Page 76 of A Fierce Archer

There were exclamations, cheering and laughter. When he looked to the target, his arrow was not there.

“Ye lost on purpose,” Esme challenged. “Ye missed the target altogether.”

“Impossible,” he said, stomping to the target. “Where did my arrow go?”

When he got close to the target, several of his guards ran out and began slapping him on the back. One laughed. “I would lose, too, if I was forced to spend the night outdoors with a beauty.”

He looked over to Catriona, who’d paled. The constable’s wife was obviously telling her about the bet he and Esme had made.

When she met his gaze, she quickly turned away, but not before he caught the look of something like disappointment.

Then she turned to the constable’s brother and said something.

Perhaps they’d planned to steal away and now his win had dashed the plans. No. Catriona would never do that. Ewan instantly felt horrible for allowing his jealousy free rein.

Jealousy? Yes, that was exactly what he felt. It ravaged through him, especially when Ruari rushed to Esme, picked her up and turned in a circle. The couple was laughing wildly as if they were alone in the world.

“I am sorry ye lost.” Catriona had come up to stand beside him. “Ye did well until the last one,” she continued and lifted to her toes to place a chaste kiss on his cheek.

The people in the stands began to stomp their feet, calling out for a full kiss.

Ewan pulled Catriona into his arms, leaned her back and as he lowered to take her mouth, looked to where the constable’s brother watched them.

The man smiled. Obviously, he’d not expected to spend time alone with Catriona.

He kissed her fully as those around them began to cheer loudly. When they straightened, Catriona was flushed. She smiled shyly toward the where the people were, but never looked at him.

She walked alongside him as he went to greet the people. Since it seemed he’d lost on purpose, they could not gossip about his lack of ability. In a way, this was the best conclusion.

“Outdoors. In the courtyard? Or out in the field?” Her expression was sullen.

He shrugged. “Esme didn’t specify. I suppose we can sleep in the garden.”

“Very well.” Catriona remained for a few moments, chatting with people that were visiting. Most were invited to remain for last meal. She then went toward their home. Probably to prepare for the meal, and for their night out.

It could also be his wife was about to give Esme an earful. Although, Ewan doubted she’d find the couple since they’d suddenly disappeared.

Chapter Twenty-One

Catriona stopped short of knocking on the door of the bedchamber Esme and Ruari were currently using. And using it they were. For a moment, she stood still listening to the sounds of their lovemaking.

If only she and Ewan had the same passion. There was no mistaking the attraction between Esme and her husband. They seemed to fight for privacy every moment they were together. As happy as she was that her childhood friend had found the perfect match, her heart ached each time she witnessed their devotion.

Turning away, she decided it was best to prepare for last meal. Once that was done, she’d have to be ready to sleep outdoors.

Only Esme would try to do something that would force her and Ewan to spend time alone. Then again, without the distraction of others, perhaps they could finally talk.

Catriona was not a fool. She was fully aware her husband did not love her. As a matter of fact, he acted as if he didn’t particularly care for her in the least.

Most days, she was lucky to catch a glimpse of him any time other than at last meal. True, there was much to do and his duties as laird were many but, to her, it seemed as if he invited more work.

Just two days earlier, there had been a large group of farmers who he’d invited to come and share about their crops. The group, along with wives and children, had filled the great room to capacity.

Next was the archery tournament. The house would be filled with villagers. Afterward, Ewan was to leave with Esme and her husband to spend time with Ruari learning about warhorse breeding. Although Catriona had been invited to come along, she was forced to remain behind as the wife of a McLeod was scheduled to come for a visit.

In truth, she was excited to meet Paige McLeod, who’d married Alec, the laird’s first-born son. According to Elspeth, she and Paige had much in common. Paige had been a village girl who’d stood up to both the McLeod and the Ross to defend men she loved.

When Catriona changed to look more presentable for last meal, she entered the great room and, as expected, Ewan was surrounded by men who seemed to be picking on him good-naturedly about losing to Esme.