Part 14 (1/2)
Nora gaped indignantly.
”I think we should keep him unconscious.” That was definitely Lysander's voice. ”He'll be more than angry at us and I've no wish to taste his wrath.”
”That would defeat the purpose, now wouldn't it?” Catarina asked. ”Nay, we have to be getting the man up at some point.”
Ewan scowled at that. What did they mean?
”Let's open it then, and see if he's up.” It was the first man again.
Then a small slit was opened in the back of the wagon and a pair of black eyes peeped in.
It was Bavel.
”He's loose,” Bavel said. ”The lady must have untied him.”
”I thought you said you tied him well,” Catarina inserted testily.
”I did.”
Bavel was moved out of the way and Catarina's blue eyes stared inside. ”Hand me your ropes,” she demanded.
”Why?” Ewan asked.
”Well, if you be wanting out of there to attend to your business, you'd be best doing as you're told.”
”Just let them out, Cat,” Viktor said.
She refused. ”Not until I see those ropes. I want to know how they got them off him.”
Ewan pulled Nora back as she started to comply. ”You've no need to see the ropes, la.s.s. Let us out.”
”Ha!”
Ewan ground his teeth. What was it with this day that he was cursed with women who didn't know their places?
Nora shrugged off his hold and handed one of the ropes to Catarina through the slot.
”What are you doing?” Ewan asked her through his clenched teeth.
”Getting us out,” she hissed back.
”See,” Catarina said triumphantly. ”The rope's been cut. They have a dagger in there. Had you opened the door, one of us would most likely be dead now.”
”Hand over the dagger!” Lysander snarled.
Ewan scoffed at the thought.
Hand over his only weapon? Never.
”Nay.”
”Then the two of you can just stay in there,” Catarina said.
”There's one wee problem,” Nora said. ”I really need to leave the wagon.”
”Why?” Viktor asked.
”I have to... umm... I just need to leave the wagon. Very soon.”
Ewan cursed as he caught her meaning. Leave it to a woman to have no control over her body.
Catarina was the one who answered. ”Then you'd best be making your man hand over his dagger.”
Nora looked up at him imploringly.
”Nora, I can't give them my dagger. If I do that, we're defenseless.”
”Ewan, I have to leave the wagon. I can't wait much longer.”
The slot opened and a metal chamber pot was slid through it. ”Never let it be said we lack mercy,”
Catarina said.
”Oh, but you can't be serious,” Nora said as she eyed it with distaste. ”I'll not be using that with him in here with me. 'Tis indecent!”
”I won't look.”
Nora was aghast at Ewan's words. The man was truly a barbarian to even suggest she do such a thing while they were in such tight quarters.
Not to mention they were unmarried. Unbetrothed.
Unsuitable.
He was mad!
”Nay! I'll not be using that. You hand over that dagger right now, Ewan MacAllister, or I swear I shall talk until your ears bleed.”
He grimaced at the threat.
She could see the indecision in his eyes.
”Ewan, please,” she tried again. ”I truly have to go outside.”
Growling under his breath, he removed the dagger from his boot again and handed it hilt first through the slot to the gypsies.
”Are you happy now?” he asked, his tone surly.
”Aye. Thrilled.” She turned back toward Catarina, ”Now may I be let out?”