Lindsey clenched her hands at her sides toresist the sudden urge to touch him.She drew the blanket tighteraround her shoulders, vexed at the way her thoughts were wandering.She had grown up in a world of men.With an earthy father and fourcallous brothers, men held no mysteries for her.She had nursedthem through dozens of wounds and illnesses, and had seen them invarious stages of undress.Yet the sight of this man did strangethings to her.
Each time she had entered this room to checkon the sleeping visitor, her throat had gone dry.Worst of all,whenever she allowed herself to think about his kiss, her heartbeatbecame wild and erratic, and her palms became damp.As they didnow.She wiped her hands on the blanket and tried to look away.Butthe man in the bed was like a magnet, drawing her gaze even whenshe tried desperately to ignore him.
Annoyed at her weakness, Lindsey slid theblanket from her shoulders and crossed the room to poke the fire.Alog smoldered, then exploded into flame, filling the room with asudden burst of light.She added another log, then returned to thebedside.For a moment she paused, studying the man as he slept.
Some might call him handsome, though shethought his bearded jaw too strong, his brow too wide.Some wouldprobably be amused by his roguish smile and teasing banter.Sheconsidered him arrogant.Some women might even be impressed withhis wide shoulders and strong, callused hands.She knew him to be abrute.
She leaned closer, studying the firm lipsbeneath the growth of red beard.So this was the man who was legendamong her people.The Heartless MacDonald.
“I take it you see something that interestsyou.”
Lindsey nearly jumped out of her skin at thesleep-roughened voice.Quickly she composed herself.“You are inerror, my lord.I see nothing here of any interest.”
As she began to back away his hand snakedout, catching her firmly by the wrist.“My mistake, my lady.”Hislids snapped open, revealing eyes of midnight blue.In their depthsshe could see a hint of the danger that lurked there.
She felt the heat rush to her cheeks andsnatched her hand away, as if burned.“I merely wanted to ascertainthat you were still breathing.”
“Beware, my lady.It is dangerous to get thisclose without my bidding, unless, of course, you do not fear myblade.”
“Your blade is no longer with you.It wasremoved, along with your clothing.”Despite that fact, Lindsey tookanother step back, determined to keep some distance between them.Though her breath felt lodged in her throat, she would never givehim the satisfaction of knowing that he caused her the slightestdiscomfort.“Since you are feeling so bold, my lord, it would bebest to leave you to your own care.”
“Nay.”He caught her hand and was stunned atthe feelings that surged through him at the mere touch of her.“Forgive my rude behavior.I am not usually such a dolt.Lay theblame upon the strange circumstances that brought us together, mylady.”
Lindsey felt the pressure of his hand on hersand stared into eyes that held the merest hint of laughter.She wasnot certain she liked this relaxed side of him.If anything, itmade him appear even more dangerous.Like a sleek mountain catdrowsing in the sun.
“Stay awhile, my lady.There is much I needto learn.”
He released her hand and she hesitated amoment before returning to the chair beside the bed.She hadpromised her father to see to their guest’s comfort, after all.Itwould do no harm to answer his questions.She would never admit toherself that this man intrigued her.
“What day is this?”
“You have slept a day and a night, my lord.”Lindsey glanced at the balcony window.“It will soon be the dawn ofthe second day since you arrived.”
A look of annoyance crossed his face.“God inheaven.A day and a night.”
As he started to sit up, Lindsey pressed ahand to his shoulder.He lay back heavily, feeling the room spin indizzying circles.“There is much to be done.I have no time forsuch weakness.”
“ ’Tis not weakness to give in to theexhaustion of the mind and body, my lord.”
“It is when the queen’s life is atstake.”
“Rest a while longer, my lord.Just until thehousehold stirs.”
“Aye.”He closed his eyes, enjoying the touchof her hand against his flesh.“My steed.Has he...?”
“A groom saw to him.At great peril, I mightadd.”
Jamie opened his eyes and arched a brow.
“A vicious hound kept circling and baring hisfangs.But when the servants attempted to soothe him with food, thebeast ran off.It would seem your hound is as dangerous as hismaster.”
Jamie’s lips curved into a smile.“He is notmine.Wolf sets his own course.And he has little use forhumans.”
“Wolf?”Her hand paused in the act ofsmoothing his blankets.
“He resembles the wolves that roam theforests.I took him, half-starved, from a brute who had beaten himsenseless.And though I set the animal free, he seems torn betweenhis world and mine.”
“Might he harm the servants?”
