“By Ramsay MacLaren,” he said softly.
“Aye.”
“A man you now view with favor, though he is my avowed enemy.” Rufus shook his head. “Truly, I could not have imagined my father would find me a bride who was so very unsuitable.”
“We could abandon the plan of our match,” Evangeline said and Rufus’ smile flashed.
“And disgrace my father by rejecting his choice? I think not, my lady.”
Evangeline watched a squire bow, then vanish from the tent, leaving them alone. “I could appeal to my father to surrender the dowry to you even so,” she suggested softly but Rufus only laughed.
He tugged her closer so that she fell to her knees before him, his gaze boring into hers and his grip upon her hand relentless. “Fear not, my lady. You will not wear this ring for long, and you will never compete with the memory of she who wore it first.”
“Alienor,” she said and his brows rose.
“Alienor,” he repeated with satisfaction. “Did he tell you of her? That prize of a maiden, so beautiful, so sweet and demure? That lady, so smitten with me that she would allow no other man to even kiss her hand?” He nodded. “Aye, and Ramsay consumed with jealousy, for he desired her and she would not have him, not at any price.”
This was not the tale Ramsay had told Evangeline and she knew which man she would believe. She kept her expression mild, though, in the hope that Rufus would continue his tale. “I know naught of her save her name, and that this gem once graced her hand.”
“Aye, I gave it to her, as a token of my affection.” His tone was such that Evangeline sensed a falsehood. “It was our betrothal ring, but when Ramsay saw it, he was consumed with his envy. He stole her away one night, but she died in the course of his flight.” Rufus shook his head sadly. “And so, once again, he strove to interfere in my nuptials by stealing you from my side, and once again, he has failed in his quest.” His voice hardened. “But you, Lady Evangeline, had the folly to hold a lowborn fiend like Ramsay MacLaren in affection. You need not fear that you will be obliged to wear that ring for long.”
“That is not your protest against me,” Evangeline argued but Rufus shook his head.
“It is the tale we will tell.”
He relinquished his grip upon her hand and she rubbed at the red marks left on her flesh even as she retreated to her pallet. “There was a moment when I regretted your escape from the river, but now I see that all will come aright as a result. That is why I did not strike down my foe on this day when I had the chance.” Rufus lifted a brow. “Ramsay will follow us, if he is able, and I will confront him with his crime of abducting my betrothed. Further, I will charge him with the slaughter of two of my men and the injury of two others.” Rufus shook his head in apparent dismay. “Such a villain deserves to die in my dungeons, and when he has breathed his last, I will cast you there that you might mourn him. I will be rid of both of you, keep your dowry and you will have no opportunity to betray me.”
“He will not come,” Evangeline said, but Rufus laughed.
“Aye, he will, and I will prepare a reception for him.”
“My family will attend the nuptials. They will defend me.”
“Alas, I will ensure they have no such opportunity.” Rufus seized a length of rope then, and caught her close, binding her ankles and her wrists before casting her onto the pallet. “You will learn how readily a wife can be constrained.” He flung a thin cloak over her, a smirk upon his lips as he surveyed her.
“You will not succeed in this scheme,” she protested, even as her fear grew.
Rufus chuckled. “Ah, but I will, and I taste the sweetness of triumph already. I had thought you might not even survive to see Dunhaven again, but I find myself interested in watching you witness Ramsay’s demise. ’Twill be a fitting reward for your faithlessness.” He picked up Ramsay’s crossbow, hefting it in his hands as he surveyed it with satisfaction. “And this will be a fitting souvenir of my victory over adversity.” He chuckled to himself as he turned away and Evangeline struggled against her bonds to no avail.
She had not believed she could despise her betrothed more than she had, but Rufus had proven her wrong. If only Ramsay would stay away from Dunhaven.
But Evangeline knew, as surely as Rufus, that Ramsay would not.
* * *
Ramsay was gratifiedto collect his party en route to Kinfairlie. As anticipated, Hugues and Anna lingered at the next town, awaiting him. He reached that point as quickly as possible, riding Foudre and leading Basilisk after the smith aided them. Hugues sustained a bruise but was otherwise hale, to Ramsay’s relief. Anna, while frightened for her lady, was adamant that she would aid in Evangeline’s rescue.
The four of them continued northward and it was late when they sought shelter in the village of Wooler. Ramsay did not wish to continue as darkness was falling. There were likely bandits, wolves or both predators, and he would not risk the welfare of any in his care. He also hoped that he might have tidings of Otto and Talbot.
When Ramsay asked, the keeper told him that Kinfairlie was two day’s ride further, over the moors and beyond a forest that was the hunting ground of that holding. Ramsay could not hear the sea or see it as yet, but there was a fresh chill in the wind that told him it was closer than it had been. When Hugues pointed out a familiar pair of destriers, Ramsay knew that Otto and Talbot must have chosen to await him here. Otto doubtless had guessed his route.
The keeper was inclined to talk while Ramsay and Hugues brushed down their steeds, chatting about the lord being in residence at Dunbar. He eventually spoke of the two knights who had arrived separately and lingered for no reason he knew, and Ramsay confided that they had been waiting for him. This reassured the keeper who led the party into the tavern and waved them to a table with a flourish.
“You are here!” Talbot exclaimed with gave a cry of delight and stood to embrace Ramsay. Otto shook his hand and the boys gathered around Hugues, who stood proudly that he had a tale of adventure to share. Ale was poured and stew ladled into bowls, the company gathering in one corner. The squires and Anna sat at a second table, Hugues having appointed himself as the maid’s defender in recent days.
The knights listened intently as Ramsay told them all that had transpired. Talbot’s expression turned as grim as Otto’s was as a matter of habit when they learned that Evangeline had witnessed Rufus’ crime.
“He will not suffer her to live,” Otto said, pushing away his bowl. “He cannot risk it.”
