“Aye, since the moment I was born.”
“Where all have you been?”
“Everywhere.”
Nora took a sip of wine before she continued her inquisition. “Have you ever been to Aquitaine?”
“I was born just to the south of it.”
“Nay, truly?”
“Truly.”
Nora’s face turned dreamy and soft, making Ewan’s body react instantly. “Oh, I would love to travel about. You’re so fortunate to have an uncle who allows you to join him.”
“Aye, I am indeed.”
After a few minutes Bavel leaned forward. “Does your lady ever run short of questions?”
“Nay, she does not.”
“No wonder you drink.”
Ewan stiffened at the words that had been whispered under Bavel’s breath. Words he barely heard. “I beg your pardon?”
Bavel cleared his throat. “I said I would be drinking if I had to travel with such a woman.”
Ewan frowned. Had he heard the man wrongly?
“Ewan!” Nora called. “You must come taste this stew. ‘Tis marvelous fare. The best I’ve ever found.”
Catarina beamed in satisfaction. “‘Tis a recipe my mother taught me.”
“Does your mother not travel with you?” Nora asked.
“Nay, she is in Anjou with my father.”
Nora’s eyes glowed with appreciation. “And they let you come to England with your uncle? Alone?”
“My mother is quite understanding of my need for freedom.”
Nora sat back on her heels as if the thought was more than she could fathom. “I can’t imagine a mother such as that. My parents would have the vapors should I...” She paused and looked up as Ewan joined them. “I’m sure they are having vapors at this very moment.”
Without thought, Ewan reached out and touched her hand comfortingly. “We’ll send word to them as soon as we reach Lochlan’s castle.”
“You are eloping?” Catarina asked.
Ewan almost choked at that question.
“Nay,” Nora hastened to assure her. “Ewan is merely being kind enough to help me escape a dreadful situation.”
Ewan sat next to Viktor who handed him a cup of ale and then a bowl of stew. Nora sat to his right and continued to eat and chat with Catarina.
“So what brought you to Scotland?” she asked Catarina.
“We heard how beautiful it was here,” Viktor answered. “So we decided to come see for ourselves.”
“Are you planning on going home soon?”
