“That be my brother, Lochlan,” Ewan answered for her. “Sin is to the right of my mother on the steps and Braden to the left. Braden’s wife Maggie is the lass surrounded by children and Caledonia, Sin’s wife, is by his side.”
Nora was pleased that she had pegged them correctly.
“You have handsome brothers, Ewan,” Catarina said.
“So they tell me.”
Nora realized that for the first time in days, Ewan was watching her.
He drove the wagon to the steps, then stopped.
As soon as she reined her horse in, her father and mother came rushing to her side. Even though she was frightened by what might happen, she was glad to see her parents again.
“Are you all right?” her father asked as he helped her from her horse. His handsome brow was crimped with worry as he ran his gaze over her as if seeking an injury.
Nora soaked in the sight of her father. He was only slightly taller than she, with a stout build. His thick beard was the same golden blond as his hair and his brown eyes managed to look both relieved and angry.
“I am fine, Father. Truly.”
He gathered her into his arms and held her closely. Nora was speechless. It was so unlike her father to ever be emotional. He’d always acted as if she were a fragile flower who would be crushed by his touch.
And crushed by his touch was definitely how she felt at present.
Her mother’s pale blue eyes were filled with tears as her lips trembled. “Welcome home, precious,” she said, removing Nora’s father from her and grabbing her into a hug of her own.
Then, to her further astonishment, her father turned toward Ryan who had dismounted and ambled over to them.
He glared at him and for a minute she thought him angry. Then his face softened. “And you, lad, I was completely wrong about you.”
To her utter stupefaction, he embraced Ryan like a long-lost son and pounded him on the back.
Ryan choked and sputtered as if unable to withstand her father’s strength.
Still her father pounded on him. “Lysander told me how you were almost mortally wounded for my Nora. Thank you.”
Nora looked at Ewan whose face was unreadable. At least to anyone other than her. She saw the tightness around his lips. The emptiness of his eyes.
Without a word, he climbed down from the wagon and headed for the donjon.
His mother spoke to him, but he ignored her and kept walking.
His brothers fell in behind him, and none spoke while she was barraged with questions from her parents and Lysander and Bavel greeted Catarina and Viktor.
Ewan needed a drink. A large one.
But in his heart, he knew it would take more than an ocean of ale to drown the pain he felt.
“What happened, Ewan?” Lochlan asked from behind him.
“Nothing.” He stopped at the cabinet outside the pantry and pulled a pitcher of ale out, along with a goblet.
He cursed as he saw every member of his family behind him. His mother’s face was worried and pinched while his brothers all looked ready to fight him.
His sisters-in-law excused themselves and made for the stairs.
Grateful for their kindness, poured himself a drink.
“Nothing?” Braden repeated. “Alexander Canmore has been here for two days now wanting to know what you’ve done with his daughter.”
