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

“What are the terms?” Esme asked since she was there as Catriona’s family’s representative.

“Nothing unusual,” Malcolm replied. “Marriage within a fortnight, word sent to the Frasers and yer family so they can attend. Live together at Tuath Avon.”

Then by the change in the laird’s expression, there was to be another term that was not usual.

“What else?” Catriona asked.

“That ye cannot take a lover. Any children must be from him.”

“Why would...” she stopped, knowing it had to do with his previous wife. “Anything else?”

“No.”

Catriona contemplated the terms. In truth, she could never consider anyone else to marry. And she would never insult Ewan by turning him down a second time. She lifted her chin and met the laird’s gaze. “I will marry Ewan Ross.”

“If ye will remain here for a few moments, I do believe he wishes to speak to ye.” Elspeth smiled warmly at her. “I do love the idea of planning a wedding.”

When they walked out, Catriona looked to Esme. “Does this all not seem overly formal to ye?”

“In his defense, ye turning down a proxy would not be as personal, I suppose.” Esme looked to the door. “I best go.”

For some reason, Catriona wanted to beg her to stay. The Ewan who’d returned from the northern post was not the same man she’d known up until then. He’d changed.

Ever since returning from Uist, she’d not had an opportunity to speak to him. There had been constant travel between there and his new home as they’d done all kinds of preparations to ensure it was habitable.

Catriona herself had gone there to help clean and organize, each time spending three or four days. He’d never been there when she was. It seemed whenever she headed back to Ross Keep, he left to go to his new home. And so, she’d not been around him for many weeks.

Even before seeing him, she felt his presence. Ewan entered the room dressed casually in a loose green tunic and tan breeches. He wore boots and his hair had recently been cut. Still, the dark waves fell almost to his shoulders.

“Catriona,” he said, his hazel eyes meeting hers. “I am glad to know ye have accepted my proposal.”

She stood. “I was surprised by it. I thought ye did not care for me.”

His mouth opened as if he were to say something but thought better of it. “We should set a date.”

He’d not made to move near her. In truth, she’d expected an amorous encounter as he’d never shied to approach her before...before he’d gone away. Before she’d turned him down.

Instead, he went around to the other side of the desk.

“As ye will know, the house is almost ready. We only require a few staff members. Moira assures me that she has that matter well in hand.”

Unsure of how to handle this new Ewan, Catriona decided to act as if nothing had changed between them and they remained friends. “I will require at least a sennight for my family to be sent for and return. Once we marry, I will be ready to relocate to Tuath Avon.”

“About the wedding,” Ewan said, his gaze touching on her only for a moment before sliding away to somewhere past her shoulder. “I would hope we can settle for a small affair. No need for more than the family to attend. There will be plenty of festivities once we arrive at our home.”

Catriona wasn’t sure if he wished to keep things small because of her, or because it was to be his second marriage. Either way, it was something she’d not considered yet. Usually, it was the groom’s family who handled the plans and intricacies of a wedding. In their case, neither lived with their immediate family.

“What of yer family, Ewan?” Catriona asked. “Will they be in attendance?”

“No. I extended an invitation for them to come once we are settled. I expect Mother, my sister and several of my brothers may come then.”

When he didn’t offer any other explanation, she decided at the moment it wasn’t important enough. There were many questions lingering in the air, she had but to utter them. Yet, there was something about Ewan, a sense that he wished to be anywhere but there, alone with her.

“Why?” Catriona uttered, but then hesitated when his eyes flashed to hers. “Why are ye marrying me?”

Something akin to dread settled in her chest. The tightness of when one expects bad news. She tried to convince herself in the moment of silence that she was being silly. The longer she waited for his reply, the harder it became to breathe.

“I wish to marry ye, because ye will make me the perfect wife. I trust ye to be true, and to not seek to betray me.”

It was the strangest of answers. Each word strung together almost haphazardly, not making much sense. But because, in that moment, she too wished to leave, Catriona nodded as if understanding exactly what he’d meant.

***

The wedding was as Ewan had dictated, quite small. The three Ross brothers and their wives, Ruari and his wife, along with Ian McElroy and Naill Hay, both members of the guard, and their families all sat in the chapel to witness the marriage.

From Fraser lands, both Laird and Lady Fraser had traveled, along with Flora. Her parents and sister, minus her brood, had traveled with the Frasers, making her feel special that Laird and Lady Fraser had ensured they traveled in comfort.

All through dressing and allowing the women to fuss over her appearance, Catriona couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. Since their engagement, Ewan had not once called upon her to walk in the garden. Nor had he sought her alone for any reason.

For goodness’ sake, they’d slept in the same bed while friends. And now as an engaged