Och now, what a load of blather that was. He’d never heard anything more preposterous.
This woman, whoever she was, was a fine piece of work to make such a grand claim. “Queen Eleanor of England is your aunt?”
“Aye.”
Oh the lass was a daft one, for sure. There was nothing more to be done about it. Her being niece to the Queen of England was complete and utter madness. “Then I am the son of William the Conqueror.”
“‘Tis nice to meet you, William Rufus.”
Ewan raked a hand through his hair, though what he really wanted to do was wrap it around her neck and squeeze.
Whatever was he to do with her?
He didn’t believe her for a single moment. If the niece of Eleanor of Aquitaine was anywhere in Scotland, everyone would know.
“And your name, lass?”
“Eleanor, named for my aunt, but they call me Nora.”
“And your clan?”
“That I won’t tell you.”
For the first time, Ewan understood some of Lochlan’s frustration when his older brother had been dealing with Maggie during the last days of their feud with the MacDouglas clan. At least then Lochlan had had Braden to come in and save the day, and tame the wench. There was no one around to help him with this vexation.
What did a man do with a woman who wouldn’t heed reason?
Was it too much to ask for some divine intervention?
Ewan had no idea how to proceed, but then dealing with women was the specialty of his brothers, not him.
“Very well then, Eleanor?—”
“Nora.”
Nora cringed at the murderous look he gave her.
“You know,” she said quietly. “I truly didn’t mean to be a bother to you. I just want to go to my aunt’s. Eleanor always said that I could come to her any time I needed to.”
“Did she now?”
“Aye.”
“And did she say anything else?”
“To let no man, save the Lord, Our God, dictate my behavior.”
Ewan hesitated. Now that sounded like the queen of legend, however, it didn’t mean anything other than the fact this woman had learned of her. There was no way she could be a princess or whatever it was Eleanor’s niece would be.
This lass was as Scots as he was.
And the sooner he removed her from his life, the happier he would be.
With that thought in mind, he extinguished his fire and gathered a few makeshift food stuffs and plaids.
Nora watched as Ewan made ready to leave. Part of her was tempted to run, but she held no doubt he could catch her. Those long legs of his could take one step to her three.
Perhaps Lochlan could be bribed or persuaded to force Ewan to take her to England or maybe one of his other men. She had to get out of this country before her father missed her and led a search.
