Page 36 of A Fierce Archer

A guard approached. “Laird, did ye wish to speak to the room?”

“Yes,” Malcolm replied and stood. Immediately, the room went silent.

His cousin addressed the room, welcoming Lady Fraser and her guards. He informed them there would be much to do in the next day as a large contingent of warriors departed in response to a threat.

The Fraser guards were asked to remain at the keep until Lady Fraser decided to leave. They could assist with guard duties.

It was not much longer before everyone sought their beds and Ewan wandered to his old room. Thankfully, it remained unused. So he carried his bags in and set them on the floor.

Someone had freshened the linens and aired it out, for which he was thankful.

After washing up with water from a basin, he pulled a clean tunic over his head and went to the narrow bed.

He wondered what Catriona was doing at the moment. Was she having a restless night being in a new, unfamiliar place?

After tossing one way and then the other, he got up and yanked on breeches and walked out barefoot.

In the great room, there were only a few people sleeping on the floor in front of the fireplace. He guessed it was guards who’d come from the village and would be leaving the next day.

He’d have to ask Malcolm about it. If his services were required, he would not hesitate to go.

Upon reaching Catriona’s room, he knocked softly and whispered. “Catriona, it is me, Ewan.”

The door opened immediately, and she collapsed against him. “Thank ye for coming.”

Chapter Ten

Catriona had been praying fervently that Ewan would come to her. Despite spending time with Esme and sharing last meal with her friend, upon Esme leaving, she became frantic.

It wasn't so much being nervous or scared. Quite the opposite, she wanted company, needed someone familiar to be with.

“I know it is too much to ask, but will ye stay here with me tonight?” she asked Ewan. “I am in need of company.”

The request was unfair, she was well aware. To ask a man to spend the night without offering anything was not what a normal male expected.

“Come,” he said and walked with her to the bed. He lifted the blankets. “In ye go.”

Once she slid between them, he covered her and kissed her forehead. “Of course, I will stay with ye. Just ensure to wake me at dawn so I can slip away. I do not think it will be looked upon well to know ye allowed me here.”

Catriona wasn’t sure what to think. Why was he acting so cavalier about it? She was about to ensure he knew she would not offer herself when he climbed on the bed, lay atop the blankets and put both hands under his head. “This bed is much more comfortable than mine.”

Never had she been so sure of a good man until that moment. When she snuggled against his side, he immediately wrapped one arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple.

“Do ye like living here more than yer own home?” Catriona asked.

His shoulder shifted in a shrug. “My cousins have welcomed me here. It is like a second home. My own home in Uist is as large, but I do believe this one to be a bit grander. This family was raised by parents who loved each other. That makes a difference.”

As she knew him to be reluctant to speak of his father, she asked of his mother instead. “What is yer mother like?”

Ewan chuckled softly. “She is a champion. She managed to keep me and my brothers in line and never once raised her voice. It was her low tone and sharp gaze that made us quiver.”

“I remember those looks. My own mother has accomplished them rather well.”

Nudging her with his shoulder, Ewan got her attention. “Ye will feel comfortable here, Catriona. Not only will I and my cousins ensure ye are protected, but the women here, their wives, are a close-knit group who will have ye too busy to worry about anything.”

“I hope so.”

“Sleep,” he whispered.