Part 23 (1/2)
She believed in love at first sight. More than that, Cat believed in predestiny. There was someone out there for everyone; one day she would find a love of her own.
But that would wait.
Right now Ewan and Nora needed her help.
”Oh, not that look.”
She turned to see Viktor sitting up in his pallet, looking at her.
”What look is that?” she asked.
”You've got mischief on your mind,cherie . Just please tell me it doesn't involve me this time.”
She laughed. ”Nay, Viktor, you are safe.”
He let out a relieved breath. ”Thanks be for that small favor. So who is the fish about to be snared by your hook?”
” 'Tis no worry of yours.”
Viktor groaned. ”You're planning on putting the two of them together, aren't you?”
”And if I were?”
”Ithink Ewan would rather we have poisoned him than drugged him.”
”Viktor! He loves the lady.”
”Cat,” he said, his voice gruff. ”I know you've got your mother in you. She let her heart lead her astray, and what did it get her? Other than you, all she's gotten for her wayward love is a broken heart. To this day she waits for your father's notice. Is that what you'd have for the two of them?”
”My father had no choice of whom he married, but he loved my mother, you know that. Had he been anyone else, he would have married her.”
”And Nora is promised to another. Did you know that? She is as bound to him as your father was-”
”Nay. Ewan won't allow her to marry another. I know it.”
He shook his head. ”Don't play with their lives, Cat. I beg you. I'm doing this only because I was told to, but you know I never agreed with it. Leave them in peace.”
Cat understood his warning. He was right. In spite of her parents' love, they had been forced to live their lives apart. But it wasn't her starry eyes that had put Ewan and Nora together. It was their own actions.
And if she could do anything to help them, she would.
Nora came awake to find herself still lying atop of Ewan. Heat exploded across her face as she remembered what they had done in the late night hours.
Now in the light of day, she saw their naked bodies.
As she pulled back, Ewan jerked awake as if expecting to battle.
He relaxed as soon as he saw her. The tender smile he gave her went a long way in alleviating her embarra.s.sment.
”Morning, sweeting.”
”Good morning.”
”Are you sore?” he asked.
The heat returned to her face. ”Nay, are you?”
He laughed at that. Heavens, how she loved the sound of that deep rumble.
”Nay, love. Not a bit.”
He sat up and the plaid slipped back, exposing his body to her. Nora couldn't stop her gaze from dropping down to see him hard again.
”Does it do that a lot?”
He looked down at himself, then met her gaze with a wicked grin. ”Only when I look at you.”
His kiss was both light and demanding.
At least until they heard the gypsies moving about and talking.
Ewan pulled back. ”We'd best dress before they come looking for us.”
Nora nodded.
As she reached for her chemise, she realized her thighs were smeared in blood.
Ewan turned at her dismayed gasp. He picked her up from the ground and carried her to the stream and helped her bathe. He was so incredibly tender.
She saw the frown on his face as he removed all traces of what they'd done.
”Are you sorry for what we did?” she asked.
Ewan looked up, his gaze a cross between shock and guilt. ”I'm not sorry for what we did. How could I be? I'm only afraid of what might happen to you if someone else learns of this.”
”I won't tell anyone. I promise I won't ask anything more of you.”
Ewan froze.
Her words s.h.i.+nned him. He'd never known a woman so kind. He'd had countless friends forced to marry a wench because she quickly sought out her father with the tale of what they'd done.
Instead Nora offered him immunity.
She was truly a unique la.s.s.
One he wished he could spend a lifetime learning.
He hesitated at the thought.