Jamie. As Lindsey made her way down the darkened hail, her heart sang with the knowledge. It was not the queen who had arranged for her family’s visit; it was Jamie. Sensing her anguish, he had done the one thing that would set her mind at ease.
Why was she surprised by his unexpected kindness? And so touched by it? It was like him to do such a thing. There was a goodness in him, a kindness that belied his fearsome appearance and his reputation for heartlessness. Perhaps that was why she loved him so.
She stopped dead in her tracks. Loved him? Could it be? Her eyes filled with tears and she wiped at them furiously.
She must be more weary than she thought. Aye. There could be no other reason for the sudden rush of foolish emotion. She found herself weeping again.
She was not being foolish, she thought with sudden insight. She loved Jamie MacDonald. Aye, truly loved him.
Though she did not know how or when it had happened, she knew it was so. She knew it when she had awakened to find him by her side, offering her comfort. She knew it when he kissed her and the icy fear around her heart melted. A fear that she had carried for all those long years. She knew it when she looked into the handsome face of Ian MacPherson and felt nothing. No other man would ever tempt her. No man except Jamie MacDonald.
Love. The thought terrified her. It altered everything. What could she do about this strange new situation? How could she possibly go on sharing a suite of rooms with a man and pretend she did not have these feelings? How could she calmly sit across the room from him and not blurt out the words?
Her footsteps quickened. The lilt of laughter bubbled to her lips. She had to see him. This very instant. She needed to see if he would look—different somehow.
At their sitting chamber she threw open the door and strode inside. She experienced fleeting disappointment when the room was empty. Without thought to what she was doing, she bounded across the room to the door of Jamie’s sleeping chamber. With a quick knock she flung the door wide and stepped inside.
Jamie had removed his tunic and shirt. He stood on the balcony, his thoughts as dark as the waters of the loch far below.
He was aware of the devious game that Ian MacPherson was playing. But he could not be a party to it. MacPherson was aware that he cut a fine figure. And he was very good at pretty words and lingering looks that were meant to set a maiden’s heart all aflutter.
Jamie’s hand clenched around the stem of his goblet. If such things impressed Lindsey, then there was nothing to be done about it but to turn away. And whatever grief he felt, no one would be the wiser. At least he had not made a fool of himself by declaring his love.
When his door was thrown open, he turned. For long moments he could not believe his eyes. The object of his tortured thoughts stood before him, smiling as if she had just learned a great secret.
Now what was she up to?
Lindsey came rushing into Jamie’s sleeping chamber, then skidded to an abrupt halt. Her eyes widened. What had she been thinking of? From her position by the doorway, she could see that he had prepared himself for sleep. He was in a state of undress. Moonlight streamed through the balcony window, casting him in mysterious silvery light and darkened shadow. As always, he was scowling at her.
She suddenly felt shy and awkward.
“Forgive me, my lord. I...” Her brain seemed to have gone numb. She could think of no plausible reason for such uncivilized behavior. “I was told by the queen that you were responsible for bringing my father and brothers here to Lochleven. I wanted to thank you.”
“You are most welcome.”
“I had thought to wait until the morrow to offer my thanks, but my heart was too joyous to wait that long. I had to thank you now, before I retired for the night. Else, I could never sleep.” She was babbling, she knew, but she could not seem to stop herself. She had a terrible need to fill the silence with silly prattle.
He said nothing. He merely stared at her with that strange, haunted look.
“Well, I—” she twisted her hands nervously and turned toward the door “—am keeping you from your sleep, my lord.”
“Nay.” He quickly crossed the room and placed a hand on her sleeve to stay her departure. “I am not tired, my lady. I was merely looking over the grounds of Lochleven and thinking of the Highlands.”
She felt his hand, warm upon her arm, and her heartbeat quickened.
“Do you miss the Highlands?”
“Aye.”
“As do I.”
“You?” He smiled suddenly, erasing the frown that until then had her paralyzed with fear. “After planning and scheming to journey to Edinburgh, you miss the Highlands?”
“Aye.” She looked away, unable to bear the fact that he was laughing at her How could he be so cruel, when her heart was brimming with such love? “My heart will always lie in the Highlands.”
“As will mine.”
She swallowed. There was nothing more to say.
As if sensing her uneasiness, he broke the silence. “Will you have some ale, my lady?”
Before she could respond he crossed to a sideboard and filled a goblet. Handing it to her he said, “We will drink to the safe arrival of your family.”
“Aye.” She gave him a warm smile before lifting the goblet to her lips. The ale heated her blood. She took another sip.
“Did your father approve of his rooms?”
Lindsey shrugged. “I do not know. When I realized that I had forgotten to thank the queen, I left the others and went to her chambers. It was she who told me of your kindness.”
He felt a lightness around his heart. She had not gone with Ian MacPherson to his suite of rooms. Had gone, in fact, no farther than the queen’s chambers. There would have been no time for MacPherson to steal a kiss.
He caught her hand and led her to the balcony. She was so happy just to feel his touch upon her, she followed with a light heart.
On the gentle breeze was the tang of the river and the perfumed fragrance of spring flowers.
“It is pleasant to watch the loch by moonlight.” He suddenly pointed. “Look. There.”
Lindsey followed his direction and saw a shooting star making its glittering path across the velvet sky.
“It is said to bring anything you wish for,” she murmured fervently.
She closed her eyes for a moment and Jamie had to fight the urge to haul her into his arms and kiss her until she was breathless.
He leaned a hip against the balcony and studied her. Light from the moon bathed her in a golden halo. On the breeze her hair was a silken veil, glinting with sparks of fire. Her eyes reflected the starlight, glittering like emeralds. There was a luminous quality about her this night that he had never noticed before.
He had gone quiet again. When he was like this, Lindsey could think of nothing to say.
“Why do you stare at me like that, my lord?”
Very deliberately he set down his goblet and took a step toward her. As he did, she took a step back.
“I like looking at you, my lady. It pleases me to look at you.”
She felt her cheeks flame and was grateful for the night that would hide her blushing reaction to his words.
He took another step toward her, but as she backed away she felt the scrape of the cold stone against her hips.
He took the goblet from her hands. Her heart leaped to her throat.
“I fear, my lady,” he murmured as his hands settled on her shoulders, “that I must kiss you... .” He dragged her close. His eyes shone with a strange light. “Or go mad.”
His mouth closed over hers. Heat flowed between them. Each felt the jolt. And each struggled to deny it. This kiss was different from all that had gone before. This time there was more than passion, or desire, or need. Now there was knowledge and something more. Possession.
His lips moved over hers, seeking, giving. His strong hands drew her closer, until she was pressed firmly to his chest. Her heart thundered. As did his. She was suddenly terrified of the feelings that tumbled through her. Feelings that left her dazed and shaken. She wanted to go on kissing him like this until dawn light streaked the sky. She wanted him to take her higher, higher than she had ever been before. But she was afraid.
Pushing herself free of his embrace she whispered, “I must leave here at once.”
“Nay.” He caught her arm, but she shook off his hand and nearly ran in her eagerness to escape. If she did not flee, she would be lost. Lost to a passion that she did not yet understand.
He watched as she sped across the room and flounced out in a flurry of skirts and petticoats. For long minutes he stared at the door that closed behind her.
He picked up his goblet, but his hand shook so badly he spilled the ale. With a savage oath, he hurled the goblet from the balcony. Seconds later he heard it shatter on the courtyard below.
* * *
“Good morrow, my lady.”
Ian paused at the head of the stairs and waited until Lindsey and Jamie joined him. Inwardly Lindsey groaned. Outwardly she was poised and polite as she placed her hand on his proffered arm. Jamie trailed behind them. The furrow between his brows left no doubt as to his feelings.
“You are up early, my lady.”
“Aye.” Lindsey thought about the long hours she had tossed and turned in her bed, her thoughts in turmoil. Finally she had given up all attempts to sleep.
When they entered the refectory, Lindsey was surprised to find her father and brothers already seated around the queen and her husband.
“I had thought you would sleep late after your journey,” she said as she took a seat beside Robbie.
Ian quickly took the seat to her other side, forcing Jamie to take a place across from them.
“I could not sleep,” Neal admitted, “knowing that today I will be privileged to groom and saddle the queen’s own horse.”
“Aye. And Neal saw to it that I could not sleep.” Robbie said with a laugh.
“Which meant that we were awakened,” Donald said, glancing for confirmation at Murray, who nodded his head.
Joining in the laughter, Douglas added, “And with all the voices complaining and boots hitting the floor, my sleep ended as well.”
Lindsey leaned back in her chair. A smile of pure delight curved her lips. This was what she had missed. This chorus of voices. They were like a symphony. Aye. A symphony of love. How could she help but love these men?
Jamie saw the smile on her face and joined her. When she realized that he shared her secret, her smile grew. Aye. Jamie understood what her family meant to her.
Seeing the two of them, Ian said sharply, “What amuses you, my lady? Have I missed something that was said?”
Lindsey merely shook her head and pretended to eat. It pleased her that she and Jamie shared a secret from the others. She could not bear to share it with anyone else. She pushed her plate aside. For some strange reason, she had lost her appetite.
When they had broken their fast, the queen smiled at Neal.
“When my—stable master has my mount ready, I will ride.”
“Aye, Majesty.” Neal was on his feet at once. “I shall come to fetch you as soon as I have your horse groomed and saddled.”
“I should like Lindsey to join us,” the queen called.
Lindsey could not hide her pleasure. But she was startled when Ian said, “Would I be too bold if I were to ask to join you as well, Majesty?”
Mary turned. Seeing Ian’s boyish look of eagerness, she could not resist. But when she caught sight of Jamie’s frown of displeasure, she nearly laughed aloud. So, these two young stallions wanted the same mare. What fun it would be to watch them vie for the lady’s attention. Oh, she would enjoy this day immensely. Life had become far more interesting since their small band had grown larger.
“Aye, you are indeed bold, Ian MacPherson.” Mary’s haughty tones gave way to delighted laughter. “But I like a man who knows how to slip past protocol at times. Aye. You may accompany me on my ride.”
“I am most grateful, Majesty.” He made a grand bow and kept his head lowered until the queen swept past him.
“I will be in the withdrawing room. Come, Douglas,” Mary said, placing her hand on his arm. “I would speak with you about several matters.”
“Aye, Majesty.”
Lindsey watched as her father and the queen exited the refectory. When she glanced at Lord Darnley, she saw his barely concealed look of fury at being excluded from his wife’s company.
* * *
Lindsey descended the stairs wearing a riding gown of emerald velvet and a matching green cloak lined with ermine, which Mistress Macnab had found for her among the trunks.
As he watched her, Jamie thought he had never seen anyone so lovely. Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm for the ride. On her lips was a smile of pure pleasure.
“Why do you not join us?” she asked Jamie.
“I regret I cannot. Your father wishes to speak to me about—several matters.”
“It is a pity that you must always attend to such dull matters when I,” she said with a laugh, “have every intention of playing.”
It cheered him to see her so happy. But his smile suddenly faded when Ian MacPherson appeared, wearing black breeches and a crimson cape flung rakishly over his shoulder. Ian held the door for Lindsey, then bent to whisper something in her ear. The sound of her laughter was like a knife twisting in Jamie’s heart.
He stood at the window and watched as the queen and her party took off at an easy trot. Then he reluctantly turned and went in search of Douglas Gordon, who awaited him in the library.
* * *
The queen was in high spirits. She had been sequestered far too long. Now suddenly, she was free to ride the beautifully manicured paths of Lochleven. And when she tired of the safe trails, she could always venture into the surrounding woods.
“Are you a skilled rider, Lindsey?”
“A fair one, Majesty.”
“Would you care to race me?”
Lindsey’s eyes crinkled. “Aye, Majesty.”
The queen pointed to the maze of hedges and formal plantings that surrounded the castle. “The first one through the maze wins. I will take Neal with me as a guide, and you will take Ian.”
Lindsey nodded, her blood already heating at the thought of a race.
“Beware Lindsey,” the queen said with a smile. “There are many paths in the maze, but only one leads back to the beginning. Your guide must make decisions in the blink of an eye. And, to make it more interesting, I think we should make a wager.”
“Aye, Majesty. Name your price.”
The queen smiled. This was too easy. “Ten gold sovereigns.”
“Ten...” Lindsey arched a brow. The queen did not play for small stakes. “Aye, Majesty.”
“Then let the race begin.”
The queen wheeled her mount and entered the maze, with Neal by her side. Just behind her rode Lindsey, with Ian beside her. Though the queen and Neal turned left into the first hedgerow, Ian caught Lindsey’s bridle and urged her to turn right. They rode at breakneck speed through the maze, twisting and turning with amazing skill.
“I believe we are lost,” Lindsey called to the man beside her.
“Nay, my lady. Trust me. I have an instinct for such things.” He pointed to a turn ahead, and they took it without pausing.
Within minutes they had broken free of the maze and reined in their mounts. It was several minutes more before the queen, with Neal by her side, came thundering toward them.
As they pulled alongside, Mary said wryly, “I see that my young stable master knows more about this maze than I.” She leaned over and patted his hand, a gesture that caused him to blush clear to his toes. “He bade me turn right, but I refused, thinking I knew better. That misjudgment caused me the race.”
She glanced at Lindsey. “It would seem that I owe you ten gold sovereigns.” She dug the coins from her pocket. “Will you grant me the opportunity to win it back?”
“Aye, Majesty. Name your skill.”
The queen paused, deep in thought.
Ian’s voice interrupted. “The woods, Majesty. Let us race through the woods to the far side of the island and back. The first ones back shall be the winners.”
Lindsey shook her head. “Nay, Majesty. Jamie would not be pleased if we were to ride that far without him.”
“Are we children to be watched over by a wetnurse?” Ian asked.
Ian’s words had their desired effect. The queen could not ignore a challenge, no matter how dangerous.
With a glittering smile she said, “I have Neal; you have Ian. What could possibly happen on such a sunny morn as this?”
“Please, Majesty,” Lindsey pleaded. “Wait until another time.”
“Nay. I demand the chance to win back my gold. We ride,” Mary called, wheeling her mount.
Lindsey hesitated a moment, then followed. Beside her, Ian MacPherson could hardly contain his delight.