Attributing the outpouring of emotion to relief from her rescue—not realizing that her heart was breaking—Ralph soothed her with calming words. It was all right. She was safe now. No one would hurt her.
He was sturdy and warm, tall and strong. His broad, solid chest even smelled of the wind and sea. And when he smiled down at her, his handsome face was gentle and full of concern.
But Ralph de Monthermer wasn’t the man she wanted, and he never would be. The man she wanted was lost to her—though he’d never really been hers at all.
The truth stung, but the pain seemed to give her strength. Embarrassed by the all-too-public display of emotion, she drew back and wiped the tears from her eyes. There would be time enough to mourn when she was home. But for now, she needed to ensure Erik’s escape.
“I’m sorry,” she apologized. She knew Ralph must be anxious to hear what had happened, and how she’d come to be alone, marooned in the small skiff.
“You’ve nothing to apologize for,” Ralph said gently. “I’m just so relieved we found you. The storm—”
He didn’t finish, but gave her hand a squeeze. “It’s a miracle that you were able to stay afloat.”
Not a miracle; the skills of one man.
Ralph’s face hardened. “But where is he? Where is the man who took you?”
Ellie knew she had to do whatever she could to convince Ralph that Erik had perished in the storm, but she hated having to lie to him. “He’s gone,” she replied flatly. “I don’t know how it happened. The storm was horrible. It was dark and impossible to see through the wind and rain. He ordered me to stay down low in the hull of the boat. One minute he was standing there, the next he was gone.”
“Hawk is dead?” a man said incredulously.
Ellie turned at the sound of the familiar voice. A man stepped out from behind the crowd of soldiers who’d gathered round. The color drained from her face. “Thomas! You’re all right!” So profound was her relief to see him that she took a few steps toward him before stopping. “But what are you doing here?”
Thomas’s face flushed scarlet, but it was Ralph who answered for him. “It’s thanks to Sir Thomas that we found you.”
“SirThomas?” she echoed. It was what she’d always known, but hearing it surprised her nonetheless.
Thomas gave her a short bow. “Sir Thomas Randolph at your service, Lady Elyne.”
It took her a moment to place the name, but when she did her horror was only worsened. “You are Robert’s nephew,” she gasped.
The young knight nodded.
Ellie felt ill. She couldn’t believe that the man she’d considered a friend had betrayed not only Hawk but also his own uncle.
What else had he told them?
She turned away sharply, addressing Ralph. “Howdidyou find me?”
“Randolph was certain the rebel would head for Ireland.”
Dear God, had Thomas told Ralph the plan? Giving no hint to the panic rising inside her, her eyes flickered to Thomas.
“Hawk told me he intended to take you home,” Thomas explained.
She bit back the sigh of relief at his half-truth. Apparently, Thomas hadn’t completely betrayed them. Their eyes held for a moment before she turned back to Ralph for him to continue.
“We laid a trap in the channel last night, but when the storm hit we were forced to retreat. I was certain the outlaw would do the same, but Randolph assured me the storm would not stop him. As soon as the storm abated we set sail for Ireland. He is more reckless than I imagined.” Ralph’s face darkened. “The fool could have killed you both.”
She placed her hand on his arm. “He saved my life,” she said truthfully. “More than once.” Tears pricked her eyes. “Whatever else he might have done, I am here, and he is gone. All I want to do is go home and forget.”
Ralph was immediately contrite. “Of course you do. You must be exhausted. We can talk later. Your family will be overjoyed to have you returned safely.”
He gave the orders to turn about, and she frowned. “Are we not going to Ireland?”
He shook his head. “Forgive me, I forgot that you did not know. Your father has been ordered by the king to the castle at Ayr.”
Scotland. She couldn’t believe it. While she’d been on Spoon Island, her father had been a coastline away.
