He didn’t think so either. He’d rather have time alone with Katherine. Likely Honora had no desire to be a chaperon, but neither of them could protest without raising suspicions. ‘I will await you on the morrow.’
‘At the stables, if you please. Just past terce.’
He bowed in agreement, and turned to Honora. Though she attempted a smile, it was strained around the edges. He lowered his voice. ‘You didn’t tell me you were planning to wed again.’
‘No, I didn’t.’ From the tension lining her face, she was not pleased. Though she wore the outer finery of a lady, she appeared uninterested in finding a husband. Instead, she seemed to be counting down the hours until her escape.
‘Is that what you want?’
Her discomfort seemed to intensify. ‘I don’t wish to talk about it now.’
Suspicions took root, but he held back the questions. Instead, as a gesture of peace, he offered, ‘I wish you luck in finding a man who pleases you.’
‘These men aren’t here for me, Ewan,’ she whispered, glancing down at her hands. ‘They’re here for Katherine. Yourself included.’
Misery lined her voice. He hadn’t expected to feel sorry for her. Though he didn’t know what, if anything, he could do, he supposed he could investigate the suitors. He’d promised to help her find the thief, after all.
‘I’ll find out what I can about the other men.’ At least it was something. He bowed to her, tightening his fist around Katherine’s ribbon.
As he turned to leave, she called out to him. ‘Ewan, wait.’
‘What is it?’
She seemed to weigh an invisible decision over in her mind before she leaned in. ‘The tallest man, Sir Ademar of Dolwyth, likes to fight with both hands. Watch him carefully when you face him with a blade.’
‘I will.’
The ghost of a smile touched her lips. ‘I bid you good luck. You’ll need it.’
‘He’s handsome, isn’t he?’ Katherine cupped her chin in her hands, leaning forwards to watch the wrestling match about to begin.
‘Who? Sir Ademar?’
‘No, Ewan.’ Her sister gave a dreamy smile, which chafed at Honora. For the love of heaven, Katherine barely knew him. Already, the very mention of Ewan MacEgan seemed to make her swoon.
Honora gripped her knife, and tried to keep the annoyance out of her voice. ‘He has hardly any land of his own.’
‘But his brother is a king. Surely that would make him a prince.’
‘Patrick MacEgan is a petty king, of no higher rank than our own father. And Ewan is the youngest of five brothers.’
Her sister didn’t seem to care. ‘Father would not have invited him, were he not a suitable husband.’
Honora didn’t point out that it was their father’s best friend, the Earl of Longford, who had done the inviting. She glanced over at Longford, who was seated near their father. Stout, with grey hair and a grey beard, Longford’s eyes were quick and shrewd. She’d always had a fondness for the Earl, when she’d spent nearly a year with their family. Her father had sent her away, as a punishment for her mischief.
It had turned out to be the greatest gift, for there she had secretly learned to wield a sword.
She caught the eye of Bevan MacEgan. From the way Bevan kept his eyes upon Ewan, even during his conversation with the Earl, Honora sensed his protective nature. The scars upon both cheeks emphasised a harsh face, making her uneasy. It would not be wise to make enemies of the MacEgan family.
The first wrestling match was about to begin, and Ewan was paired up against Gerald Elshire of Beaulais. Beaulais was a shorter man, with reddish hair and a stocky form. His family name was well known, and Honora leaned in to watch them fight.
Ewan had stripped off his outer clothing, save the pair of trews he wore. Katherine’s white ribbon was tied around his upper arm, and in the morning light, the sun glinted off his dark blond hair. Heavy muscles outlined his chest, his body as honed as a sword. Though Honora had seen him unclothed before, it was as if he were an entirely different man.
He had one of the most magnificent forms she’d ever seen. His broad shoulders narrowed to ridged stomach muscles, and his trews strained against the tight outline of his hips. Honora’s cheeks flushed at the sight, for she’d touched him that night, feeling his smooth skin still warm from sleep.
She shifted her thighs restlessly. Only yesterday, she’d inadvertently aroused him, and she well remembered the feeling of his body nestled against hers.
Don’t think of him in that way. He doesn’t want you.
Honora closed her eyes, trying to forget his heated mouth claiming her own. Even now, watching Ewan move against his opponent, her body grew uncomfortably sensitive.
Ewan locked his arm around Beaulais, his arm muscles flexing. Where had he come by such strength? Honora recalled him building stone walls, hefting large boulders when they’d grown up, but his muscles then had been lean and tight.
Now, they showed a massive strength she’d never known he possessed. No wonder he’d been able to lift her so easily. But despite his size, he’d been careful not to crush her when his body weight had rested atop her own.
She took a deep breath, trying to block out the other memory, of the last time a naked man had lain atop her. Her wedding night had been painful, humiliating and empty. And enduring Ranulf’s bed was something she’d loathed. Not once had she felt any desire for him, only the hope that he would be done with her quickly.
What would it be like to lie with a man who touched her with gentleness, kindling true desire? Her gaze shifted back to Ewan, and beneath her gown, goose bumps formed upon her skin.
No. She didn’t want to take a lover, especially not now.
Beaulais threw a punch, and MacEgan’s head snapped backwards. Blood trickled from his lip, but Ewan only smiled at his opponent. He didn’t look at all bothered by the slight wound. He responded with a knee to Beaulais’s stomach, moving in to wrap his right arm around the man’s neck. His arm flexed, strangling his opponent.
Beaulais tried to escape his grasp, but Ewan snaked his foot around the man’s leg and tripped him, sending him sprawling on his back. Within a few seconds more, the match was over.
Katherine clapped in delight. ‘Wasn’t he magnificent?’
Honora could only nod. How had he learned to fight like that? She found herself hoping Ewan would win, her attention focused completely upon him. Match after match he won, until he was declared champion of wrestling.
In archery, Beaulais bested him, while Ewan’s arrow went slightly to the right of the centre.
In the foot race, Ewan barely edged out Sir Ademar of Dolwyth, claiming his second win. Last was the sword fight, and the men were allowed a short rest before the final test of skill.
Honora stood, hoping to walk a little, to diminish the nervous energy gathering in her stomach. Her path was blocked by her father, the Earl of Longford and Bevan MacEgan, who were engaged in conversation.
‘By God, I knew I should have placed a wager on Ewan.’ The Earl shot a pleased look at Bevan. ‘Your brother has improved greatly since he was fostered here. I knew a bit of Norman training would help.’
‘Irish training,’ Bevan corrected.
Longford only smirked. ‘Thought you’d say that. He’s done well for himself, and I believe he’d make an excellent match with young Katherine here. Might as well get them married so you can return