The column of horsemen slogged past, headslowered against the downpour.As one hooded figure passed him, heforced himself to sit straighter in the saddle.It would not do tohave the female detect any weakness in him.
It occurred to Jamie that their company hadnot made a single stop since their journey began.He experienced asudden flash of guilt.If his muscles were protesting, how muchworse would it be for Lindsey?Yet the lass, to her credit, had notonce asked to stop and be allowed to rest.
Wheeling his horse, he raced past the ridersand signaled to the leader to halt.
“We will take shelter beneath those treesahead and give our mounts a rest.”
“Aye, my lord.”
With a collective look of relief the columnof riders headed for the forest and climbed wearily from theirsaddles.The canopy of trees and vines offered a respite from thesteady rain.Soon a fire was raging, and while the horses foragedunder Neal’s careful watch, the riders sat on fallen logs orreclined on their cloaks around the fire, eating their first mealsince early morning.Two Highlanders stood guard on either edge ofthe clearing.
Jamie leaned his back against the gnarledtrunk of a tree and watched as Lindsey returned to the clearing.Except for the slight limp, she showed no sign of weariness.Hercarriage was erect, her manner animated as she spoke with herbrothers and the other men.Folding her cloak as a cushion, sheknelt before the fire.Her hair was bound tightly to her head bynetting, but a few damp strands had pried loose to kiss hercheeks.
One of her brothers said something thatcaused her to laugh.At that moment she looked across the clearingand caught Jamie staring at her.For a long moment their gazes metand held.
Lindsey felt her breath catch in her throat.Never before had a man’s eyes held such fascination.It was as ifhe was reaching out across the space that divided them and wastouching her.It was as intimate as any embrace.She felt the heatrush to her cheeks.Blinking, she looked away, hoping to break thespell this giant held over her.But a moment later she chancedanother look.His gaze still burned over her, causing a rush ofheat.She blamed it on the fire and forced herself to join in theconversation of the others.
She would not allow this tyrant to gain sucha strange power over her.She could not.But against her will hergaze strayed once more to where Jamie stood.He was no longeralone.Her father stood beside him, engaged in earnestconversation.Even as they spoke, she saw Jamie’s gaze shift toher, and the heat once more stained her cheeks.Damn the man.Anddamn this weakness that seemed to come over her whenever he staredat her so boldly.
She turned away, determined to put him out ofher mind.She would concentrate instead on the excitement of thejourney that lay ahead.A visit to Holyrood, to see the queen.Itwas every Scot’s dream, and at long last she was living it.
She looked up at the sound of a muffledscream.Before she and the others could scramble to their feet andunsheathe their weapons, they found themselves surrounded by a bandof fierce highwaymen.
A dagger sang through the air, headingdirectly toward her father.
“Take arms,” Jamie shouted, shoving DouglasGordon out of harm’s way.A moment later both men were engaged in adeadly battle with several swordsmen.
The air was filled with cries of rage andpain as sword met sword.From the cover of the forest, dozens ofscreaming villains poured forth, weapons poised for the kill.
As he fought back several attackers, Jamieberated himself for leading his company into danger.He should havesent riders ahead to scout the forest before allowing anyone tomake camp.He had allowed his concern for Lindsey’s comfort tocloud his thinking.Lindsey.
He glanced across the clearing and wasstunned to see the object of his thoughts holding off twoattackers.The bejeweled sword in her hand slashed with deadlyaccuracy.
“Lindsey, behind you,” he shouted, leapingover a fallen body to reach her side.But before he could lift asword in her defense, she had disposed of the threat.
Several more swordsmen rushed to the aid oftheir fallen companions, and Jamie and Lindsey found themselvessurrounded.
Standing side by side, they fought bravely,driving back the attackers.Jamie was amazed by the lady’s skill.Though slight of stature, she plunged her blade with mortal skill.And though the cries of the wounded filled the air, she did notflinch.
Three swordsmen attacked Jamie at one time,and he found himself struggling to hold them at bay.Suddenly hefelt a sharp pain at his back.An attacker had crept up from behindand held a sword tip to his back.
“Lower your weapon or die,” a deep voiceordered.
Before Jamie could react, the pressureagainst his flesh suddenly disappeared.Jamie glanced around insurprise to see Lindsey disarm the attacker.
For one brief moment their gazes met andheld.Though they exchanged no words, their looks spokevolumes.
Moments later a cry went up from one of thehighwaymen, and those who were still standing pulled themselvesonto the backs of their horses and disappeared into the forest.Inthe stillness that followed, their fallen comrades lay bleedinginto the rain-soaked earth.
“How many of our company are wounded?”Jamiecried.For long moments no one spoke as the fallen men werescrutinized carefully.
At last a shout went up.“Three.”
“Any dead?”
“Nay, my lord.None of ours are dead.”
Jamie breathed a sigh of relief.“See totheir wounds,” he commanded.
