“Where do you travel in such weather?”Ian’svoice drifted back to Jamie, who paused in the woods to retrieveLindsey’s horse.
“To Edinburgh.”
“How fortunate.”Jamie’s head came up sharplyas Ian added, “I journey there myself.Mayhap I will join you.”
Chapter Five
Within the hourtheir company was prepared to move out.Jamie watched as IanMacPherson helped Lindsey into the saddle.The man’s hands lingeredoverlong at her waist as she settled herself comfortably.And hisgaze lingered overlong on her shapely limbs before she smoothed herskirts down to cover them.
Jamie felt his dislike for the man grow.
“I have lived all my life in this forest,”Ian assured Douglas Gordon.He pulled himself into the saddle andturned a smug look in Jamie’s direction.“No highwayman would dareto attack you while you are in the company of a MacPherson.”
“Then we are grateful for your protection, mylord,” the old man said as he mounted.Turning to his sons hecalled, “Come.Let us ride.”
As he followed, Jamie brooded.Was he theonly one who had doubts about this MacPherson?When he had firstspotted the figure in the forest, Jamie was quite certain that theman had been watching Lindsey for evil purposes.Despite Ian’sclaims otherwise, Jamie was not convinced.He would wait and watch.Since MacPherson had agreed to accompany them all the way toEdinburgh, they would be forced to endure his company for manydays.
As Jamie’s horse moved out smartly, Wolfraced along under cover of the forest, keeping Jamie always inview.
* * *
By early evening the rain had turned to afine mist.The horses picked their way over the spongy grass of ahigh meadow.
“Darkness comes early in the Highlands,”Jamie said to Douglas Gordon.“We must soon make camp for thenight.”
“I know the perfect place,” Ian MacPhersoncalled.“Follow me.”
As the others fell into line behind Ian’smount, Jamie took up the rear, glancing often over his shoulder.Itwould have been an easy matter for the highwaymen to follow them.There were too many in their company to conceal, even when they hadbeen in the dense forest.Now that they were in an open meadow,they were perfect targets.Worse, since three of their number hadbeen wounded, they had been forced to travel at a much slower pacethan before.
They passed through glens and fells and madetheir way to the banks of a swollen stream.
“This is a fine place to spend the night.”Ian slid from the saddle and rushed to Lindsey’s side to assisther.“We will have fresh water to drink, and the trees will protectus from any further rain that might fall.”
“What is that sound?”Lindsey asked.
“The water rushing over a precipice.”Ianpointed to a bend in the stream, where the water tumbled over rocksbefore disappearing from view.“The stream spills out of sight intoa deep gorge.”He turned to Lindsey.“ ’Twill lull you to sleeptonight, my lady.”
“I will need no waterfall to help me sleepthis night, my lord,” she said with a lilt of laughter.
Ian stared after her as she strolled to whereher brothers were already preparing a fire.
For long minutes Jamie remained on his mount,surveying the scene.He had not missed the look of appreciation onIan’s face when Lindsey had walked away.Again he felt the swiftrush of anger and cursed himself for his petty jealousy.
As he watched the others set up camp, itoccurred to Jamie that the thunder of the waterfall would drown outthe sound of approaching horses.Could there be more to IanMacPherson’s plan than a comfortable place to spend the night?Sliding from the saddle Jamie went in search of Douglas Gordon.
The old man was speaking in low tones to hissons.They looked up as Jamie approached.
“I sense danger here,” Jamie announcedwithout preamble.
“Aye.So you feel it, too, lad?”The old mankept his tone low.“We will post guards throughout the night.Eachof my sons will take his turn making certain that the guards remainalert.”
Jamie felt a sense of relief at the olderman’s words.At least he was not alone in his fears.“I will takemy turn standing guard, as well.”
Douglas nodded, “Now let us eat and get somerest.”
They made their way to the campfire whereLindsey, with Ian’s help, had prepared a simple meal.The two werelaughing as the others approached.Jamie noted the ease with whichLindsey and Ian conversed as they ladled out the food.Though itrankled, Jamie sternly reminded himself that the woman was nothingto him.If she chose to befriend a man of dubious background, itwas her right.He turned to Murray, who was watching his sisterwith a frown.
“How are the wounded?”
