The truth was that shedidtrust him with her personal safety. Perhaps it was a case of the devil she knew, but she did not fear Ramsay. He was a confident rogue, one who might steal a kiss—or worse, provoke her into surrendering one—but she knew she was as safe in his company as she might ever be.
She would not consider the reason for her conviction, not yet.
At her nod, he touched a heel to the stallion’s side and the creature surged forward. Gealaich matched the pace without encouragement, Anna’s palfrey galloping behind, and Evangeline could only be relieved as Dunhaven was left behind her.
* * *
Had there even beena woman so perfectly intriguing? Ramsay could not recall one who both fascinated and aroused him so much as Evangeline Armstrong, to be certain.
She chastised him, showing concern for his welfare—but assumed he had the morals of a knave. Her comments made him reconsider matters, her smile ensured that all was right in his world, her kiss stirred him as no other woman’s caress could. He had never desired a woman with such vigor, he knew he could never claim her, and yet he would defend her to his last for no more than one of her smiles. A life with her at his side would never become a routine, to be sure, for he could not anticipate her inclinations. Indeed, he could not conceive of surviving a day without her, though he knew that her family would oppose any match between them.
He was amused that she was determined to believe him to be a brigand, but liked that despite her conviction, she trusted him. That gave him hope, as unreasonable as that hope might be.
She was a beauty beyond all others to be sure, but it was her indomitable spirit that captured Ramsay’s admiration. Another woman would have fainted after Rufus’ attack. Another woman would have surrendered the will to live or at least to fight back. That maiden would have had to be carried away from the scene of the attempted crime, weeping.
But Evangeline, Ramsay was certain, would be glad to carve out the heart of her betrothed with her own blade. She was filled with a fire he admired beyond all else. Such a lady would be a remarkable wife for any man, be he miller or emperor.
Perhaps her conviction that he was a brigand granted him a justification for claiming her. Evangeline believed that Ramsay would steal whatever he desired. Her family would never willingly place her hand in his, or allow her to make such a choice herself.
What if he stole a bride?
As they rode, Ramsay decided he would prove her assumptions aright. He would steal her away, claim her as his wife, and he would do as much this very night. They would ask her family for forgiveness not permission, and with her maidenhead lost, her father might cede her hand. Ramsay did not care whether she had a dowry, for he had sufficient wealth to ensure her life was as she deserved. Aye, there was no man who would make a better spouse for Evangeline.
A match was the best way to destroy any claim by Rufus, but it was also Ramsay’s one desire. He had been smitten with Evangeline at first glimpse, five long years before. He had feared that he had seen more than was truly there, during that short encounter, that another interaction with the lady could only diminish her appeal. Instead, each moment in her presence secured her grip upon his heart.
He was hers forever.
On this night, he would claim her as his own.
And he already had the ring to seal those vows.
Indeed, she responded to his touch most willingly. She teased him and chided him. She kissed him as if she shared his desire and perhaps, in time, she might come to love him. Ramsay would accept any and all crumbs from Evangeline’s table.
Perhaps he should thank Rufus for changing a distant dream into a surety. Ramsay almost laughed aloud at that notion.
There was no doubt of their future prospects. He had earned a fortune at tourney and had only to choose a location for his abode. Evangeline could decide whether she would rather remain close to her family in Scotland or retreat to Normandy. Ramsay did not care, so long as she was by his side.
He cast the lady a smile and she eyed him with a measure of uncertainty, perhaps sensing that he had a scheme for her future. But then she smiled and shook her head, as if bemused by him, and urged the palfrey to greater speed.
Ramsay could not wait to secure their future together. He would put the ring he had chosen for her upon her finger. He would pledge himself to her forever—and they would be happy together, as her family could not begin to imagine.
This time, he was the one who urged his steed to greater speed.
Evangeline.
Chapter 6
The promised road was only a slightly larger track than the first path, a reassuring indication of how seldom it was used. Once upon it, the dapple destrier began to gallop, as if the creature had not run of late. Evangeline had no opportunity to ask how long the stallion could be expected to race, for Ramsay rode ahead of her with a desire for speed that was only exceeded by her own. Anna’s eyes were wide for she was less at ease in the saddle, but she was silenced by their rapid progress as well.
On another day, Evangeline might have been amused by the trail of water that dripped from the two sodden kirtles as they rode. She glanced back, reassured that whatever trail they left was soon lost, as the water evaporated.
It was exhilarating to let the horse run, to feel the wind in her hair, to know that Rufus was being left far behind. The run made her feel herself again, restoring her joy in riding a good steed. The horses’ hoofbeats pounded on the path, the destrier’s dark tail flying like a banner ahead of Evangeline and her mount. They passed out of the forest in time, crossed a verdant meadow, then descended a scrubby slope. The sun was well past zenith by then, but Ramsay only slowed his horse to cross the shallow stream at the base of the hill before resuming his pace. The other shore was more rocky and they had to pick their path upward to another faint track.
Leaving Rufus and Dunhaven was well and good, but what was Evangeline going to do? She was cold and she ached, and worse, she felt that fear lay claim to her thoughts. If her thoughts had spun the night before, they did as much more quickly now.
If ever a maiden had need of a champion, Evangeline did on this day. She considered Ramsay and wished she might rely completely upon him. Rufus might have launched a search for her. She shivered at the prospect of falling into the hands of his allies.
She had no doubt her father would take her cause, now that Rufus had tried to kill her, but feared she would have no opportunity to confide in the Hawk. How she yearned for Inverfyre’s high walls! But she would have need of an escort to journey that distance, never mind a warrior to defend her.
