“Of deceived and disappointed maidens?” As he watched, she straightened and a purposeful gleam lit her eyes. “I think not, Ramsay MacLaren. I guessed your intent and I followed you willingly to your chamber.” She smiled, her gaze warming in a way that set him aflame once again. “Perhaps on this night, I will be the one to seduce you.”
“Are you so bold as this, my lady?” he asked.
She leaned closer, her eyes gleaming. “What else can I do?” she whispered.
Despite the temptation, Ramsay knew he could not cease to be vigilant this night. “My lady, I dare not savor your charms until we are truly safe, and wed to your satisfaction.” He dropped a hand to the bundle of cloth. “And truly, I would be believed a knave if any heard our amorous play, when you, my wife, are so close to your time.”
Evangeline laughed. “And so the rebel becomes prudent.”
“It seems one of us must be.”
She laughed again. “At Kinfairlie then, once we have my family’s protection.”
Ramsay sobered at that. “Will they offer that protection to me? I fear not.”
“But you are not a ruffian, but a knight.”
“But I am still a MacLaren, my lady.” He watched as she sobered. “My lineage will not be readily forgiven by any man allied with your father.”
He watched as resolve filled her gaze and she straightened with purpose. “Let us make a wager, Ramsay, that I leave Rufus to you and you leave my family to me.”
As much as he appreciated the offer, Ramsay would see her safe instead. “We could ride to the closest port and flee Scotland, then send word from Normandy,” he suggested.
Evangeline was apparently scandalized. “I cannot simply vanish, Ramsay. My family must know of my fate, even if they do not approve of it. Nay, we must go first to Kinfairlie. We must see this betrothal agreement dissolved and our own match made.” She smiled at him, so confident that both would be readily achieved that Ramsay did not wish to note otherwise. “Then, Ramsay, and only then, we will go to Normandy.”
Ramsay held her close, hoping all would transpire as she planned.
She nestled against him. “Do not fear my family,” she whispered against his chest. “I will defend you, upon that you can rely.”
And Ramsay smiled despite himself that she would make such a pledge. Aye, she had no notion how much he would do to ensure her welfare.
With any luck, they would have time to discuss such prospects. He noted that the sky lightened in the east and that there was activity stirring in the village spread at their feet. He kissed her temple, still debating the merit of drawing attention to their party at the gates. “We ride, my lady, for your time is close and you wish to see your mother with all haste.”
“That is a good notion. Do you think they will open the gates early for us?”
“I can only hope. I cannot deny how persuasive you can be.”
She laughed and Ramsay quickly kissed her to silence, then he turned to look behind them, back to the south. A party approached, one that rode hard, and the sight filled his veins with ice. No one would ride through such a night, no one save a man bent upon catching a fugitive bride.
Rufus! He felt Evangeline turn to follow his gaze and heard her quick intake of breath. When he glanced her way, she had paled and he knew they reached the same conclusion.
Ramsay moved to the opening with speed, offering his hand to her even as she scrambled after him. “I fear that we have paused too long, my lady. Make haste!”
* * *
Evangeline was terrifiedas she had not been before. Worse, she had to strive to be indifferent to any proceedings beyond the walls of the smithy, and harangue Ramsay as she pretended to be his miserable wife. She dared not fail to contribute to their escape, though. Could they make it through the north gate undetected while Rufus or his minions arrived at the south? She could only pray it might be so.
She demanded a needle and thread from Anna in an undertone, even as she raised her voice in protest. “Husband!” she cried, then gave a gasp of dismay. “The babe stirs and we have not reached my mother’s abode. I knew we would be late. I knew you would contrive that I should be obliged to bear your child in a hovel far from home!” She wept loudly, even as she busily sewed Nigel’s dagger into the gap in her hem.
If she was seized by Rufus or his men, she would not willingly surrender the weapon.
Anna watched her, then nodded, and pretended to pack their belongings. In truth they had few, though Ramsay seemed to have a great deal. What was in his saddlebags, if not his spoils as a brigand? The man was a mystery beyond compare.
“My lady, I harness the steeds as quickly as I am able,” Ramsay said, his tone the petulant one of a besieged husband. “I fear the gates may not be open as it is not yet dawn and we will be obliged to wait…”
“Wait!” Evangeline fairly shrieked. “You would have me wait? Tell your child to wait, sir, if that is your desire. Oh!” she cried out again and Anna murmured consolation to her, even as the door to the smithy opened.
“Is all well?” the smith asked meekly and Ramsay spun upon the man.
