Page 54 of A Fierce Archer

The request surprised her, but it boded well, perhaps. So, wiping her hands as clean as she could with a cloth, Flora hurried to do as told.

They walked in the unhurried pace that most nobles seemed to prefer. Lady Fraser looked toward where the guards were practicing.

“I need ye to consider something,” Lady Fraser began. “Are ye averse to marrying again?”

The question caught Flora by surprise. Marriage was not something she’d thought about much. Sure, every once in a while, a handsome guard caught her eye. Some nights, her body craved a man’s touch. But she’d been much too busy to think about marriage.

“I suppose I am not.”

Lady Fraser’s face brightened. “It would alleviate some of yer burden. Ye are young and pretty. There is no reason for ye to remain alone.”

Flora looked to the field where the men continued to practice. “Who do ye have in mind, Lady Fraser?”

The woman followed her line of sight. “Keithen’s friend. He needs a wife and I feel that he and ye would be a good match.”

“Who?” Flora turned once again to the field.

“Broden McRainy. Ye must know him.”

Immediately, the warrior came into focus. He was sparring against another man, his arms and face glistening with perspiration. In the sun, his hair was almost blond, the tresses pulled back into a queue with a leather strap. Flora had noticed him many times, but had never spoken to him.

A few times, he’d come to visit Catriona during the recovery time, and it was only then that Flora had observed him up close. He and Catriona had known each other for most of their lives and had a relationship like that of siblings.

“Why do ye think he needs to marry?” Flora finally asked.

“He has stated it himself. But then he does little to move forward. Before he makes a mistake and marries am unsuitable woman, I have decided to intervene.”

“Ye must care deeply for him that ye wish to find him a suitable wife,” Flora stated.

Lady Fraser smiled in the warrior’s direction. “Aye. He has been close to our family. He was practically raised here at the keep.”

“He seems highborn. I am but a mere village girl.”

With a quick flick of her wrist, Lady Fraser waved her concerns away. “Firstly, Broden is third...no, fourth born son of a local landowner. He has nothing more than the McRainy last name.”

Once again, Flora returned her attention to Broden, seeing him through new eyes. Handsome, courageous and from a family in high esteem to her laird. Marrying him would prove not only advantageous to her in her current situation, but a man would be good for her son.

“If he agrees, I am not against it.” Upon speaking the words, it was as if Broden sensed their attention because he turned to them. The piercing gaze went from Lady Fraser to her. Then to her utter dismay, it lowered down from her face, scanning her body as if assessing if she was worthy of his bed.

Lady Fraser cleared her throat. “I will admit to him being a bit of a rake. But I do think once he settles...” She left the rest of the sentence unsaid. “Come, let us see about the day’s meals.”

As they made their way to the back entrance of the keep, Flora turned to look over her right shoulder toward where the men continued to spar and met Broden’s gaze. His eyes narrowed for a moment before he gave a slight nod.

Obviously, he suspected they had been talking about him. A warrior did not survive many battles without sharp senses.

Flora caught up with Lady Fraser. “Have ye spoken to him about this?”

The woman looked up to the sky. “Not yet. I wished to get yer reply first. Like I said, I am sure he will be a good husband to ye.”

She didn’t have to think about it. Despite the fact that she had not consider remarrying, two years had passed since her husband’s death. “I am agreeable to a marriage between me and Broden McRainy.”

The cook looked up when they entered. “Lady Fraser, I was about to send a lad to find ye. What do ye think of lamb?”

As the women discussed the meal, Flora went to find her mother and son. The warm sun would be beneficial for them both.

Her mother sat in a chair by the window of the room the three of them shared. Flora would not dare complain as it was quite kind of the laird and his wife to give them a place to live. Better a sturdy roof, warm food and safety, than remaining in the cottage with a leaky roof and having to figure how to procure their meals.

“I came to fetch ye and Hamish. The day outside is beautiful. The sun will be good for ye.”