Evangeline.
One more kiss had not been nearly enough. Nay, it had only fueled his conviction that she was the sole one for him.
Dream of her? Of that there could be no doubt.
Nay, Ramsay would be haunted by the lady he could never hope to claim, day and night.
* * *
“He took Basilisk,”Evangeline said, furious that she had been so tricked. She would not confess to anyone that it had been Ramsay, that he had kissed her, much less that his caress had stirred a fire within her that heated her to her toes.
Of course, she was thrilled by a taste of danger and peril. Of course, she had responded to the appeal of a masked villain. But she knew naught of how he had spent the past five years and could only assume there was little good to be known. Men of honor and repute did not earn their way by robbing others on lonely roads. In truth, it was a disappointment that he had only come so far as this, several days’ ride from Inverfyre, in five long years.
But oh, that kiss…and that invitation. He could not guess how tempted she had been.
If he had guessed, such a rogue might have cast her over his shoulder and made the choice for her. The very prospect weakened her knees.
Evangeline strove to dismiss her yearning for what could not be. It was natural that she was stirred by an intimate caress at her age. It was simply time for her to wed, time for her to know a man’s touch, time for her to cease to be a maiden. Any man’s kiss would have so aroused her. Doubtless Rufus’ attentions would be yet more seductive and pleasurable.
Even Evangeline knew she protested too much.
“Aught else?” Ahearn asked. He marched beside her as they made their way back to the road, glowering into the forest on either side, knife in his hand. His horse walked behind them.
Ramsay, she knew full well, was long gone.
She was glad that Ahearn had not spied him.
“The ring,” Evangeline admitted heavily and earned a sidelong glance of disapproval.
“Not the sapphire.”
Evangeline nodded.
Ahearn sighed. “Your betrothed may be unhappy.”
“I had no choice!”
The warrior nodded agreement. “You are fortunate he did not demand more of you.”
“I was fortunate that you were so close. Perhaps he simply did not have sufficient time to do his worst.”
“I took too long to reach you,” Ahearn said, and she touched his arm to console him.
“You cannot blame yourself. We were surprised.” They walked in silence and Evangeline guessed what Ahearn wished to say but did not. “I had to flee from the road into the forest,” she said. “The road offered only the choice of riding toward my assailant or back to his comrades.”
“You should have fled on foot then,” Ahearn said. “Basilisk might have been lamed.”
“I would have been seized.”
“You still were, and your ring taken.”
Evangeline exhaled, knowing it would aid little to tell him that she had fallen. “You were the one who taught me to let the horse choose its own path.”
“Aye, but not at a gallop and not through an unfamiliar forest.” He cast her a somber look. “Your kirtle is stained. Were you thrown?”
“I am not injured,” Evangeline replied, but Ahearn’s eyes narrowed. “If walking would have sufficed, I would have slowed Basilisk that much.”
They reached the road and the older man turned to look at her. He shook his head and smiled with obvious effort. “I am glad you are hale, my lady, and relieved that Basilisk is uninjured, as well.”
