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

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After noticing Lady Fraser and the widow, Flora, speaking, Broden noted that the women studied him for a long time. Whatever was said, he would find out. Flora had been a companion to Catriona. Perhaps with Catriona gone, Lady Ross was trying to find her a new position. Yes, that had to be it. One of Catriona’s duties had been to keep the guard’s clothing mended. Perhaps it was to be Flora’s job now.

The niggling feeling that something was afoot, however, did not abate. He scanned his surroundings, noting that the guards continued to spar. Those that were done, now stood talking while waiting for their breathing to slow.

Actually, it was good timing if it was mending the women spoke about, as he’d noticed several tears in most of his tunics. The one he currently wore was practically a rag hanging from his shoulders.

“Deep in thought about something?” Keithen approached and looked toward the house. “Hungry?”

“Aye, very much so. It is still a long while until last meal.”

Without having to discuss it, both knew that if they went to the kitchen, Eileen, the cook, would grumble but give them something to eat.

“What is to happen to Flora, the widow?” he asked Keithen. “I saw yer mother with her earlier. They were watching us.”

Keithen’s shoulder lifted and lowered. “I do not know. She will be kept on as we cannot very well turn away a widow and child.”

“Child?”

“Yes. Her mother and son live here with her. They have rooms in the servants’ quarters.” Keithen motioned with his head. “Ah, there, ye see? The boy is there with her in the garden now.”

The child toddled about the plants, bending every once in a while to touch one and then yank another out of the ground. Flora and another woman, who he presumed was her mother, were deep in conversation and did not notice the devastation the child was causing away from their watchful eyes.

When the boy let out a happy scream, the women turned. Both he and Keithen had to wait to see what the reactions would be.

“Oh, no!” Flora cried out and hurried to the child. The boy let out a happy yell and did his best to get away.

His mother caught up with him and lifted the boy into her arms. She peered at the boy’s dirty face and shook her head. “Ye should not pull plants. I know ye see me doing it, but I know which are good ones.”

“I put back,” the boy pronounced, squirming while still holding plantings in his tiny fists. “Down.”

She kissed his brow and placed the little boy on the ground. The child toddled to the area where he’d pulled the plants out and shoved both hands into the ground, doing his best to replace them.

Clear laughter rang out as his mother watched over him. “Very good. I love ye so much.”

Broden looked away and continued toward the kitchen. No matter how long he searched his memories, he was sure he’d never had an experience like that with his own mother.

Chapter Fifteen

Catriona leaned on the back of the bedchamber door, her chest heaving from a mixture of anger and confusion. Why had Ewan kissed her? Worse yet, why had she responded?

The man was not to be hers and despite being convinced she was strong enough to keep an emotional distance, it had all shattered at the touch of his lips to hers.

With a huff, she paced the length of the room. She thought on the way he’d looked at her. Instead of warmth, there was only coldness in his gaze. It was obvious he no longer felt anything for her. If anything, the kiss was further proof of it.

The only reason he’d kissed her had been to prove how easy it was for him to step away. The kiss had not affected him in the least.

Her hands curled into fists as she turned and paced in the opposite direction. The gall of the man. How was it that he could turn emotions off so easily? Why did she, after months of fortification, crumble at the first touch?

When someone knocked on the door, she stopped walking. “Come in,” she said in a weary voice. She took a breath and did her best to appear composed.

“Ye will not guess what happened!” Esme stormed in. “It’s the most peculiar thing.”

Catriona needed a distraction, so she went to her friend and pulled her to sit. “Tell me what has ye so anxious to share.”

“Elspeth and Gisela were in the great room when Ewan happened upon them,” Esme began.

Catriona sighed. Not exactly a distraction. However, curiosity got the best of her. “He approached them?”

“I think so. As ye know, he is to be laird of the lands north of here. He walked up to them and casually asked that Elspeth assist him in finding a wife.”

“A wife? He already has one.”

“His marriage was dissolved prior to him leaving Uist. No one knows the reason. Whatever the cause, Ewan is not married. Broden’s information was wrong.”

Her heart sank. She’d never given Ewan an opportunity to tell her the truth. After all he’d done for her, she’d doubted him instantly. Instead of approaching him and asking for clarification, she’d turned him away.

“I am not sure what to think.”

Esme’s eyes bored into hers. “Ye must speak to him. If he is to marry, ye were his first choice.”

“I turned him down. Besides,” Catriona added, “it is obvious the man detests me now. Ye should see the way he looks at me. Pure disdain.”

“He was hurt, and his pride wounded, but I am sure if there were feelings once, they remain still. Ewan is not indifferent to ye.”

Considering her lack of skills and general nervousness, Catriona doubted there was any way she could ever