Page 51 of A Fierce Archer

The door was slammed shut to keep others out, but not before some of the servants, who’d also rushed there, saw what was happening.

“Stop, Ewan!” Darach shouted, shoving Ewan against the opposite wall while Duncan lowered to the floor next to their father.

“To the dungeon,” his father sputtered. “Lock him in the dungeon for daring to strike me.”

Neither brother replied. Instead, Darach motioned to the guard to help him carry the bloody man out of the room. “Take him to his bedchamber then find the healer.”

“The dungeon!” their father screamed. “Ewan! Ye are dead to me!”

The room became eerily silent. Ewan shoved Darach aside and went to the bed, his face twisted in fury. “Ye are a whore. Ye are my father’s whore.”

Una, who’d yanked blankets up to cover herself, seemed not to hear him. Instead, she looked straight ahead to the door.

When Ewan turned, his mother stood there, her gaze riveted on Una.

Knocks woke Ewan and he called whoever it was to enter. Two servants carried in a wooden tub and another two, each with pair of buckets filled with water.

A woman walked in last with a fifth bucket, this one steaming.

“I can assist with yer bathing if ye’d like, sir,” she said with a light smile.

Once the water was poured into the tub, he sent all the servants away but the woman.

“Ye look refreshed,” Ruari said, looking Ewan up and down. “I have been told the news of yer lairdship. I am glad for ye.” They hugged, his cousin patting his back a bit hard. “Do not let it mean ye think yerself better than us commoners.”

Ewan laughed. “Only when it comes to the last bits left at the bottom of a bottle. Then I will demand that what is left is mine.”

They walked into the great room and Malcolm motioned for him to join those at the high board.

As was customary, the McLeod and his wife were seated on Malcolm’s left, first the visiting laird, then Lady McLeod and, lastly, Lady Ross.

As per usual at Dun Airgid, conversation and music filled the air. Food a plenty was brought out and Ewan’s mouth watered. Of all the things he’d missed the most since leaving, it was the food. The cook there had no compare.

Movement caught his attention. Three women entered the room. One was Gisela, Kieran’s wife, the second was Merida. Upon noticing the third, he waited for the familiar pang to fill him. Instead, he managed to taper it down.

Catriona was still there.

She and the women commanded the room’s attention as they walked in and forward to the high board where he sat.

It was interesting that despite the passing of time, he could sense that she knew he was there. Purposely, she kept her head turned just enough so that he could not make eye contact. When it was impossible for her not to acknowledge Malcolm as was customary, she managed to only look to the laird.

He kept his gaze on her until she slid a glance toward him. When she did, he did not break eye contact. Instead, he pinned her with a dismissive arched brow before looking away, effectively dismissing her.

If possible, Catriona was more beautiful than before. She seemed to have blossomed there in the new environment. Despite everything, he hoped for her full recovery and a future like that of most women.

So far, he’d not seen Broden about. Surely he and Catriona had to be married by now. He’d been gone half a year and, in that time, many things must have occurred.

The room went silent as Malcolm Ross stood to his full height. The young laird scanned the room, his direct gaze landing on several people.

“Our sincerest welcome to Laird and Lady McLeod, who grace us with their presence.” The people present murmured their welcomes.

Malcolm waited for the room to quiet and spoke again. “It is with great pride that I present to ye a new laird. My cousin, Ewan, will be laird over the region that borders Clan Macdonell lands. I present Laird Ewan Gerard Ross, Laird of Tuath Avon.”

“North River.” His new keep was named after the direction of it from Ross Keep.

Ewan stood and held up his tankard. If he was to be laird, it was time for a change of how he acted. From now on, the easy-going man who sought comradery with every man he came in contact with was gone.

“I am grateful to my cousin for this honor. He has agreed to allow fifty warriors to go with me. Upon my return from Uist, I will begin construction of Tuath Avon.”