Seeing blood on Lindsey’s gown, Jamie caughther by the arm and led her to a boulder near the fire.“You arewounded, my lady,” he said, studying her anxiously.“Sit here.”
She seemed surprised by his concern.Glancingdown at her gown, she gave a little laugh.“Nay.’Tis not my blood,but the blood of one of the villains who dared to test my prowesswith the sword.”
Jamie felt a swift rush of relief, which forsome unexplained reason quickly turned to anger.Through clenchedteeth he said, “You should have hidden yourself when the highwaymenattacked.Have you any idea what a woman’s fate would be at theirhands?”
“Hide myself?”She stood up, her hands on herhips, her eyes blazing.“I will remind you, Jamie MacDonald, thatwere it not for my skill with a sword, you would have no voice leftwith which to scold me.”
“Aye.I am grateful that you saved my life,my lady.”He felt his unexpected temper flare anew.“But if we areattacked again, I order you to hide until the battle is over.”Withfury darkening his eyes, he stormed away.
Lindsey watched him, feeling her own tempersimmer.Men.Despite the fact that she had been surrounded by themall her life, she would never understand them.Did the lout notrecognize that she had a need to take care of herself?
Lifting her skirts, she went off in search ofher horse.
From his position across the clearing, Jamieaccepted a tankard from one of the men and glowered at Lindsey’sretreating back.God in heaven, she was a distraction.A verydangerous distraction.For the rest of the journey he must forcehimself to ignore her and think only of the safety of everyone.Hiscarelessness had very nearly cost them their lives.He expelled ahiss of anger.Praise heaven that in a matter of days he would beat Holyrood and rid of her.
Still brooding, he drained his tankard andset it down.When he straightened, he saw a blur of movement.Justbeyond Lindsey, under cover of misty rain and the tangle of forestgrowth, was a man on horseback.Jamie let out a cry of warning.Everyone in camp looked up.In quick strides he was across theclearing and racing into the dense forest.With sword lifted, heflung Lindsey roughly behind him.
“Advance and prepare to do battle,” heshouted to the stranger.
Lindsey let out a gasp at the sight of theman whose dark plaid blended into the green of their surroundings,shielding him from view.Though he was only a few feet from her,she had not spotted him until Jamie called him out.
The man remained motionless, assessing thegiant who faced him.For the space of a heartbeat it appeared thathe would draw his sword.Then, with a slow, dangerous smile, heslid from the saddle and extended his hand.
“I heard the sound of battle, and thought tolend my sword.But I see I am not needed.”
He saw the lass peer from behind the giant’sback and his smile grew.
“I am Ian MacPherson.And the land you standupon is mine.”
Jamie studied the man whose fair hair andpale eyes gave him a youthful, innocent appearance.“I am JamieMacDonald.”As the others surrounded them, Jamie added, “And theseare Douglas Gordon and his family.”
Ian offered his hand to each man, takingtheir measure as he did.“And the lovely lady?”he asked.
Lindsey stepped from behind Jamie’s back.
“This is Lindsey Gordon.”Jamie’s tone wascurt.
“A most beautiful lady.”Ian lifted her handto his lips.“And a most splendid swordsman.”
“How would you know that?”Jamie felt a flashof emotion as he watched the man kiss Lindsey’s hand.Jealousy?Impossible.Never in his life had he been jealous of any man.Still, for some unexplained reason, he mistrusted this man onsight.
“I happened upon the fight just as the ladydisposed of her attackers,” Ian said, meeting Lindsey’s eyes.Hesaw the flush on her cheeks and pressed her fingers a moment longerbefore releasing them.
“And still you did not come to her defense?”Jamie’s voice held a challenging tone.
“Alas, I was too late.”
“Too late or too lazy...”
“Come, my lord MacPherson.”Douglas Gordonstepped between them, hoping to diffuse the anger in Jamie’s eyes.“You will join us for a tankard before we move on?”
“Aye.”Ian paused, then turned towardLindsey.“That is, if the lovely lady will join me.”
With growing anger Jamie watched as Lindseyblushed and moved along by the stranger’s side.
“You handled yourself admirably in battle, mylady.You needed no man’s help to dispose of those villains.”
Ian’s words brought a smile of pleasure toLindsey’s lips.“If only certain other men could understandthat.”
