Would Ramsay accept such a commission? She drew alongside him and could fairly hear him concocting a scheme. The man’s impassivity hinted at a plan and she doubted it included Inverfyre or even Kinfairlie.
Perhaps he meant to ransom her back to her family. Would that not be the choice of a thief? Her merit to him might be solely the coin she could bring to his purse. She thought of Basilisk, wondered how quickly that steed had been sold, then of the sapphire ring, which doubtless already graced the finger of a wealthy noblewoman.
All the same, she could not believe ill of him. His kisses addled her wits, though she could not regret a one of them. Nay, she believed Ramsay would protect her, for this night at least.
And then what? She might make for the king’s court and appeal for his intervention, though Evangeline doubted any man would take her cause. There was a nuptial agreement, made by her father, and her dislike of her betrothed was no legal reason to end it. No one had seen Rufus’ assault upon his father save her, and no one had witnessed his attack upon her save Ramsay. The sworn word of a penniless rebel would not be found any more persuasive than that of a reluctant bride.
Nay, as soon as any authority discovered her, Evangeline would be returned to Dunhaven and her doom. She knew as much with terrifying conviction.
Only her father could dissolve the agreement or Rufus himself, but Evangeline feared her fate would be decided before her family drew near.
Was it possible to eliminate Rufus’ desire for her to become his wife?
Evangeline could not imagine how that might be achieved. Rufus wished for her to be dependent upon him and without allies, so he could silence her at his leisure, and a wedding was one opportunity to secure her vulnerability. How could she evade him and survive?
She regretted that she could think of no good solution, unless Ramsay would escort to Inverfyre or Kinfairlie. She could not ask him to return to the holding where he had been imprisoned, nor even to her cousin’s abode where Ahearn was in residence. Should she risk that journey alone with Anna?
Despair welled within Evangeline and she stole another glance at Ramsay. He appeared to be resolute yet unconcerned. How much could she expect from him? He had saved her and she was grateful for that. He took her to a sanctuary, where she might sleep in safety. It was both more and less than she could have desired of him.
She reminded herself that she did not know him well, though her heart insisted she knew all of import about her companion.
If she could sleep this night, all might appear better in the morning.
But Evangeline knew full well that it might not.
* * *
’Twasonly when a light glimmered fleetingly in the distance that Evangeline realized she had not glimpsed so much as a cottage, never mind a village on their journey. In truth, she had thought only of putting distance between herself and her betrothed, but as it became darker, she dared to imagine herself safe.
She was with Ramsay, if naught else. She liked his resolve and how purposeful he was. She had noticed how he surveyed their surroundings constantly, alert for any hint of pursuit, and sensed that he would defend her to his last.
The very idea lit a glow around her heart.
Perhaps for this one night, she could dare to be content and confident.
With Ramsay.
In the east, Evangeline could see the first stars appearing in the dark sky, and the sun was sinking in the west. They rode into a forest of spruces, plunging into the growing shadows, and the beacon of the light vanished from view. Ramsay slowed his horse, letting the creature pick his way along the rocky path, and Evangeline followed. She heard a rushing stream, then they turned a corner in the path and darkness loomed ahead, a darkness so complete that she knew there had to be an obstacle before them.
It proved to be a stone tower, a shadow against the shadows, which she could discern only after her eyes had adjusted. Indeed, she could almost feel the chill of the stone from the formidable structure. Was it abandoned? Or did Ramsay know the resident? Evangeline shivered, wishing there might be warmth and a hot meal this night but guessing that she hoped for too much.
She was alive and that should be sufficient.
Ramsay whistled like an owl, then waited, utterly still. He held out a hand to ensure that she and Anna halted beside him. An eon later, a similar reply sounded. When he responded with another owl whistle, golden light abruptly illuminated the outline of the door in the expanse of stone before them. Evangeline thought of tales of the fae as the hidden door swung open, and of gateways opening in hillsides to lure unsuspecting people to join a dance.
But the moon was neither new nor full, and she could hear no music. She would have wagered her soul that the large burly man silhouetted in the revealed doorway was no more fae than she. Aye, he seemed a rough and practical sort, his gaze rising to peer behind them even as he ushered them onward. His linen chemise was open at the neck, and he wore a boiled leather jerkin, dark chausses and tall boots. There was a day’s growth of whiskers on his chin and his expression was forbidding. He could have been twice her age, but she wagered he was a warrior of experience. She could not recall whether he had been one of the raiding party or not.
He beckoned impatiently, not uttering a sound, and Ramsay rode directly inside without delay. It might have been habitual for them to hide themselves thus. Evangeline and Anna followed, and she noted how quickly the older man secured the portal behind them.
“We expected you alone,” he said gruffly, his eyes narrowing in disapproval as he surveyed Evangeline. He spoke French, which surprised Evangeline, but she made no comment.
When Ramsay did not reply or explain Evangeline’s presence, the man took the reins of the destrier and moved away. The dapple beast snorted and nuzzled him, and he murmured to the creature as he led it into the shadows of the building. The man had to be one of Ramsay’s cohorts. She supposed it would be useful to have a man with a gift for soothing horses if one was in the habit of stealing them.
She was struck, too, by Ramsay’s reticence about her presence. How much did he confide in his comrades? Surely, he did not fear that any of them would betray him? Her fear returned then, though she strove to hide it as she surveyed her surroundings. She trusted Ramsay, and she would not do or say anything to make him doubt as much.
Two lanterns illuminated the space, which was neither large nor luxurious. The floor was beaten earth, scattered with straw, and the horses were tethered along the far wall. Since they had descended into the space, Evangeline reckoned that the walls were half-buried on the outside. Certainly, the few slits that passed as windows were high and too narrow even for a man’s hand to pass through them. Another destrier, a chestnut one, snorted and stamped at their arrival, and Ramsay’s mount shook his head as he neighed.
If the destriers recognized each other, they must have been stolen from the same household or party. There were three more palfreys and they looked to be well-tended and content. So many fine horses! Evangeline’s heart clenched with fear for Ramsay’s fate if his thefts should be discovered.
