He set her down on the dry forest floor but did not relinquish his grip upon her. Indeed, his grasp seemed to tighten and her body responded immediately. He was taller than she and she had to look up to hold his gaze, the breadth of him making her feel delicate and feminine.
This man had no allure beyond his mystery, she reminded herself. He was a dangerous bandit and a thief, an occupant of the forest who preyed upon innocent bystanders. She would be fortunate if he relieved her of her possessions and no more.
“And now you may do your worst,” she said, determined to hide her trepidation. “But I will see your face first.”
To her astonishment, he did not move away but let her tug away the cloth that hid his features from view. She looked into those blue eyes and might have swooned if she had been a less practical maiden.
Ramsay MacLaren. Nay, it could not be! Ramsay had no beard—or he had not possessed one five years before. She knew that whiskers grew more quickly than that.
But then, whynotRamsay? They were several days’ ride from Inverfyre but hardly in Outremer. And he had survived in the forests of Inverfyre with his family. Her father said people did not change. Just because the MacLarens had lost their battle against her own family did not mean that the survivors of that family would begin to lead lawful lives.
Truly, she knew no man who was a better candidate to become a lawless brigand, preying upon anyone fool enough to pass within his reach.
“Ramsay MacLaren,” she whispered, thrilled beyond all reason to see him again.
His grip tightened slightly on her waist, as if he could not help himself, before he released her and bowed slightly. “At your service, my lady.”
His manner made her recall his previous confession that he was a knight, but one who had been compelled to sell his horse, hauberk and spurs. She had wondered all along whether that tale had been a lie, for surely a knight would have better prospects and connections than Ramsay had seemed to possess.
But then there was the crossbow. A fine weapon and surely an expensive one, too fine to have been found by the wayside. She noted that it still hung from his belt, the wood polished to a gleam, and she liked that he cared for it well. Had he stolen it years before, or did it give credence to his tale of lost fortunes?
Why would he assail her in the forest? Why would he evenbein this forest? It seemed beyond coincidence and Evangeline could make no sense of their encounter.
“You are thinking, my lady,” Ramsay said, amusement in his tone. “I will take a warning from that.” He looked to be prepared to wait for her to speak, to be content to simply survey her with those sparkling blue eyes.
The ones that stole her very breath away.
Surely she had been mistaken about the power of his kiss. Surely there was naught remarkable about it, save the novelty of it being her first.
With an effort, Evangeline recovered her wits. “But you are not at my service. You interfere with my party like a brigand…”
He took a step back, straightening as his gaze cooled. Did he mean to ravish her? She did not find the prospect as troubling as she should have done, to be sure. “I give you warning, my lady, that your betrothed is not a man to be trusted.”
Evangeline blinked. “I beg your pardon?”
“Sir Rufus Percival is a knave, a cheat and a man who perceives solely his own advantage. He may be worse than even I know. You should not wed him for you will regret the choice.”
Evangeline could not halt her smile. “While you are a man of honor and integrity? You and your party are robbing mine!”
Ramsay did not smile. Indeed, his eyes narrowed, as if her response was unwarranted. “My accusation is fully deserved and had we the luxury of time, I would tell you all the details. Instead, you will have to trust me.”
She laughed at the very notion and felt his displeasure. “Trust you? I should trust a man whose family is sworn to eliminate mine, and follow his counsel regarding my nuptials? Ramsay, have you lost your wits?”
If he had been grim before, he became doubly so. “You would be more foolish than I know you to be to place yourself beneath the hand of Rufus Percival.”
“You presume too much, Ramsay, and you understand little of my circumstance.” She made to step past him, but he seized her elbow and drew her to a halt. Once again, she was snared by his intent gaze, and once again, she shivered with unwelcome delight at his proximity,
His voice was low, a veritable growl. “I know that you are a maiden of formidable charm, beauty and wit, but I had to warn you. Heed me, my lady!” His intensity so shook her that she could not avert her gaze.
Could he be telling her the truth about her betrothed? How could he know Rufus? Or did he simply wish to interfere with her prospects? But why?
She knew the answer that would captivate her heart, though it was madness to hope to hear it.
Ramsay’s voice roughened, becoming even deeper. “You deserve a better husband, my lady.”
“Of what import is the nature of my betrothed to an outlaw I have not seen in five years?” she countered, tugging against his grasp. He released her immediately, still watchful, still close.
WherewasAhearn?
