Part 41 (1/2)
The only time she saw a break in his seriousness was when Catarina nettled him. Which was a habit the gypsy had taken to right away.
Lochlan was a young man to wield such power and authority, and she wondered if he ever found the burden oppressive.
”I know,” she said in response to his words.
”Can you tell me why?”
”Most likely because he wants to wake up and tell me to spare his ears while he heals.”
Lochlan's face softened a degree. ”He can be a bit overbearing.”
”Not really. He is rather charming, point of fact.”
Lochlan arched a brow at her declaration. ”You think so?”
”Aye. He's very gentle and sweet.”
Lochlan choked. ”Ewan? Sweet? The devil you say. The man is surly at best.”
”He is not surly... often. He's just sensitive.”
His handsome face was aghast at her words. ”My lady, I fear you are the one who is delirious if you believe that. There's nothing sensitive about him.”
Her anger was fired by his words.
How dare he say such a thing!
”You don't know your brother very well, do you, my lord?” She reached out and touched Ewan's hot hands. Hands that had made her want to weep with pleasure.
Hands she would sell her soul to be able to hold on to for the rest of eternity.
”You love him.” Lochlan's deep voice rang out in the stillness of the room.
It was a statement of fact.
Nora didn't bother to lie. ”Aye, I do.”
”Does he know it?”
”I've never hidden the fact.”
She felt the weight of Lochlan's gaze. It was heavy. Frightening.
Discerning. ”Does he love you?”
She sighed weakly. ”I think so. But with Ewan, one never knows really where one stands.”
Lochlan leaned forward in his chair. ”Nora, look at me.”
She did.
Lochlan's stern gaze didn't falter or waver. It was intense and oppressive.
”Did he... did you...” He looked greatly uncomfortable, and she knew what he was asking.
Her face flamed, and she looked away without answering.
Lochlan cursed. ”Your father will have his head for it.”
”My father will never know, and if you say a word, Lochlan MacAllister, I will deny it.”
Lochlan actually smiled at her. ”You would protect my brother?”
”Always.”
The smile crept up his face, all the way to his eyes, turning them a gentle, friendly blue instead of their normal iciness. ”Ewan is a lucky man to have found you.”
She frowned at his unexpected comment.
Lochlan excused himself and left her alone with Ewan.
Nora stared at his pale features. His sweat-dampened hair was plastered to his skin.
Setting her sewing aside, she moved to fetch a cloth to bathe his brow.
”I wish you would wake up, Ewan,” she said as she always did when she tended him alone. ”I miss seeing your crystal blue eyes, hearing your fierce growl when you get aggravated at me. Mostly I just miss you.”
His eyes fluttered opened, shocking her.
Nora gasped at the sight.
For a second she feared he was still gripped by his fever-induced madness, but his gaze was clear and sensible.
He frowned, then tried to sit up.
”Nay!” she said, forcing him back. ”You shouldn't be moving.”
His frown grew sterner. He glanced around the room, then looked under the sheet. His face perplexed, he looked at her. ”Why are you here in my brother's home while I lay naked in his bed?”
She laughed at him, giddy with relief that he was awake and still his surly self.
Before she could respond, the door opened to admit his mother and brother Sin.
The instant they realized he was awake and alert, the two of them rushed forward.
”So he lives,” Sin said, his voice relieved, his dark eyes bright.
Aisleen took Ewan's hand and pressed it to her lips. ”Praise be to G.o.d. I had feared I would lose another son.”