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

“Ye told me ye were to marry Broden.”

She’d forgotten about that. It had been an impulsive statement. In actuality, when Broden had announced he was to return to Fraser lands, Catriona had made it clear there would be nothing between them. Her heart was broken. She wanted time to forget Ewan.

“Someone told me ye were married. That is why I said no.”

“Who?” His mouth formed a tight line as he waited. He didn’t seem to believe a word she said.

Catriona thought for a moment. She didn’t want to say it was Broden. That would only make things worse. “A guard. Someone who’d been with ye at Fraser Keep. Ye told him, or a group of them when ye were drinking. I do not know who all overheard.”

Turning his head, he looked toward the bed. When he faced her again, all he did was give a slight nod. “Very well, Catriona. I will accept yer apologies. Please go.”

“One last thing,” she added. “I care for ye a great deal and am hopeful that one day we can be friends again.” Catriona placed her hand on his forearm. “Safe travels.”

His gaze fell to where her hand was, but he remained still.

Catriona hurried from the room as tears threatened. Ewan would never be her friend again. By his body language and expression, he wished to put everything that had to do with her behind him.

At least she’d taken the opportunity to say what had to be said.

Upon returning to laird over his own lands, she would rarely see him. It was best she resign herself to being Esme’s companion. To live the simple life of servitude. It would be easy and best to keep away from thoughts of marriage. At least for the foreseeable future.

People beginning to mill about in the great room made Catriona pause. No one looked in her direction, yet she hoped not to be seen leaving from the direction of guards’ bedchambers. She turned way and hurried toward the kitchen.

For some reason, every member of the laird’s family seemed to find themselves in the kitchen speaking with the head cook, Moira, who handed out warm porridge, advice and encouragement in equal measures.

It was Kieran Ross who sat alone at the table this morning. Although his presence gave Catriona pause, she was through being afraid of men who had no intention of causing her any harm.

His hazel gaze lifted to her, and he gave a slight nod by way of greeting.

“Just who I wished to speak to,” Moira said, motioning for her to sit. “I was just telling my dear boy about a beautiful village that I once visited, just past Fraser lands. But I cannot recall the name of it.”

“There are several,” Catriona replied, accepting a cup of hot cider. “What stood out about it?”

As Moira described the village, Catriona studied the quiet man. His bond with the cook was interesting. She’d sighted him there in the kitchen in the early mornings more than once. Although he remained quiet, it was obvious that he felt comfortable there.

“Ye must be speaking of Mulling,” she finally said.

“Yes, that is it,” Moira replied with a wide grin. “There is talk of a magical fae in the nearby woods around it that has kept it safe from attack for centuries.”

The warrior gave Moira an indulgent half-smile. “I will keep an eye out when traveling through and if I see one, I will capture it for ye.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t wish to trap a poor wee creature, but perhaps ye can ask if they can send some to live up here. Keep ye safe up here.”

Catriona could not tell if they were serious or not. She waited for the next silence before speaking. “How long do ye think ye’ll be gone?”

One of his broad shoulders lifted and lowered. “Perhaps as short as a sennight but, in reality, I would say a fortnight.”

“I am sure they will not be long. There is much planned for setting up Ewan as laird,” Moira exclaimed with a broad smile. “A celebration and then we will have to start seeking servants for him.”

“It seems rushed,” Catriona said. “The keep must be built first.”

“There is a small home already there,” Kieran said. “It will be fortified and rooms added. However, it will be ready for Ewan to move there in a short time.”

Moira rounded the table and placed a hand on Catriona’s shoulder. “Lady Ross is to speak to ye about it. I suggested that ye could help with setting up the home and hiring the servants. She alluded that ye wished for new responsibilities. Perhaps ye could be the housekeeper there since Laird Ewan is not married.”

“I couldn’t possibly...” Catriona could not think of a good reason to refuse. She had no other duties at the moment, and it made sense, since she was not married and not tied to remaining there at Ross Keep. “Oh, goodness.”

Chapter Sixteen

Despite the change in season, Ewan could not warm up. He shivered in his makeshift bedroll and considered leaving the slight warmth of it to add wood to the bonfire.

Finally, unable to take it anymore, he pushed out of his bedroll and grabbed several pieces of wood that he threw into the fire.

“Ah, yes, thank ye,” someone called out.

“One of ye could have done it,” Ewan grumbled. But he smiled knowing he, too, had been waiting and hoping someone else would add wood.

The heat from the flames was instant. He went back to his bedroll and pulled it just a bit closer to the fire and then slid between the folds.

In the morning, they would arrive in Uist. They’d make their way across the water in bìrlinns and be greeted by whoever was sent. They’d sent a scout ahead to announce their arrival