Page 106 of Ruthless, But for Her

Only once, when Toren Kerr and his men walked by, did Ashton see anyone he knew by name. It was easy enough to avoid the man by occupying himself with the fastening of his cloak while continuing to watch the gate.

He occupied his thoughts with the Reach, his brothers’ anger at him being here, which was unavoidable, and most of all, Cassia. Leif’s words continued to play in his mind.

I would do anything to bring her back... You are a fool.

Ashton understood well. But the difference between them was that Leif could not bring back his wife.

The question of whether or not he could actually ask Cassia to stay with him...ask a lady to become an outlaw...was answered for him the moment he saw her. His hand tightened around the edge of his cloak. Clearly noble, her gown and cape of better quality than any of those she’d worn before, Cassia rode across the outer ward toward him as regally as any woman he’d set his eyes upon.

She looked down and saw him watching her, then moved forward until she was directly in line with him.

“Follow me,” she said, glancing back up to the guards and smiling.

They smiled back.

Ashton did as she bid, fetching his mount from the horses outside the outer gate, catching up to her and her escort quickly. A hired man, from the looks of him. He wore no household colors Ashton recognized and kept several lengths behind her, watching the men around them rather than speaking to her.

That was his first question, answered. She’d come without her father. With just one hired man. Perhaps that would be enough to get her to Norham safely, but depending on the outcome of the hearing, it wouldn’t be enough to see her returned to Grantchester.

The village of Norham was nearby, and clearly their destination. Cassia rode as fast and assured as when they travelled to the Wild Boar. She’d been to the village before, if her navigation were any indicator. Without pause, she rode through the muddy road between timber houses and small shops, past carts pulled close to make way for the unusual number of travelers.

Cassia continued through the village until an inn came into view, its yard crowded with horses and a stable boy running between them. She turned beneath the hanging sign and into the yard without slowing. Dismounting there, she held her reins firm and walked toward the escort.

He looked behind to Ashton, who lowered his head even further, the hood his savior. From that position, Ashton watched as Cassia reached into a pouch hanging at her side and paid the man for his services. When he rode away, Cassia came toward him.

He wanted to embrace her. Hold her. Kiss her.

Instead, he let her decide their next course.

“I believe de Grey may come for me. He was incensed at my testimony which ended in the murder accusation against you being dismissed. He was not pleased. We left the hall in haste. My belongings...” She glanced toward one of the rooms at the inn.

Their next course now clear, Ashton bid Cassia to remount.

“Leave them. He will already know you’re staying here. Hurry.”

He had to get her away from Norham, away from English ground if possible.

Cassia mounted with an ease Donal Maxwell would admire.

They would head toward a route which brought them to a ford, putting the Tweed between them and de Grey. There was a small roadside inn Maxwell had taken them to many times which was directly in their path.

He and Cassia rode too fast for discussion.

By the time they reached the ford, the castle and village were well behind them. The Tweed ran high enough to reach the horses’ knees as they crossed. Frigid water broke at their feet, soaking the hem of Cassia’s riding gown. Ashton kept close to her until they reached the opposite bank.

From there, the road narrowed. Fields gave way to rougher ground until Ashton finally saw the low roof of the inn ahead.

He remembered it well. Maxwell had favored the place. The innkeeper, accustomed to Borderers, asked few questions. Indeed, before long, they’d been able to stable their horses and secure lodging for the night. The evening meal was long finished, they’d been informed, though bread, cheese and ale could be brought to their chamber.

“One room,” she commented, the moment the door was shut behind them.

“I’ll not pretend it was all he had,” Ashton said. Cassia had been tending to her needs when he spoke to the innkeeper. “Cassia⁠—”

“You hurt me deeply, Ashton.”

She stood by the hearth warming her hands. Ashton approached from behind, took off her cloak and hung it beside his own, joining her.

“I should not have made arrangements without asking. You were right to call me on it.”