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

pursue a man effectively. “I will not interfere in his quest for a bride. I had the opportunity and lost it. If anything, he deserves a woman who will never doubt him.”

Esme frowned, her gaze sliding to the side. “He did ask for something very specific.”

“Such as?”

“A meek woman who would not question him.”

Despite the pang in her chest, Catriona could not help but laugh. “Ha! He would grow bored in a day. Why would he wish for a woman with no spirit or opinion?”

A thought occurred to her. “Do ye think me meek?”

This time, it was Esme who laughed. “Not even when ye were recovering. Ye have always been headstrong and stubborn.”

“True, I can be.”

Her friend studied her. “Ye are the best adviser. I was very fortunate to have had ye as my friend to keep me from doing the wrong things. It could be that ye should consider what is happening. What would ye say to yerself, if ye were not ye?”

“Somehow that made sense,” Catriona said with a sad smile. “I would tell myself to allow Ewan his freedom. He should marry whoever he wishes, whether a wilted weak woman or otherwise.”

“Bah!” Esme exclaimed. “Ye should pursue him. Tell him that it was all a misunderstanding. Perhaps, do not disclose it was Broden who told ye, because it will seem ye took another man’s word...”

“That is exactly what I did,” Catriona said. “I need time to think. Even if it is to help find a good wife for him. I owe Ewan that much. He should not marry a simpering dull person, but someone who will be a proper laird’s wife.”

When Esme’s brows lowered and her eyes narrowed, Catriona reached for her hand. “Whatever ye are planning, do not do it. Ye are impulsive and never have good ideas when it comes to matters of the heart.”

“It could be,” Esme started, “that Malcolm is already considering who Ewan should marry. With him being laird, he must make a good match in order to form alliances with the neighboring lairds.”

Catriona had not considered that. It was true. If anything, with his new lairdship there was the added benefit to Clan Ross of another strong alliance. Her heart sunk. Of course, it mattered not what Ewan wished for or even her for that matter. Nothing was ever easy when it came to clan life.

“I have mending to do,” Catriona said, standing.

Esme studied her. “I would never take ye for someone who would give up on love so easily. My goodness, ye carried on after Keithen for years. And now that ye finally meet the perfect man, ye are giving up so easily?”

“He is to go to Uist. He may return with a wife,” Catriona replied. “This trip of his gives me time to consider things. Right now, I am hurt and feel foolish for what I did.”

Patience was not Esme’s strongest attribute, so Catriona met her friend’s gaze. “Esme. Give me the time.”

“Oh, very well. But allow me to say this. If ye were to speak to Ewan alone before he leaves, it will give him fodder for thoughts while he travels.”

Catriona decided it was best to heed her friend’s advice. After all, what could it hurt to apologize to Ewan. If nothing else, he did deserve that much. Whether he no longer cared for her or not, it was the proper thing to do.

It was foolish to do so, of course, but just before dawn, Catriona went to Ewan’s bedchamber and knocked softly.

Just as she was about to knock a second time, the door open and a disheveled Ewan stood in the opening. He blinked several times, until recognition was followed by the hardening of his face. “What in God’s name do ye want?”

“I wish to speak to ye before ye leave.” Catriona did not wait to be invited in, but pushed past him.

Upon turning, she noticed he only wore a long-sleeved tunic and no breeches. Immediately, she looked up from his bare legs. “I must tell ye something. I just ask for a moment of yer time.”

Ewan crossed his arms and gave her a bored look, followed by a wide yawn. “I cannot imagine anything ye can say that is worth my loss of sleep. I have a long journey ahead of me.”

There was a flicker of something akin to regret for the words he’d spoken, immediately followed by him looking away. “Go on.”

There was no need to prolong the moment. It was best to say what she had to say. “I am so very sorry to have doubted ye. I was wrong to not explain to ye my reasoning for turning down yer offer of marriage. Ye were a good friend to me. Ye were there when I needed someone to lean upon. I hope that one day ye will find it in yer heart to forgive me.”

He closed the distance between them until she felt the warmth of his large body. “What brings this on, Catriona? That I am laird now? That ye gave up the opportunity to marry a man of standing?”

At the words, she took a step back. “How dare ye?” Fury like she’d not felt in a very long time flickered deep in her gut. Why had he changed so much? Did he actually hate her now?

“I can think of no other reason for this sudden change of heart. Ye had plenty of time to write, to send a message to me. I was in the northern post for many months.”

“I didn’t know the truth.”

“I’d hope ye gone when I returned,” Ewan retorted.

It was Catriona that closed the distance this time. “Why? Because ye still have feelings for me? Because yer pride was hurt? Ye knew very well that I would not immediately accept a proposal. I needed time