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

“Very much so,” Catriona said, her attention on one of the visitors.

One of the men stood out from the others.

Of all the Ross men she’d met up until this point, none were like him. The sun brought out the light shade of his hair, the wind blowing the golden tresses sideways as he spoke to the others. He was tall of stature, about the same height as Ewan.

The other brother, who was of the same coloring as Ewan, was greeted by Tristan with hands on shoulders. It was as if two giants faced off.

Unlike the greetings with the Ross cousins, the golden-haired man hugged Ewan, which led Catriona to believe he had to be the eldest, Darach Ross.

“Do ye think he is the eldest, Darach?” Catriona asked Esme, who’d come to stand next to her while Ruari walked over to join the other men.

“Who?”

“The golden one.”

“He reminds me of a lion,” Esme said, eyes narrowed. “It is hard to tell. Both of the men who just arrived are wearing both a tartan and crest. However, the blond one does act like a leader. Look how he and Malcolm stand. Yer husband as well.”

“The stance of lairds,” Elspeth proclaimed. “If they do not come to make introductions soon, I say we go inside.”

It was as if Malcolm heard her, which was impossible, but he looked over and motioned to the golden one toward where the women stood.

The other newcomer hurried to the coach while Ewan, Malcolm and the golden-haired man walked toward them.

“Ladies, I present Darach Ross, Laird Ross from South Uist,” Ewan said. “The other, who’s gone to see about our mother is my brother, Stuart.” He then proceeded to present first Elspeth, since she was the lady of the house, followed by Catriona and, lastly, Esme.

Darach was astonishingly handsome, with mesmerizing eyes a color that made it hard to pinpoint. At one point, Catriona thought them green, but soon decided perhaps blue. He seemed to find her interesting as well, his cool gaze moving over her face.

“Lady Catriona, I am pleased to meet ye. If ye find Ewan lacking in any manner, do not hesitate to inform me.” His demeanor and tone remained formal, but there was a glint of humor in his eyes.

Just then, a woman neared, Scottish through and through, with bright green eyes and red waves that had been pulled up into a lose hairdo.

“My mother, Lady Mariel Ross,” Ewan said. Upon their gazes clashing, Catriona immediately loved her.

Catriona kept note of everything Elspeth did. Visitors were seated based on their ranking and with there being three lairds present, it was quite a production.

At the high board, Malcolm’s right side was ceded to Darach. Elspeth, Ewan and Catriona on the left.

Catriona was glad to have Ewan’s mother on her side. Lady Mariel Ross was gracious and beautiful, making Catriona wonder why her husband sought another woman to consort with.

As soon as the meal was over, Lady Mariel asked about her bedchamber, claiming exhaustion from the travel.

“I will show ye,” Catriona said and stood. Upon reaching the doorway of the guest room, Lady Mariel insisted Catriona come inside with her.

The woman seemed to gain energy. She went to the bed and dropped her shawl and then pulled pins from her hair, shaking the red strands loose. “I cannot stand to have my hair pinned up all the time,” she grumbled.

“Come sit with me for a bit,” Lady Mariel said, motioning to a pair of chairs.

As soon as Catriona sat, Lady Mariel smiled broadly. “I wish to tell ye how happy I am to see my son married. It is obvious to me in the short time I’ve been here how well suited ye are.”

“He is a good husband to me,” Catriona said. “We love each other.” Her cheeks heated at disclosing this to her husband’s mother. However, in Catriona’s opinion it was important to soothe the woman’s worries about her son being hurt again.

“I am sure ye will both be very happy. I am anxious to see yer home.”

“And I am as eager for ye to spend time there with us.”

Catriona was surprised when the woman caressed her cheek, a glint of tears in her eyes. “My son has been through a great deal. He needs a good strong family. Ours is still reeling from the loss of my husband and all that occurred in the last years of his life.”

As much as she wanted to know more, there would be more time as they were to visit for a fortnight.

“Yer son Darach, he seems a good strong leader,” Catriona imparted. “I am sure he will rebuild the clan.”

Lady Mariel nodded. “Aye, he must.” She chuckled. “I am so very proud of my son.” Looking to Catriona, she smiled warmly. “He is not my son by birth. His mother died the night he was born. When I married the late laird, Darach was but a few weeks old. I fell in love with him immediately.”

It explained why Laird Darach Ross looked so different from the others.

“I cannot wait to have bairns, many of them,” Catriona said to lighten the mood.

Ewan’s mother laughed. “Beware of bearing too many sons. They can make ye ponder how boys ever survive to adulthood.”

Catriona laughed. In that moment, she was saddened not to live closer to her husband’s mother.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Fraser Keep

“What are ye doing?” Ava Fraser walked to where Flora hid beside a tree. “Who are ye hiding from?”

“No one,” Flora whispered and yanked the woman unceremoniously behind the tree. “Lower yer voice.”

Flora then peered around the tree to where a couple walked. Broden was walking with a woman. They were deep in conversation. Surely any moment now, thinking to be alone, they would show their intention for wandering away