But Evangeline shook her head, unconvinced. “It might be a handfast or some pagan bond, but it is not a wedding and you know it well.”
Ramsay heard the dogs barking as they approached the tower. “What else is a wedding, but an exchange of nuptial vows?”
The lady’s lips set, a resolute gleam in her eyes that did not reassure Ramsay. “A wedding is such a pledge made before witnesses, on the steps of a church, blessed by a priest, followed by the celebration of the mass.”
“Nay,” he argued. “Marriage is the sole sacrament that does not require a priest. It is enough that the divine stands witness to our vows.” Belatedly, he realized he had overlooked a detail in the passion of the night before. He reached into his purse, glad to find the token he sought, and pushed the small gold ring onto Evangeline’s finger. She eyed it as Ramsay sensed that all was not aright. “Wearewed, my lady,” he repeated. “You need not fear otherwise.”
But Evangeline shook her head. “I do not fear it. I know it. It is an abomination to lie about such a detail, Ramsay,” she whispered, her eyes flashing. “We are not wed and I will not lie about the matter.”
“Then call it a handfasting. We are bound each to the other for all time.”
“Not in my family,” she said. “And not, I wager, in Rufus’ view. There must be a priest and witnesses…”
“God is our witness!” Ramsay said with exasperation.
Evangeline eyed him. “Then I invite Him to explain the matter to Rufus. In the meantime, I ride.”
She spun to march toward the portal. Ramsay was prepared to argue his case when the dogs barked again at even closer proximity. They looked toward the covered window as one, then Evangeline pulled off the ring and pushed it into Ramsay’s hand. She was across the chamber before he could protest.
She threw back the bolt and hauled open the portal. “Anna! We depart with all haste!”
“Aye, my lady. I anticipated as much, my lady.” The maid stood, those two cursed kirtles folded over her arm, then curtseyed at the appearance of her mistress. Evangeline raced down the stairs, Ramsay fast on her heels.
“You need not flee!” Ramsay said in frustration, his voice rising to a roar. “And leave the wretched dresses behind!”
Evangeline spun so rapidly on the stairs that he nearly collided with her. “I. Shall. Do. Neither.” She spoke through her teeth, every word filled with vexation. Her eyes flashed so that he caught his breath in admiration, then she spun and was hastening onward again. “Truly, Ramsay, if you do not repent of your wicked ways, you will be doomed in both this life and the next.”
“I do not lie. We will discuss the matter with Rufus or his agent. We will send a message to Dunhaven,” Ramsay argued. “All will be resolved without a hasty flight.”
“And whose fate will be sealed if you are mistaken?” Evangeline demanded, not slowing her pace a whit.
Ramsay pulled her to a halt as she reached the stables. He caught her shoulders in his hands and leaned closer, his gaze boring into hers. “I will defend you, my lady. You are my wife. No one can argue with that.”
Evangeline shook her head. “And no one can give testament to it either,” she said, casting a glance skyward. “Unless the divine responds to your queries and will give evidence of our apparent pledge to any who might contest it.”
“It was not an apparent pledge,” Ramsay protested, but the lady slipped from beneath his hands and was marching through the stables. Hugues, as alert as ever, had harnessed Foudre, doubtless having heard their approach, while Felix had saddled Gealaich. Indeed, half of Christendom might have heard their approach.
“Evangeline!” Ramsay cried.
She spun, eyes flashing. “Aye, ensure that they know I am here, Ramsay,” she hissed. “I thank you for that favor.”
The two squires stood holding the reins as Otto watched with narrowed eyes. Talbot leaned against a table, clearly enjoying whatever he had overheard.
“We are wed in truth!” Ramsay insisted.
“We are not.” She pointed a finger at him, as imperious as a queen. “I beg of you, Ramsay, do not insist upon tainting my memory of a wondrous night with a tale.”
Despite himself, he liked that she called it wondrous.
All the same, he could not be silent. “It is not a tale! It is the law.”
“I have never heard the like, and truly, I do not believe you speak aright. There was no priest and there is no ring, so there is no marriage.”
Ramsay opened his hand, displaying the ring on his palm that she had just returned to him.
“It is a tale, Ramsay, and one that falls far short of the measure.” She pivoted again, then hesitated as she looked toward the great black stallion. The creature bowed his head and nickered, as if to entreat her to ride him, and Ramsay saw her resolve waver.
He declined to be annoyed that she might lose an opportunity to escape for a horse, but would not heed his words.
