With kind blue eyes that glittered with tormented pain.
She shook her head to clear it of the thought as she rejoined the gypsies.
Viktor and Bavel were sitting in front of the fire, smoking from pipes and drinking ale as they chatted together. Lysander was off to the side of them, lying down with his arms crossed over his chest, and appeared to be dozing while Catarina was making dinner.
It was a strangely cozy scene.
Catarina waved her over while Ewan left her to join the men around the fire.
“So, he found you,” she said as Nora drew near.
“Aye.”
“He was worried about you.”
“That’s what he said.”
“Nay, my lady,” she said, her eyes burning her with a deep sincerity. “I don’t think you really understand what I mean. He was extremely concerned for your welfare. Have you not noticed the way he looks at you?”
Nay, she hadn’t really paid much attention. “What way is that?”
“Like a beggar before a banquet. He has hungry eyes where you are concerned.”
Nora scoffed at the idea. Ewan barely noticed her and when he did, he seemed always to be peeved by her very presence. “You are mistaken.”
“He watches every move you make.”
Nora glanced around to where Ewan sat with Viktor and Bavel. True to Catarina’s words, his intense gaze was on her, but as soon as he realized she was looking, he averted his eyes.
“See,” Catarina said.
“You make too much of it.”
“Perhaps. But what do you make of it?”
“I make nothing of it.”
“Nothing?” she asked incredulously. “Then you’ve no wish to claim him as your own?”
Nora was slightly aghast by the thought, though to be honest, she wasn’t as aghast as she would have been the day she met him.
“Nay, never,” she said quickly. “I’m bound to my aunt’s in England. Ewan is...well, I’m sure he’d like to return home and forget the day he ever awoke to find me in his cave.”
Catarina cast a speculative look to him. “He would make a fine husband to some lucky woman. He’s a handsome one to be sure.”
“Aye, he is.”
“Strong. Quite charming, I think.”
Nora frowned at her gushing praise. Just what did she mean by that?
“Not too charming,” Nora said as she helped stir their stew. “Rather moody and quiet to be truthful. He can be rather rude when the mood strikes.”
“They say still waters run deep...”
Nora paused as she watched Catarina’s face while the woman looked on to where Ewan sat with the others. The woman’s beautiful features were dreamy and glowing.
Speculative one might even say.
