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

Ewan grinned. It wasn’t like the woman to ever miss. Perhaps she was a bit distracted.

Letting out an exhale, he stared straight then took his shot. He also missed, hitting to the left of the center.

There was a hush in the crowd as two guards who’d been appointed to be impartial went and inspected the target.

They held up Ewan’s arrow and the crowd cheered.

Esme huffed loudly and walked up to the mark. “I am not toying with ye any longer.”

She pulled back, stood utterly still, then loosed the arrow. This time, she hit the target dead center, and then to everyone’s glee, performed a happy little dance. Those gathered clapped.

Ensuring to keep his breathing even, Ewan stepped up to the mark. He let out a long breath, pulled back and released his arrow. It hit the target at almost the precise place as before.

The two guards inspected the target and held up Esme’s arrow.

It was a tie.

They shot twice more. Ewan edged a win first, barely, and then Esme beat him. It finally came down to the last shot. Whoever hit closer to the center would win.

There was a hush, followed by murmurs as Esme went to stand at the mark. Ewan saw it then, a strange stillness about her. She didn’t move, her feet planted perfectly, back straight. When she let the arrow fly, he didn’t have to look to know she had hit the target perfectly. Dead center.

There were loud gasps from the crowd followed by claps. Then when he went to the mark, everyone once again silenced.

It wasn’t that losing would be so awful. He would, of course, not mind spending time outdoors with Catriona. It was the consequences he feared. For days on end after making love with her, he could think of nothing else.

Every waking moment, he saw her face, heard the sounds she’d made when they’d made love. If he were to be alone with her, could he keep from taking her again?

He was close to losing control of his emotions. His heart ached for her, his body demanded her.

Ewan could not lose the match.

His booted foot on the mark, he stepped back with his right and pulled the bow taut. Concentrating on his breathing, he focused on the target, his vision directly on Esme’s arrow.

On his exhale, he released the arrow.

There were exclamations, cheering and laughter. When he looked to the target, his arrow was not there.

“Ye lost on purpose,” Esme challenged. “Ye missed the target altogether.”

“Impossible,” he said, stomping to the target. “Where did my arrow go?”

When he got close to the target, several of his guards ran out and began slapping him on the back. One laughed. “I would lose, too, if I was forced to spend the night outdoors with a beauty.”

He looked over to Catriona, who’d paled. The constable’s wife was obviously telling her about the bet he and Esme had made.

When she met his gaze, she quickly turned away, but not before he caught the look of something like disappointment.

Then she turned to the constable’s brother and said something.

Perhaps they’d planned to steal away and now his win had dashed the plans. No. Catriona would never do that. Ewan instantly felt horrible for allowing his jealousy free rein.

Jealousy? Yes, that was exactly what he felt. It ravaged through him, especially when Ruari rushed to Esme, picked her up and turned in a circle. The couple was laughing wildly as if they were alone in the world.

“I am sorry ye lost.” Catriona had come up to stand beside him. “Ye did well until the last one,” she continued and lifted to her toes to place a chaste kiss on his cheek.

The people in the stands began to stomp their feet, calling out for a full kiss.

Ewan pulled Catriona into his arms, leaned her back and as he lowered to take her mouth, looked to where the constable’s brother watched them.

The man smiled. Obviously, he’d not expected to spend time alone with Catriona.

He kissed her fully as those around them began to cheer loudly. When they straightened, Catriona was flushed. She smiled shyly toward the where the people were, but never looked at him.

She walked alongside him as he went to greet the people. Since it seemed he’d lost on purpose, they could not gossip about his lack of ability. In a way, this was the best conclusion.

“Outdoors. In the courtyard? Or out in the field?” Her expression was sullen.

He shrugged. “Esme didn’t specify. I suppose we can sleep in the garden.”

“Very well.” Catriona remained for a few moments, chatting with people that were visiting. Most were invited to remain for last meal. She then went toward their home. Probably to prepare for the meal, and for their night out.

It could also be his wife was about to give Esme an earful. Although, Ewan doubted she’d find the couple since they’d suddenly disappeared.

Chapter Twenty-One

Catriona stopped short of knocking on the door of the bedchamber Esme and Ruari were currently using. And using it they were. For a moment, she stood still listening to the sounds of their lovemaking.

If only she and Ewan had the same passion. There was no mistaking the attraction between Esme and her husband. They seemed to fight for privacy every moment they were together. As happy as she was that her childhood friend had found the perfect match, her heart ached each time she witnessed their devotion.

Turning away, she decided it was best to prepare for last meal. Once that was done, she’d have to be ready to sleep outdoors.

Only Esme would try to do something that would force her and Ewan to spend time alone. Then again, without the distraction of others, perhaps they could finally talk.