“Such as?”
“Withdraw back into yourself while there’s a beautiful woman downstairs who loves you.”
He snorted at that while inside he could actually feel his heart shriveling from the mere thought of losing her. “What do you know of it?”
“Nothing, truly. I’ve never been blessed with a woman’s love. But if I were, I’d make certain that I kept it.”
Ewan snorted. It was much easier for a man to give advice than to take it.
The giving of it cost Lochlan nothing, but should Ewan yield it, the results could be disastrous.
“Aye, but at what cost?”
“What do you mean?”
“She is promised to another, Lochlan. A man who loves her and who has said repeatedly that he will not let her go. His clan will feud with ours if I take her from him. I already caused one feud and killed my brother over such a thing. Think you I want to kill another man?”
“Ewan—”
“Leave me!” he roared.
Lochlan tensed, then turned about and left.
Alone, Ewan let his thoughts drift over the last few days with Nora. Over the happiness that she had brought into his world.
His gaze fell to the embroidery that lay on his bed. Picking it up, he frowned. It was the image of a troubadour playing the lute with a lady.
His fingers shook as he traced the picture.
How could he let her go?
“I beg your pardon, Lochlan MacAllister, you are not my lord and master!”
Nora watched as Catarina started for the door and Lochlan caught her arm in his hand. “Would you listen?”
Catarina childishly covered her ears with her hands and hummed.
Lochlan appeared ready to throttle her.
“What are they fighting over now?” she asked her mother.
Her mother shrugged. “They have done nothing but argue since they met. Poor Catarina can’t stand him.”
As Catarina stormed outside with Lochlan trailing after her, Nora’s father and Ryan came in.
Ryan appeared completely recovered from his wound.
“Is Ewan better?” Ryan asked.
Nora nodded. She still didn’t want to speak to the ogre.
“Nora,” her father said. “Ryan and I have come to an understanding. If Ewan makes an offer for your hand, Ryan will stand aside.”
Joy filled her. “And if Ewan doesn’t?”
Ryan wagged his brows at her. “You’re mine, Nora. To have and to hold until death we do part.”
As Ryan spoke those words, she saw Ewan coming into the hall. He paused and looked at them.
