Ewan scratched his chin and sheepishly averted his gaze.
She playfully patted his arm, then stood up on her tiptoes to give him a sisterly kiss on his cheek. “Not that you asked it, but I forgive you.”
They took a few minutes to freshen their appearances. Ewan took Nora’s hand and led them into the town.
He paused long enough to ask if there was a pub and they were directed to the largest cottage in the village.
The gypsies were eerily quiet as they walked along behind them.
The pub’s door was open and several men were seated at tables, drinking from goblets.
“Can I help you good people?” an older woman asked as she came forward to greet them. She had dark auburn hair that was liberally laced with gray and a large, full figure.
Ewan inclined his head. “We’d like some food and beds for the night if you have them.”
The woman led them to a table near the hearth.
“They’re not very friendly here, are they?” Nora asked as she sat down by the wall.
“‘Tis a small town, my lady and most are rather suspicious of our kind.” Catarina winked at her.
“Well, I can’t imagine why.”
“Neither can I,” Ewan said. “Especially since they drugged and then abducted us.”
Viktor’s cheeks darkened.
Catarina and Nora laughed.
“But admit it,” Catarina said. “Your being abducted is the best thing to happen to you.”
Ewan looked at Nora. There might be some truth to that. But he didn’t want to admit it.
After they were served their food, the door opened again.
Ewan saw a man a couple of years older than him enter. He knew there was something familiar about him, but it wasn’t until the man drifted past the table that he realized what.
‘Twas Isobail’s older brother.
His heart stopped. He hadn’t seen Graham MacKaid since the day before Kieran had stolen Isobail away from her father’s house.
“Graham,” the maid said in greeting. “Been awhile since you passed this way. Are you heading home?”
“Aye, though I don’t know why I bother. You have a room for the night?”
“Sorry, love, I just rented my last one out a few minutes ago.”
He cursed and turned to his right which faced him toward where they were eating.
Ewan’s hand tightened on his goblet as he saw rage descend on Graham’s face.
“You,” he snarled. “Fi, I would have expected better of you than to let filth into your establishment.”
Ewan rose to his feet. He’d never been the kind of man to let an insult pass. “You’d best be calming yourself, Graham MacKaid. I’m in no mood for you.”
Graham cast a disdainful look over Nora. “Which of your brothers did you steal her from, hmmm? Everyone knows Ewan MacAllister can’t ever have a woman unless he takes her from someone else.”
He heard Nora’s sharp intake of breath.
