“I do not know about men like your brother.Perhaps,” Jamie said carefully, “he will find a woman who will makehim forget all the others.”
“Now you sound like Father.”
Jamie shrugged.“I know only that Brice andMeredith were a most unlikely match.”
“A pity.I hope they managed to find a littlehappiness.”
“You misunderstand, my lady.Although theyseemed an unlikely match, the love they share is there in theireyes for all to see.”
Jamie tossed the rest of the branch on thefire and went to fetch the horses.Alone, Lindsey pondered what hehad just said.Love.What a strange, unpredictable emotion.Thoughher father and mother were from far different clans, one warlike,the other peaceful, theirs had been a great love.
She shook her head.She would neverunderstand such things.And she doubted she would ever have to dealwith such confusing feelings.
She watched as Jamie returned, leading theirhorses.He held her mount as she pulled herself into thesaddle.
“We should reach your father’s camp beforethe sun is directly overhead,” Jamie said, leading the way.
As they moved out, a gray, shadowy figureslipped through the forest, keeping them always in sight.
* * *
Jamie’s thoughts grew dark as they neared thecamp.This band of highwaymen was cunning.They had probably beencheating and robbing travelers along this route for many years.Forevery villain he had captured, there would be five more hiding inthe forest.If he were to capture all of them, he would first haveto catch their leader.One name sprang to mind.Ian MacPherson.Though Jamie had not spoken of it to Lindsey, he was certain thatMacPherson was the leader of the band of cutthroats.He prayed thatthe Highlanders in camp had been quick enough to prevent the escapeof that scheming villain when he had come to demand a ransom.
Jamie’s hands tightened on the reins.Hewanted only a few minutes alone with MacPherson.And the one calledArgus.Never again would they inflict their pain on a helplesswoman.And never again would they spread fear and loathing amongthe people of this region.
Seeing Jamie’s dark mood, Lindsey rode besidehim in silence.There was so much about this man she did not know.He seemed reluctant to reveal even the smallest details.His lifeas an orphan, or years spent with Brice Campbell.Both Brice andJamie were legends in this country.And both men, she thought withquickening pulse, were close friends of the queen.
Her musings were interrupted by the sharptang of wood smoke.
Jamie touched a hand to her shoulder to warnher of approaching danger.As they entered the forest, they couldmake out the shapes of men in the distance.
At the sound of a familiar voice, Lindseyslid from her horse and broke into a run.The men in the camppaused in their work to look up.One figure separated himself fromthe others.
“Lindsey.Praise heaven.”
At her father’s words, Lindsey flew into hisarms.She was swept up in a fervent embrace as a great sigh ofrelief issued from deep within him.
Her four brothers converged on her fromdifferent points around the camp, wrapping their arms around boththeir father and sister.It was a most joyful reunion as theylaughed and kissed and hugged.Everyone was talking at once, withno one making any sense.
When at last they had all embraced, Douglasheld her a little away, studying her through narrowed eyes.“Areyou truly unharmed, daughter?”
“Aye, Father.”
From his vantage point, Jamie watched the waythe lass held her cloak firmly around her, shielding her bruisedflesh from her father’s view.
“We were greatly relieved when Neal found usin the forest to tell us that you were safe,” Murray said.Heturned to Jamie with a solemn look.“When I first heard that mybrothers left Lindsey alone with you, I was not happy, for mysister is a sheltered maiden.”
“Murray,” his father said, touching a hand tohis son’s arm.
“I understand your fears,” Jamie saidquickly.“You have every right to feel as you do about your sister.But I assure you that she has been returned to you as I foundher.”
“And I,” Douglas said with fervor, “amgrateful to you, Jamie MacDonald, for leading my sons to thevillains’ camp.I would entrust my daughter to your care at anytime.”
Jamie accepted the man’s outstretched handand grasped it firmly.“I know how you suffered at the loss of yourdaughter, Douglas.I am grateful that we arrived in time to saveher.”He glanced around.“Where are the prisoners?”
“They escaped.”
Jamie’s eyes narrowed.“All of them?Howcould this happen?”
