Her lids fluttered.The giant who held herseemed to swim in and out of her line of vision.In halting tonesshe whispered, “Is it truly you, Jamie MacDonald?”
“Aye, my lady.You are safe.”
“Was that Robbie’s voice I heard?”
“Aye, lass.He and Neal accompanied me.Donald and Murray ride with your father.Your brothers overpoweredthe other highwaymen.They will see that the animal who did this toyou does not break free.”
She struggled to gather the remnants of hertorn bodice.“My brothers must not see me like this.”
“Hush, my lady.Lie still.Do not tireyourself.”
With great tenderness Jamie removed his cloakand wrapped it around her.But when he attempted to lift her in hisarms she pushed away.
“Nay.I must stand alone.Else they willthink me weak.”
Jamie was aware of the heroic effort she madeto get to her feet.But though she swayed for a moment, she wavedaway his hand and took a tentative step, then another, until shehad made it to her brothers’ side near the fire.
To her youngest brother, whose eyes weretroubled at the sight of her, she called, “Do not grieve for me,Neal.I am unscathed, as you can see.”In a strong voice she said,“Bring my horse.We must ride to camp and alert Father that I amalive.”
Neal cast a worried glance at Jamie, whomotioned him to do her bidding.When the horse was brought to her,Lindsey pulled herself into the saddle and forced herself to sitvery straight.Whatever pain she suffered, whatever fear rippledthrough her, she would deal with it later, when she was alone.Fornow she must show only the strong woman she had always shown to theworld.
Jamie watched her, marveling at her ironwill.“We will take these highwaymen to our camp and decide laterwhat is to be done with them.”His tone was deliberately devoid ofemotion, masking the fury that still simmered within him.“Then oneof you must alert your father and brothers that Lindsey has beenfound.”
With a tough new hardness to their features,Neal and Robbie herded the villains onto their horses, binding themtogether so that they could not escape.
Jamie studied Lindsey’s stricken features.There was a pallor to her skin that worried him.Though she wasstruggling to put on a brave face for the sake of her brothers, hesensed that tears were very near the surface.But from her look ofdetermination he knew that she would insist upon dealing with it inher own way.
It was Robbie’s hoarse whisper that brokethrough his thoughts.Jamie saw the lad’s eyes grow misty before heturned away and fumbled with the reins of his horse.
“Until now,” the young poet said softly, “Ihave been content to write pretty words and envision a world ofbeauty.Before this moment I have ne’er wanted to lift a swordagainst a man.But I cannot bear the thought of these men soilingone as precious as our Lindsey.I would have gladly given my lifefor her.”
“Aye, lad.I share your feelings,” Jamie saidsoftly.
Robbie pulled himself into the saddle and sata moment, composing his features.When his emotions were undercontrol he brought his horse alongside Lindsey’s.
“I am grateful,” she whispered to herbrother, “that you were able to find me so quickly.”
“ ’Twas Jamie MacDonald who found you,”Robbie said.“Were it not for him, all would have been lost.Hedrove us unmercifully when we feared we had lost your trail.”
Lindsey glanced beyond her brother to thegiant who stood a little away from them.“Then I am in your debt,my lord.”
Jamie gave her a slight bow and turned away.When he had mounted they moved out.
Lindsey set a brisk pace, calling, “Fatherwill be beside himself until he sees that I am safe.”
Robbie nodded his agreement.“Aye.We mustease his mind.He was greatly tormented by your abduction.”
At that Lindsey urged her mount into arun.
From his vantage point, Jamie watched withgrudging admiration.
“Neal.Robbie,” he called, “ride on eitherside of the prisoners to assure that none escapes.”
The two lads did as they were told.
As they entered the darkness of the forest,Lindsey felt the tremors begin.Thin morning sunlight filteredthrough the canopy of vines and tangled growth, casting strangeshadows along the trail.Though she struggled, she could not seemto put aside the dark fears that clutched her, like hands.Sheshivered.Cruel, grasping hands.She felt a terrible, wrenchingache in the pit of her stomach and doubled over in the saddle.But,the pain would not subside.Though she took deep, calming breaths,she felt the forest closing in upon her.A little moan escaped herlips as she felt herself falling.The shock jolted her as she hitthe ground.
Instantly Jamie was beside her.With a lookof concern he cradled her in his strong arms.A cursory examinationtold him that she had sustained no serious injury.But it was plainthat the lass had pushed herself beyond the limits.Her skin wasdeathly white, her breathing shallow.
