Neal hurriedly dismounted and knelt besidethem.His face was etched with concern.“It was as I firstsuspected.Lindsey has been harmed by that brute.”
Jamie noted the pleading in Lindsey’s eyesand kept his tone deliberately bland.“She is unharmed.Your sistermerely needs time to recover her strength.”
When Robbie also dismounted, Jamie saw theway Lindsey struggled to sit up.Thinking quickly he commanded,“Take these villains to our camp and see that a rider is dispatchedto your father.I will remain here with Lindsey until she is strongenough to ride.”
Lindsey shot him a look of gratitude.
“I think we should stay together,” Robbieprotested.
It was obvious that Jamie was accustomed totaking charge.In brisk tones he said, “Nay.There is your fatherto think about.He will be heartsick until he is reassured that hisdaughter lives.”
“Jamie is right, Robbie,” Neal agreed.“Father and the others will be crazed with worry by now.”
“Aye.”Robbie straightened and pulled himselfonce more into the saddle.He could see the wisdom of Jamie’swords.His sister would be safe with Jamie MacDonald.There werefew who could successfully challenge this giant and win.Especiallywhen the Heartless MacDonald was in such a foul temper.Theirfather’s fears must be put to rest.
“You do not mind, Lindsey?”Neal called.
“Nay.”She gave her brothers a reassuringsmile.“I will merely rest for a little while and then I willfollow you soon.”
She watched as the column of horses moved offthrough the woods.When at last she turned she was startled to findJamie studying her carefully.
At the intensity of his gaze she felt theheat rush to her cheeks.Lowering her eyes she said, “It seems I amonce again in your debt, my lord.Thank you for sparing me the manyquestions of my brothers.”
“And what of my questions, my lady?”
She remained silent.
“Are you harmed, Lindsey?”
“Nay,” she replied quickly.“I am merely...weary, my lord.I would be alone with my thoughts for a while.”
Jamie’s jaw clenched.Her meaning was quiteclear.Since it was privacy she desired, he would grant her wish.Without a word, he began to gather fallen logs.Soon a fire blazed.Close to the heat of the fire he prepared a pallet for her andhelped her to lie down.
When he was certain she was restingcomfortably, he stepped into the forest.A short time later hereturned to the clearing with a deer slung over his shoulders.Following a short distance behind was the sleek form of Wolf, whopaused at the edge of the clearing, refusing to move closer.
The lass was asleep.But the remnants oftears still glistened on her closed lashes.
* * *
At Lindsey’s fevered cry Jamie rushed to herside and gathered her gently into his arms.While she struggled heheld her close and murmured words meant to soothe.When at last shefell silent, he lay her back down.Her cloak had slipped from hershoulders, revealing her torn and tattered gown.The bruisesvisible on her flesh caused his stomach muscles to contractviolently.
His hand curled into a fist when he thoughtof the villain who had caused her such pain.With quick, efficientmovements, he drew the cloak around her and brushed the damp hairfrom her cheek.When she started to cry softly he sat beside herand held her.She was so small, so wounded.And so damnablyindependent.He felt a nearly overpowering need to protect her fromevery harm.
Holding her as tenderly as a wee bairn, herocked her and whispered words of endearment, until at last shefell once more into a fevered sleep.
He lay her gently upon the pallet and got tohis feet.Her tears had left damp streaks on his tunic.Absently heran a finger over the dampness.For long minutes he stood over her,willing her the escape she would find in sleep.When at last he wassatisfied that her fears had momentarily subsided, he strode to theedge of the river, where he picked a collection of herbs andplants.Returning to the clearing, he ground them into a thickpaste, which he applied to the raw flesh of Lindsey’s hands.
As he worked he measured her small palmagainst his own.How delicate were her hands, with long taperedfingers and soft pink flesh.Not at all like his work-worn palms.As he continued to rub the paste over her hands he felt the sexualtug, low and deep, and fought to ignore it.Each time he touchedthis woman he found himself battling desires that nearly swampedhim.
When he had finished with the ointment, heset out to find other chores that would tax his strength.It wasimportant that he stay busy.Tethering the horses, he removed thefrayed reins from her mount and bent to the task of mendingthem.
* * *
Clouds obscured the noon sun.A blazing fireheld the chill of the forest at bay.
Jamie returned from his foray with an armloadof logs, then stopped short.A shadow hovered beside the sleepingLindsey.Dropping the logs Jamie unsheathed his sword and raced towhere she lay.
Wolf lifted his head, then backed away.Jamiefelt a moment of surprise.Until now the hound had shown littleinterest in humans, yet it was plain that the animal had been lyingbeside Lindsey.The marks from his body were still visible in thesand.The hound disappeared into the woods.
