“Her other jewels were yet upon her. Solely the one was taken. There was talk that it might have been a souvenir.”
The laird looked away in distaste.
Ahearn meanwhile caught his breath and leaned closer. “Not the betrothal ring Rufus Percival sent to Evangeline.”
“The very one,” Talbot said. He omitted the detail of Ramsay taking it from her during their apparent theft.
“There cannot be two such.”
Talbot shook his head. “That he would send such a token to his intended bride was no good indication that we were wrong about his nature.”
“Then he has killed twice,” the laird said.
“I do not know,” Talbot was compelled to admit. “I have seen no proof that his was the hand that ended Alienor’s life, but I suspect he ensured her demise somehow.”
“She might have brought testimony against him,” Ahearn said.
“And Lady Evangeline saw him kill his father, from Ramsay’s tale. Ramsay also told me that he saw Rufus try to kill her, and I believe him.”
“And now she is in his abode, undefended,” Ahearn said, his tone bleak.
“Not for long,” Talbot said. “Ramsay did not ride to Kinfairlie himself for he returned to Dunhaven to defend her.”
Ahearn spun to look at him. “He would have come here willingly?”
“Only his fear for the lady ensured that he granted the task to me.”
“Did he know I was here?” Ahearn asked.
Talbot smiled. “Aye, he told me about you, about Inverfyre and about the Hole.”
“But Rufus, if he has a wit about himself, will have reported your assault of his men, no doubt in terms that do Ramsay no favors,” the laird said. “The king’s men or those of the earl may be seeking him.”
“He may never reach Dunhaven,” Ahearn said grimly. He pushed a hand through his hair and paced the hall again. He paused on the other side of the board, his gaze lit with resolve. “I will ride with you, Talbot Everard, to Dunhaven.”
Talbot rose to his feet in awe, then bowed to the older man. “I thank you, sir.”
“And I will ride with you as well,” said the laird, pushing to his feet. He placed a hand on the shoulder of the younger man who stood behind him. “While you, Roland, will ride for Inverfyre. Ahearn will tell you the route that the Hawk’s party will take to Dunhaven and you must intercept them, so that they do not reach that place unwarned.”
“Aye, Papa.” The young man seemed taller with the burden of this responsibility.
“We ride out before dawn,” the laird said, then frowned at Talbot. “Though you have no mount.”
Talbot found himself smiling in relief. “My companion awaits me in Kinfairlie’s forest, with my destrier and sword,” he admitted. “I shall need a ride no further than that.”
“Companion?” the laird asked.
“The knight who trained both Ramsay and I waits there with our squires,” Talbot said, then smiled. “And weapons, which I dared not risk.”
“All bold and handsome,” Anna contributed. “Though Hugues is the one of most merit in my view.” Then she flushed anew and dropped her gaze.
Talbot watched the laird’s brows rise. “Ramsay’s squire has been most diligent in defending Anna’s virtue as we journeyed north,” he said.
“I like him well already,” the laird noted with a smile. “And I like that he is being mentored so very well.” He then clapped his hands. “Make haste all! We prepare to depart. A hot meal for Talbot and Anna, if you please.”
As the hall erupted into activity, Talbot sank to a bench in relief. He had a moment to hope that all would come aright, then the ladies descended into the hall. He looked, as always he looked, then was snared by the shy smile of a maiden who had to be a daughter or relation of the house.
Her hair hung in golden waves to her waist, unbound as befit a maiden, and she wore a kirtle of deepest blue. He would have wagered that it matched her eyes and he could not help but admire her sweet curves. Her smile broadened as she surveyed him, revealing a winsome dimple in one cheek, then a warrior appeared behind her. That man wore a patch over one eye and his expression was daunting as he surveyed Talbot. He guided the maiden to the high table, fairly blocking Talbot’s view as he urged her before him.
