“Only if they attempt to get too close tohim.”
“Then they and Wolf are safe.I assure you,they have no desire to challenge the creature.”
“I am most grateful, my lady.”He lay verystill.“If I should sleep,” he said, fighting to clear his mind,“wake me when the others wake.”
“Aye, my lord,” Lindsey said as she settledinto the chair and drew the blanket around her.For long minutesshe studied him as he slept.Then, lulled by the rain against thepanes and the warmth of the fire, she closed her eyes anddozed.
* * *
A log blazed on the hearth and the morningsun slanted through the balcony windows, bathing the bed in a poolof warmth.Jamie’s eyes opened, and for one brief moment hestruggled to recall where he was.Then, as reason returned, heglanced at the chair, only to find it empty.Momentary regretwashed over him.The lass’s nighttime visit had been only a dream.A most pleasant dream.
A servant approached.“My lady Lindseyinstructed me to awaken you as promised, my lord, and to invite youto join her family in the refectory when you are dressed.”
A smile touched his lips.It had not been adream.“Thank you.Instruct my lord Gordon and his family that Iwill join them shortly.”
“Aye, my lord.”The servant poured freshwater into a basin, then crossed the room and left without anotherword.
Jamie watched as the door closed behind her.With a hiss of pain he sat up and felt the room spin for severalmoments.Slowly, as his vision cleared, he forced himself to stand.Setting his teeth against the pain, he walked to the basin of waterand began to wash.He touched a hand to the wound at his shoulder.Though there was pain, the fire was gone.
It was the same as with his other wounds.Hehad suffered enough battle wounds to know that although heexperienced much pain, the worst was over.Best of all, his mindwas once more clear.The brain-numbing weariness had vanished.Bythe time he finished dressing, he had managed to push the pain to adistant corner of his mind.There were pressing matters to address.His discomfort was of little consequence.
He descended the stairs and followed therumble of voices along the hallway.Pausing outside the open door,he listened for a moment to the chorus of voices raised indissent.
“There is no way we can keep our departure asecret, Father.”
Jamie studied the bearded lad he knew to bethe eldest son.Murray’s tone was low and intense.
“There are many in the Highlands who mighttake advantage of our departure to pillage our land and steal ourwealth.”
“Aye,” echoed several other voices.
“Is our wealth at issue here?Must not ourfirst concern be the safety of our beloved queen?”
“Aye.But is it necessary to sacrifice onefor the other?”the tallest son asked.
“Perhaps we should ask our guest,” DouglasGordon said, glancing up.
The others followed suit.Lindsey studied theman whose presence filled the room.If he suffered any effects fromthe last few days, he kept it well hidden.His shirt was woven offinest linen, and his elegant wool tunic stretched tautly acrossshoulders wider than any she had ever seen.His borrowed breechesrevealed muscled thighs and a trim, flat stomach.Clean shaven, hewas even more striking than she had expected, with a firm jaw andfull, sensuous lips.
“Join us, Jamie MacDonald,” Douglas Gordonsaid “Though you have been with us for a day and a night, you haveyet to be properly introduced to my family.I am DouglasGordon.”
Jamie bowed slightly before the old man, thenoffered his hand.
“Murray is my eldest son,” the old man said,indicating the bearded lad to his left.
Jamie extended his hand and felt the strengthin Murray’s grip.The two men assessed each other in silence.“Thisis my second son, Donald.”
Jamie offered his hand to the raven-hairedlad who had passed him in the rain.Close up Jamie could see whythe lasses were attracted to this darkly handsome youth.
“Robbie is our poet and dreamer,” Douglassaid, indicating the golden-haired lad who smiled shyly at Jamiebefore extending his hand.
“And our youngest is Neal.”
The lad was slender as a sapling, with armsand legs that seemed too long for his body.But there was strengthin his grip and the beginnings of muscles in his arms.And hissmile was genuine when he offered his hand to Jamie.
“You have already met my daughter,Lindsey.”
“Aye.”Jamie bowed over her hand and saw theheat that stained her cheeks when he lifted her hand to hislips.
