Jamie’s eyes narrowed a fraction.“I couldnot sleep.”
“Nor could I.”
“The journey that lies ahead will be arduous,my lady.You should take advantage of this time to rest.”
“And you, my lord?’She tilted her head tostudy him in the moonlight.“Is the Heartless MacDonald above usmortals?Do you require no rest?”
At her taunt his lips curved into a smile.“Iam a man, my lady.No more.No less.When I am assured that all issecure, I will take my rest.”
He slipped the dirk into his waistband.
Seeing the movement she asked, “Do you fearthat the highwaymen are still near?”
He shrugged.“There are many dangers that canbefall travelers.It is my responsibility to see that our companyarrives safely in Edinburgh.”
“Responsibility.”She lifted her head.“Iheard you speak of it today to my father and brothers.Have youalways placed responsibility above all else, Jamie MacDonald?”
“What else is there, after all, except duty,honor, trust?”A wisp of her unruly hair lifted on the breeze, andhe curled his hand into a fist to keep from brushing it aside.“They are the measure of a man.”She saw his eyes gleam in thedarkness.“When I was but a lad, Brice Campbell, my foster father,told me that without these virtues, though a man be wealthy beyondbelief, he has nothing.”
Lindsey was surprised at the firmness of histone.This was another side to the rogue, one she had not seenbefore.
From the many rumors about this man, she hadthought him to be a cruel and undisciplined warrior.But it wouldseem that he had been reared with nobler virtues.
They stood for several moments studying eachother in the moonlight.The sudden tension in him caused her toshiver.He misunderstood.Instantly his hands came to her arms.“You are cold.You should have worn a wrap.”
“Nay.I...”She started to back away, but histouch had her frozen to the spot.
He removed his cloak and draped it aroundher.It was such a gallant gesture, it took her completely bysurprise.She shivered again.The warmth of his body still lingeredin the folds of his garment, driving away the chill.
His hands paused at her throat as he drew thecloak tighter.Then he went very still as he stared at her.
His voice roughened.“You should return tothe fire now.”
She swallowed, but made no move to turnaway.
Jamie studied her, bathed in a pool ofmoonlight.He was accustomed to the presence of coarse campfollowers or the titled women at court who had practiced the art ofpleasing a man.But this female was unlike any he had ever known.There was a wildness about her, and yet an innocence, that made heroddly appealing.And so tempting.
Jamie knew he should walk away.Now, beforehe gave in to the temptation to kiss her.
He allowed himself the pleasure of brushing astrand of hair from her cheek.That was his undoing.Her skin wasso soft it begged to be touched.
“If your father should wake, he will missyou.”Jamie’s deep voice was barely more than a whisper.
“Aye.”
His tone roughened.“He will send yourbrothers looking for you.”
“Aye.”
A silence stretched between them.Stillneither of them moved.
“God in heaven, Lindsey.”He cupped her facebetween his big hands and stared hungrily into her eyes.“Go backto your bed and let me get on with the business of seeing to oursafety.”
Her eyes widened, mirroring her surprise atthe harshness of his tone.But she did not pull away.Her voice wasa low challenge.“Do you always go about ordering others to do yourbidding, without regard to what they want?”
His eyes narrowed.“And what is it youwant?”
What indeed?When she was standing close tothis man, her mind was too befuddled to think.“I want you to leaveme alone, Jamie MacDonald.”
