of his life.”
As much as she wanted to know more, there would be more time as they were to visit for a fortnight.
“Yer son Darach, he seems a good strong leader,” Catriona imparted. “I am sure he will rebuild the clan.”
Lady Mariel nodded. “Aye, he must.” She chuckled. “I am so very proud of my son.” Looking to Catriona, she smiled warmly. “He is not my son by birth. His mother died the night he was born. When I married the late laird, Darach was but a few weeks old. I fell in love with him immediately.”
It explained why Laird Darach Ross looked so different from the others.
“I cannot wait to have bairns, many of them,” Catriona said to lighten the mood.
Ewan’s mother laughed. “Beware of bearing too many sons. They can make ye ponder how boys ever survive to adulthood.”
Catriona laughed. In that moment, she was saddened not to live closer to her husband’s mother.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Fraser Keep
“What are ye doing?” Ava Fraser walked to where Flora hid beside a tree. “Who are ye hiding from?”
“No one,” Flora whispered and yanked the woman unceremoniously behind the tree. “Lower yer voice.”
Flora then peered around the tree to where a couple walked. Broden was walking with a woman. They were deep in conversation. Surely any moment now, thinking to be alone, they would show their intention for wandering away together.
“Who is she?” Ava asked, looking to where the couple now stood, their backs to them.
Flora shook her head. “I do not recognize her. They are too far away.”
“What is going on?” Eileen, the cook, walked out with a basket. “Who are we spying on?”
The older woman came to stand next to them and narrowed her eyes toward where Broden and the woman were. “Ah, yes, this is very interesting. I wonder what excuse she will give for abandoning him so long ago.”
“His wife?” Flora asked, her chest tightening. “Why did I not know? He kissed me...”
“His mother,” Eileen clarified. “She left him and his father when Broden was but a wee lad, perhaps five. She has returned now, over twenty years later, with a new husband and family. The nerve of the woman. Poor Broden’s been avoiding her, but she appeared this morning, insisting to speak to him.”
Just then, the woman reached for Broden and he took a step back, holding both hands up. Evidently, he didn’t seem to want anything to do with the woman.
“Who raised him then?” Flora asked, not taking her gaze from Broden.
“His father and aunt. Broden had a good childhood. He was a bright, well-liked boy.”
“Good,” Ava said, and then huffed. “We should ask that woman to leave.”
“We?” Flora and Eileen asked in unison.
Ava nodded. “I could send a guard to send her away.”
“That would be strange,” Flora mused. “Broden can take care of himself.”
“Did ye say he kissed ye?” Ava asked, and Flora swallowed.
Why had she blurted that out? In her distress, her tongue had loosened. “It was nothing, just that one night we found ourselves alone, in the corridor...I was caught off guard.”
“I bet,” Eileen said with a chuckle. “Accidently pressed yer lips to his in yer confusion?”
Ava giggled.
“We should go inside and give Broden his privacy,” Flora said, but then turned back to look.
Broden said something and stalked away. The woman’s head fell forward and she covered her face with both hands.
“Forgiveness is not so easy to get as some people would think,” Eileen mumbled and headed toward the woman.
Flora and Ava didn’t bother to hide. Instead, they stood side-by-side, watching as Eileen went up to the woman. Whatever the cook said made Broden’s mother nod. Then they walked closer.
Broden’s mother looked drawn and pale. Her reddened eyes flicked to Flora and Ava for only a moment before she pulled her shawl over her head and went to a cart. She climbed onto the bench and snapped the reins
The three of them watched as the woman rode out through the gates.
“What did ye tell her?” Ava asked.
“I told her she should leave, that unless Broden welcomed her, she was not to come here again.”
“Good,” Flora said.
Ava looked to Flora. “Ye should go find him. He may need someone to speak to.”
Flora found Broden in the area beside the stables. It was a place people often went when needing time alone. The space was blocked from view which gave privacy. There were only rain barrels and some benches that were pulled out
when festivities occurred.
He stood looking out toward a field where sheep lazily grazed, his back straight, arms down at his sides.
“Broden,” Flora said, nearing. “Do ye need to talk?”
When he turned to her, Broden sighed. “I am not sure if I will be good company right now. It would be nice for ye to stay for a moment.”
Flora walked to stand next to him and looked out to the field. “It is easy to be envious of the obliviousness of animals.”
Broden remained silent but nodded.
“Do ye miss him?”
The question caught Flora by surprise. He spoke of her dead husband, of course. Instantly, the familiar stabbing of pain hit her. “Very much. Every day.”
“How do ye continue?” He gave her a curious look. “How are ye so strong?”
Flora smiled. “I have to be. I have a son and my mother to look after. Death and life are both realities we must deal with. Ye, too, have suffered a great loss. When yer mother left, she may as well have died.”
He swallowed. “It is not the same. Yer loss is much greater.”
“Loss cannot be measured. Ye continued, made yerself into a good man. Do not belittle it.” Without realizing it, Flora had taken his hand. When his fingers tightened around hers, she gasped.
“Thank ye,” Broden said, not releasing her hand.
There was open sincerity when he pinned her with a direct look. “I spoke with Lady Fraser about ye. I have been watching ye and find ye to be admirable. I know this is sudden, but I would like to ask that ye consider marrying me, Flora.”
Her eyes widened and she swallowed. After just admitting to missing her husband, how could Broden accept her knowing a large portion of her heart would never be his?
“I do wish to...” she began. “I find ye most attractive.”
His lips curved. Then, suddenly, he pulled her close. They kissed, not a gentle one of two people who’d only recently begun to explore possibilities. No, this was a kiss of two lonely souls finding one another.
Flora threaded her fingers through his hair, while pressing herself against the strong man. For months, she’d pretended not to need him, but no longer. It was time to admit what everyone had been telling her. She’d found love again. She was madly in love with Broden.
A Fierce Archer (Clan Ross Book 6) Page 21