"How long do you think it will take me to learn to play?" she asked.
"I suppose it depends on how much you practice."
"Should I practice every day? How much do you practice? How long did it take before you were any good? You said you taught yourself, so how did you learn without anyone to teach you?"
Ewan winced as her questions a.s.sailed him, but deep down inside he was relieved. In truth, he had been concerned by her earlier quietness.
Now she was back to her normal, chattering self.
They rode for several hours before they neared the meadow where he normally rested his horse when he made this trip alone.
Today his favorite spot under the large oak tree was already occupied. d.a.m.n. He"d have to find them a new place to settle down for a rest.
Ewan was leading her away front the small group of people who were eating when an older man waved to them.
"Greetings, my lord. Would you and your lady care to pa.s.s the midday meal with us? We"ve plenty to share."
Ewan sized them up. It was an older man, three younger ones, and a woman. With the exception of a blond man who watched them with deviltry in his eyes, they appeared harmless enough. Either peddlers or gypsies of some sort judging by their covered wagon and clothes.
The woman had hair as black as jet and eyes that were slanted like a cat"s. The older man had the same dark skin, but his hair was all gray.
His gaze went back to the blond man who gave him a nod and a smile and appeared to be amused now, not threatening.
Nay, there would be no harm in resting with them.
"What say you, Nora?"
She offered him a broad smile. "I think it would be pleasant to pa.s.s a meal with someone who will do more than grunt at my questions."
He grimaced at her.
"Or give me that look," she added.
Ewan accepted the invitation. He helped Nora down and noted the way she continued to clutch the lute to her as if it were unspeakably precious. It was all he could do not to smile at her actions.
How could anyone derive so much pleasure from so cheap a gift?
The youngest of the men came forward to help him tend the horses. His skin was almost as dark as a Saracen and his black hair was curly and thick. He wore a green s.h.i.+rt with a red sash knotted at his waist.
"My name is Bavel," he said, extending his arm.
Ewan inclined his head and shook the man"s proffered arm. "Ewan MacAllister."
Bavel indicated the older man who had waved them over. "That is our Uncle Viktor, and my cousins Lysander and Catarina. The blond man is another traveler we picked up who goes by the name of Pagan."
Ewan nodded at each of them in turn while Catarina quickly befriended Nora.
"What brings you to MacAllister lands?" Ewan asked Bavel as the man moved to rub down Nora"s mare.
"Just pa.s.sing through."
"Are you peddlers?"
"Entertainers. There"s a fair in Arrowsbough that we"re headed to."
Ewan fell silent as he fed and watered his horse. Nora"s easy laughter and chattering filled his ears as she and the others talked.
"Have you traveled all your life?" she asked Catarina.
"Aye, since the moment I was born."
"Where have you been?"
"Everywhere."
Nora took a sip of wine before she continued her inquisition. "Have you ever been to Aquitaine?"
"I was born just to the south of it."
"Nay, truly?"
"Truly."
Nora"s face turned dreamy and soft, making Ewan"s body react instantly. He would love to put that look on her face after a night spent sating his aching loins.
"Oh, I would love to travel about," Nora said, her voice thick and heady. "You"re so fortunate to have an uncle who allows you to join him."
"Aye, I am indeed."
After a few minutes Bavel leaned forward. "Does your lady ever run short of questions?"
"Nay, she does not."
Bavel pulled back from him and muttered. "No wonder you drink."
Ewan stiffened at the words that had been whispered under Bavel"s breath. Words he barely heard. "I beg your pardon?"
Bavel cleared his throat. "I said I would be drinking if I had to travel with such a woman."
Ewan frowned. Had he heard the man wrongly?
"Ewan!" Nora called. "You must come taste this stew. "Tis marvelous fare. The best I"ve ever found."
Catarina beamed in satisfaction. " "Tis a recipe my mother taught me."
"Does your mother not travel with you?" Nora asked.
"Nay, she is in Anjou with my father."
Nora"s eyes glowed with appreciation. "And they let you come to Scotland with your uncle? Alone?"
Catarina shrugged. "My mother is quite understanding of my need for freedom."
Nora sat back on her heels as if the thought was more than she could fathom. "I can"t imagine a mother such as that. My parents would have the vapors should I..." She paused and looked up as Ewan joined them. "I"m sure they are having vapors at this very moment."
Without thought, Ewan reached out and touched her hand comfortingly. "We"ll send word to them as soon as we reach Lochlan"s castle."
"You are eloping?" Catarina asked.
Ewan almost choked at that question.
"Nay," Nora hastened to a.s.sure her. "Ewan is merely being kind enough to help me escape a dreadful situation."
Ewan sat next to Viktor, who handed him a cup of ale and then a bowl of stew. Nora sat to his right and continued to eat and chat with Catarina.
"So what brought you to Scotland?" she asked Catarina.
"We heard how beautiful it was here," Viktor answered. "So we decided to come see for ourselves."
Nora swallowed her bite of food. "Are you planning on going home soon?"
"Perhaps."
By .the time Ewan finished his stew, his head had started buzzing. At first he thought he might have developed a headache from Nora"s endless curiosity, but the world around him was moving.
"Are you all right?" Nora asked.
"I feel strange."
Nora frowned as she watched Ewan. He looked a bit pale as he swayed.
When he started to rise, he fell back to his knees.
She swallowed in fear. "Ewan?"
Lysander and Bavel caught him between them an instant before he pa.s.sed out.
Nora"s heart pounded even more at the sight of her fierce guardian unconscious.
Whatever could have happened to him?
"Ewan?" she asked, rubbing his stubbled cheek. "Are you ill?"
Catarina stepped forward and pulled her back from the men. "It"ll be all right, my lady. Viktor is a wonder with healing. We"ll get him into the wagon and tend him."
"But-"
"We"ll take care of him," Catarina a.s.sured her. "Where were the two of you bound?"
"The MacAllister"s castle."
"Well, that"s no problem," she a.s.sured her. "We were headed that way ourselves. We"ll let the two of you ride in the wagon where you can watch over your man and we"ll get you there in no time at all. Isn"t that right, Viktor?"
"Aye. We"ll get you both home, mark my words."
Nora smiled at the kindness. It really was good of them to be so willing to help.
And come to think of it, it was a good thing they had stopped. What would she have done had Ewan taken ill and she"d been alone with him?
"Thank you," she said to Catarina.
Lysander and Pagan helped Ewan into the wagon while Nora stayed outside with Catarina. Viktor went inside to help tend Ewan and to see what he could do.
Nora waited several minutes before the men came back outside to join her.
Viktor patted her gently on the arm. "He"ll be fine after a little rest. You may ride inside with him if you wish."
Nora crossed the short distance to the wagon"s steps.
With a curious look to Viktor, Bavel helped her inside.
Nora went to check on Ewan, then froze as she caught sight of him.
He"d been tied up and gagged.
What... ?
A chill went down her spine.
Och now, this wasn"t any good at all. There was no reason for Ewan to be trussed up.
She turned around at the same moment Viktor shut the door to the wagon behind her.
Her sight dulling, she went to the door, only to learn it had been locked from outside.
"Catarina? Viktor?" she demanded angrily. "What is the meaning of this?"
"All will be well, my lady," Catarina said from the other side of the door. "Don"t panic. You"ll just be our guests a little longer than you had planned."
She heard Lysander scoffing at Catarina"s words. "Just tell the la.s.s she"s been kidnapped, Cat. It"s not as if she"s not going to find that out anyway."
Nora gaped at his words.
Kidnapped?
Och, this was a fine mess now, wasn"t it? Out of the pot and straight into the fire she"d landed.
And all because Ryan MacAren was a devil!