The pain Kieran’s death had given their family.
Sorcha cleared her throat as Ewan headed back toward them.
He’d started past them when Nora called out to him. “Ewan?”
He paused to look at her.
“Might I have a word with you?”
Sorcha excused herself as Ewan came to stand beside her.
“Do you need something?” he asked gruffly.
“I...” Nora swallowed as she tried to think of what she should say to him.
I’m sorry seemed somehow paltry given what she’d done to him this day. The memories she’d unknowingly dredged up.
“Thank you,” she said quietly. “I really appreciate your doing this for me and I’m sorry that I intruded so thoughtlessly on your peace.”
She raised up on her tiptoes and laid a quick kiss to his cheek before heading toward the cottage.
Ewan was dumbstruck by her actions.
She’d thanked him? And apologized.
She’d kissed him.
He didn’t know which one stunned him more and for his life he couldn’t understand what had prompted her actions or words.
The lass was an odd one to be sure. Peculiar and strange. And yet on some level she was rather charming.
Bemused by her, he followed the women inside the cottage.
Aenos was already at the table pouring large goblets of ale. Ewan took his and downed it in one gulp, then belched loudly.
As he set the goblet down to be refilled, he caught Nora’s horrified face.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man swallow the whole of his cup with one breath. If you keep that up, you’ll be drunk in a matter of minutes.”
Ewan scoffed at her words. “Trust me, it’ll take more than a few minutes.” He nodded to Aenos who poured the goblet full.
Sorcha made them trenchers of roasted ham with leeks and onions.
As was his custom, Ewan ignored the food and continued to drink. He also did his best to ignore the lady who sat across from him.
Something that proved to be impossible. All he could see was the firelight playing in the golden highlights of her hair. The way the shadows played across her creamy skin.
The delicate grace of her hands as she used them to cut her food and eat.
Nora was pure elegance.
And it made him ache with desire for her.
She didn’t say anything else about his drinking, but chattered with Sorcha.
“‘Tis so kind of you to feed us, good-wife. I’m sorry we arrived unannounced.”
Sorcha waved her words away. “We’re used to it. Ewan shows up all the time like this.”
