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

as they’d come to an agreement to spend evenings alone getting to know one another.

They often stayed up until the wee hours of the night, talking about anything and everything. She’d become his confidant and adviser.

When first meeting her, he recalled that Esme had told him about Catriona’s intelligence and sensible way of seeing things. It was true…she often guided him to make decisions in a way that soothed people’s ire.

Their lovemaking had turned into an art form of discovering each other’s body and learning what satisfied each of them best. Ewan did his best not to think of bedsport with Catriona when not alone as it could be embarrassing.

Even then, he shifted in the saddle and looked across to a guard.

“Riders in the distance,” the guard said. “It is not our scout.”

Immediately, they called for a halt and the accompaniment of guards surrounded the carriage.

“Ye should get in the carriage as well,” the guard instructed.

“I will not cower,” Ewan protested.

“Laird, ye must.” The guard left no room for argument.

After guiding Ban to the back of the carriage, Ewan dismounted and went to the carriage, grumbling under his breath.

Catriona gave him a worried look. “Why have we stopped?”

“Our scout is delayed. We will move with more caution until he meets us.”

“Oh,” she replied, paling. “I hope nothing is amiss.”

Maisie met his gaze and turned to Catriona. “I hope they didn’t send Giles. The boy will stop and talk to a tree and is always late for everything.”

The scout was not Maisie’s brother, but Ewan didn’t clarify it to Catriona. “If it is Giles and he causes us to be delayed, he will be banished back to the stables.”

Maisie giggled. “He would hate that.”

Their interchange seemed to calm Catriona. Ewan leaned sideways to look forward. So far, there didn’t seem to be any kind of threat.

Just then, they came to a stop and one of the guards came to the door and opened it. “Laird, we are being greeted by Munro warriors.”

Ewan met Catriona’s gaze. “Gisela’s family. No need to worry.”

“Gisela’s family?” Catriona peered out. “I’d like to meet them as well.”

“This is not her family now,” he clarified. “They are her family’s guardsmen.”

Upon exiting the carriage, his horse was brought forward, and Ewan mounted. He wore the Ross colors with the crest pinned on his chest. Flanked by four warriors, he rode to where the group of six Munro men formed a line.

“I am Ewan Ross, new laird of the Ross northern lands. I am sure yer laird has been informed as he attended the festivities on my behalf.”

One man, who he assumed was the leader nodded. “Aye, Laird, we are aware. We are not here to threaten ye, but to help escort ye across our lands. We are currently at odds with a neighboring clan and do not wish any harm to come to ye or yer people while in our territory.”

He wasn’t used to special treatment. In all the times he and others had traveled through Munro lands, they’d not been stopped. Several times, he himself had seen Munro patrols. They’d always remained friendly.

“Who do ye fight?” he asked as they continued forward toward Malcolm’s land border.

“The Mackay,” the man replied. “Nasty bastards they are.”

Moments later, fearing for his wife’s reactions to this unexpected interruption in travel, he returned to the carriage to reassure Catriona.

Surprisingly, she seemed serene when he opened the carriage door and peered in. “They are, indeed, from Clan Munro and have asked to escort us through Munro lands. It seems they’ve been having problems with the Mackay.”

“That is good then,” Catriona replied, meeting his gaze. “Be with care.”

Not caring that Maisie sat next to Catriona, he leaned forward and kissed her soundly. “I will. Soon, ye will meet Darach. Be prepared for him to tell ye stories of my childhood mischiefs. Do not believe a word he says,” Ewan told her with a wink.

The rest of the journey went without incident. Upon reaching the Ross land border, the Munro patrol turned back to their own lands.

While thanking them, along with sending greetings and thanks to Laird Munro, Ewan informed them of their plans to return back through their lands the following week. The men seemed certain there wouldn’t be any issue but promised to keep an eye out for them.

Ross Keep came into view and Ewan let out a long breath. He expected that his half-brother would travel with perhaps another of his siblings and their mother.

Although he was extremely proud of his family, he wondered what their true feelings were of him becoming laird. His mother had seemed happy for him, but sad that he was to permanently live so far away.

As far as Darach went, his half-brother was not one to ever show emotion. On the other hand, one never had to wonder what Darach thought as he was quite blunt. It mattered little to Darach if feelings were hurt. At the same time, he was forever honest.

***

The day after arriving at Ross Keep, Catriona felt as if she’d barely gotten her breath when the announcement was made that the travelers from Uist were to arrive.

She, along with Elspeth, hurried to the front entrance of the home, while Malcolm and Ewan stood just in front of them.

The party consisted of four guards in the lead, then two men on horseback, followed by a carriage and behind that a small contingent of what Catriona assumed were warriors and archers.

Once the entire party entered, two riders and the carriage came to a stop. The guardsmen were guided to line up behind it.

The two men dismounted. By their size, they were definitely Ross men.

When Ewan, Malcolm and Tristan greeted the newcomers, Elspeth leaned to Catriona’s ear. “Ross men are certainly attractive are