She turned to meet Jamie’s look, and he couldread the challenge in her gaze.“How do we know that this man’sword is true?How do we even know that he is the man he claims tobe?”
The others turned to their father, who satsilently regarding his daughter and the giant beside her.
In a solemn tone Douglas said, “I know of noother who could masquerade as a man as...unique as JamieMacDonald.”A hint of a smile touched the older man’s lips.“But,to put your fears to rest, I will tell you that I have seen thisman before, standing with Brice Campbell in the court of Mary.Their friendship and loyalty to our queen are well documented.”Heturned to his daughter.“Does that ease your mind, Lindsey?”
She tore her gaze from the man beside her andnodded.“Then the matter, for me, is settled.I vote to ride toEdinburgh, no matter what the cost.”
Douglas glanced around the table.“You haveall spoken.We are in agreement then?We are all willing to see tothe queen’s safety?”
Murray, as eldest son, spoke for all.“Aye,Father.”
“It is done, then.”Douglas Gordon turned toJamie with a smile.“The Gordons will ride with you to Edinburgh,my lord.Our hearts and swords are pledged to our queen.”
“Thank you.”Jamie extended his hand to theold man, then to each of the sons.“Thank you, one and all.”
When he turned to Lindsey, he lifted her handto his lips.“And my thanks to you, my lady, for your eloquentwords.”
“They were not mere words, my lord.Like mybrothers’, mine was a solemn promise.I have pledged my heart andsword to my queen.And now, if you will excuse me, there is much toprepare before we ride.”
“We?”Jamie glanced from Lindsey to herfather, then back to Lindsey.“Surely you do not intend to ridewith us all the way to Edinburgh?”
“Did you not hear my father’s words?”
Jamie saw the smiles on their lips as theothers pushed away from the table and exited the refectory.
Alone, Lindsey stood facing Jamie, her eyesflashing fire.“The Gordons will ride with you to Edinburgh, mylord.”Her tone of voice, her eyes, dared him to challenge herfather’s pronouncement.“All the Gordons.”
“Including you?”
“Aye, my lord.Including me.”
His eyes narrowed slightly.“We shall seeabout that, my lady.”
Her look was equally defiant.“Aye.You shallsee, my lord.”With a swish of skirts, she was gone.
As the servants began clearing the table,Jamie walked to the window and stood, deep in thought.He had hiswish.The Gordons were pledged to the queen’s safety.But he hadnot anticipated this turn of events.One among them might provemore a curse than a blessing.
Chapter Four
Jamie leaned a hipagainst the balcony and watched the bustle of activity in thecourtyard below.Servants were busy loading supplies into a wagon.Grooms scurried around saddling horses.Men in the rough garb ofthe Highlands stood embracing their wives and children.Entirefamilies 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 theneed to follow him.This task Brice had given him was surprisinglysimple.With the Gordon swords to back him up, they would ride toEdinburgh and dispose of the queen’s enemies.Within a fortnightthey would all be safely back in their strongholds, their livesreturned to normal.He could then summon a council of all theHighland lairds, to form a united front behind their queen.
He touched a hand to his stiff shoulder.Ithad been worth a few cuts and scratches to see this mattersuccessfully concluded.
Below, a ladies’ maid shrieked when a trunkfell from the wagon, spilling its contents.Jamie craned his neckto watch.Within minutes it was repacked and lashed firmly to theback of the wagon.But not before Jamie had glimpsed a rainbow offrothy petticoats and gowns.He felt a rush of impatience.Lindseyhad no business accompanying them.Did Douglas Gordon have solittle control over his offspring that he would endanger his onlydaughter’s life rather than say nay to her?The poor fool must bemad.This was not some frivolous jaunt in the countryside to visitthe queen.This was dangerous business.Did not his dearest friendlie near death because of the threat to the queen?
Annoyed, Jamie strapped on his scabbard andtossed his cloak over his shoulders.Sheathing his sword, he tuckeda dirk into his waistband and two more into his boots and went insearch of his host.
Douglas Gordon stood in the center ofactivity in the courtyard, a sea of calm amidst the chaos.Helooked up as Jamie approached.
“I would speak with you about yourdaughter.”
At the anger that roughened Jamie’s tone,Douglas swallowed his smile.“Aye, lad.Say what is on yourmind.”
“This journey involves treachery and deceit,and could very well end in a battle to the death.”
“Aye.”
