Taming the Scotsman by Kinley MacGregor Page B

fighting a man could do.
    Unlike his brothers, he’d always valued solitude and quietness over a fist in the face.
    Mayhap he should have been a monk after all.
    But as he watched the lady practice her song, he realized that the priesthood for him would have been a tragic mistake. There was no way he’d be able to keep those vows.
    Nora leaned back in his arms, startling him instantly.
    “How old were you when you learned to play?” she asked.
    “Ten and two.”
    She rested her head against his shoulder and tilted her head so that she could look up at him. “What made you decide to learn?”
    He shrugged.
    She rolled her eyes at him. “I wish you would answer a question once in a while, Ewan. What are you afraid of?”
    “I’m not afraid.”
    “Then why won’t you tell me?”
    He sighed as he remembered his childhood. The place he’d been relegated to in his family. He seldom ever ventured that far into the past. There was truly nothing much there worth remembering.
    But for some reason, he found himself answering her question. “The lute belonged to my brother, Kieran. He’d bought it so that he could write a poem for the lass who held his heart that particular week. He’d attempted to play it, then found himself in love with another lass and left the lute in his room to gather dust. I snuck it out one day while he was off frolicking and taught myself to play it.”
    “Really?”
    He nodded.
    “Why? And don’t you dare shrug again.”
    His lips twitched at her commanding tone. “I don’t know. It just seemed wasteful to have it there with no one to care for it.”
    Her lips curved up at his words. “Do you like music?”
    “It’s all right. I’d rather make my own, though, than listen to someone else.”
    “Oh,” she said, stiffening in his lap, “I’m sorry if my singing bothered you.”
    “Nay, Nora. I like the sound of your voice.” Ewan cringed inwardly as those words left his lips. It was a confession he’d rather not have made to her. No doubt, she would now make even more free with her talking.
    But his words relaxed her, and she returned to leaning against him, looking up at his face with her gentle amber eyes inviting him to take liberties he dared not take.
    Nora knew she should move away from him, and yet she couldn’t bring herself to do it. This was so peaceful being in the circle of his arms. If she were at home, or around any other person, she wouldn’t dare do such a thing.
    Still, it felt so right to be where she was, looking up at him and the way the sunlight glinted against his dark hair. No man could ever be more handsome.
    “Even when I talk too much?” she couldn’t resist adding.
    He glanced at her, then glanced away. “We should probably start back on our journey. I’d like to be at the castle before dark.”
    Reluctantly, Nora got up.
    Ewan helped her back on her horse and then handed her the lute. He mounted his own horse.
    Nora rode behind him while she held the lute carefully in her arms like a precious babe. The last thing she wanted was to have it damaged in any way.
    “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 assailed 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. Damn. He’d have to find them a new place to settle down for a rest.
    Ewan was leading her away from the small group of people who were eating when an older man waved to them.
    “Greetings, my lord. Would