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

do. The house is much smaller than Fraser Keep and although the staff is small, they are quite eager. For most of them, it is their first time in service, and they are very grateful for the wages.”

“It shows,” Esme said as they settled into chairs in Catriona’s sitting room. “Ye must make friends. I hate to think of ye alone all the time.”

Catriona gave her friend’s comment some thought. “Several women have visited, but I have yet to find anyone particularly interesting.”

Esme threw her head back and laughed. “Ye always have been hard to impress.”

Just then, there was a clearing of throats at the doorway. Both Ruari and Ewan entered. Immediately, Catriona could not draw her eyes away from her husband. He seemed to grow more handsome every day and standing next to his cousin, with their identical hazel eyes, he looked every bit a warrior.

His gaze lingered on hers for a moment before moving to Esme. “I’ve come to issue a challenge,” Ewan said.

Esme leaped to her feet, her eyes bright with excitement. “Archery?”

“Aye,” Ewan replied, his lips curving. “At twilight.”

It was the perfect time. No shadows to distract from the target. Catriona only knew this because of her many years of friendship with Esme.

“One arrow at a time,” Esme quipped, lifting an eyebrow. “No trickery.”

“Ye wound me,” Ewan said, attempting to look serious, but then his lips curved. “I agree.”

When the men left, Catriona looked to Esme, who studied her with interest.

Her friend remained silent, all the while scrutinizing her. At a loss for what to say, Catriona leaned forward, picked up her cup and drank the sweet cider.

“There is something in the air,” Esme finally said, her eyes narrowed toward Catriona. “Tell me, what is it?”

There was no question that if she spoke, the dam would break and Catriona was not prepared to tell Esme that her marriage was not a love match. It was barely a friendship if she were to be honest. They didn’t speak when alone, if they ever were. Ewan seemed to go out of his way to avoid her. It was only the one time that she’d initiated it that they’d made love.

“Fine, do not tell me now. But ye will before I leave.” Esme picked up a sketch book and charcoal. Soon, the sounds of scratches on the paper filled the empty air between them.

“My marriage is not what I expected in the least,” Catriona finally said. “Ewan does not care for me and goes out of his way to avoid me.”

Her friend searched Catriona’s face. “I can hardly believe it. He seems so demonstrative.”

“In public, yes. If not for the fact I do not want the staff to talk, I would slap his hands away.”

“What are ye going to do?”

Catriona gasped. “Me? Why should I be the one to do something?”

“I can speak to him, if ye wish me to.” Esme crossed her arms. “I will not have ye unhappy.”

If she were to be honest, she’d been too busy to consider herself unhappy. Yes, the situation with Ewan saddened her but, at the same time, she’d had plenty of time to grow accustomed to solitude.

“I am not unhappy. I am not content, either. Ye can say I’ve accepted my lot and am indifferent to it.”

Esme huffed. “That will not do. Not in the least. I know that man cares for ye. His gaze follows yer every move. Even his countenance changes in yer presence. I will never be convinced Ewan Ross does not love ye.”

“Love is a stretch,” Catriona said with a halfhearted chuckle. “He can only just barely tolerate me.”

Chapter Twenty

“Do not be a fool like I was,” Ruari said.

They’d been riding for over an hour. Ewan was anxious to show Ruari his lands. Ban shook his head, the mane flying side to side and Ewan knew his steed tried to impress Ruari’s huge warhorse.

“I cannot bear to be alone with her,” Ewan admitted. “It will not take but a look from her and my armor threatens to fall away.”

Ruari slid a sideways glance to his horse. “What is that animal doing?”

“He is trying to impress yers.”

“Make him stop. He does realize my horse is male.”

“My horse is indifferent to another animal’s sex. He wishes to be loved by all.”

“Does he mount yer enemies’ horses while ye go to battle?”

“Not yet. If he does, it could be helpful, an unexpected surprise tactic.”

Ruari laughed. “Ye and yer horse are both fools. There is nothing wrong with admitting loving yer wife. She is a good woman.”

“I know she is. However, she turned me away before.” He blew out a breath. “I do not wish to speak of it any longer.”

They rode for a while longer. By the time they returned, it would be dusk and time for him to compete against Esme. Ewan doubted he could beat the woman, but he hoped to at least do as well as she did.

“Ye know Esme will beat ye today,” Ruari began. “How will that look to yer people?”

Ewan raised a brow. “I am as competent as she is. I believe I can best her.”

When his cousin chuckled, Ewan wondered if Esme would allow him to win so that he did not appear weak in front of those gathered. Then again, the only people he expected to be there were his guardsmen and a few from the village. The latter could, of course, return and spread news of his loss. He frowned and considered if he’d been hasty in challenging the woman.

“No, she will not lose to make ye look good,” Ruari said before he could ask.

“I do not expect her to,” Ewan snapped.

They returned earlier than planned, as Ewan had lost his enthusiasm for the surroundings he’d been