Embittered and grief-stricken, Ewan had left the MacAllister castle that day and had refused to ever set foot in it again until after his father’s death.
He would never have returned at all had Lochlan and Braden not come after him and told him that their mother needed to see him.
That she was dying of her grief and that if he didn’t return with them, they would lose her as well.
And so he had come home, ever reluctant, back into their family fold. A missing part that had never really fit.
His mother leaned forward and kissed him on his forehead. “I have never blamed you for Kieran’s death, Ewan. Never once. It is you alone who carries that in your heart and if I could, I would exorcize it from you. I would give up my very soul to bring you peace and happiness.
“Nora is a good lass and she cares for you a great deal. ‘Twould be a pity to live in a cave when you could just as easily live in comfort with a woman who loves you. But ‘tis your life for you to make.”
She patted him gently on the arm and got up to leave. “Sleep well, my son. If you can.”
Thirteen
Two weeks later
Nora stood outside the kirk, her broken heart pounding in trepidation and pain. She still couldn’t believe that everyone was forcing her to do this.
Her parents.
Ryan.
Most of all, she couldn’t believe Ewan would do this to the two of them.
Damn him!
Her eyes widened at the involuntary curse. Nay. Not involuntary. She was furious with him. He deserved that and more for his callous actions.
How could he have tossed her aside so easily?
By now he was probably back at his cave, lying in a drunken stupor, oblivious to the fact that she had ever loved him.
That she would spend the rest of her life pining away for him.
And in a few minutes, she would be bound to Ryan for eternity.
She felt ill. Even more so at the thought of doing with Ryan what she had done with Ewan. Of Ryan touching her, loving her...
A tear fell down her face.
“Shh,” Catarina said from beside her as they waited for her father to lead her up to the kirk. She didn’t know why the gypsies had stayed with them for so long, but she was glad they had.
Lysander had been sent back to her father’s estate that rested on the border of England. Tomorrow, Catarina, Viktor and Bavel would leave as well.
She would be all alone as Ryan’s bride.
Her stomach shrank.
Catarina patted her arm. “Ewan will come for you, Nora. I know it.”
“Nay, Cat. He’s abandoned me. I meant nothing to him when compared with his honor. That is all that matters to him. I just hope it keeps him warm in his old age.”
Catarina gave her a knowing smile. “No real man would ever willingly let the woman he loves be touched by another. He will come for you.”
It was a nice thought, but Nora didn’t believe it for a minute.
Her father came forward to lead her to Ryan.
