A Fierce Archer (Clan Ross Book 6), Hildie McQueen [most popular ebook readers TXT] 📗

restored. Once the task is done, she can hire someone to take over as gardener.”

Flora studied her for a long moment. “Something is different about ye.”

“I have decided to take steps to not be so fearful.” Catriona looked to her dirty hands. “Like this.”

“It makes me glad. Even if it means ye will no longer need me.”

“Lady Fraser has grown fond of ye. She will keep ye here in some capacity,” Catriona said and then dusted the dirt from her hands on an apron she’d tied around her waist. “I best get washed up. It will be last meal soon.”

Flora continued to study her. “What brought about this change?”

“When I visited my family in the village, I realized how much I had missed. My sister gave birth to a bairn. I never saw her with child. Her other four young ones have grown up and look so different, I had a hard time putting names to faces.”

“The wee ones change a great deal in the first years of life, and they grow so much,” Flora said and took a long breath. She looked to the courtyard. “My son will not remember his father and no matter how much I wish he remain a babe, he is growing quickly.”

Catriona sniffed. “I am so sorry, Flora. I forget sometimes that ye lost yer husband.”

Once Catriona got water from a rain barrel and washed up, they went inside and walked down the corridor toward the great room. Flora went into the kitchen and Catriona kept walking.

The same maid who’d been offering herself to Ewan headed in the direction of his bedchamber. Catriona walked slowly and, upon passing by, noticed that his door was cracked open. The murmur of a conversation was too low for her to make out what was being said.

A part of her urged that she go see what was happening, while her more logical part insisted she not make a fool out of herself.

Catriona gritted her teeth and continued on to the great room.

The healer walked toward her, a young lad hurrying beside him with the heavy medical box. “Ah, Miss Catriona,” the man said. “I may require yer assistance.”

“What happened?” She turned toward Ewan’s room.

“Come along.” The healer continued walking in the direction she’d just come. However, he continued on past Ewan’s room and into another chamber.

The door was open and, through it, the smell of blood spilled out along with moans. A warrior was on a table. Other than a cloth thrown over his midsection, the man was bereft of clothing.

Quickly, Catriona understood why. He had horrible wounds from his face down to his legs.

“What happened?” she asked the nearest man. “Who did this to him?”

The man’s worried gaze moved from the injured man to her and then back to the table. “He was attacked by wild boars. We were on patrol, he dismounted and, just a moment later, the beasts came out from behind trees.”

“He’s been gored and bitten. He’s lucky to not be dead. Boars are vengeful creatures,” the healer said, motioning to Catriona. “See about the injuries to his legs. I will see what I can do about this big one here.” The healer pointed to the man’s right side.

As she began working, the smell of blood that permeated seemed to grow stronger. Catriona took one of the cloths and tied it around her nose and mouth. The injured man began to shake uncontrollably, and Catriona’s heart went out to him.

Despite his injuries, he kept asking for his wife and was assured someone was going to fetch her.

He met Catriona’s gaze. “D-do not allow h-her t-to see me like this.” His eyes rolled back, and he lost consciousness.

The healer pinned her with a pointed look. “After ye wash his leg, bind it tightly.”

For the next hour, several people worked on the man. He was riddled with bites and scratches, some deep, others not as bad. Although groggy from a tonic the healer had made him drink, he was sitting up in bed when a young woman barged into the room, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Come with me,” the healer said as everyone walked out the room. “Ye looked look like ye are about to pass out. Ye should get some rest.”

Catriona shook her head. “I am fine.” The last thing she wished to do was remain near the smell of blood, so she hurried away. Just as she passed Ewan’s bedchamber, the maid once again walked toward it.

“Where are ye going?”

The maid turned, her eyes growing wide. “Eileen asked that I find out if Mr. Ross requires a meal brought to him.”

“I have to see him, so I will ask.”

The maid’s gaze lowered to her dress and Catriona realized she had blood all over it.

“I will speak to Eileen in a moment.” She effectively dismissed the maid and went to Ewan’s bedchamber. She had no right to the feelings erupting, but Catriona couldn’t pull back the annoyance. After rapping twice, Ewan opened the door.

He was dressed, and very pale.

“Ye dressed yerself and now are paying for it.” Catriona walked in past him. “Perhaps ye have no wish to get better.”

“I plan to attend last meal,” he replied in a flat tone. “I cannot very well attend bereft of clothes.

Catriona turned to him. “Ye could have asked Ann, or whatever her name is to help ye.”

“Who?” he asked, nearing.

“The maid who is constantly checking on ye.” Catriona took a step back, suddenly aware of how much larger he was than her.

Ewan shrugged. “I do not know who ye speak of in particular. Oh, ye mean Annie.”

Doing her best to give him a droll look, Catriona looked up to him. “She could have helped ye.”

“I would prefer the only woman to see me without a tunic