The party rode even faster than they had before. The horses galloped wildly and any pretense at a formation was lost.
Bartholomew cried out and would have ridden to Gaston’s aid, but Fergus seized his horse’s reins. “You have been ordered!” he reminded the squire, who was clearly frustrated.
Ysmaine tried to tug the reins free of Wulfe’s grasp that she might aid Gaston, but the Templar held fast. The palfrey might have slowed or heeded her, but Duncan rode around her to take Gaston’s place and seized the palfrey’s halter on that side. The horse fought the bit, not liking to be so restrained, but their choices made it run with greater vigor.
“Use your wits, my lady,” Duncan growled. “You know his desire and you know it to be right.”
“It is not fair!”
“Little enough is fair in this worl
