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

against him, kissing her until they both lost the ability to breathe. The reality of it was so much better.

The softness of her curves molded perfectly against his harder body. She was slight, but strong. As much as he wanted to run his hands down her body and touch every inch, Ewan resisted. Instead, he kept his arms around her.

It was Catriona that broke the kiss and took a step back. Her chest lifting and lowering, lips swollen and face flushed, she met his gaze. “That was like nothing I’d ever experienced before. Ewan, ye are a good man. So good to me.”

“Promise ye will think about what I ask.” Ewan reluctantly turned to the doorway. “I will await yer response. I leave the morn of the third day.”

When he turned to look at her, she smiled.

“I promise to think on it. Do not expect that I will be strong enough, however.”

Despite the best kiss of his life, Ewan’s feet felt heavy as he walked away to seek his bed.

Chapter Six

The next morning, Catriona hurried from her bedchamber to find Lady Fraser. If she were to go to Ross lands, she first had to discuss it with someone. At the moment, she didn’t feel comfortable speaking to Ava, Keithen’s wife, about it.

Although they got along at some level, her presence was a constant reminder of Clan Mackenzie. Although Ava had no fault in what had happened to Catriona, Ava’s father had been the one to send her away to the dungeon.

Ava Fraser was a good wife to Keithen. They were in love, and he was happily married, which made her glad. At the same time, Catriona often wished he’d married someone else.

At the end of the corridor, Broden stood, his expression ominous. “I have been waiting to speak to ye,” he said without preamble. “I heard Ewan Ross brought ye gifts from the village. What gives him a right to do that?”

“He is grateful that I nursed him back to health,” Catriona responded while scanning the great room for Lady Fraser. She looked back up at him. “Why are ye so bothered by it?”

“When I return from Ross lands, I wish to court ye.”

Noting the softening of his expression and what the words meant sinking in, Catriona took several steps backward. Her breathing hitched. “No. I cannot allow it.”

“I am in need of a wife. Ye need protection...” Broden began.

“Ye should consider someone else. I am not the woman for ye.” Catriona rounded him and hurried up the stairs to find Lady Fraser. That Broden was traveling to Ross lands complicated things a bit. Catriona almost chuckled at the thought that men found a reclusive woman who feared men worthy to court.

It was like Esme always said, men were strange creatures.

She couldn’t wait to see her friend. The thought of spending hours discussing life made her decision to travel seem more possible. Of course, she would take whatever Lady Fraser said into advisement before making a final decision.

Lady Fraser was surprised when she opened the door to find Catriona standing in the doorway. “Come in. Is something wrong?” The woman moved back, pulling the door further open.

A maid was there combing the laird’s wife’s hair. The young woman smiled at Catriona, but remained silent.

“I wish to discuss something with ye before I make a decision,” Catriona began. “It is somewhat personal.” She looked to the maid.

Lady Fraser turned to the maid and took the brush from her hand. “Thank ye, Uma. Miss Catriona will assist me with my hair. Ye may go.”

Catriona began to brush the woman’s hair. “Would ye like a braid?”

“Oh, yes,” Lady Fraser exclaimed. “Ye always make the most beautiful styles.” She met Catriona’s eyes in the looking glass. “What is going on?”

It was hard to come up with how to formulate the words, and Catriona stumbled. “I-I suppose I have concerns. Ye are about to leave...” She took a breath. “Ye’re going to visit Esme. I wish I could go with ye...to see her. However, I am very afraid.”

Lady Fraser turned to face her, the braid falling from Catriona’s hands. “Esme would be so happy to see ye. How splendid if ye were to go there for a season, or even two.”

“I am terrified,” Catriona repeated. “If something happens halfway there, it could affect the rest of the trip.” In her mind, she saw herself curled up in a ball on the floor of the carriage, refusing to leave for any reason. Lady Fraser would certainly have a horrible journey if she could not withstand the long trip.

“I understand,” Lady Fraser replied and turned away to allow Catriona to continue. “As of right now, I am traveling with my companion, Gilda, and no one else. There is plenty of room for ye.”

The woman didn’t seem to take into consideration that, for over a year, Catriona’s only travel had been to the village. And although the trip itself had not affected her horribly, it was but a day later that a visiting laird had sent her to spend days in her bedchamber.

“Do ye think I am prepared for it?” Catriona finally asked and held her breath.

The kind woman’s eyes met hers. “It is yer decision alone, sweet girl. I can tell ye that I’ve seen how much stronger ye have been as of late. Bits of yer personality has begun to shine through. Not to mention, every man we travel with is familiar to ye.”

“I have not met many of the Ross men. They do not eat in the great room and are rarely about. I am not afraid of them. At least, I do not think I am.”

Lady Fraser smiled when Catriona finished with the hairstyle, turning her heat side-to-side to inspect it. “What exactly are ye fearful of then?”

“What if we