A Fierce Archer (Clan Ross Book 6) by Hildie McQueen (best story books to read .TXT) 📗

Obviously, the scouts had announced their imminent arrival because the gates were open, and several family members stood at the home’s entrance to welcome them.

Lady Fraser was who the honors were for, but it was nice when his cousins waved at him in greeting.

After entering the courtyard, Ewan guided the carriage driver to the center so that they could allow for the rest of the escort to flank in. The guards waited on horseback until someone assisted the women out of the carriage.

As per tradition, Ewan hurried to the door and opened it. He peered into a wide-eyed Catriona and a smiling Lady Fraser.

“It is best that ye assist Catriona. Take her quickly inside to a small space,” Lady Fraser instructed.

Once Ewan assisted Lady Fraser down, the woman waved him away. Just then, Broden approached. “I will see that Catriona goes inside...”

“See about assisting me,” Lady Fraser interrupted. “Ye are my head guard and will act as my escort.”

A subdued Broden nodded. “Yes, of course. I apologize Lady Fraser.” He took Lady Fraser’s arm and, together, they walked to where Malcolm, Tristan and Esme Ross waited.

Ruari Ross, his cousin, came over and greeted him. Ruari then began to instruct the guards as to where to take the horses and such.

Catriona sat in the carriage not moving. Her wide eyes were looking from one side of the carriage to the other.

“Come, I will ensure ye are safe,” Ewan said and held out his hand. “Take my hand.”

After a moment, she reached out and he pulled her gently forward. Once she descended the stairs, although obviously nervous, she was curious enough to look about.

“It is huge,” she whispered.

“Indeed, it is.”

“Oh, my, what a happy surprise,” Esme Ross said, while hugging her mother and looking to Catriona.

She released her mother and rushed to Catriona and the women hugged tightly. Catriona’s bright eyes met his and she mouthed “thank ye”.

Lady Fraser and Esme flanked Catriona’s sides and, together, they walked into the keep. Lady Fraser motioned for Ewan to follow close by. Although he was glad to remain nearby, he hoped Catriona would not need to be calmed.

Once inside, Esme motioned to a corridor. “Ye will be staying at my and Ruari’s home. But for the next couple of days, we will be here.”

As they walked past a doorway, Esme motioned to it. “That is where Ruari and I sleep.” They stopped and went into a room right next to it. “And ye will stay here.”

“Oh, look at the view.” Catriona hurried to the window that overlooked the side of a steep mountain.

Esme turned to Ewan. “Thank ye so much for convincing her to come. I am beyond grateful.” The woman threw herself against Ewan, hugging him tightly. “Ye have no idea how happy I am at this moment.”

He nodded and looked to Catriona who watched them with an unreadable expression. Upon their gazes meeting, she attempted at a smile, her lips barely inching up.

“Yes, thank ye, Ewan. I am glad to be here.”

“Of course.” He left the room feeling there was so much left unsaid. And yet, there was no reason for him to remain inside.

“Ewan.” Esme followed him out. “I wish to speak to ye later.” After the cryptic statement, Esme rushed back to the room where he guessed the women would spend hours talking and catching up.

“Welcome home,” Tristan Ross said when Ewan entered the great room. His huge cousin gave him a curious look. “What did ye do?”

Ewan shrugged. “Do ye want a list?”

“Malcolm will need to know if there are repairs to be made to Laird Fraser.”

“We can speak later. But I am confident that, instead, they owe me gratitude,” Ewan replied.

In the great room, the men who’d traveled were already being fed and would soon learn which duties they were to take over.

Lady Fraser was already seated and chatted animatedly with the Ross wives, seeming to enjoy being the center of attention.

Feeling a bit out of sorts, Ewan followed Tristan to the head table and greeted Malcolm. His cousin motioned for him to sit at the high board. “Is there anything we need to discuss immediately?”

The table was far enough away from the others that their conversation could not be overheard. Given the many discussions at the moment, they could speak in normal tones without worry.

“So ye have been told I was asked to leave then?” Ewan said.

“Aye, the warrior, Broden McRainy, was told by Laird Fraser to inform me.”

Ewan looked to where Broden sat with other Fraser guards. “And he did not give ye a list of my offenses?”

“He started to, but I told him ye would tell me.”

Letting out a breath, he looked to his right and left. Flanked by his cousins, each one of them a strong warrior, Ewan felt his family’s support. And yet, he wasn’t sure how Malcolm would react to what he did.

“I killed the older Laird Mackenzie. I killed three Mackenzie guards and I was caught on Mackenzie lands when trying to hunt down another.”

His eyebrows high, Tristan looked at him. “Anything else?”

The youngest Ross brother, Kieran, met his gaze. “And I considered ye to be the least frightening of us.”

Malcolm blew out a breath. “So, it was ye that started the battle between the Frasers and the Mackenzies?”

“No,” Ewan replied. “That had started before I arrived.”

Malcolm gave him a flat look. “The second battle.”

Ruari chuckled. “He started a clan war.”

“Aye, I killed the first Mackenzie. I believe yer wife killed the son,” Ewan replied in an equally flat voice.

Everyone went silent for a long moment. Ruari shrugged. “Esme was saving her brother.” In truth, she’d saved Keithen Fraser when he was hung by the Mackenzie. Her precise arrow had saved