Free Elizabeth Elliott by Betrothed

to meet you outside Lonsdale, a different messenger than the one I sent to Montague. Each had orders to fulfill the other’s duty if one did not return to this ridge by dawn. The signal fire means both were successful.”
    As usual, Evard left little to chance. Guy nodded his approval. “When we reach the ridge, the men and horses may rest while I meet with my cousins. You will stay with Lady Claudia.”
    The cold look in Evard’s eyes when he glanced at Claudia revealed what he thought of that duty. Their flight from Lonsdale had required few words. Evard had not asked whether Claudia came with them of her free will or against it. He saw now that Evard regarded her as a captive. He supposed the rope that bound her wrists was a sure indicator. “See that the men know my wishes.”
    “Aye, my lord.” Evard knew his overlord’s tone of dismissal, and he allowed Guy to take the lead once more.
    Guy studied the thin ribbon of road that led into the valley, more like a path made just wide enough for carts with deep ruts from those conveyances and the rains that must turn the sloping road into a river. He loosened the reins and let the horse pick its own path down the incline as he considered his “prisoner.”
    He could almost believe the wild tale she had spun, for he had indeed given Baron Lonsdale reason to believe the sale of Halford was in jeopardy. There was also the fact that they had encountered no opposition to their escape other than the guard at his door. Either Claudia was telling the truth or Lonsdale wanted him to escape. Claudia herself provided the reason Lonsdale might allow him to leave the fortress. As long as Lonsdale held a betrothal contract signed by the bishop, Guy could not marry another. That contract would provide a safer means of blackmail for Lonsdale than a forced marriage. Yet why would Lonsdale allow Claudia to escape with him? Or did Lonsdale allow nothing at all?
    He fought the urge to believe Claudia, the deeply ingrained instinct that she was telling the truth. In the past his instincts had never failed him, but he was vulnerable where she was concerned. He wanted to believe in her too much to allow himself that luxury. Never again would he put himself into a position to be played for a fool.
    Claudia broke into his thoughts. “I am to be your prisoner?”
    “Are you talking to me, or to my horse?”
    She turned to look up at him. “I no talk—” She drew a breath that made her nostrils flare. “I do not talk to horses. Will you make me a prisoner, or allow me my freedom?”
    She spoke in a deliberate voice, making an obvious effort to be understood. Guy found that he liked her sultry accent. He had to concentrate on what she said, rather than on the way she said it. “I will decide your fate when we reach Montague Castle.”
    She did not look satisfied with the answer. “Am I tried and condemned already in your mind?”
    Her words carried the rhythm of a caress rather than a barb. The affect on him was startling. And unwelcome. “You would be wise not to press me, Lady Claudia. ’Tis been a long night, and my mood was not the best when we began this journey.”
    Her lips puckered into the beginnings of a pout, then sheturned her attention forward. The snub annoyed him. She did not behave much like a woman who had plotted against him. She had either ice in her veins or an impressive streak of courage.
    They began to cross the valley, and the fog soon engulfed them. He made his way toward the ridge by the muted sunlight to the east rather than by sight of the ridge. The fog muffled the sounds of the men and horses behind them as well, and made him feel as if they were alone together. He found himself thinking about what he would do with Claudia if they were truly alone.
    Her treachery should have destroyed whatever lust he had felt for her. Now he discovered that was not the case. He became aware of every inch of her that pressed against him, the floral scent that did not belong