Elizabeth Elliott by Betrothed Page A

feet touched down on the horse’s broad back. She was surprised but thankful that the animal remained so still. Evard held her arm to steady her as she slid to the ground.
    “Thank you for coming to my rescue,” she told Evard, careful to speak slowly so he could understand her.
    “You owe the baron your thanks, my lady.” He would not meet her gaze, and seemed to look anywhere but directly at her. “For coming to your rescue, at least.”
    She didn’t dwell on his odd reply. Another dizzy spell caught her off guard, most likely a result of being stretched out for so long on the branch then suddenly standing upright. She covered her eyes with one hand and steadied herselfagainst the horse’s rump with the other. Evard was dismounted and at her side in an instant.
    “Sit here for a moment, Lady Claudia.” He led her a few paces away from his horse, but she refused to sit down.
    “I will be fine in a moment,” she assured him.
    “What is wrong with you?” Guy asked, as he walked up behind them.
    Evard turned to face him, his voice accusing. “She is faint from her ordeal. I will stay with her.”
    Guy looked from Evard to Claudia, then back again. “Nay, I do not think that is wise. Send someone for the others. We will continue our journey from here, but first I want Francis to tend my horse. Tell Stephen to ride double with another squire, and I will take his mount.”
    Evard gave him a curt nod, but did not move from his place by Claudia’s side. “I did not think you were one to abuse defenseless women,” he said in a low voice, then he turned and stalked away.
    Claudia stared after him, shocked that he would speak to his overlord in such a tone, and baffled as to where he came up with such an idea.
    “Will you be all right?” Guy asked.
    “What did—” She thought better of questioning him when she looked up and saw his scowl. “Aye. The spells do not last. This one has passed.”
    “Good.” He walked past her and retrieved the sword belt he had tossed aside when the boar first appeared. “Cover yourself before the rest of my soldiers arrive.”
    She remembered then that she had thrown her cloak over her shoulders to get the bulky garment out of the way. She gasped and pulled the edges forward until it covered her tattered gown. Guy ignored her as he examined his sword belt for damage, then strapped it around his waist. She glanced around the clearing and realized that all his men watched them. A few looked away to avoid her gaze. Others talked quietly among themselves. It was obvious that she and Guy were the topic of their conversation.
    No wonder Evard acted so strangely. Her gown was ripped to shreds. Guy had removed his sword belt and weapons. It did not take long to realize the conclusion his men made of those facts. Her face felt on fire. She turned her back on the men and held out one hand to stop Guy before he could walk past her. “Your men—They think—”
    “I know what they think.”
    “You must tell them it is not truth!”
    He looked grimly amused by her distress. “Why should I?”
    “You would have your own men think you so dishonorable?” She shook her head. “You saved my life, Baron. I would not have anyone think you any less noble than you are, much less your own men.”
    “What about your own reputation?”
    “What about it?”
    “Many will believe that I ravished you no matter what I say to the contrary. It will not matter if I order my men to silence. There will be whispers among them, and those whispers will spread. When they journey to tournaments or to court, the gossip will spread beyond Montague.” He folded his arms across his chest. “You are ruined, Claudia, and there is nothing I can do to alter that fact. Does that not concern you more than my own noble reputation?”
    “Nay,” she said honestly. “At Lonsdale I told you the reasons I am unlikely to marry, and this is but one more. I knew when I asked you to take me on this journey that most would