“If stolen.”
Ahearn frowned. “If stolen.” He watched the remainder of their party approach, his manner thoughtful. “It may be that the thief will try to sell him. After we reach Dunhaven, I will send word to the nearest markets for horses.”
“We should not have to buy our horse back.”
“It might be the most expedient solution.”
“Was anyone hurt?”
Ahearn shook his head. “It seems you were the target, my lady.”
“Aye.” Evangeline considered Ramsay’s warning about Rufus. He had taken her horse and ring, but she could not dismiss her sense that the thefts had been impulsive additions. He had meant to warn her, and truly, he would never have been admitted to Inverfyre or Dunhaven to speak with her. Waylaying her party in these woods was one way to confer with her alone.
What did he know of Rufus that she did not?
She shivered then, feeling a chill.
“Perhaps we might neglect to mention the gift of Basilisk to your intended,” Ahearn suggested quietly. “I fear the loss of the ring may be sufficient to vex him.”
“What do you know of Rufus Percival?” she asked abruptly and the older man shrugged.
“Little indeed. Your father has been acquainted with his father for decades, but the son was abroad. I believe he earned his spurs in France and has competed in tournaments ever since. His return home may be due to his father’s advanced age.”
“Have you not heard tales of him?”
“My connections are neither so distant nor so exalted as that.” Ahearn rested a hand briefly upon her shoulder, a fatherly gesture she found reassuring. “Do not surrender your valor now, my lady. ’Twas but a ring, readily replaced by a man with a full treasury, as a lovely bride may not be. This incident might have had a far worse conclusion.”
“Aye, Ahearn. You speak aright.” Evangeline smiled, knowing he watched for a sign that she was her usual self. “Will we reach our destination yet this day?”
Ahearn had time to nod, then one of the men in their party gave a shout. “Sir! The bandits left a palfrey behind.”
The very notion was outrageous but a ploy Evangeline could imagine might amuse a man with no moral code. No palfrey could be a fair exchange for Basilisk!
Evangeline had not intended to trade steeds and if Ramsay thought it reasonable to leave her a nag in place of Basilisk, she would have much to say to him if their paths crossed again. Her indignation grew as she strode toward the guard, who held the reins of a palfrey.
“Doubtless they abandoned a steed in need of care,” she said through her teeth. “Or one unable to run any longer. An aged mare…” She halted before the horse, which flicked her ears and nickered in recognition.
It could not be.
Evangeline’s heart stopped, then raced. She stepped forward to examine the horse, holding her breath.
The palfrey’s coat was glossy, a sign of a good diet. Her eyes were bright and her teeth were good. Her hooves had been well-tended, and her mane and tail were brushed and lustrous. She was a chestnut hue with white socks, a longer one on her left foreleg, and a distinctive white crescent on her brow.
Gealaich!
In truth, the palfrey was so hale that she might never have left Inverfyre. Evangeline raised her hands to her mouth in astonishment and recognition in the same moment that the palfrey nudged her with confidence. The mare sniffed at her belt insistently, as Evangeline whispered her name again. “Gealaich,” she said, rubbing the horse’s ears as tears blurred her vision. “I never thought to see you again.”
The palfrey whinnied, as if to concur, and Evangeline realized that Ahearn was frowning beside her.
“Gealaich? Was that not the palfrey stolen from Inverfyre some years ago?”
“Aye,” Evangeline said, aware that the horse’s very presence snared her with her own ancient lie. “My own palfrey, stolen and returned against every expectation, on this day, to me.” She bent to touch her forehead to that of the steed. “She can be no other.” And Gealaich stamped her foot in agreement with that.
“But how?” Ahearn asked with a frown. “Where could she have been these past years?” He turned to look into the shadows of the forest. “Who were our attackers? Did you know them?”
Evangeline shook her head. “They were masked,” she said, which was partly true.
“MacLaren,” Ahearn said. “The palfrey vanished the same day that Ramsay MacLaren escaped the Hole.”
