Rafael was fast behind the woman he had chosen to pursue, and found himself admiring that she ran with the agility of a deer. She wore chausses and there was a quiver slung over her shoulder, but Rafael did not imagine for a moment that he gave chase to either man or boy. The curve of her hips made her gender most clear.
And to be sure, that sight fed his interest in the chase. It had been a long ride from Château de Vries and one devoid of the pleasures that Rafael liked to savor frequently. An agile wench would suit him well.
The rain fell with vigor, soaking him to the skin with its cold onslaught, but for once, Rafael was oblivious to the weather. He spurred his destrier on, smiling as the woman dodged a fallen tree branch in the last moment. His destrier leaped over the barrier eleg
