A Fierce Archer (Clan Ross Book 6) by Hildie McQueen (great novels TXT) 📕

pain, Ewan did not reply. Instead, he concentrated on the ceiling, counting planks of wood.

“Here, drink this.” Catriona lifted his head and helped him drink a murky liquid. It was not as vile as the one he’d had before but, within moments, the pain began to lessen.

From under half-closed eyes, he watched as a maid brought hot water. Together, the women cut strips of cloth. Then after the maid mixed a poultice, Catriona spread it over his midsection.

“It’s only one cut. Why do ye put so much on there?” Ewan asked.

Catriona looked up at him. “There is a lot of bruising. There are internal wounds, by the purpling of yer stomach. The poultice pulled it to the surface.”

“Th-that must be why I feel near death,” he said and then groaned when they helped him to sit so that Catriona could slather poultice on his back and finally wrap up his midsection.

Her amber brown eyes met his for a scant moment. “Ye are not going to die.”

“Thank ye,” he managed as the tonic began to lull him to sleep. “I am grateful.”

“Promise me ye will remain here tomorrow,” she said, meeting his gaze and holding it. “Promise.”

“Only if ye promise to come see me,” he replied and attempted to smile. Whether he was successful or not wasn’t clear as he could not control his expressions.

“I will come and ensure ye are alive,” Catriona replied. He wasn’t sure, but he thought she caressed his face. A warm touch to the left jaw soothed him. Whether it was Catriona or effects of the tonic, he wasn’t sure.

She was coming back the next day. For that, he’d remain there. Somehow, he would have to come up with a way to convince her to remain for longer than a few moments.

Perhaps he could talk her into traveling north with him when he left. She and his cousin Ruari’s wife were childhood friends. Surely the enticement of seeing Esme Ross would be a good way to do it.

The problem was that Catriona had not left the keep in over a year. The recent trip to the village had been an isolated incident and he’d been told by her companion that she’d instantly gone to her bedchamber upon returning and remained there.

If less than a few hours out affected her so, two days of travel would no doubt be intolerable. And yet, he would try.

Ewan would have preferred to remain there with his men at Fraser Keep, but having been asked to leave by the laird meant he was no longer welcome.

Somehow, he had to find a way to not leave Catriona behind. He wanted to spend more time with her, to get to know her better and help her in her recovery from the vicious attack at the hands of the Mackenzie guards.

What pained him the most about leaving was that he would not be able to hunt the man with the red birthmark. As long as that man lived, neither he nor Catriona were safe. It could be that local villagers were not safe either.

Ewan struggled to remain awake as he toiled inwardly on how to accomplish the two very important tasks.

When the first rays of sunshine woke him the next morning, Ewan turned onto his side and was instantly reminded of why he’d remained on his back all night. He groaned in pain and rolled to his back.

A male servant entered with a tray of food. “Miss Catriona sent me to help ye break yer fast.”

“Where is she?” he asked before considering it really was not a proper question to ask.

“In the great room,” the servant replied and neared the bed. “I will help ye to sit.”

Once the task was completed, Ewan felt rather awkward being fed in bed. Yet the thought that Catriona was to come and visit made him remain there. He blew out a breath and looked toward the window. What he’d rather be doing at the moment was to be on his horse, tracking down the man with the birthmark.

“Ye look unhappy.” Broden entered the room, his gaze moving to Ewan’s midsection. “Ye’re bleeding.”

Ewan blew out an annoyed breath. “I am not sure why it is taking so long to heal.”

“It's a deep cut. Ye were cut through.”

“What are ye doing today?” Ewan asked, not wishing to consider his injury. “Is anyone going after the man who attacked me?”

Broden met his gaze. “If ye were on Mackenzie lands, he did what he was supposed to do and keep ye from them.”

“I do not believe I was. Besides, he was responsible for the attack on the farmer.”

“There is little doubt in my mind,” Broden said. “But that is not what I come to speak to ye about this morn.”

“What do ye wish to talk about?” Ewan asked, looking to the man who seemed to dislike him for no apparent reason.

Broden’s jaw tightened. “Stay away from Catriona. Leave her be.”

The abrupt request made Ewan’s eyebrows rise. “What right do ye have to ask that?” The question was stupid as the man had known her their entire lives. And yet, something about the way Broden studied him made Ewan wonder if perhaps something had been said by Catriona.

“The Catriona that ye know is vastly different from the one I’ve known since childhood. She is fragile. I do not think she can withstand another incident.”

Ewan straightened, ignoring the pain. “I would never dare touch her or attempt anything like what ye are insinuating. There is no need for any warnings.”

It occurred to Ewan that Broden was there for more than just intervening for a friend. The man was romantically interested in Catriona. By the way he acted, it was possible that Broden was jealous of the attention Ewan had been receiving from Catriona.

He didn’t blame Broden. However,