“Audacity,” Ahearn murmured.
For a knight to enter a keep unarmed, to deliver a message for a companion said much of the bond between the two, in Alexander’s view, and he admired the man before him for that boldness.
“You will surrender custody of both horses and allow the maid to remain here when you depart,” he added and Talbot nodded agreement.
“When he departs?” Ahearn said. “This man may have need of a sojourn in your dungeon. He and his party stole this horse! He may well be responsible for any peril faced by Lady Evangeline.”
Once again, Anne spoke up. “’Tis neither Sir Talbot nor Sir Ramsay who imperil my lady, sir.” She clasped her hands together and appealed to Alexander. “The Hawk of Inverfyre is a fair man, sir, but he erred in the making of this betrothal, perhaps because Lord Rufus’ father was a good man.”
“Was?” Alexander echoed even as Ahearn glanced their way.
“Aye, sir,” Anna agreed readily. “He will be laid to rest by now, sir, for he died the night after Lord Ahearn left Dunhaven.”
“But he was hale when I was there mere days ago,” Ahearn said.
“Aye, sir, but Lord Rufus killed him.” Both Alexander and Ahearn stared at the girl who nodded. “He pushed him down the stairs and left him to die. My lady witnessed the deed, which was why Lord Rufus tried to kill her the next day when they rode to hunt. Sir Ramsay saved her and ensured her escape, but Lord Rufus was not deterred. He caught up to us three days later, sir, and in the end, he took her back to Dunhaven with him, leaving Sir Ramsay to die.” She burst into tears in that moment as all three men watched her. “Oh, sir, we must rescue her before he kills her, as well!”
And with that appeal, Alexander’s decision was made. He waved for the gates to be opened and ushered messenger, maid and both steeds into the keep of Kinfairlie.
Evangeline had need of their assistance and soon.
Chapter 12
In hindsight, it was clear that Talbot should have let Anna plead their case from the outset. Once she had blurted the tale in a breathless spill of words, all changed.
He soon found himself at the board in Kinfairlie’s hall with a cup of ale. Ahearn still glowered at him, but that warrior listened as Talbot confided all that had occurred. A young man joined them there, his resemblance to Laird Alexander so striking that Talbot had no doubt this was his son and possibly his heir. He lingered beside his father, watchful as he listened, and was briefly introduced as Roland.
There was no sign of any ladies, and Talbot understood that they had been sent to their chambers, in case he did prove to offer any threat.
When Talbot recounted the details of Rufus’ assault upon Evangeline, Ahearn pushed to his feet and paced in consternation. “I should never have left her,” that man muttered. “I should never have assumed her safety.”
“The Hawk gave you instruction,” Laird Alexander said, earning a dark look from the older man.
“And he will have my hide if she is injured,” the older man said grimly. Talbot liked Ahearn, finding him similar to other warriors who had assisted in his own training, and did not doubt that Ahearn could be charming when he so chose.
“What happened when he overcame the fleeing pair?” the laird asked.
Talbot recounted the details of the attack as he knew them, Anna nodding agreement all the while.
“Ramsay killed two of his men?” the laird echoed.
“At least,” Talbot said. “Two others were injured, but he did not see their fates.”
The two older men exchanged a glance.
“Why did Rufus not kill Ramsay when he had the opportunity?” Roland asked and all three of them eyed Talbot, awaiting the reply. “Because Evangeline offered to accompany him instead?”
Talbot shook his head, knowing the truth as surely as he knew his own name. “Because he knew Ramsay would come for her. Because he saw it as an opportunity to avenge himself upon my companion knight.”
Ahearn lifted a brow.
“There is an old feud between them. Rufus has cheated in competition. All know it has happened many times, but it never could be proved. He always ensured that a squire took the blame or the evidence vanished.” Talbot nodded. “But there was a lady, a shrewd maiden, and one who showed favor to Ramsay. She was a beauty, but he had no desire for her.” He eyed Ahearn. “He is not a knave who despoils maidens. Ramsay always desired love, despite my efforts to encourage him otherwise.”
Ahearn snorted.
“When Rufus defeated Ramsay, capturing a large purse because he cheated, this lady gained proof of his deed. She meant, I believe, to earn Ramsay’s favor with the revelation. But Rufus ensured she did not share whatever evidence she possessed. I do not know what tale he told her, or perhaps she invited him to explain himself and was tricked herself. In the end, the lady vanished, then later was found dead. Yet the ring she always wore, a large square sapphire with a profile carved within it, an heirloom much esteemed in her family, was missing. It was never found.”
“Thieves,” the laird suggested but Talbot shrugged.
