“We will not!” Evangeline said and his lips thinned.
“We have already lingered overlong,” he began, but Evangeline cast one wet bundle over Gaelaich’s back.
“Then we should depart with haste,” she said with resolve.
“Rufus will hunt us both.”
“Aye, I wish you had not have missed,” she said without thinking. “’Twas a poor moment for compassion.”
Ramsay’s expression was one of surprise, then his eyes narrowed, giving him a look of grim resolve. “I did not intend to miss,” he said and she was glad to know as much, even though it meant that Rufus still drew breath. “The cur moved after the bolt was loosed, and perhaps it is for the best. If I killed a nobleman outright, the king’s hounds would run me to the ground.”
“I could not wish for that,” Evangeline said. “You are right, Ramsay. I would prefer that you be at liberty to live unfettered as you do, that you are not hunted, imprisoned or worse.”
He frowned a little then, as if uncertain what to make of her words. But why?
Meanwhile, Anna took the other kirtle and marched to her own palfrey, granting an expectant glance toward Ramsay.
He looked between the two women. “I thought you would ride with me, my lady.”
“I ride my own steed,” Evangeline said with resolve. “Always.” She could not imagine spending any period of time with Ramsay’s arm around her, with his strength and heat pressed against her, much less the effect upon her fading resolve of his murmur in her ear. She would surrender far more than a kiss to this beguiling brigand, particularly when she felt vulnerable, as on this day.
Far better that she ride alone, even if she was cold.
Their gazes locked for a potent moment and she thought that he might choose for her, that he might snatch her up and carry her off.
The notion was not without its appeal, to her surprise.
Then Ramsay muttered something beneath his breath. He lifted Evangeline to Gealaich’s back, though she could have done as much alone, then aided Anna to mount her palfrey. “We must hurry,” he said crisply as he mounted, then turned the dapple destrier with admirable skill.
“Aye,” Evangeline agreed, her fear of pursuit growing anew.
Ramsay cast her a look. “Ride alone but remain close beside me,” he said to her, his tone firm. “Fall behind and I will fetch you, my lady, but it will cost us precious time.”
“You cannot think me so witless as to willingly return to Dunhaven.”
“Though you are far from witless, my lady, I find it difficult to anticipate your choices.” He shook his head, as if this was both mystifying and wondrous, a reaction she could not understand.
“To your own advantage, in past circumstance,” she felt compelled to remind him.
His slow smile prompted her own and a welcome heat flooded through her veins. “And on this day, your kindness is returned.” He met her gaze and spoke with a conviction that thrilled her as little else could have done. “I will see you safe, my lady, no matter the price, upon that you can rely.”
His pledge was reassuring, though it prompted Evangeline to ponder her own course. She could not imagine how his aid might improve her situation beyond an immediate escape. Ramsay could not have any connections to aid her.
She could not help but like that he vowed to do as much, though, and that he had helped her thus far. She would have to reach Kinfairlie somehow, but she could not ask Ramsay to escort her there, not since Ahearn had ridden there already. Ramsay would be imperiled if he showed his face at Kinfairlie, and that would be a poor reward for his aid.
Their paths might be destined to part soon, which she would certainly regret, but she would not do anything that might see him returned to a nobleman’s dungeon.
No matter how reckless his deeds.
Ramsay guided his destrier back to the wider path. Evangeline was relieved when he followed it to the east. Her horse and his cantered side by side, another sign that they were familiar with each other. How long had it been since he claimed the dapple destrier? Evangeline feared anew that his theft would be discovered.
“If we ride hard, we will be within the walls of my haven before dusk,” he said.
A haven. He meant a den for thieves. Doubtless he and his accomplices had claimed a sanctuary to take shelter and store their pilfered gains. There had been several of them that day in the forest. “It seems I will learn much of bandits and vagabonds,” she said lightly but Ramsay did not smile.
“There are those who might say you have left the greatest villain of all behind you,” he replied.
Evangeline paled at the truth in that, remembering the force of Rufus’ hand on her neck. Her very heart quivered at how close he had come to killing her and she shivered once again. Ramsay eyed her, a question in his expression, and she nodded once to reassure him even as she wished he was not quite so observant.
