Page 32 of A Fierce Archer

“I can imagine,” Ewan replied. “Ye are protected. Nothing will happen. The Mackenzies are busy with other matters. They’ve made many enemies and their latest tactics to turn smaller clans against one another failed.”

Catriona consider it. “I do not understand the need of some for so much power. Yes, they should control their land and should protect it, but why kill and cause harm to so many to gain more?”

“I suppose it is the nature of some,” Ewan replied and slowed.

Pride was something men held dear. It was obvious that Ewan did not feel well and, yet, he did his best to hide it. “I think ye are in pain,” Catriona told him.

“A bit sore, but nothing unbearable. A night’s rest will help,” Ewan told her, his gaze colliding with hers. “This slow walk is actually helping.”

A short while later, Ewan covered her hand. “Ye were very unsettled earlier. Did something happen?”

“The mention of Mackenzie lands as well as nerves, feelings of foreboding.” She looked to the side where men were mounting again. “I thought I saw some new faces.”

“I should have informed ye and Lady Ross that a small party of guards heading to Ross Keep have joined us. Forgive me.”

“It is not yer fault that I am easily affected.”

He shook his head. “I promised to keep ye safe.”

“And ye are,” Catriona insisted. A part of her was still in disbelief that she’d allowed herself to be taken away from all she knew and everything familiar. Now, so far from her village and home, it was surreal. As if adrift in a large body of water, unable to see the shoreline, she fought for a foothold. When Ewan pulled her against him, every feeling of disorientation evaporated.

“How do ye do that?” she asked, pulling away, afraid they’d be seen. “Why does yer touch settle me so? I do not understand.”

“Come.” He took her elbow and guided her to sit on a fallen tree. “There is something I must tell ye.”

Her heart began to beat faster. Was he about to declare his love? If so, would she be able to let him go?

“Ye have asked me a question several times and I have not responded. It is time ye know the reason why I left Uist.”

Chapter Nine

The expectant look in Catriona’s eyes made Ewan reconsider what he was about to tell her. Was it a good time? No, he’d not been thinking. It was stupid to do it while out on the road.

“I’m sorry,” he began. “I do not think I can speak of it right now. I thought I could.” He blew out a long breath. “I will tell ye, just not now.”

When he lowered to sit next to her, she laid her head on his shoulder. “Did ye have a love in Uist?”

The unexpected question caught him off guard but, at the same time, he was grateful that Catriona had not insisted he divulge his secret. “I did at one time.”

“Why did ye not stay and marry her?”

The memory of what happened remained vivid. “There were circumstances,” he replied cryptically.

Catriona looked up at him, and he kissed the tip of her nose.

“So ye were heartbroken then?”

“Aye, I was.”

He then gave her a quizzical look. “What about ye? Ye are a young beautiful lass. I bet ye turned down many who attempted to court ye, because ye found them lacking.”

“Oh, no,” Catriona exclaimed. “I was so busy thinking that I was in love with Keithen that I barely gave notice to anyone else. I am glad for him and Ava, and now for the realization it was merely an infatuation of youth.”

Catriona studied him. “Do ye think ye will ever return to Uist?”

As calming as it was to be away from Uist, he did miss his home at times. “I do miss my mother and my siblings. We are very close.”

“Am I to assume then that they had nothing to do with ye leaving?”