Angel in Black (23 page)

“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

R
YON 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 head 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.

“Oh, little one — I have missed you, more than I can ever admit.”

Blake ran the tip of his finger over her soft, full lips, wishing fervently he could possess them with his own. With a tortured moan, he turned and left, the overwhelming temptation leaving him shaken.

K
ATRINA DIDN’T OPEN HER
eyes until late morning. Rising from the bed, she crossed over to the large window and pulled the heavy velvet curtains aside, allowing the bright sunshine to penetrate the darkness.

She stood by the window and gazed out it, deep in thought. Her eyes saw nothing, her mind sorting out the events of the past few days. Everyone knew now she was Katrina Easton, and she hoped the story created believable as to why she had not come forward with the truth long ago. Katrina smiled — it all fit together well.

Turning, Katrina walked to the dressing table mirror and picked up a brush. Hard, cold eyes stared back at her. A cruel smile curved her soft mouth as the irony flitted across her mind. How fitting Langsford’s own cruelty caused her fall, thus giving her the chance to come forward as an Easton. Once Camray was hers, she would be able to plan his death. For years she yearned for revenge, but never knew how she would accomplish all she had promised. Now it all fell into place and fate made the plans for her.

A knock sounded at her door and Katrina pulled on a robe as Blake casually entered the room. When Katrina shot him an angry look, Blake knew she was feeling better.