David pulled his own sword in defense, the fury in his opponent’s eyes making his instincts kick in.
“I’ll not be so easy to take down, David.” Rina’s words came out a furious hiss and they dripped with sarcasm.
“I have no doubt about that,” he replied in a calm, steady voice.
The Angel’s strength surprised David as he fended off her agile attack. Again and again she struck; her prowess with a sword shocking him. His own expertise proved a good match, but steely determination and temper gave the Angel the edge. He could not believe it when she continually outmaneuvered him, placing him at a disadvantage. Rarely had he fought anyone so talented with a blade. Where did the woman get her power and stamina?
There was no time for answers, for Rina disarmed him with a deft move, and brought her sword to his throat. She stood there, unable to move, confusion playing in her eyes.
“It is your move, Angel. Kill me now and be rid of your enemy.” David waited, his gaze locked with hers.
Rina lowered her blade. “I am a thief, not a murderer. If I could not ride off earlier and leave you injured, I certainly cannot kill you now.”
David sighed, relieved. “You deliberately cut me off from your man and led me away. It was a brave thing to do, but foolish.”
“Perhaps,” She shrugged, seemingly unconcerned. “Now what do you plan to do?”
Rina waited for an answer, but none came. David reached up and pulled the scarf and mask from her face. She made no attempt to stop him — the time for truth was upon them. He showed no surprise as he looked into Rina’s eyes.
“I would have given anything for it not to be you.” His voice came out strained, and it touched Rina. “You have put me in a difficult situation, and I know not what to do. God, Rina, why couldn’t you have done as I asked? Why?”
“I was,” she whispered; a sad smile touched her lips.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“This was our last raid, David. It was decided tonight, there will be no more Angel in Black.”
Doubt was clear on his face. “How can I believe a thief? You have lied to me before.”
“I have no reason to lie, not now. I will not risk the lives of my men any longer, or yours. We all knew it would end, eventually. Either I would stop on my own, or you would end it. It is unfortunate for me both alternatives happened at the same time. If I hang, it was worth it.”
“You are the most confusing woman. How is it you are so unselfish and good?” His eyes filled with admiration.
She shook her head and her voice tensed. “No, David. You are wrong. At times I’m so filled with malice and hate I can’t feel any other emotion. This evil provides my strength and determination. My life, my future, belongs to this hatred. I have no control over it; it burns in me like an eternal fire.”
Rina understood the darkness within and her words shook with intensity. “Sometimes I believe it’s this hate that leads me to do good things. In order to keep my sanity, I must balance the overbearing violence — I must counter hate with love. The love I have for these people keeps me from losing myself completely to the ugliness. You must understand — I could kill for this hate, and I would gladly die for this love.”
She paused and took David’s hand in her own smaller one. “David, I am no different from anyone else. Perhaps I am a little more passionate — whether passionate in hate, or passionate in love. You have only seen what I do for love. Should you witness my all-consuming hatred, you would not find me unselfish and good. So dispel your saintly visions of me, for I don’t deserve them. I am a thief, no matter what my reasons, but I can live with that. Can you?”
He leaned down and gently kissed Rina on the cheek. “Yes, I can. I expect you to keep your word, Rina, no more Angel in Black.”
“No more Angel in Black,” she agreed.
She turned to leave and he watched her, knowing if her heart did not belong to another, he could easily fall in love with the woman. Though it was not to be, he knew he would never regret letting the Angel go.
RINA PUSHED HER HOOD back from her head and lifted her face to feel the sunshine on it. There was still a chill in the air, but the sun had decided to make an appearance. Taking a long walk, Rina ended up in the forest nearest the village. The sun filtered through the trees and cast shadows over the soft earth as she followed a well-worn trail. She listened to the sounds around her and felt at peace, something she felt little of lately. It had been several weeks since Rina last rode as the Angel and nightmares haunted her nights, leaving her spent.
Finding a soft pile of leaves, Rina sat down and leaned against a giant tree. She pulled a cloth from her cape and unfolded the cheese and bread she’d brought along. After eating her fill, she relaxed against the trunk and closed her eyes. Exhaustion took its toll and she fell asleep.
Startled, Rina awakened, scrambling to her feet. The sound of horses riding hard filtered to her ears, followed by the baying of hounds — they were coming toward her. Suddenly, a small red fox darted from the underbrush. Unaware of her presence, the animal paused to catch his breath, searching for a way to escape the dogs not far behind. Another round of baying sent the creature scurrying past Rina, actually brushing underneath her skirts. She watched the tiny critter disappear, and concern for his safety made her forget her own.
Only a minute or two passed and she found herself facing the hounds as they came crashing noisily through the trees, the scent of the fox still strong in their nostrils. Confusion filled them when her own scent mingled with the quarry, and they surrounded her, cutting off any attempt Rina may have made to flee.
Unconcerned the dogs might harm her, she decided to wait until the riders appeared, so she could go about her business. But to her disgust Lawrence and Randolph Langsford rode up, and following not far behind was Catherine Ramsey.
“What the hell is going on here?” Lawrence Langsford yelled; his anger apparent at having lost the fox. “Who are you, girl?”
Catherine Ramsey’s green eyes narrowed at Rina. “She is from Tattershall, Lawrence. I believe her name is Rina, one of the peasants who work in your fields.”
Langsford took another look at Rina and licked his lips, his eyes roaming boldly over her. His lascivious leer made her stomach tighten.
“Get these bloody hounds out of my sight,” he bellowed over their persistent baying. A small, wiry fellow appeared out of nowhere and blew his horn for the hounds to follow. As the noise trailed off, Langsford turned his attention back to her.
“You have spoiled our fun, girl. I don’t like that.”
“I don’t really care what you like.” Rina tensed with hatred, her own temper barely under control. She was in a difficult spot, her chance of escaping on foot miniscule; but no matter what, she would not grovel before the man.
“It sounds like the wench has a sharp tongue.” Randolph nudged his horse closer. “You might consider being a touch friendlier, wench — it wouldn’t be wise to anger us.” He reached down as if intending to touch her and Rina flinched and stepped away in disgust.
“Well, I think since she helped our fox to escape, she should become our prey. It might be great sport, Randolph.”
Catherine’s suggestion pleased the two men. Lawrence smiled. “And after we have caught her?”
Shrugging her shoulders, Catherine laughed, “She’s yours to do with as you please, of course.”
Rina could not believe her ears and saw the instant delight in their eyes, imagining the pleasure she would provide after her capture. Reacting, she darted past Randolph’s horse, startling it and its rider. In an instant, she disappeared into the trees and ran as fast as she could, knowing her only chance would be to reach the road. On and on she sped, aware of the horses close behind. The three riders split up, in order to circle around and close in. Rina knew she must avoid being trapped and slipped quietly behind a large rock to wait for a rider to come by.
When Catherine Ramsey rode up, Rina jumped out and startled her
mount, unseating the surprised woman. Before Catherine could get to her feet, Rina vanished.
“There she is,” Randolph yelled as Rina tried to make it to the road.
Instantly, Lawrence and Randolph rode after her. Rina ran as fast as her legs would carry her, but she was no match for riders on horseback. They closed in. Reaching down, Randolph snatched her onto his horse and she kicked and screamed like a wild cat.
Unable to hold on to her, he let go and Rina dropped to the ground. He slid off his mount and toppled her. Lawrence reined his own horse and jumped down, landing in front of Randolph and the struggling girl. He grabbed a handful of her hair, and yanked her head back painfully. Rina kicked with all her might, knocking him to the ground. She wrenched free of Randolph’s brutal hold and brought her fist up hard, clipping his jaw painfully. Whether it was the actual force of the blow or the fact a woman hit him with her fists, he stood dazed.
Taking advantage of the brief moment, Rina ran with all the strength she had left, the men at her heels in a flash. Finally, she emerged from the trees and slid to a halt. A drop of about twenty feet blocked her escape to the road below. There was no time to climb down. She turned and pulled her knife and faced the two men who approached.
Two riders suddenly appeared on the road. They heard all the noise and rode to see what was happening. Their yells sent Lawrence and Randolph back into the cover of the forest. Thankful, Rina tucked her knife away and turned to see who had come to her aid. She was close to the edge and slipped on the loose dirt beneath her feet, losing her balance. She tumbled down the bank as Lieutenant Greerson and Ryon Roberts rode up.
David dismounted quickly and ran to the woman in the road. Gently he turned the unconscious form over. He saw Rina must have hit her head on a rock when she fell down the embankment, and her head was bleeding from the nasty gash.
“Ryon, it is Rina.” He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the other man, handing her up to Ryon who was still mounted. “She’s badly hurt.”
“We’ll take her to Windsong.” Holding her firmly, Ryon urged his horse into a run with David following close behind.
Chapter Fourteen
RYON HEARD THE DOOR slam, jumped from his chair, and ran to the front hall. “Blake, I’m glad you’re home.”
A look of surprise lit Blake’s face and he happily grabbed his brother in an affectionate hug. “Ryon, you didn’t let me know you were coming to London. Well, I suppose it’s the time when everyone starts drifting into the city from their country estates.”
His brother’s look remained serious. “Actually, we hadn’t planned to come for a while yet, but we found it necessary to come now. Let’s go into the library and talk.”
Following him, Blake noticed lines of concern on his face. “Is Rebecca or the baby ill? Are they all right?”
“Yes, Blake, they’re fine. Perhaps we’d better sit.”
Blake tried to be patient with Ryon but found it difficult. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”
Ryon nodded and decided it best to say his news outright. “Rina’s been hurt.”
Blake’s face drained of all color but he did not move; he merely stared at Ryon, waiting for his next words.
Somewhat amazed by Blake’s apparent control and calm, Ryon relaxed a little. Had he known of the haunting visions barraging Blake’s stricken mind, he would have been more concerned.
All the horrible fears Blake had conjured in the tension-filled months since Rina began her dangerous life as a thief revisited him. One after another flickered across his thoughts and left him numb, unable to move. He could no longer breathe as he waited for Ryon to continue with the details.
“She fell down a hill, about twenty feet or so, cutting her head badly. Lieutenant Greerson and I happened to be riding down the road when we heard a woman screaming and some men shouting. We rode toward the noise and spotted someone coming out of the tree line. It was Rina, a couple of men chasing her. She came to the embankment and stopped, then turned to face them. I saw a flash, I believe the sun reflected off a knife she held in her hand; there was one on her. When the two men saw us, they disappeared into the cover of the forest. Rina turned and slipped. She hit her head on a large rock when she tumbled down to the road. We took her to Windsong and sent for a doctor. She was unconscious for three days.”
Ryon paused and Blake could stand no more. “She’s awake now?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Who were the men, Ryon?”
The question took Ryon by surprise, for he had been so preoccupied with everything else he had not thought about who she was running from. “We don’t know. We were too far away to see their faces. We actually didn’t know the woman was Rina until we went to her aid.”
“But she’s all right?” Blake tried to calm the fear and apprehension inside him.
“She’s here, Blake.”
Immediately, Blake jumped up and headed for the door, only to be intercepted by Ryon. “Please, Blake. You can’t go upstairs now, she’s sleeping.” He drew a deep breath and motioned toward the chairs. “There’s something else, so please sit and I’ll explain.”
“She is all right? You said she was.” Blake couldn’t understand his brother’s hesitation. “What the hell is going on, Ryon?”
“Rina is going to be fine,” he assured Blake. “When we arrived here this afternoon, she was exhausted from the long trip. So Rebecca gave her a sleeping draught and will most likely sleep till morning. It’s best if we let her rest. She’s still experiencing some fainting spells and dizziness from the blow to her head. Rina hasn’t complained any, but I know she’s been plagued with severe headaches as well. She needs a lot of rest and she’ll be as good as new.”
Blake sat as his brother suggested. “If she is going to be fine, what’s the something else?”
“Perhaps it would be best to explain everything that happened after we arrived at Windsong.”
“Please do,” urged Blake, impatience clear in his tone.
Nodding, Ryon complied. “Once we got Rina to Windsong, we sent for our doctor. He examined her, confirming she had a severe concussion. She did stir at all, but he said there was nothing we could do except wait for her to awaken. The next day Rina was delirious, drifting in and out of consciousness. She experienced terrible nightmares and awakened several times screaming hysterically. It was during her delirium she spoke, Blake, and I still can’t believe what we have discovered. We called her Rina and she informed us her name was not Rina, but Katrina — Katrina Easton. It seems Rina is actually Katrina Easton, the daughter of William and Virginia Easton of Camray.”
“Don’t be absurd. She was killed over nine years ago,” disputed Blake.
“No one knows for sure what happened to the child, Blake — she was never found. We questioned Jake and Jenny Tidwell, but they insisted she was their niece. But I saw they were nervous and afraid, so I did not press them. Rina continued to insist she was Katrina Easton. When she finally awoke from her fevered delirium, Rebecca and I questioned her. Rina was confused and distraught, her head paining her terribly, so we sent for the doctor again. It’s hard to believe, Blake, but Rina is Katrina Easton.”
“What makes you believe this?” questioned Blake, unable — perhaps unwilling — to see any truth in what Ryon told him.
“Why on earth would she claim to be Katrina Easton if she wasn’t? She was feverish and raving, floating back and forth between a dazed reality and unconsciousness. And what’s incredible, until she fell and hit her head, she didn’t remember who she was. Rina spoke with Jake and Jenny to convince them it was all right to tell us what happened. According to them, they found her half-dead, wandering about lost. She could not remember who she was or how she had gotten there. She called herself Rina. She must have wandered for days, for they found her miles away from Camray. So Jake and Jenny took her in and merely told everyone she was their niece. Rina thought so as well and was raised by them.”
Ryon shook his h
ead in amazement and continued. “The doctor seems to think Rina witnessed the murder of her parents and escaped into the forest. After the traumatic experience, she forced the memory of that night from her mind, forgetting who she was. He says it is not uncommon for children to deal with frightening moments in this way. The blow to her head brought it all back. Just think, Blake, she could have gone her entire life not knowing she really was.”
Blake’s mind raced and he tried to put all the pieces together. Was she actually Katrina Easton? A sudden image floated into his mind — the portrait he had seen in the library at Camray. He realized why it was familiar, the little girl was Rina. He did not make the connection earlier, but now it seemed obvious. And the ring William Easton wore — it was the one Rina had on a chain around her neck. She was Katrina!
“My God,” exclaimed Blake aloud. “But why have you brought her here?”
Ryon explained further. “As Katrina Easton, she is the rightful heir to Camray. She told us she was going to petition the King for her inheritance. We insisted she stay here with us. Rina argued, but Rebecca wouldn’t take no for an answer. I hope it isn’t going to be difficult for you, I mean … you two …”
Blake smiled wryly at his brother’s discomfort. “I promise to behave, Ryon. Rina, or should I say Katrina, is welcome to stay as long as she wishes. I’ll do my best to keep the peace between us.”
“Good,” Ryon sighed in relief. “Rebecca will be pleased to hear it.”
When Blake made his way to his rooms later that evening he could not resist pausing in front of Rina’s door. Knowing she was in the room, just beyond, made his heart beat faster. Images floated before his eyes, entrancing him — enchanting him. Before he realized what he was doing, Blake opened the barrier between them and walked inside the darkened room. After his eyes adjusted to the dimness, he saw Katrina sleeping soundly. A rush of emotions grabbed him unexpectedly; the intensity taking him off guard. His pulse quickened as did his breathing, and his hand trembled slightly when he captured a stray curl on her forehead to caress the soft, silken strand. Blake closed his eyes a moment, the scent of roses as arousing as the vision of her loveliness.
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