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

are approached by them? The Mackenzies? What if I manage to make the trip without incident and then finding myself in a strange place sends me to panic again?”

The room was silent as Lady Fraser stood and went to her balcony. Catriona followed her to look out over the courtyard, past the gates and toward the village.

“It is a huge world out there,” Lady Fraser said in a low tone. “So much of which we will never see in our lifetime. I often wonder what is happening in this moment over there.” Lady Fraser pointed into the distance. “Is someone hurt, someone grieving? Are people celebrating, making love or fighting? Are families forming and relationships beginning?”

Catriona looked from one side of the lands to the other, her gaze following paths toward the creek and to the forest. “It is a beautiful view from here.”

“It is,” Lady Fraser agreed. “Whatever ye decide, Catriona, I will support ye. However, will ye be angry with yerself if ye decide to remain here and allow yer fear to keep ye from seeing Esme?”

Catriona closed her eyes. “Fear grips so very hard. I want to push it away. I fight to do it every day. However, it never goes far.”

“I do not think it is really all fear,” Lady Fraser said and placed a hand over hers. “Partly yes, but the other portion is that ye are fretful over a certain man.”

Despite the situation, Catriona chuckled. “Why would ye say that?”

“I have eyes,” Lady Fraser replied. “One would have to be blind not to know that Ewan Ross is infatuated with ye. The man makes every excuse to see ye.”

Before Catriona could reply, Lady Fraser continued. “And I do not think ye are indifferent to him. He is very handsome, indeed.”

“Handsome or not, I do not believe any kind of relationship is possible for me.”

“Now or ever?” Lady Fraser asked. “If yer heart is allowing the notion of caring for Ewan, then I believe ye will be ready to the possibilities soon.”

“What of my parents? They would miss me. I have already neglected them for so long.”

Lady Fraser weaved her arm through Catriona’s and guided her to the door. “Let us seek to break our fast and then we must send a messenger to invite yer family to come for a visit. I am sure yer mother will be glad to hear ye plan to travel and spend time with Esme.”

“I have not decided as yet.” Catriona gave the woman a confounded look. “I must consider it more.”

“Ye are going. No matter what excuses ye try to make, ye know it is true.”

***

Catriona looked on as Flora helped to pack her clothing. The woman, giddy with excitement, acted as if it were she that was about to go on the trip. “I have heard that Ross Keep is magnificent. Their courtyard is many times the size of ours and the house itself it said to be grand.”

“I wish ye could come with me,” Catriona told her, meaning it.

“I have the bairn and my mother to look after,” Flora replied with a sigh. “If not, I would beg to come along.”

The trunk was soon filled, and she looked around the room only to find that all her belongings had been packed. “I certainly do not own very much. Other than clothing, I have just a few items. I must have left most of my things at my parents’ house.”

“Yer mother brought a few things,” Flora said. “It is true, ye do not have very much, which means ye will not feel out of place once settled at Ross Keep.”

“It is called Dun Airgid, Silver Fortress,” Catriona said. “It sounds like a fantasy, does it not?”

“It does,” Flora replied breathlessly. “Ye must write me and describe every single detail.”

Catriona smiled at her friend. “I will. What will ye be doing once I am gone?”

“Lady Ava has asked that I help with household management. With Lady Fraser gone, it will all fall into her hands,” Flora replied with pride. “I am looking forward to it. My son and mother are coming to live here again.”

“Thank ye for all ye have done for me. Without ye, I am not sure I would have survived this ordeal.” Catriona sniffed and hugged Flora. “I can never thank ye enough.”

Flora took a shaky breath. “I will miss ye.”

“I hope to return in a season or two. Ye will be busy with yer new duties and barely miss me by then, I am sure.”

Just then, a maid came to the doorway. “Miss Catriona, yer family is here.”

***

Catriona’s mother stared at her as if she’d grown a third eye in the center of her forehead. “Ye are traveling away from Fraser lands? No one in our family has ever left Fraser lands.”

“That is not true,” her father interjected. “I have. I went across the river once.”

“To the other Fraser lands,” her mother noted, to which her father frowned and sighed.

Her sister was too busy running after the older boys to pay much attention. Catriona smiled at noting the toddlers had attached themselves to Flora’s skirts along with her own boy. When she moved, three little ones walked alongside her as she attempted to help her sister.

Just then, Ewan walked by. “Come,” Ewan said as he motioned to the boys and they immediately stopped in their tracks to stare up at the large warrior, their mouths falling open. “I need help,” Ewan told them. “If ye have time.”

The boys nodded and ran to keep up with Ewan’s long strides out the front door.

“Where do ye think he’s taking them,” Audra asked, not seeming at all worried.

Catriona looked to the doorway. “Probably to the stables.”

“Good! They need to be put to work and tired out.”

“We will