All this bounty came to Ramsay because of Evangeline.
On the chosen day, he awaited her on the steps of Kinfairlie’s church, every increment of his armor polished to a dazzling gleam thanks to Hugues’ efforts. Anna had greeted the squire with such delight that he might have been a returning hero, and Ramsay could only wonder whether there might one day be more nuptials at Abernye for both squire and maid would accompany them there.
Ramsay heard Evangeline’s laughter before he spied her, so surrounded was she by the daughters of her cousins as she emerged from Kinfairlie’s keep. His heart took a leap he should have anticipated when she came into view, garbed in green and gold, her eyes alight with joy. The maidens in her attendance cast rose petals on the path before her, all those assembled sighed at the beauty of the bride, and the Hawk smiled with pride as he offered his arm to escort his daughter to Ramsay’s side.
“She is a beauty,” Talbot murmured beside him and Ramsay knew his friend did not mean the bride.
He dropped his voice. “Perhaps I should tell her father the true measure of your character,” he threatened softly. “We will soon be kin, after all, and I know your antics better than any other.” He nodded solemnly. “Perhaps ’tis my duty to see them warned.”
“You would not,” Talbot said with indignation.
Ramsay only laughed and gave his friend a nudge. “I hope you win her,” he said. “For I know you will be good to her when you do.”
“Aye, or I will be compelled to face a champion,” Talbot said as if he did not fear that prospect overmuch. “I consider myself warned, my friend, and perhaps I now see how a single lady can eclipse all others.”
They exchanged a smile and then Evangeline herself was before him. Ramsay offered his hands and she placed her own within them, even as the priest raised his voice to bless them both. These vows, Ramsay scarce heard, for to him, his pledge to Evangeline was already seared upon his heart. After she had made her pledge to him, he removed the ring from his purse, for she had returned it to his custody that night at Dunhaven.
It too shone brilliantly, though he had been the one to polish it. He held it between finger and thumb then over each of her fingers in turn.
“In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,” he said, then slid it onto the third finger of her left hand. They kissed each other’s cheeks, then Ramsay led Evangeline into the church for the celebration of the mass.
Afterward, the Hawk stepped forward, that man’s manner solemn as they met before the altar. Ramsay knelt before the Hawk of Inverfyre. The older man caught Ramsay’s hands between his own, as if they prayed in unison.
Ramsay pledged his obeisance to the Hawk as his overlord, swearing to both follow him and render military service on command. The Hawk, in turn, swore that Abernye would be held by Ramsay and his descendants in trust for him and as a tangible mark of their fealty.
The Hawk then raised Ramsay to his feet and kissed his cheeks. He surrendered the seal of Abernye to Ramsay, who then kissed the ring of Inverfyre upon the Hawk’s finger. The older man then smiled at him, a twinkle in his eyes.
“Be happy,” he advised softly and Ramsay grinned.
“How could I not be, my lord, with such a lady by my side?”
The Hawk nodded approval and turned to his lady wife, while Ramsay claimed Evangeline’s hand. They emerged from the church hand-in-hand, only to be greeted by a shower of flower petals cast by the jubilant villagers. A cry for a kiss rose from the company and Evangeline turned to Ramsay with her eyes alight.
“Aye, ’tis past time for a kiss,” he murmured.
“I do agree,” she said with laughter in her tone.
Ramsay framed Evangeline’s face in his hands and stared into her eyes, his heart filled with the surety that they would never again be divided. “I love you, my lady,” he whispered, watching her gaze warm before he captured her lips beneath his own. She sighed and wound her arms around his neck, clearly well content with her situation, and Ramsay could only slant his mouth over hers and deepen his kiss.
The future of his dreams was his, and all because of this lady.
His beloved Evangeline.
Epilogue
April 1438
Spring came early to Abernye, turning the hills green and the wind warm. The fields were sown and the crops sprouting when Lady Eudaline arrived to visit, accompanied by her older son, Thierry, and escorted by Talbot Everard.
Evangeline stood at the gates with her new daughter in her arms and Ramsay by her side. Her heart was filled with joy and she knew her happiness was evident to all. Ramsay’s hand rested on the small of her back as the arriving company came into view on the road, pennants flying over the horses, all of which pranced with pride in their appearance.
“’Twill be good to see Talbot again,” Evangeline said, watching as Ramsay scanned the company with interest.
“Otto is certain he is in need of good practice,” he said with a smile. “Though truly, the tales of his success in the lists this spring are impressive. He must have earned a king’s ransom.”
“I wonder how long he will linger at Abernye,” Evangeline said. “When William came from Blackleith last winter, it seemed that he sought more than Otto’s training.” She referred to the son of her cousin, Vivienne, and that lady’s husband, Erik Sinclair of Blackleith—or perhaps of greater import, the younger brother of Astrid.
Ramsay met her gaze with confusion and Evangeline smiled.
