But in the end, it did not matter. The dogs barked so frantically that all of them jumped and a heavy staff knocked upon the portal in that very moment. “I demand admission,” cried a man. “I have been commanded by Lord Rufus Percival of Dunhaven to search all his lands and properties for his errant betrothed, Evangeline Armstrong of Inverfyre. Open this portal with all haste, in the name of the Lord of Dunhaven!”
Evangeline might have sought a place to hide, but Ramsay seized her arm and held fast. Her eyes were filled with fire, but he pushed the ring back onto the third finger of her left hand, the place he had always hoped it might rest, and this time, she did not remove it. “It cannot be so simple as this,” she said beneath her breath, though Ramsay could not imagine that any detail would ever be simple with this lady.
Indeed, that was a measure of her appeal.
“All the world would be wed at their convenience if ’twere so, and unwed at a whim,” she said in a whisper, darting a glance at him that was half fear and half hope.
“Trust me,” he had time to murmur before Otto swept open the door.
* * *
Evangeline did not recognizethe short man who stepped into the stables beneath the tower, but it was clear that he recognized her. His eyes lit with satisfaction when he spied her with Ramsay and she lifted her chin, fearing the worst. Her heart was racing and she could not catch her breath, her palms were damp and terror had her securely in its grasp. How she hoped that Ramsay could convince this man of his whimsical tale.
Sadly, the messenger did not look to be a fanciful man or one readily persuaded of much at all.
Evangeline clenched her hands into fists, hiding them in her skirts. Ramsay’s ring was cold upon her finger. There was an inscription upon it, though she had possessed no opportunity to read it. Why did he carry this ring? What was its meaning? Did he pledge himself to women in similar fashion all the time? This was why a wedding had need of mortal witnesses!
Regardless of Ramsay’s habits, she would not accompany this messenger meekly back to Dunhaven, that was for certain.
To her relief, Ramsay did not flinch or retreat, standing tall beside her. His arm slid around her waist and he pulled her against his side, and she was so surprised by the intimacy of the gesture that it took a moment for her to realize that he held her against his left side. Aye, his right hand was on the hilt of his sword.
Despite her fears, she was glad of this proof that he did mean to defend her.
She could only hope he did not pay a high price for such chivalry.
A bit late, she realized she had never seen Ramsay fight and had no knowledge of his skill. How much experience could he have gained as a renegade?
The messenger noted Ramsay’s gesture, then his gaze flicked to the other two men in silent calculation. The older one had moved to Ramsay’s right, leaving sufficient distance for Ramsay to swing his blade, while the fair one chose a place to Evangeline’s left, again leaving room to fight. Their expressions were steely and they were watchful. Evangeline heard Anna’s anxious breathing behind her, but could not name the precise locations of the boys. There were minute sounds in the stable, ones that hinted at the presence of others but disguised their number. Doubtless, the boys watched and were prepared to aid in this escape. Doubtless, Ramsay’s party had confronted foes similarly in the past, and she could only hope that this time, their strategy worked.
Evangeline’s heart was lurching in her chest. How she wished she might be on Basilisk, fleeing this place. Standing still was not for her, and she could not replicate Ramsay’s calm manner. If he was injured—or worse—in her defense, she would never forgive herself.
Even the horses ceased to snort or nicker, their dark gazes fixed on the new arrival. The messenger had to have several others with him, for Evangeline heard men commanding the dogs to remain outside, and she was certain there were at least four horses in his party.
She spread four fingers against Ramsay’s side, pressing their tips into his side, and he nodded minutely, a hint that their counts were the same.
She had to like that the party from Dunhaven was smaller, if she counted the boys.
She might have wished it had beenmuchsmaller.
“My lady,” the new arrival said, bowing deeply to her. “Lord Dunhaven requests your hasty return to the keep, that your nuptials might proceed as planned.”
“Those nuptials have been cancelled,” Ramsay said with authority.
The man scowled. “By what right do you declare as much?”
“The lady has done me the honor of becoming my wife.” Ramsay nodded to Evangeline and she lifted her hand where the golden ring glinted on her finger. Her innards churned with the deception, but the man simply looked between the ring and Ramsay as if skeptical of the sight before his eyes.
“Thus she cannot wed another man, for the law dictates one spouse for each of us,” Ramsay said. “Your lord will have to suffer the disappointment.”
The man blinked and looked between them, clearly not having anticipated this obstacle. Evangeline realized that the tale did not have to be true to grant them a suitable delay. Why, if the man believed Ramsay’s fabrication and returned to Dunhaven to share it, they would be unpursued for one day and then any pursuit would be another day behind. By the time Rufus caught up, Evangeline might reach Kinfairlie.
Perhaps that was Ramsay’s ploy! She could understand that he would not wish for her to correct him before Rufus’ messenger, and she would not do as much.
She still did not believe they were wed in truth, but that argument could wait.
“But, my lady, you are betrothed to Lord Rufus,” the messenger protested. “I heard the agreement read myself.”
“I was, ’tis true,” Evangeline said, then turned a smile upon Ramsay. “But I could not resist the suit of this man, and so I have wed him instead. Do give my regards to Lord Dunhaven. I wish him well with his future prospects and such joy as I know I and my husband will share.”
