Page 84 of A Fierce Archer

Maisie giggled. “He would hate that.”

Their interchange seemed to calm Catriona. Ewan leaned sideways to look forward. So far, there didn’t seem to be any kind of threat.

Just then, they came to a stop and one of the guards came to the door and opened it. “Laird, we are being greeted by Munro warriors.”

Ewan met Catriona’s gaze. “Gisela’s family. No need to worry.”

“Gisela’s family?” Catriona peered out. “I’d like to meet them as well.”

“This is not her family now,” he clarified. “They are her family’s guardsmen.”

Upon exiting the carriage, his horse was brought forward, and Ewan mounted. He wore the Ross colors with the crest pinned on his chest. Flanked by four warriors, he rode to where the group of six Munro men formed a line.

“I am Ewan Ross, new laird of the Ross northern lands. I am sure yer laird has been informed as he attended the festivities on my behalf.”

One man, who he assumed was the leader nodded. “Aye, Laird, we are aware. We are not here to threaten ye, but to help escort ye across our lands. We are currently at odds with a neighboring clan and do not wish any harm to come to ye or yer people while in our territory.”

He wasn’t used to special treatment. In all the times he and others had traveled through Munro lands, they’d not been stopped. Several times, he himself had seen Munro patrols. They’d always remained friendly.

“Who do ye fight?” he asked as they continued forward toward Malcolm’s land border.

“The Mackay,” the man replied. “Nasty bastards they are.”

Moments later, fearing for his wife’s reactions to this unexpected interruption in travel, he returned to the carriage to reassure Catriona.

Surprisingly, she seemed serene when he opened the carriage door and peered in. “They are, indeed, from Clan Munro and have asked to escort us through Munro lands. It seems they’ve been having problems with the Mackay.”

“That is good then,” Catriona replied, meeting his gaze. “Be with care.”

Not caring that Maisie sat next to Catriona, he leaned forward and kissed her soundly. “I will. Soon, ye will meet Darach. Be prepared for him to tell ye stories of my childhood mischiefs. Do not believe a word he says,” Ewan told her with a wink.

The rest of the journey went without incident. Upon reaching the Ross land border, the Munro patrol turned back to their own lands.

While thanking them, along with sending greetings and thanks to Laird Munro, Ewan informed them of their plans to return back through their lands the following week. The men seemed certain there wouldn’t be any issue but promised to keep an eye out for them.

Ross Keep came into view and Ewan let out a long breath. He expected that his half-brother would travel with perhaps another of his siblings and their mother.

Although he was extremely proud of his family, he wondered what their true feelings were of him becoming laird. His mother had seemed happy for him, but sad that he was to permanently live so far away.

As far as Darach went, his half-brother was not one to ever show emotion. On the other hand, one never had to wonder what Darach thought as he was quite blunt. It mattered little to Darach if feelings were hurt. At the same time, he was forever honest.

***

The day after arriving at Ross Keep, Catriona felt as if she’d barely gotten her breath when the announcement was made that the travelers from Uist were to arrive.

She, along with Elspeth, hurried to the front entrance of the home, while Malcolm and Ewan stood just in front of them.

The party consisted of four guards in the lead, then two men on horseback, followed by a carriage and behind that a small contingent of what Catriona assumed were warriors and archers.

Once the entire party entered, two riders and the carriage came to a stop. The guardsmen were guided to line up behind it.

The two men dismounted. By their size, they were definitely Ross men.

When Ewan, Malcolm and Tristan greeted the newcomers, Elspeth leaned to Catriona’s ear. “Ross men are certainly attractive are they not?”

“Very much so,” Catriona said, her attention on one of the visitors.

One of the men stood out from the others.