Jamie leaned a hip against the balcony and watched the bustle of activity in the courtyard below. Servants were busy loading supplies into a wagon. Grooms scurried around saddling horses. Men in the rough garb of the Highlands stood embracing their wives and children. Entire families had gathered to bid their men goodbye.
Once he had gained the ear of the Gordons, Jamie was amazed at how easy it had been to convince them of the need to follow him. This task Brice had given him was surprisingly simple. With the Gordon swords to back him up, they would ride to Edinburgh and dispose of the queen’s enemies. Within a fortnight they would all be safely back in their strongholds, their lives returned to normal. He could then summon a council of all the Highland lairds, to form a united front behind their queen.
He touched a hand to his stiff shoulder. It had been worth a few cuts and scratches to see this matter successfully concluded.
Below, a ladies’ maid shrieked when a trunk fell from the wagon, spilling its contents. Jamie craned his neck to watch. Within minutes it was repacked and lashed firmly to the back of the wagon. But not before Jamie had glimpsed a rainbow of frothy petticoats and gowns. He felt a rush of impatience. Lindsey had no business accompanying them. Did Douglas Gordon have so little control over his offspring that he would endanger his only daughter’s life rather than say nay to her? The poor fool must be mad. This was not some frivolous jaunt in the countryside to visit the queen. This was dangerous business. Did not his dearest friend lie near death because of the threat to the queen?
Annoyed, Jamie strapped on his scabbard and tossed his cloak over his shoulders. Sheathing his sword, he tucked a dirk into his waistband and two more into his boots and went in search of his host.
Douglas Gordon stood in the center of activity in the courtyard, a sea of calm amidst the chaos. He looked up as Jamie approached.
“I would speak with you about your daughter.”
At the anger that roughened Jamie’s tone, Douglas swallowed his smile. “Aye, lad. Say what is on your mind.”
“This journey involves treachery and deceit, and could very well end in a battle to the death.”
“Aye.”
Jamie stared at the placid old man and felt his temper rise a notch. “It is no place for a tenderhearted woman.”
Douglas stroked his beard and gave a vague nod of his head.
Jamie brightened. “You agree?”
“Aye, lad.”
“Then will you tell your daughter that she cannot accompany us to Edinburgh?”
“Tell Lindsey?” The old man gave him an incredulous look before saying, “I can see that you know little about women, lad, and nothing about Lindsey. My daughter is not about to calmly sit by the fire warming the hearth until her men return. Mary is her queen as much as yours, Jamie MacDonald. It is an honor and a privilege to bear arms in the name of the crown. Would you have me deny my own daughter that which I would permit my sons?”
“But you agreed that it was no place for a female.”
“Aye. If she were any other female but Lindsey.” His voice roughened with emotion. “Every father wishes to cherish his children and protect them from all harm. God knows I tried with Lindsey. But now I’ve learned ’twould be folly to believe such a thing can be done in this world we have inherited.”
At Jamie’s look of disbelief he said, “Lindsey grew up in a household of men. She has been taught to wield a dirk with the best of them. Besides,” he added wistfully, “I gave my word on her mother’s deathbed that I would not consign the lass to a life alone. At my side she will stay—” his voice roughened with emotion “—unless a proper man claims her for his wife.” He studied Jamie’s stormy countenance and said firmly, “She’ll not be left behind. Lindsey will accompany her brothers and me to Edinburgh.”
He glanced beyond Jamie and his tone became surprisingly soft. “Ah, lass. Is all in readiness?”
“Aye, Father.”
A bit breathlessly, Lindsey approached them. She wore a dark green velvet riding gown and matching cloak lined with ermine. The fur-lined hood framed her lovely face in a most becoming fashion. At the sight of her Jamie felt his blood run hot and blamed it on his temper.
“It was difficult to decide which gowns would be appropriate for Holyrood, since I have little need for fashion here in our fortress. But Moira and I chose carefully.”
“It is wise of you to pack carefully my lady.” Jamie could barely keep the sarcasm from his tone. “ ’Twould be a sad day indeed if you were asked to defend your life in a gown that did not meet the queen’s approval. Worse, we would not want you lying dead in the muck in a gown that did not befit the solemnity of the occasion.”
At the venom in his tone her mouth dropped open. A torrent of oaths she had learned from her brothers rushed to mind. “You priggish, son of a snake—” She glanced at her father and saw the warning light come into his eyes.
Oh, if only they were alone, she would lay this imperious oaf open to her sharp words. It was only with the greatest of self-control that she managed to hold her tongue.
Turning to her father Jamie said curtly, “By your leave I will inspect the supplies and wait with your men until we are ready to begin the journey.”
Hearing the emphasis he placed on the word men, Lindsey watched him walk away with a look of fury. “I can see that the Heartless MacDonald is overjoyed at my presence on this journey, Father.”
“Aye. So it would seem.” Douglas Gordon gave a deep sigh. He would have to keep these two busy and far apart during the journey. Else they would chew each other into little pieces before reaching Edinburgh. “The lad means well. But he does not know us yet, lass. We will give him the benefit of some time in our company.”
Time. Fuming, Lindsey crossed to where a groom held the spirited horse she had requested. She had dismissed a sidesaddle in favor of a more comfortable man’s saddle. Pulling herself up, she arranged her long skirts over her exposed legs and took the reins from the groom. Glancing across the courtyard she saw Jamie MacDonald glowering at her. She tossed her head in a gesture of defiance. She had spent enough time in his unpleasant company. She needed no more.
At a command from Douglas Gordon, the chosen men mounted and formed a double column. A mere dozen men would accompany their party to Edinburgh. The rest of the clan and all the assembled families would remain within the walls of the fortress, prepared to defend it until the return of their leader.
Douglas and Jamie rode between the two columns, inspecting weapons as they rode. Jamie showed no emotion as he passed Lindsey, who was holding aloft a bejeweled sword. The fierce weapon seemed incongruous in the hand of one garbed in softest velvet and ermine. She would have been better disposed to bring along a dainty needle and thread. Mayhap she could sew their enemies’ hands to their sides. He stifled a smile at the humorous thought.
When they reached the head of the columns, Douglas and Jamie gave a nod of satisfaction. Each member of their party was properly armed. All weapons were honed to a razor’s edge. Turning, they watched as the riders nudged their horses into a trot. As Lindsey’s mount pranced by, Jamie felt another rush of heat. The damnable woman brought out the worst in him.
When their company reached the edge of the forest, Jamie took up a position in front while Douglas Gordon brought up the rear.
Jamie’s heart kept tempo with the horses’ hooves. With very little effort, he was on his way to Holyrood, where he would avenge the attack upon his queen and Brice Campbell. Cresting a hill, he paused and watched as the long column of riders passed him. At the sight of a pretty face framed by a hood of ermine, he frowned. He did not look forward to making frequent stops on their long journey while the lady paused to repair her toilette. He would be quick to remind her, with every pause in their progress, that she was keeping them from their duty to their queen. Or, he thought with a grim smile, he could urge the others on ahead while the lady made her frequent stops. Mayhap then her father would realize his folly.
Jamie’s hand tightened on the reins. Nay, he would offer no further objection, he decided with sudden fury. He would not want Douglas Gordon’s beloved daughter to face the dangerous journey with her hair or gown mussed. For the sake of unity he would hold his tongue and let this spoiled, foolish lass have her way.
A silvery shadow slipped from the cover of the forest. “Wolf,” Jamie called, pleased to see his bedraggled companion. The hound fell into position behind Jamie’s mount.
* * *
Jamie pressed a hand to his lower back and cursed his aching muscles. Those few days of rest had made him soft. Already his body was protesting the long hours spent in the saddle.
Bringing his horse to a halt, he drew his cloak tightly around him to ward off the rain. Lifting his plumed hat he wiped the moisture from his brow and squinted up into the raindrops that pelted him. Judging by the steady throb of his shoulder and the dark clouds that filled the sky, the rain would not soon end.
The column of horsemen slogged past, heads lowered against the downpour. As one hooded figure passed him, he forced himself to sit straighter in the saddle. It would not do to have the female detect any weakness in him.
It occurred to Jamie that their company had not made a single stop since their journey began. He experienced a sudden flash of guilt. If his muscles were protesting, how much worse would it be for Lindsey? Yet the lass, to her credit, had not once asked to stop and be allowed to rest.
Wheeling his horse, he raced past the riders and signaled to the leader to halt.
“We will take shelter beneath those trees ahead and give our mounts a rest.”
“Aye, my lord.”
With a collective look of relief the column of riders headed for the forest and climbed wearily from their saddles. The canopy of trees and vines offered a respite from the steady rain. Soon a fire was raging, and while the horses foraged under Neal’s careful watch, the riders sat on fallen logs or reclined on their cloaks around the fire, eating their first meal since early morning. Two Highlanders stood guard on either edge of the clearing.
Jamie leaned his back against the gnarled trunk of a tree and watched as Lindsey returned to the clearing. Except for the slight limp, she showed no sign of weariness. Her carriage was erect, her manner animated as she spoke with her brothers and the other men. Folding her cloak as a cushion, she knelt before the fire. Her hair was bound tightly to her head by netting, but a few damp strands had pried loose to kiss her cheeks.
One of her brothers said something that caused her to laugh. At that moment she looked across the clearing and caught Jamie staring at her. For a long moment their gazes met and held.
Lindsey felt her breath catch in her throat. Never before had a man’s eyes held such fascination. It was as if he was reaching out across the space that divided them and was touching her. It was as intimate as any embrace. She felt the heat rush to her cheeks. Blinking, she looked away, hoping to break the spell this giant held over her. But a moment later she chanced another look. His gaze still burned over her, causing a rush of heat. She blamed it on the fire and forced herself to join in the conversation of the others.
She would not allow this tyrant to gain such a strange power over her. She could not. But against her will her gaze strayed once more to where Jamie stood. He was no longer alone. Her father stood beside him, engaged in earnest conversation. Even as they spoke, she saw Jamie’s gaze shift to her, and the heat once more stained her cheeks. Damn the man. And damn this weakness that seemed to come over her whenever he stared at her so boldly.
She turned away, determined to put him out of her mind. She would concentrate instead on the excitement of the journey that lay ahead. A visit to Holyrood, to see the queen. It was every Scot’s dream, and at long last she was living it.
She looked up at the sound of a muffled scream. Before she and the others could scramble to their feet and unsheathe their weapons, they found themselves surrounded by a band of fierce highwaymen.
A dagger sang through the air, heading directly toward her father.
“Take arms,” Jamie shouted, shoving Douglas Gordon out of harm’s way. A moment later both men were engaged in a deadly battle with several swordsmen.
The air was filled with cries of rage and pain as sword met sword. From the cover of the forest, dozens of screaming villains poured forth, weapons poised for the kill.
As he fought back several attackers, Jamie berated himself for leading his company into danger. He should have sent riders ahead to scout the forest before allowing anyone to make camp. He had allowed his concern for Lindsey’s comfort to cloud his thinking. Lindsey.
He glanced across the clearing and was stunned to see the object of his thoughts holding off two attackers. The bejeweled sword in her hand slashed with deadly accuracy.
“Lindsey, behind you,” he shouted, leaping over a fallen body to reach her side. But before he could lift a sword in her defense, she had disposed of the threat.
Several more swordsmen rushed to the aid of their fallen companions, and Jamie and Lindsey found themselves surrounded.
Standing side by side, they fought bravely, driving back the attackers. Jamie was amazed by the lady’s skill. Though slight of stature, she plunged her blade with mortal skill. And though the cries of the wounded filled the air, she did not flinch.
Three swordsmen attacked Jamie at one time, and he found himself struggling to hold them at bay. Suddenly he felt a sharp pain at his back. An attacker had crept up from behind and held a sword tip to his back.
“Lower your weapon or die,” a deep voice ordered.
Before Jamie could react, the pressure against his flesh suddenly disappeared. Jamie glanced around in surprise to see Lindsey disarm the attacker.
For one brief moment their gazes met and held. Though they exchanged no words, their looks spoke volumes.
Moments later a cry went up from one of the highwaymen, and those who were still standing pulled themselves onto the backs of their horses and disappeared into the forest. In the stillness that followed, their fallen comrades lay bleeding into the rain-soaked earth.
“How many of our company are wounded?” Jamie cried. For long moments no one spoke as the fallen men were scrutinized carefully.
At last a shout went up. “Three.”
“Any dead?”
“Nay, my lord. None of ours are dead.”
Jamie breathed a sigh of relief. “See to their wounds,” he commanded.
Seeing blood on Lindsey’s gown, Jamie caught her by the arm and led her to a boulder near the fire. “You are wounded, my lady,” he said, studying her anxiously. “Sit here.”
She seemed surprised by his concern. Glancing down at her gown, she gave a little laugh. “Nay. ’Tis not my blood, but the blood of one of the villains who dared to test my prowess with the sword.”
Jamie felt a swift rush of relief, which for some unexplained reason quickly turned to anger. Through clenched teeth he said, “You should have hidden yourself when the highwaymen attacked. Have you any idea what a woman’s fate would be at their hands?”
“Hide myself?” She stood up, her hands on her hips, her eyes blazing. “I will remind you, Jamie MacDonald, that were it not for my skill with a sword, you would have no voice left with which to scold me.”
“Aye. I am grateful that you saved my life, my lady.” He felt his unexpected temper flare anew. “But if we are attacked again, I order you to hide until the battle is over.” With fury darkening his eyes, he stormed away.
Lindsey watched him, feeling her own temper simmer. Men. Despite the fact that she had been surrounded by them all her life, she would never understand them. Did the lout not recognize that she had a need to take care of herself?
Lifting her skirts, she went off in search of her horse.
From his position across the clearing, Jamie accepted a tankard from one of the men and glowered at Lindsey’s retreating back. God in heaven, she was a distraction. A very dangerous distraction. For the rest of the journey he must force himself to ignore her and think only of the safety of everyone. His carelessness had very nearly cost them their lives. He expelled a hiss of anger. Praise heaven that in a matter of days he would be at Holyrood and rid of her.
Still brooding, he drained his tankard and set it down. When he straightened, he saw a blur of movement. Just beyond Lindsey, under cover of misty rain and the tangle of forest growth, was a man on horseback. Jamie let out a cry of warning. Everyone in camp looked up. In quick strides he was across the clearing and racing into the dense forest. With sword lifted, he flung Lindsey roughly behind him.
“Advance and prepare to do battle,” he shouted to the stranger.
Lindsey let out a gasp at the sight of the man whose dark plaid blended into the green of their surroundings, shielding him from view. Though he was only a few feet from her, she had not spotted him until Jamie called him out.
The man remained motionless, assessing the giant who faced him. For the space of a heartbeat it appeared that he would draw his sword. Then, with a slow, dangerous smile, he slid from the saddle and extended his hand.
“I heard the sound of battle, and thought to lend my sword. But I see I am not needed.”
He saw the lass peer from behind the giant’s back and his smile grew.
“I am Ian MacPherson. And the land you stand upon is mine.”
Jamie studied the man whose fair hair and pale eyes gave him a youthful, innocent appearance. “I am Jamie MacDonald.” As the others surrounded them, Jamie added, “And these are Douglas Gordon and his family.”
Ian offered his hand to each man, taking their measure as he did. “And the lovely lady?” he asked.
Lindsey stepped from behind Jamie’s back.
“This is Lindsey Gordon.” Jamie’s tone was curt.
“A most beautiful lady.” Ian lifted her hand to his lips. “And a most splendid swordsman.”
“How would you know that?” Jamie felt a flash of emotion as he watched the man kiss Lindsey’s hand. Jealousy? Impossible. Never in his life had he been jealous of any man. Still, for some unexplained reason, he mistrusted this man on sight.
“I happened upon the fight just as the lady disposed of her attackers,” Ian said, meeting Lindsey’s eyes. He saw the flush on her cheeks and pressed her fingers a moment longer before releasing them.
“And still you did not come to her defense?” Jamie’s voice held a challenging tone.
“Alas, I was too late.”
“Too late or too lazy...”
“Come, my lord MacPherson.” Douglas Gordon stepped between them, hoping to diffuse the anger in Jamie’s eyes. “You will join us for a tankard before we move on?”
“Aye.” Ian paused, then turned toward Lindsey. “That is, if the lovely lady will join me.”
With growing anger Jamie watched as Lindsey blushed and moved along by the stranger’s side.
“You handled yourself admirably in battle, my lady. You needed no man’s help to dispose of those villains.”
Ian’s words brought a smile of pleasure to Lindsey’s lips. “If only certain other men could understand that.”
“Where do you travel in such weather?” Ian’s voice drifted back to Jamie, who paused in the woods to retrieve Lindsey’s horse.
“To Edinburgh.”
“How fortunate.” Jamie’s head came up sharply as Ian added, “I journey there myself. Mayhap I will join you.”