Page 22 of A Fierce Archer

It was true. When he’d arrived, she wouldn’t leave her bedchamber. No one, including Keithen, was allowed inside. The only people who saw Catriona for many months were Lady Fraser, Flora and Esme.

“Ye left yer room, ye go outside, and ye even went to the village.” Ewan smiled down at her. “And ye kissed me.”

A soft pink colored her cheeks and her lips twitched. “I did, didn’t I?”

He took a leap of faith and pulled the beautiful woman against his chest. At first, she stiffened. But then she gradually relaxed and let out a long breath.

When her arms circled his waist, Ewan eyes burned. It was something he’d wished for. “Yer hug is a wonderful gift.”

Catriona laid her head against his chest. “I wish I could give ye more.”

“Come with me. I promise to keep ye protected. I swear on my life.”

When she looked up at him, he smiled at her. Unable to keep from it, he lowered his mouth to hers. The kiss was tentative at first, lips against lips, barely touching. But upon her response, he deepened the kiss and then gently trailed his tongue against her mouth.

Catriona moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck, parting her lips to allow him access. For so long, he’d dreamed of having her against him, kissing her until they both lost the ability to breathe. The reality of it was so much better.

The softness of her curves molded perfectly against his harder body. She was slight, but strong. As much as he wanted to run his hands down her body and touch every inch, Ewan resisted. Instead, he kept his arms around her.

It was Catriona that broke the kiss and took a step back. Her chest lifting and lowering, lips swollen and face flushed, she met his gaze. “That was like nothing I’d ever experienced before. Ewan, ye are a good man. So good to me.”

“Promise ye will think about what I ask.” Ewan reluctantly turned to the doorway. “I will await yer response. I leave the morn of the third day.”

When he turned to look at her, she smiled.

“I promise to think on it. Do not expect that I will be strong enough, however.”

Despite the best kiss of his life, Ewan’s feet felt heavy as he walked away to seek his bed.

Chapter Six

The next morning, Catriona hurried from her bedchamber to find Lady Fraser. If she were to go to Ross lands, she first had to discuss it with someone. At the moment, she didn’t feel comfortable speaking to Ava, Keithen’s wife, about it.

Although they got along at some level, her presence was a constant reminder of Clan Mackenzie. Although Ava had no fault in what had happened to Catriona, Ava’s father had been the one to send her away to the dungeon.

Ava Fraser was a good wife to Keithen. They were in love, and he was happily married, which made her glad. At the same time, Catriona often wished he’d married someone else.

At the end of the corridor, Broden stood, his expression ominous. “I have been waiting to speak to ye,” he said without preamble. “I heard Ewan Ross brought ye gifts from the village. What gives him a right to do that?”

“He is grateful that I nursed him back to health,” Catriona responded while scanning the great room for Lady Fraser. She looked back up at him. “Why are ye so bothered by it?”

“When I return from Ross lands, I wish to court ye.”

Noting the softening of his expression and what the words meant sinking in, Catriona took several steps backward. Her breathing hitched. “No. I cannot allow it.”

“I am in need of a wife. Ye need protection...” Broden began.

“Ye should consider someone else. I am not the woman for ye.” Catriona rounded him and hurried up the stairs to find Lady Fraser. That Broden was traveling to Ross lands complicated things a bit. Catriona almost chuckled at the thought that men found a reclusive woman who feared men worthy to court.

It was like Esme always said, men were strange creatures.

She couldn’t wait to see her friend. The thought of spending hours discussing life made her decision to travel seem more possible. Of course, she would take whatever Lady Fraser said into advisement before making a final decision.

Lady Fraser was surprised when she opened the door to find Catriona standing in the doorway. “Come in. Is something wrong?” The woman moved back, pulling the door further open.

A maid was there combing the laird’s wife’s hair. The young woman smiled at Catriona, but remained silent.

“I wish to discuss something with ye before I make a decision,” Catriona began. “It is somewhat personal.” She looked to the maid.