In contrast, Ahearn appeared to be most approving of the man, laughing at his jests and conferring easily about the horses. Evangeline wondered whether she had lost her wits—or whether she was too enamored of having her own way, thus finding Rufus lacking because he was not her choice.
But what if Ramsay was right? She wished Ramsay might have told her more of his view, perhaps the root of his own dislike, that she might better assess his opinion.
She knew she must discard her objections. The nuptial agreement was made. Her fate was sealed. Battling against the inevitable would only add to her misery. She knew all these details andstill.
The Laird of Dunhaven, Rufus’ father Lawrence, was a hearty older man with silver in his hair and a gleam of amusement in his eyes. Evangeline did not doubt that he was a formidable foe, but she liked him immediately. Introductions had been made before the gates of Dunhaven, after they had dismounted.
“A fair flower indeed,” Lawrence said, bowing over her hand. “More of a beauty than reputed, which is rare, to be sure.”
“I thank you, sir, for your kindness.”
“And I thank you, my lady, for accepting this agreement with my rogue of a son,” the older man said heartily. Evangeline noted Rufus’ quick dark glance at his father before it was replaced by a smile. The older man took her arm and patted her hand as they walked together. “Oh, he has been fond of the affections of ladies in his time, my lady, and ’tis time enough that he settled with a wife to begin a family. Dunhaven has need of an entire line of heirs.” He chuckled then raised her hand to his lips, his eyes dancing as he feigned dismay. “But perhaps I speak too bluntly for your maidenly ears.”
“Even the most innocent of maidens knows that nuptials are about children,” Evangeline said, earning the older man’s outright laughter.
“Spoken like a Highland lass who has seen more of a measure of life in her time,” Lawrence said with approval. “I dislike that women raised in the great courts are so sheltered from essential truths. That was why I thought a daughter of Inverfyre would suit my son.”
“I certainly hope that our match will be a compatible one, sir,” Evangeline said mildly. She was aware of Rufus walking behind them as they entered the tower fortification, and the low rhythm of his voice as he chatted with Ahearn. Her very scalp prickled to have him so close, to know that he watched her as avidly as an eagle.
She sensed that his opinion of her was no better than her opinion of him. Was that what irked her? Evangeline was accustomed to finding favor in the eyes of men she met, not disappointment.
As an honest person amongst other honest souls, she was routinely assumed to be so. Instead, she felt that Rufus distrusted her and had already found her character lacking.
A curse upon Ramsay and his warning!
“Compatibility?” The older man dismissed this notion with a wave of his hand. “Marriage may be first about duty, but it should become a union of passion.” He shook a fist. “Of devotion and even love. Who better to rely upon than the ally of one’s life? Who better to understand one’s deepest secrets than one’s own mate?”
“That is an uncommon view, sir.”
“Is it? Are your parents not smitten with each other? Is their mutual devotion not a matter of public knowledge and admiration?” He led her to the second floor of the keep, almost entirely comprised of a great hall with a very high ceiling. The beams were carved and painted, and there were two great fireplaces facing each other. The kitchens and storage rooms had been on the first floor as well as the gatehouse. Evangeline did not hide her admiration and the older man smiled with pleasure as she turned in place to gaze upon the wonders of the hall.
“I wager it might be, sir,” she said, continuing their conversation.
“And so it was with me and my Patricia,” he said, shaking his head. “I miss her as if her hand was in mine just yesterday.” He patted her hand again. “I am assured that you and Rufus will be just as happy as we were.”
Evangeline did not feel she could offer any guarantee upon that.
“Your keep is most fine, sir,” she said instead. The walls were doughty, built of layers of stone and the lowest windows were located near the ceiling of the great hall. “It must be readily defended.”
“Spoken like the daughter of a great warrior,” Lawrence said with glee. “How is your father?”
“He is less vigorous than once he was, but remains hale.”
“Good. I will be glad to see him again in a fortnight, at your nuptials. You must forgive two old men in advance for recounting endless tales of their past exploits.”
Evangeline smiled. “There is naught to forgive in friends glad to be meeting again.”
He spun at the base of the stairs, gesturing to Rufus. “Is she not a gem beyond all, Rufus? Daughter of a renowned warrior, raised in the Highlands with all the good sense one would expect, and she is a beauty who rides as elegantly as a queen. There is no dearth of advantage in taking this bride.”
It sounded as if Lawrence meant to convince Rufus of her merit, and Evangeline wondered whether her betrothed had been reluctant to make the match at all. That certainly would explain why he had not presented the offer himself.
Her thumb found the emptiness on her finger, where the sapphire ring had rested, and she cursed Ramsay silently again.
She turned to find Rufus smiling, then he bowed low. “Your judgement is as reliable as ever, Father.” He laid claim to Evangeline’s hand. “And the lady is indeed a marvel.”
He bent over her hand, the light gilding his hair, but his lips did not touch her glove. Evangeline heard Anna sigh with admiration and knew that more than one maid in the hall watched Rufus closely. When he straightened, Evangeline saw that his smile did not reach his eyes. Their gazes held for an instant and she felt a surety that her view of their union was shared wholeheartedly, then Lawrence urged her up the stairs.
“Your chamber, my lady, will be the finest in the keep, save mine, of course.”
