A Fierce Archer (Clan Ross Book 6)

by Hildie McQueen

  “I want ye, Flora. As my wife, as my lover.”

  Flora pulled away and met his eyes with daring. “Take me then.”

  He pushed her against the building and she clawed at his breeches, while he fumbled with her skirts. Both were desperate with want, need and passion.

  Lifting her to wrap her legs around him, Broden drove into her, his thick sex invading her thoroughly. Flora buried her face into his neck to stifle her scream.

  Each thrust brought so much fulfillment, she could barely keep from cresting. But within seconds, Flora lost control, her entire body shuddering in release.

  Broden’s powerful body continued to seek reaching a climax. His masculine grunts filled her ears as she held on to his shoulders, urging him to completion.

  Abruptly, he pulled out and spilled into his hand, his body jerking in release.

  Flora straightened her skirts, attempting to catch her breath. How could she have allowed things to go this far? He certainly wouldn’t marry her now.

  “Ye do not have to...”

  Broden smiled widely at her, then pulled her close, covering her mouth with his. “Thank ye, beautiful Flora. I will take ye allowing us to go this far as a very certain yes.”

  Unable to keep from it, Flora pushed back and grinned up at him. “Yes, Broden McRainy, I will marry ye.”

  He lifted her up and twirled in a circle. “Ye turned this day from one of the worst to the best one yet.”

  When he lowered her, she looked up at him. “What did ye tell yer mother?”

  His eyes darkened, a furrow appearing between his brows. “That I never wished to see her again. I no longer considered her my mother. I thanked her for giving me life and for leaving me to be raised by a caring woman, who was my true mother.”

  “Good for ye,” Flora said as he guided her to walk back toward the house. “I am proud of ye.”

  Broden slid a look to her. “Proud enough to marry me with haste? I do not think I can resist time apart.”

  When they came out from around the building, Ava and Eileen stood just a few feet away, pretending interest in a lad milking a cow.

  Flora pushed from Broden and hurried to them. “Were ye spying?” Her face was so hot, she knew it was bright red.

  “Of course not, dear,” Eileen said with a scoff. “Why would we want to spy on a couple in the throes of lovemaking?”

  Ava burst out laughing and grabbed the cook’s arm. “We really should finish picking vegetables from the garden for last meal.”

  “What is so funny?” Broden came to walk alongside Flora, who looked anywhere but at him.

  “Whatever they think is funny, is not to me.” Flora turned to him. “I must speak to Mother and inform her of our plans. When should I plan the wedding for?”

  “Whenever ye please. Just do not make it too far into the future.” Broden pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “I will go inform the laird.”

  They parted ways next to the back entrance, Broden heading inside and Flora walking to the garden where her mother stood with both Ava and Eileen.

  When she approached, her mother smiled and immediately hugged her. “I am so very happy for ye.”

  “For us,” Flora said, hugging her back. “God has, indeed, smiled upon us again.”

  War had taken her husband, the man she’d never stop loving. But somehow, Flora realized, Broden was to fill the void and take the other half of her heart.

  Flora turned to Ava and Eileen. “I will require yer help planning the wedding. I presume it will be at the village.”

  “Nonsense,” Lady Fraser said, appearing from beside the shed. “I think our clan needs a reason to celebrate. It shall be held here.”

  Ava and Eileen exchanged guilty looks. Obviously they’d been informing the laird’s wife and her mother of the goings-on prior to going to spy on her.

  It was hard to remain angry. She laughed and shook her head. “I sense there will never be any secrets between all of us.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Two days later, Tuath Avon

  Ewan and his brothers walked out into the silence of the night. The sky was clear, making it easy to see the multitude of stars. The scent of the nearby creek was carried in the air by the soft breeze that blew steadily across their faces. By the slight chill, the leaves would soon change and drop to the ground, turning it into a colorful tapestry of brown and golden hues.

  “This is a fine home,” Darach said, his gaze out toward the forest. “I will forever be grateful to Cousin Malcolm for bestowing this grand gift upon ye.”

  Pride filled Ewan as he looked about, seeing what his brothers saw. A thick forest, filled with game, rich lands for farming and a source of water to replenish fields and livestock.

  “Is it not strange that destiny would make me a fourth-born laird?”

  Darach studied him. “Are ye happy here?”

  The question startled him, and Ewan did not reply. He considered that there was absolutely no reason not to be.

  Thankfully, Stuart interrupted by giving him a wide smile. “Yer wife is beautiful. Tis too bad she didn’t see me first.”

  “She would have hidden in horror,” Ewan teased.

  His younger brother gave him a warm look. “In all honesty, Brother, ye have done well. I am happy for ye.”

  “How is it?” Ewan asked Darach. “Taking over for Da?”

  “Not easy at all,” Stuart interjected. “Darach has a lot on his shoulders.”

  Ewan studied Darach. “Father did a great deal of damage, I assume.”

  “Against both the MacNeils, the Uisdeins and the Macdonalds, I’m afraid,” Darach replied. “I have to find a way to make repairs, else we will find ourselves at war.”

  “The MacNeils?” Ewan asked. “Surely they will take our side. Mother is a MacNeil, after all.”

  “We will see,” Darach said, placing a hand on Ewan’s shoulder. “Do not worry. I am sure all will be well.”

  Despite Darach dropping the conversation, Ewan sensed the tension. All was not well. “If ye need help at any time, send word. I will come immediately.” Then he continued. “And Malcolm has hundreds of warriors. He will not hesitate to send help.”

  Darach nodded. “Aye, he has given his word to support our cause. For it, I am grateful. I do not foresee needing it.”

  “Why?” Ewan asked. intrigued.

  “Because, as ye know, our numbers are almost the same as the three of them.”

  “They can be strong if they combine,” Stuart said. “Ye should plan to ask Malcolm for support.”

  ***

  When Ewan walked into the bedchamber, he was exhausted. The days his family would remain there would fly by and he wasn’t sure he’d be ready for them to leave. However, he had a new life, people’s needs to see after and a wife and household to maintain.

  Catriona stood and greeted him with a tight hug. It seemed his wife was in need of reassurance.

  “Does something bother ye?” he asked after pressing a kiss to her lips. They remained standing, arms around each other’s waist. “Tell me.”

  She frowned. “I love yer mother and yer brothers. They are nice as well.”

  “Why, then, does a frown mar that beautiful face of yers?” Ewan asked and kissed the crease that formed on her brow.

  “It could be that we should have gone to Uist upon marrying instead of remaining here. We are both so far from our homes here.”

  Ewan chuckled. “I am glad ye care for my mother and brothers. However, I have given my word to Malcolm to take over this lairdship. I plan to fulfill my vow and so should ye.”

  She lifted her chin and gave him a challenging look. “Ruari and Esme would do well here. Perhaps better. She is much more suited to be a laird’s wife than I am.”

  Ewan thought about what Catriona said. A part of him discounted each word. However, as a dutiful husband, he considered what life would be like if he were to return to Uist.

  “We would live in a humble home on the isle
. I would return to archery and ye would have only Maisie to help ye. Our meals would be taken at the keep and ye would fall under whoever Darach marries.”

  She kissed him, her hands sliding down the sides of his neck. “Sounds divine.”

  Epilogue

  A newborn’s angry wails filled the air and Ewan could not stand it any longer. Why hadn’t the midwife come for him as yet? Was something wrong?

  Unable to stand it any longer, he stormed into the room and all the women surrounding the bed turned to him startled. Breath left his body and he struggled not to fall sideways and crumple to the floor.

  “What is happening?” he asked in a whisper.

  The bairn cried again and everyone parted to allow him forward.

  In the bed, Catriona beamed up at him. In her arms was a red-faced, quite angry babe. “He seems none too pleased to be taken from his warm place,” she said.

  “Why was I not called in?” he snapped at a wide-eyed Maisie. “I thought something was wrong.”

  “I asked them to wait until I was a bit more...presentable,” Catriona said, looking to the midwife. “I should have known better.”

  Rounding the bed, he kneeled beside it and peered at his wife and newborn child. “Next time, I am staying in the room,” he said, unable to take his eyes from the bairn.

  “Is he?”

  “He’s perfect,” Catriona replied. “Exceptional.”

  His mother smiled at him. “Ye will have to give him a good name, befitting of a strong man.”

  Catriona’s mother nodded and added. “A name befitting a leader.”

  “I agree,” Darach said from the doorway. “The first grandchild to be born. He will always have a place of honor in our family.” Their gazes met. “Congratulations, Brother.”

  When Ewan placed his hand on the child’s chest, the babe quieted, and he smiled. “He knows me, ye think?”

  “Of course, he does,” Catriona replied. “He has heard yer voice all these months.”

  The room emptied to give the new family privacy. He could tell Catriona was exhausted and would soon fall asleep.

  “Once our home is complete, we shall move. For now, I want ye to rest. Maisie and our mothers will ensure ye do not leave this bed. They were already arguing over who will mind the bairn first.”

  Her sleepy gaze moved from the child to him. “I will rest. Ye must do the same. I can tell ye were up all night as well.”

  Indeed, all night, he’d paced the corridor, praying for both his wife and child. A part of him wished to demand they not have more. However, Catriona had insisted she wished for a large family. Besides, it would be impossible to keep away from her. Ewan found her completely irresistible.

  “Sleep, Wife. I will get rest as well.”

  “Not in here,” Catriona said. “Ye must sleep elsewhere.”

  Although he’d not planned on sleeping there, he asked. “Why?”

  “I wish it,” she replied with a haughty smirk. “I do not want to worry about ye flopping about.”

  “Flopping?” He pretended to be insulted. “I assure ye, that I do not flop.”

  She giggled. “Go.”

  “Very well.” He leaned forward, placed a kiss on the slumbering child’s head and then kissed Catriona on the lips. “I love ye, Catriona, and thank God for ye daily.”

  Her eyes misted. “I feel the same about ye.”

  Ewan could barely make it out the door as their mothers hurried in to take the babe. He walked out past the great room and up the stairs. Then he went out to the balcony of the bedchamber he would be sleeping in.

  The sun had fully risen, its rays casting bright streaks atop the sea’s surface. The fresh scent of the ocean blew across his face, salty and cool.

  He’d come home to Uist and, this time, he’d remain.