Page 71 of A Fierce Archer

Moira nodded. “Aye, lass, men are not always clear.”

Knowing it was best to push her ire away at the moment, she hurried upstairs, hoping to catch a glimpse of the departing carriages.

In the bedchamber, the women had lost interest in the departure because they sat about the room on different chairs and chaises talking.

Elspeth and her friend, Ceilidh, sat together on a long chaise, while Esme and Merida sat on chairs by the fireplace. Esme motioned to an empty one. “They disappeared already, but not before I said a prayer of protection.”

“Thank ye,” she said and lowered to the chair.

“What is the matter?” Esme asked, knowing her well.

Catriona looked around the room at the faces of women who, like her, had not so long ago married a Ross. “My husband left for Tuath Avon. He did not say farewell and his belongings are being packed. Last night, I asked that our departure be delayed by a couple of days. He replied ‘fine’, which I took to believe meant he agreed for both of us to wait.”

There was a moment of silence before the women all began to speak at once. Then they all stopped talking, laughed and one by one began to tell her stories of miscommunications between them and their husbands.

An hour later, they were laughing so hard that most were in tears. Catriona held her stomach in an attempt to stop the pain all the laughter caused and blew out a breath.

“I think,” she finally said, “I will miss all of ye greatly.”

Esme sighed. “Ye are but a day’s ride away. I promise to visit often.”

“Actually, I believe it is two days,” Merida said.

“Ye have not seen Esme ride,” Catriona informed her. “She does not care for dalliance.”

“Not in the least. I can make it to Tuath Avon in less than a day from my home,” Esme added. “I have to be at archery practice. Would ye like to accompany me, Catriona?”

They walked out together, and Catriona followed Esme to the room she and Ruari were currently sharing. While Esme changed, Catriona paced the room. “When do ye leave to go to yer home?”

“In the morning, I suppose. Why?”

“I would like to travel with ye and then on from there to my own home. I must speak to my maid and invite her to come along with her brother, who works in the stables. Giles, I believe his name is.”

“Ye should tell her right away,” Esme said. “Go do it and meet me outside.”

Catriona headed back to her bedchamber to find Maisie. Once that was done, she’d instruct the young woman to pack everything.

Chapter Nineteen

There were no tearful farewells when leaving Dun Airgid, especially since Catriona and Esme expected to see each other soon. The women of Ross Keep planned to visit the following week to see the house.

However, upon riding away, Catriona fought back the urge to cry. How strange to never leave one’s birthplace and then suddenly be thrust into a different location altogether, not once, but twice.

By contrast, Maisie’s face was bright with excitement. “I’ve never been away from Ross lands,” she exclaimed, looking out the window. “I suppose we are still not leaving them, so I should say, I’ve not been so far from Ross Keep.”

Her eyes never left the passing landscape as if she feared missing something new. “What are we to call our new home Lady Ross? It will be confusing to call it Ross Keep as well.”

“Tuath Avon,” Catriona replied. “I must say, I do love the name.”

Maisie repeated the words, her tone solemn when memorizing her new home’s name. Then her lips curved. “Giles is quite happy. He looks forward to helping set up the new stables.”

After a moment, both fell into silence. Catriona considered her new responsibilities and all that would come after this day. Most of the staff had already settled into the home. She’d spent time with them when assigning duties and shopping in the nearby village with the cook. It had also given her a peek of what kind of people were there.

Although she’d only met those in the market square, they’d been friendly, but cautious, which she didn’t blame them for.

As soon as they entered the courtyard at Tuath Avon, there was a flurry of activity. It was endearing to see the people who worked there were doing their best to make a good impression. Catriona exited the carriage, assisted by a guard. Just then, Ewan exited from the home.

He didn’t smile, his expression more interested than welcoming. Immediately, a lump formed in her throat. But she’d made a decision. No one would see the vast chasm between her and Ewan. When it came to personal matters, they would keep it behind closed doors.