Page 15 of A Fierce Archer

“May I speak to ye?” Catriona started and turned at the sound of Broden’s voice.

Keeping her gaze forward so that he would not notice her lack of focus, Catriona nodded. “Yes, of course.”

Thankfully, with the large warrior at her side, the path across the room past people she barely knew was easy. Broden was tall, muscular and broad-shouldered. His brown hair often lightened significantly during the summer months. Despite having known him all her life, Catriona still noticed how handsome he’d become in the last couple of years.

There was a deep cleft on the center of his chin, his lashes were thick and long, and Broden had perfectly straight teeth. Even though many a maiden sought his companionship, there was little gossip about him.

Despite all the battles he’d fought and the many times he’d gone north to work as guard at the guard post, Broden remained quite unchanged. He was loyal, caring and one of the few men who admitted enjoying cooking.

“Ye can walk with me to my table,” Catriona replied, following him to a table away from others. It was her preferred place to eat at last meal because it was away from the others. Broden motioned for her to sit and he lowered across from her. His gaze met hers for a moment longer than normal.

Chills traveled down her spine. Was he about to impart bad news? Was he to leave as well?

“It is best that ye stay away from Ewan Ross. There are things ye do not know, reasons why the laird has asked that he leave.”

For a moment, relief fell over her, but it was replaced with ire. “I know why he was asked to leave. He told me about the man who attacked him.”

“That is not the only reason why ye should keep yer distance. It is obvious the man has feelings for ye. He is about to leave, and the situation may bring him to make untoward advances to ye. I know ye are not prepared for it.”

In truth, she’d given everyone reason to see her as vulnerable. Before the incident, she’d been independent, quick to speak her mind and not keen on anyone telling her what she should or should not do. That part of her was resurfacing and it made her want to laugh.

“I am intelligent enough to know if a man is interested in me or not. I assure ye that Ewan Ross is not.”

Broden’s face hardened. She reached for his hand and squeezed it. The action, in and of itself, surprised her as much as him. “Thank ye for being a good friend and for yer protectiveness. I must move forward and am becoming stronger every day.”

“I am yer friend, but do not wish to be...”

“Are ye threatening to end our friendship?” Catriona teased, but kept a stern expression.

“No. What I wish to tell ye is that...” Broden stopped mid-sentence, his gaze moving from her and up to someone who approached them. “Lady Fraser.” He stood, to allow Lady Fraser his seat. Then looking back to Catriona, he gave her a quick nod and stalked away.

“What was that all about?” Lady Fraser asked, looking to where Broden went to join a pair of guards who’d entered the room.

“He was being a big brother,” Catriona replied. “Warning me against this or that.”

The laird’s wife’s lips curved. “I believe Broden wishes for more than just a brotherly relationship with ye.”

Catriona’s breath caught and her throat went dry. “I hope not. I do not wish to hurt him in any way. I have never felt more than one would feel as a good friend to Broden.”

When Lady Fraser sighed, Catriona gave her a questioning look. “What is it?”

“Ye have yer eyes on someone else. I have a feeling I know who it is.”

“Are ye going to tell me to stay away from Ewan Ross? That is what Broden asked me to do.”

“I see. So then he is who ye have feelings for?” Lady Fraser seemed to find the news to be good, because she grinned and held her hands up to her chest. “How delightful that ye are in love.”

Love. The word sunk like a pit in her stomach. “I did not say love.”

“Of course not, darling. But we know how strongly ye feel once ye set yer mind to it.”

A hot flush crept up her face at the reminder of the many years she’d pined for Keithen. Since she had been very young she’d convinced herself that she was in love with him and had not wasted a moment to ensure he well knew it. It wasn’t until the last couple years that she’d come to realize it was a fanciful thing of youth and what she’d considered to be love was truly more of a deep caring.

“Ewan Ross is going to leave soon and once he does, I will never see him again. Therefore, it is best I do not allow for my feelings to grow deep.”

“Oh, yes, my husband told me. It was a rash decision, in my opinion, to ask that he leave. Sometimes men are so temperamental. They make a decision when they are angry and then are too proud to admit mistakes.”

Catriona leaned forward. “Do ye think the laird will reconsider?” She looked to where Laird Fraser continued listening to claimants.