Taming the Scotsman by Kinley MacGregor Page B

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?”
    The door opened slowly to show Lysander and Bavel holding swords angled at them.
    Viktor and Pagan stood back. Viktor looked nervous, while Pagan looked as if he were withholding laughter.
    Nora descended the wagon and watched the armed men carefully.
    Both men had their attention trained on Ewan, who stood assessing them as well. He was coiled like a snake, ready to strike, and both men knew it.
    Nora bit her bottom lip as she weighed what she should do. Oh bother that, she knew what she needed to do. It was the only way to keep Ewan from attacking them and killing one of the fools.
    Stumbling against Lysander, she caught his wrist that held the sword and gave a sharp twist with her hand.
    The sword came free as she used her unexpected weight to unbalance him. She pulled her skirt up and wrapped it around her left hand, then turned to confront Bavel, whose face paled considerably as he looked about trying to decide if he should fight her or not.
    Ewan was beside her in an instant. “Give me the sword.”
    She stiffened at his implication. “You know, I am quite capable of fighting him. My aunt sent a tutor to me when I was scarce more than a child, and at her behest I studied for years, even though it made my father livid that she would dare acquire such without his approval.”
    “The sword, Nora. Now.”
    She made a face at him as she handed him the sword hilt first. There was no use in arguing with him while they needed to escape. That wasted time, and the distraction would only get them taken again.
    “Get him, Bavel,” Lysander said as he came to his feet, The two men clashed swords.
    Nora watched in awe of Ewan’s skill. For a bear, he was quite nimble. He moved like fluid. Graceful. Powerful. He was quite a handsome sight.
    It was quite apparent who the better swords-man was. She doubted if anyone could best Ewan’s skill.
    Then Bavel did the unexpected. He ducked beneath one of Ewan’s parries, spun on his heel, and handed the sword off to Catarina.
    Nora gaped at his actions.
    Catarina tested the sword’s balance, then movedin to engage Ewan, who backed up in disbelief.
    “Afraid of a woman?” Catarina asked.
    Ewan shook his head. “I’ll break your arm if I hit your sword.”
    “Try me.” She swung, but Ewan didn’t even attempt to parry.
    Instead he ducked and twirled away from her.
    “Ewan!” Nora cried, holding her hand out for the weapon. If he wasn’t willing to