She tossed a third scrap, closer this time,and was saddened when the hound darted away, melting into theshadows of the forest.All further attempts to draw him out ofhiding were fruitless.
Jamie watched in silence.When at last hespoke there was a trace of a smile in his tone.“I warn you.Wolfhas no need of humans.”
“But he took the meat I offered him.”
“Aye.So long as it was free.But when youset the price too high, he refused.”
“What price?”
“The price of his freedom.Do not think topet him and tame him, my lady, in exchange for a little food.Hecan catch all the game he needs in these forests.Like all theHighland creatures, he prefers to remain wild and free.”
Aye, wild and free.Again she was reminded ofthe Heartless MacDonald.“But do not even the wild creatures craveaffection and companionship?”
Jamie glanced at her over the rim of histankard.“Perhaps.But not all creatures find what they crave.”
Lindsey was silent for long moments beforeasking, “How can he be wild if he follows you across thisland?”
Jamie’s tone was pensive.“I was kind to him.He does not forget that.But he knows he can retain his freedom.Iask nothing of him.”
“Nor will I,” she said solemnly.
Jamie noted with a smile that shenevertheless scattered the remains of her dinner in the grassbefore rolling herself into her cloak.
Within minutes she was asleep.
Jamie drew his cloak around him and leanedhis back against the trunk of a tree.The night would be long, forhe intended to allow himself little sleep.But waking or sleeping,he knew his thoughts would be of the woman who shared his camp.
* * *
As was his custom, Jamie woke quickly beforethe dawn light had even streaked the eastern sky.He lay verystill, allowing his gaze to scan the camp.The first thing toarrest his attention was the lass, asleep on the far side of thefire.Though her sleep had been disturbed several times during thenight by the demons that plagued her, she was now sleepingpeacefully.That fact brought him a measure of comfort.
He was surprised to see the hound lyingnearby.And even more surprised to note that the animal was notasleep.Though Wolf’s head rested on his paws, his ears wereattuned to the sounds of the forest; his eyes stared warily intothe distance.
Jamie gave a low chuckle.Wolf, having sensedthat Jamie was asleep, had assumed the role of Lindsey’s protector.Now the animal, sensing something amiss, turned its head and staredfully at Jamie.Then, without a backward glance, Wolf saunteredacross the clearing and slipped into the forest.As if, Jamiethought with a smile, the creature had decided that Lindsey was nowsafely delivered into another’s keeping.
The slight rustling awoke Lindsey.She satup, for the moment disoriented, and Jamie saw the trace of fear inher eyes until she caught sight of him.
“Are you rested, my lady?”
“Aye.”
Lindsey discreetly gathered the remnants ofher torn bodice together.She turned her gaze toward the invitingwaters of the river.
He stood abruptly.“The horses need time toforage before we begin the journey to your father’s camp.I willleave you alone, my lady.”
To give her some privacy, he led the horsessome distance away.But though he busied himself with mundanechores, his gaze strayed often to the river, bathed with the goldenglow of morning sun.
Alone, Lindsey removed her clothes andexamined her torn and muddied gown.With great care she washed hergarments until the stains had been removed, then spread them on lowbranches to dry.
She took several tentative steps into theriver.The cool water felt wonderful against her flesh.She rubbedvigorously at the blood that caked her skin, eager to remove alltraces of her ordeal.As she moved deeper into the river, the waterlapped at her breasts.With a little sigh she plunged beneath thewaves and came up sputtering and laughing.How wonderful it felt tobe cool and clean and free of all restraint.With strong strokesshe swam the width of the river and back.
A trill of feminine laughter echoed on thebreeze.Distracted, Jamie turned toward the river.The sight thatgreeted him nearly took his breath away.Lindsey moved slowlythrough the shallows toward shore.A halo of golden light seemed tosurround her.She was a shimmering, ethereal figure.Her hair,gleaming red and gold in the morning light, fanned out around herlike a glistening veil.Her skin was as pale as the ghostly miststhat danced across the lochs in the Highlands.
He knew he should turn away, for she trustedhim to grant her the privacy she desired.But he could not.With atightness in his throat he studied her as she stepped lightly fromthe water.He drank in the sight of high, firm breasts, tiny waist,softly rounded hips.She was perfection.And the sight of her lefthim shaken.
He watched as she slipped on her delicatechemise.As she tied the ribbons that held it, he found that hishands were curled into fists at his sides.The thought of untyingthose ribbons, of removing the lacy bit of fabric from her, had hispulse racing.
She slipped white, frothy petticoats over herhead and smoothed them down over her hips, and again he was sweptby a stab of desire so raw, so swift, it left him trembling.If hewere less a man, he would give in to the need to go to her.But hisnobler virtue would not permit it.She was Douglas Gordon’svirginal daughter.He would return her as he had found her.
