Page 70 of A Fierce Archer

“Ye thinking of something?” Ewan asked, his words slurring with sleep.

Catriona let out a breath. “Aye, of things I was told regarding men.”

“Ye should rest,” he said. Then not even a moment later, she heard a soft snore.

The steady lifting and lowering of his chest gave Catriona a sense that Ewan had no worries, and no reason to doubt the days ahead. Sure, he was about to take on many duties but, for him, it was the culmination of his life.

As fourth-born, he could have never aspired to what had just been given to him. He was to be a leader of people and would assume the liability of the people that he was to govern over.

Like her husband, Catriona, too, was about to step into a role so much above her station, she could barely fathom it. Lady Ross was to be her title and, like her husband, her responsibilities were many more than what she could have ever imagined.

There was a shakiness to her breath as she exhaled. Tomorrow, her family would depart and the beginning of a new chapter of her life would begin.

***

“Where is yer husband?” Catriona’s mother asked while wiping tears. “I wish to tell him what a precious gift we leave in his hands.”

She’d not seen him since rising and now that her parents departed, she expected Ewan to be present. “I do not know. He must not be aware that ye are leaving at this moment.”

“We should go,” her father said, giving her a warm look before pulling his wife toward the carriage.

Already, Lady Fraser was in the front carriage, along with her companion. Her parents and Audra were to ride in a separate one. Coming to stand beside her, Esme took her hand. “It is always hard to see Mother off. Then once she’s gone, I am relieved.” Her giggle made Catriona smile, just a bit.

Her friend did her best to distract her from the slight of Ewan not being there to see her parents go. Even though she’d already scanned the courtyard, once again, she looked from one end to the other for a sign of Ewan.

They waited until the carriages disappeared through the gates before heading inside. “Do ye wish to go upstairs to see their progress?” Elspeth asked her, pointing to the ceiling. “From my balcony, ye can see for many miles.

“That would be nice,” Catriona replied as they walked inside. Already, people were gathering for hearings with Laird Ross. She hesitated to scan the room. With an annoyed huff, she followed the women to the stairwell.

Just as she was to go up the stairs, she noted that a pair of maids headed toward her and Ewan’s bedchamber.

“Excuse me for a moment, I will be up shortly,” she said to Esme and Elspeth and crossed the great room. Upon entering the bedchamber, the maids were already packing Ewan’s clothing.

“What are ye doing?” she asked and both jumped, staring at her with mouths agape.

“Miss...er, my lady,” one stammered. “We were directed by Laird Ewan to pack his belongings.”

Her eyes narrowed with annoyance. “And where, pray tell, is my husband?”

The maids exchanged curious looks. One swallowed visibly. “He left this morning, my lady. I believe to yer home.”

Catriona tried hard to give the impression of nonchalance but knew she’d failed miserably when, once again, the maids looked to each other.

“Stop doing that,” Catriona snapped. “He must have told me last night, but I didn’t hear him. Yes, that is it. I am sure of it.”

When the maids remained frozen, she waved them to continue. “Go on then. Were ye told to pack my things as well?”

They both shook their head.

Catriona whirled around and stomped to the kitchen. Surely Moira would know what had happened. Moira knew everything.

When she entered, the cook greeted her with a cheerful smile. “By the look on Laird Ewan’s face this morning, I take it ye had a good night.”

The woman winked and Catriona blushed even though, at the moment, she was very angry with said laird. “Moira, did my husband leave any word for me? He told me we had to depart soon, but I did not understand that he meant today, nor that he was to leave me behind.”

“All he told me was that ye would follow in a couple of days. I asked if he wished his things sent with ye or earlier and he asked they be packed and sent right away.”

“I see,” Catriona frowned. “I suppose we must work on understanding each other better.”