But he didn’t have it in him. He couldn’t let his clan be torn apart.
Nora’s parents said a quick and embarrassed goodbye to his mother while Nora stalked from the hall without even glancing back at him.
So be it.
He was better off without her.
And yet the thought of returning to his home alone made his blood run cold.
Ewan made his way up the stairs and to his bed. He had barely lain down before his brothers stormed into his room. The three of them appeared angry and ready to battle.
“May I be the one who beats him?” Braden asked.
Ewan frowned at them. “Beats me for what?”
“Stupidity,” Sin hissed.
Lochlan thumped Ewan on the arm.
Ewan grimaced and rubbed the sore spot. “Do that again, and I shall rip your hand off.”
“Try it and I’ll have your worthless hide for a rug before my hearth. Now tell me how you can be so foolish as to let her leave?”
Ewan ground his teeth as rage filled him. “What are you, daft? You do remember what happened the last time I took a woman from her betrothed, do you not?”
Lochlan pierced him with a feral glare. “Ryan is not Robby MacDouglas, nor is he Kieran.”
Ewan said nothing.
“He’s closed us out again,” Braden said disgustedly. “He’ll not hear a word we say.”
“Then may I kill him?” Sin asked.
“Nay,” Lochlan said, “I want the privilege.”
Braden scoffed. “You’re just angry that she took Catarina with her when she left.”
Lochlan shoved at Braden. “Leave off that line of taunting. I never want to hear that woman’s name pronounced in my presence again.”
“Out!”
All four men jumped at the sound of Aisleen MacAllister’s commanding tone. “Leave your brother be, lads. He needs no more pestering from the likes of you.”
Reluctantly, they withdrew.
“Thank you,” Ewan said as silence once again claimed the room.
Then, to his utter shock, his mother came to the bed and smacked him hard across the side of his right hip.
“What was that for?” he asked, unable to believe she had done such a thing.
“I wish you were small enough I could give you the spanking you deserve.”
“Mother, I’m injured.”
“Aye, and in the head to boot.”
He was aghast at her. She’d never spoken to him in such a manner. “What has possessed you?”
