Nora washed herself and dressed, then gathered their things and went below.
Viktor took her satchel from her hands and went to take it to the wagon. Nora thanked him, then headed over to where Catarina sat with a loaf of bread.
When Catarina pushed the bread toward her, the pub owner’s voice cut across the room like thunder. “We don’t serve no whores here with decent people. If she wants to eat, she can eat outside with the dogs.”
Nora had never been so horrified or insulted in the whole of life.
Several patrons turned to stare at her curiously.
Her throat tightened in embarrassed agony.
The thin, balding owner grabbed her arm and pushed her toward the door. He’d barely taken a step when a tall shadow fell over them.
Nora looked up to see Ewan’s eyes blazing at the man.
He twisted the owner’s hand away from her and shoved the man back. “You touch her again and so help me I’ll rip your arm off and beat you with it.”
The owner gulped in fear, but his wife took up his tirade. “We’re allowed to serve who we choose. And we’ll not?—”
“You insult my wife again, woman, and I’ll see you flogged for it.”
Nora didn’t know who was more stunned by Ewan’s words. Herself, the pub owners or the gypsies.
“I...I beg pardon, my lord,” the owner quickly apologized. “I saw her head to the room with the other lady and assumed you to be unwed. So when I saw her leave your room this morning, I thought she...”
“We were fighting when we arrived.”
“My lady, forgive me, please.” The man turned to his wife. “Aida, quick, fetch the lady and lord steak and eggs.”
His wife hastened to do his bidding as the owner led them back to the table where Catarina was still waiting.
Catarina quickly excused herself and forced Bavel and Lysander to get up and leave with her.
“But they’re bringing steak,” Lysander groused.
Catarina glared at him. “You won’t be able to eat it if I bash you in the head until you pass out. Now move.”
He got up reluctantly.
Once they were alone, Nora took Ewan’s hand and held it tight. “Thank you.”
Ewan inclined his head to her. “I’m sorry I couldn’t think of a better lie and I’m truly sorry they treated you that way because of me.”
He saw the shame that she tried to hide.
“Nora, I...” Ewan stopped himself before he made an even bigger ass of himself. He had almost proposed to her.
That was the last thing he could do. He didn’t even know what clan she belonged to.
There were protocols that needed to be followed if he was to have her.
He would have to get her to trust him with that information and then he would have to ask her father.
If the man said nay...
Well, they’d be heading to England after all.
“Aye?” she asked.
