Save Evangeline. The creature would probably let her do anything, but it was not fitting for a lady to heft a saddle in Ramsay’s view. She secured the reins and bound her bags to the saddle after Ramsay had tightened the girth, the two of them working together to the destrier’s evident satisfaction.
The stallion seemed resigned to him now, though Ramsay could not fathom it. He was glad that Basilisk seemed less inclined to injure him. Perhaps the beast was relieved to have Evangeline nearby. She rubbed the creature’s brow and the horse nuzzled her with affection as Ramsay worked.
He offered his interlocked hands to Evangeline that she might mount, intent only on their hasty escape. Then he paused to study her, knowing that she had withheld a detail of import, perhaps unwittingly. There was a piece missing of the puzzle of Rufus’ choices, though he did not blame Evangeline for not sharing of it, whatever it might have been.
“Why did he endeavor to kill you?” he asked as she put her booted foot in his grip.
“Because he was angered with me,” she said, as if that was sufficient cause for such violence. Ramsay lifted her to the saddle and she gathered the reins, her movements agitated as if in recollection of that moment.
“Because the ring was missing?”
She shook her head.
“Why then did he try to drown you?” Ramsay demanded, his gaze searching hers as he held the horse by his side. “If he did not wish you as his bride, he could have returned you to Inverfyre.”
“Nay, I am certain he would not dare.”
“Is the agreement between your families of such import? Is your dowry so rich that he will not relinquish it?”
Evangeline opened her mouth, then closed it again, a wariness dawning in her eyes that nigh broke Ramsay’s heart. “I dare not say it aloud,” she whispered.
“Tell me,” he said with urgency.
She glanced toward the others then leaned down to him. “He killed his father,” she admitted softly, her eyes wide as she searched his gaze. ’Twas evident that she feared he would not believe her. “He pushed Lawrence down the stairs.”
Ramsay frowned, unwilling to believe even Rufus capable of such a deed. “An accident…” he protested, even as he thought about Alienor’s ring.
Perhaps his father had not been the first.
Evangeline shook her head with vigor. “He did it deliberately and worse, he left his father there to be found by another. Ramsay, it was terrible! Rufus retired to his chamber when his father had fallen, as if naught was amiss.” Her lips pursed tightly together as Ramsay stared at her. He was astonished, but she was adamant. “You do not believe me,” she said with disappointment. “Though were you the one who told me of his foul nature.”
“I know he cheats. I know he lies.” Ramsay pushed a hand through his hair. “Murder is another matter, my lady.”
“Yet yousawhim yesterday.”
That was true. Ramsay had seen Rufus assault Evangeline. That had seemed an act of passion or fury, an impulse leading the other man false. To think of Rufus coldly choosing to end his father’s life thus, then turning away, did not bear consideration.
And yet. And yet, Rufus always saw to his own advantage first, and there could be naught but advantage after his father’s demise.
Alienor.
Evangeline leaned down to whisper. “You did not see that he deliberately led me away from the party, that no one might witness his deed.”
“I did see him leave the party behind,” Ramsay admitted, his conviction in her tale growing with every detail.
“He seized me, Ramsay. He planned my fall into the river for he fairly cast me there.” She swallowed. “And then…” she whispered and her voice faltered.
Ramsay closed his hand over hers, relieved when she turned her fingers to grasp his own. “Because you saw him push his father? And he knows you did?”
Evangeline nodded, then Ramsay swore.
“Is there more you have not told me?”
She smiled a little, his bold lady, and he was relieved by the sight. “Is that not sufficient?”
Aye, it was more than enough. It was also a complication he did not need. Ramsay understood that Rufus would not abandon his quest for Evangeline readily, not if her word could cause him trouble. Nay, that man would not rest until she was unable to give witness against him.
Rufus would not halt his pursuit until Evangeline was dead.
