Evangeline wore two kirtles the following morning, one laced over the other, as she had no intention of leaving more behind than absolutely necessary. Anna also wore two kirtles, her own over a plainer one of Evangeline’s. The rest would have to be abandoned.
They had sewn every ring, every pin, every coin and every trinket into the hems, making the dresses infinitely more valuable. The dagger Evangeline had stolen from Nigel was secured in the top of her boot, its jeweled hilt out of view but within easy reach. Somehow on this day, she would leave this holding, though with what was on her back and no more. She had ensured that every valuable possible would depart with her and Anna.
All the while, she had fretted over their destination. She could return home to Inverfyre, but the distance was too great to undertake that journey alone. She knew the peril of brigands and thieves was real and would be worse if she and Anna were unescorted. There was the matter of a mount. If they two rode Gealaich together, they would make slow progress. She thought of the coin secured in her hems and wondered if she could hire an escort or buy a horse. How could she even fetch Gealaich?
How would she know who to trust?
How Evangeline yearned for a conference with her father, and the opportunity to confide in him. She did not doubt that the Hawk would find it unacceptable to keep a nuptial agreement that would bind his daughter to a man who had killed his own father—and she knew her father would believe her—but she dared not linger at Dunhaven for the chance to speak to the Hawk.
Might she encounter her family’s party along the road? Again, there was the peril of riding unescorted.
Her cousin’s home at Kinfairlie was only slightly closer, and the roads more likely to be busy. She was not at all sure that would guarantee a better chance of her safe arrival. Rufus must have allies in the vicinity and he might set them upon her if she fled. And her family there would set out for Dunhaven later, since the distance was shorter, so her chance of encountering them on the road was lower.
What other haven might there be? She could retire to a convent, but a life of contemplation was not for Evangeline. Even if she did as much, Rufus might retrieve his errant betrothed through some means. Any convent in this region might have ties to Dunhaven or connections he could exploit—and again, she could not flee far without choosing a sanctuary.
Her thoughts churned all the night long, like dogs chasing their own tails, resolving naught at all. The sole achievement was that her agitation rose along with her desire to flee Dunhaven with haste. Perhaps a solution would become clear once she had evaded Rufus and put this place behind her. Perhaps she and Anna might reach Kinfairlie alone.
They could only try.
By the morning, Evangeline ached from her fall, as she had not the night before—though that too was a matter she dared not indulge. There was a bruise across her upper arms, where the bough had caught her, and her buttocks were sore from the landing. She had endured falls from horses before, though, and could linger over the healing once Dunhaven was a memory.
She needed her palfrey, Gealaich. Fortunately, Evangeline knew how to saddle a horse, for she doubted any squire or groom in this holding would aid her. All she needed was to get to the stables, preferably unobserved. They would ride for Kinfairlie, the closest family holding, for the road would lead them through the king’s own demesne, where her chances of being waylaid should be lower. It was a risky plan, even so, but she felt she had no choice.
Evangeline’s heart was racing, but she contrived to appear calm as she descended to the hall to break her fast. It was early but after the dawn, a fitting time to make her appearance. Anna followed her, so subdued yet obviously agitated that she might foil the scheme simply by her manner.
Rufus met Evangeline at the foot of the stairs, far earlier than she had seen him rise thus far. There was yet a stain upon the stone on the bottom step and Evangeline caught her breath as she stepped around it. Her skirts were heavy but the secrets hidden within the hem made no sound, thanks to all their careful wrapping and stitching. Anna followed behind her, head bowed, and Evangeline wondered again how she would contrive their escape.
Rufus’ appearance at this hour hinted at an unwelcome vigilance.
“My lady,” Rufus said, bowing over her hand. He was impeccably garbed and groomed, and did not appear to have lost a moment’s sleep the night before.
Evangeline guessed that she looked haggard, in contrast.
“I see that you are distressed, as any lady might be by such circumstance,” he continued, escorting her to the board.
“I had only just met your father, but I liked him very well.”
“Aye, he had a grace and charm seldom seen in our times. He will be sorely missed.”
But not perhaps by his son.
“I cannot forget the sight of him there,” Evangeline said and shivered. “Each time I closed my eyes last night, I saw him again. I fear I did not sleep at all as a result.”
“I bade you not look,” Rufus reminded her, as if she were a child.
“And I failed to heed your counsel, sir,” she said, so deferential that Anna stole a glance at her. “I erred, indeed.”
Rufus nodded approval of that sentiment and Evangeline despised him a little more.
“I apologize for my appearance this morn,” he said, running a hand down the front of his tabard as if to admire it himself. “I sat vigil with my father last night in the village chapel.” He shook his head sadly, but Evangeline was not fooled by his feigned sorrow. “We will lay him to rest two days hence, so that all may have the opportunity to look upon him and pray for him.”
“That seems most fitting.”
Rufus took a seat beside her, beckoning for bread and honey. A cup of ale was poured for Evangeline, as well. Rufus already had one, half full, an indication that he had been waiting for her. “I hesitate to speak to you upon the matter of our nuptials, for I do not wish to sound vulgar, but my father was most intent upon seeing our lives bound together forever. I believe it would be his wish that all continue as planned.”
“Our vows will still be exchanged a week from Saturday,” Evangeline guessed.
Rufus nodded. “A delay would be most disruptive and in violation of my father’s desire. Not to mention the difficulty of notifying your relations and all others invited to witness that event.”
