Lindsey closed the door to her chambers and leaned wearily against it. The queen had kept her up half the night playing the virginal. She had played every melody she knew a score of times. And still Mary had not heard enough. The queen reluctantly agreed to retire only after Lindsey promised to entertain her again on the morrow.
Tomorrow, Lindsey thought with a little smile, she would be in Edinburgh, embracing her father.
She knew it was wrong to lie to one’s monarch, but she felt she had no choice. She could not, after all, admit what she planned. Jamie MacDonald would see her locked in her room if he knew that she entertained such thoughts.
Jamie. Her heart skipped a beat. He had wanted to escort her to her chamber after he saw the queen to her suite. But Lindsey had foiled his attempts by insisting upon retiring immediately. She had seen the look in his eyes when he watched her. If she allowed him to kiss her again, there was no telling what might happen. She was afraid of the feelings his simple touch unleashed in her.
She must not allow herself to think of him. He would be humiliated by her escape. Worse, his fury would be a terrible thing to behold. She would have to see that she always remained one step ahead of him. She dared not face his wrath.
Rushing to the bed, she retrieved the stable boy’s clothing, which she had hidden underneath. Within minutes she had removed her gown and petticoats and donned the rough breeches, shirt and tunic. Tucking her hair beneath the hat, she made her way to the door of the chamber and listened. Hearing no sound she pulled it open a crack and peered out. The hall was empty.
She made her way carefully down the stairs. When she reached the lower level she was startled to hear voices. Quickly ducking behind a chaise, she watched and listened as Jamie was met by Justin MacLeod.
“I saw to that little matter, my lord. They were most grateful to have their minds set at ease.”
“Good,” came Jamie’s deep voice. “Did you see that you were not followed?”
“Aye, my lord. I am certain of it.”
“Take your rest now, Justin. You have earned it.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
Lindsey watched as the boatman stepped outside, pulling the door closed behind him. Jamie stood for a moment, then turned and climbed the stairs to his room.
When his footsteps faded, Lindsey ran to the front door and let herself out.
The grounds of Lochleven were washed in moonlight. Little tufts of mist danced across the dark waters of the loch. Cursing the full moon that would make her clearly visible all the way across the loch, Lindsey made her way toward the stables. Once inside she found Jamie’s horse and quickly saddled him. Then she began to lead him toward the water that shimmered in the distance.
A night bird cried, and her heart leaped to her throat. She dropped to her knees in the wet grass. As the bird’s wings beat the night air just above her head she felt a rush of relief. Getting to her feet she berated herself for her foolish fears. Why was she being so skittish? They were alone on this island. Everyone in their party was asleep in the castle. Soon she would be across the loch and on her way to her father.
As she approached the loch she heard the snap of a twig and turned. At first she thought she saw the dark outline of a tree. But as the dark form moved toward her, she realized it was not a tree. Nor an animal. It was a man. And in his hand was a sword, which glinted as the blade caught and reflected the light of the moon.
* * *
Jamie entered the suite of rooms and glanced toward the door of Lindsey’s sleeping chamber. No light showed beneath it. It was odd that she would retire so quickly, he thought. Especially since she had slept for most of the day. She had not seemed particularly sleepy when they had been below stairs. In truth, she had seemed brimming with energy.
He strode to the door, then hesitated. There was a very good reason to keep his distance from the lady. Each touch, each stolen kiss had taught him one important fact. He could not go on being near Lindsey Gordon, and tempting himself, without taking her. He wanted her as he had never wanted any other woman. If it took all his willpower to stay away from her in the daylight, how much more difficult would it be now, with the darkness casting its magic spell?
He let his hand drop to his side. With great reluctance he stepped away from her door and strode to his own steeping chamber.
Once inside, he removed his tunic and shirt and crossed the room to poke at the ashes and coals that gleamed in the fireplace. Adding another log to the embers, he watched as flame leaped along the bark.
Wiping his hands on his breeches, he paused at the balcony window and stared at the glistening water of the loch far below. Clouds scudding across the full moon obscured the grounds of Lochleven, and he began to turn away. As the moon broke free of the clouds, however, something, some movement, caught his eye and he leaned over the balcony, straining to see what it was. It appeared to be a man and boy fighting over the reins of a horse. Something glinted in the man’s hand. In the moonlight Jamie recognized the blade of a sword. And then, as the figures parted for a moment, he recognized something else. Something that sent ice pouring through his veins. With a savage oath he raced from his room.
* * *
“What a shame you chose tonight to go for a ride, lad. Now you will have to die.”
As the stranger lifted his sword to strike, Lindsey pulled her own sword from its scabbard and lunged. The man, caught unawares, felt her blade slice his arm. With a string of curses he barely managed to dodge her second thrust. But when Lindsey moved in for the kill, he tossed his weapon aside and caught her hand in a powerful grip. He twisted her arm until the sword slipped from her fingers, then, bending her arm behind her, he dragged her close.
“You may be skilled with a weapon, but you cannot match my strength. Prepare to meet your maker, lad.” His breath was hot against her cheek.
Lindsey saw the blade of the knife as he pulled it from his waistband. As they struggled, the hat slipped from her head and her hair tumbled down her back.
For a moment the stranger was taken aback. Then a cruel laugh escaped his lips.
“A female. By the gods, a lass in lad’s clothing.” He grabbed a handful of her hair and yanked her head back until she cried out in pain. “And a beautiful lass, at that. What a pity my mission lies elsewhere.” He thought a moment, then seemed to come to a decision. “I will have to take you quickly. Maybe, if you please me, you will not have to die after all.”
As he bent his face to hers she struggled to evade his lips. “I would rather die!”
“Then you shall have your wish. It is best to leave no witnesses to the deed I have in mind.” He laughed, low and deep, sending shivers of fear along her spine. He caught her by the front of the tunic and with his knife slit the fabric of tunic and shirt from top to bottom. Shame washed over her and she tried to hold the remnants of her clothing across her breasts. He gave a coarse laugh and twisted her hands behind her.
“There is no need to fight, lass. It matters not to me how often I have to hurt you. But know this. I will have you. With or without causing you pain.”
“Then you will have to kill me. For I will never submit.”
She sank her teeth into his hand and he gave a cry of rage as the knife slipped from his hand and landed at their feet. Blood was dripping from his wound. He brought his hand across her face so hard it sent her sprawling in the dirt. With a triumphant oath he dropped to his knees beside her. Making a last, desperate effort, Lindsey reached for the knife, but the stranger was quicker. As they struggled, the blade sliced her hand, sending blood spurting down her arm and across her breasts.
Her attacker lifted the knife high in the air and gave a cruel laugh as she struggled to reach it.
With the knife between his teeth he closed rough, callused hands around Lindsey’s throat, cutting off her breath.
As she clawed at his hands, he tightened his grip until strange lights began to dance in front of her eyes.
“I like a lass with fire,” he said with a chilling laugh. “I can see that you are going to provide me with much pleasure before you die.”
Lindsey struggled for breath. From the way her attacker’s image swam in and out of her line of vision, she knew that she was fading. Soon there would be no breath left in her, and her life would slowly ebb. Her nails dug into the earth and she balled both hands into fists. As he levered himself above her and gave an evil leer, she tossed dirt in his eyes. He screamed with pain and rage. And in the moment of confusion, Lindsey managed to twist free. But as she scrambled to her feet, he caught her by the ankle, pulling her down.
All hope of escape vanished. His hand swung out in a wide arc and caught the side of her face, snapping her head to one side. As if from a great distance she heard his voice, low with fury. “Now lass, you will pay with your life.”
She saw the blade of his knife as he lifted it, preparing to plunge it into her heart And then she heard a wild, primitive sound, unlike anything she had ever heard. In her pain-clouded mind, a vicious creature had come to rescue her. A terrifying cry broke the silence of the night. A cry that was both animal and human.
* * *
Jamie’s palms were damp as he threw open the door to the castle and raced across the wide expanse of grounds that separated him from the banks of the loch. He had never known such fear. As he had watched the struggle from his balcony, he had seen the hat slip and the spill of hair.
Lindsey. God in heaven. It was Lindsey, engaged in battle with a man twice her size.
The distance between them was too great. He knew, with wrenching certainty, that he would never make it in time. Lindsey’s struggles would only make it worse. Her attacker would be forced to kill her in order to subdue her. For the fiery lass would never give up without a battle.
As he sped across the grounds his fury grew until it devoured him. If he could not save Lindsey, he would avenge her death. Her attacker would never live to harm another.
He saw the man’s hand swing out, saw Lindsey fall to the ground, saw the man kneel over her.
Consumed by blind fury he raced on, his mind no longer able to form coherent thoughts. He knew only that the woman he loved was being savaged. And he could not save her.
He saw the man’s hand lifted, saw the glint of moonlight on the blade of the knife. With a last burst of desperation he gave vent to his hopeless rage with a cry of torment. The sound of it filled the night, along with another, more savage sound.
Jamie stared in amazement as the dark form of Wolf leaped through the air and landed on the stranger, sending him sprawling. Shrieks of anguish rent the silence as man and beast struggled. The primitive cries echoed and reechoed on the night air. And then, as suddenly as it had all begun, there was only silence.
Jamie knelt over Lindsey’s still form. For one terrible moment his heart stopped.
Lindsey’s eyes were closed. Her clothes had been torn from her. Blood and dirt smeared her face, her arms, her breasts.
With great tenderness, he touched a hand to her throat and felt the feeble pulse. Alive. She was alive. He expelled a long, unsteady hiss of breath and drew her into his arms.
At his touch she stirred. Her lids fluttered, then opened. Through the haze of pain she struggled to evade his hands.
He gathered her close to his heart and whispered, “Nay, my lady. It is Jamie MacDonald. You are safe now.”
“The man...”
“Lies dead.”
“You killed him?”
“Nay, my lady. I could not reach you in time.”
“Then who...?”
“Wolf.” As if from a distance she heard the heavy panting of the hound as it stood guard over the lifeless body of her attacker.
From the direction of the stables, Justin MacLeod hurried forward carrying a torch. He stared in disbelief at the scene that greeted him.
“My lord. What has happened here?”
“It would seem we have an intruder on the island.” Jamie’s eyes glittered with smoldering hatred. “Do you recognize this man, Justin?”
The boatman strode toward the body, then halted when Wolf growled, low and deep in his throat. Glancing at Jamie he whispered, “Do I dare to go closer, my lord?”
“Aye.” To the animal Jamie called, “Wolf.”
The hound dropped to the ground, all the while watching the man who approached. When Justin was close enough to see the body, he lifted the torch and stared for long minutes, then turned to Jamie.
“I have never seen the man before, my lord. Do you think he followed me here?”
“It would appear so. Or mayhap he knew of the queen’s plans and has been waiting for an opportunity to attack. See to the body, Justin.”
“Aye, my lord. And the animal?”
“He has comported himself admirably, Justin. He saved the lady’s life. See that a good portion of game is left in a clearing for him each day.”
“Aye, my lord.” Justin smiled. “It will be done.”
With great tenderness Jamie lifted Lindsey in his arms and carried her to the castle. As he did, the hound watched from his position beside the body of the stranger. When the castle doors closed behind them, Wolf stood, then slowly walked away toward the safe cover of the forest.
* * *
Inside the castle, Genevieve and Fergus Macnab cowered behind closed doors. The primitive shrieks that had awakened them had filled them with terror. Now, as Jamie approached carrying his burden, Fergus threw wide the doors to admit him.
“My lord.” Mistress Macnab’s voice trembled. “What has happened?’’
“Lady Lindsey has been hurt. Bring hot water to bathe her wounds and clean linen to bind them.”
“Aye, my lord.”
As Jamie climbed the stairs, the two scrambled to prepare the necessary items. A few minutes later, when they entered Lindsey’s sleeping chamber, they found her lying in her bed, with Jamie kneeling beside her.
“Shall I bathe her wounds, my lord?”
“Nay.” Jamie took the basin of water from Mistress Macnab’s hands and bent to the task.
When the two continued to stand and watch, Jamie said abruptly, “Place the linens on the table, mistress, and leave us.”
The old woman was about to protest when her husband placed a hand on her arm and shook his head. He had seen the look in Jamie MacDonald’s eyes. It would not be wise to argue with him while he was consumed with such blazing passion.
Without a word the two servants crept from the room. Jamie was not even aware that they had taken their leave. He was aware of but one thing. Lindsey was alive. And if he had to tie her to her bed, he would keep her safe from further harm.