We woke this morrow to find them gone.Theguards we had posted were all dead, their throats slit.”
Jamie’s countenance grew dark with fury.“Howmany men have we lost?”
“Six,” Douglas said.
“Six men.”Jamie grew silent for a moment,then said sternly, “And their leader?Were you able to capture himwhen he came demanding the ransom for Lindsey’s safe return?”
“He never showed himself,” Douglas Gordonreplied.
“He never came.But how could this be?”
The old man shrugged.“Something must havehappened to change his plans.”
“Aye.But we will continue to watch for him,”said a voice behind Jamie.
For a moment Jamie stood frozen to the spot.He refused to turn.He knew that voice.Knew the face he wouldsee.
Fury churned within him, making his bloodboil.How could this man stand among them, feigning innocence?
Carefully schooling his features, Jamieturned slowly and found himself face-to-face with IanMacPherson.
Chapter Nine
Ignoring Jamie’slook of fury, Ian strode forward and caught Lindsey’s hand,bringing it to his lips.“I regret that I was too late to save youmyself, my lady.”
“Too late?”Jamie’s eyes narrowed with suddenfury.
“Aye,” Douglas interjected.“Robbie and Nealmet Ian on the journey back to camp.It seems Ian had beensearching all the night for our Lindsey.In fact, he saw the menwho captured her.”
“Did you now?And you never sounded analarm?”Jamie’s hands clenched and unclenched at his sides.
“I had hoped to take them by surprise.”Iantore his gaze from Lindsey long enough to reply.“As I explained toDouglas and his sons, I was intent upon securing the lady’s freedomquickly and easily.When I saw the horses disappearing into theforest, I took up my sword and followed as swiftly aspossible.”
“You could have been killed,” Lindseyprotested.“You had no way of knowing there were only two ofthem.”
“Two or two score and ten, it mattered not,my lady.I gave no thought to my own safety.My only thought wasthat I must save you from those villains.”
“A single shout would have awakened theentire camp and alerted all to Lindsey’s peril.”Jamie took amenacing step closer, his hands curled into fists.“It would havebeen a simple matter for our entire company to overpower herabductors.”
“Alas,” Ian said, shrugging his shoulders, “Irealize now that.I was misguided.But my mind was clouded by thedanger to the lady.My only thought was to stop the villains andsave the lady Lindsey.”
“If, as you said, you were close on theirtrail, how did you not locate them before we did?”Jamiedemanded.
“I must have lost them when they crossed theriver.I hid myself until they disappeared into the forest.Butwhen I tried to follow, I became lost in a maze of trails.”
“Odd,” Jamie mused aloud, “that we were ableto find them, even though we were far behind you.And even strangerthat we did not come upon you in the forest.”
Ian turned, ignoring Jamie’s taunts, to giveLindsey a brilliant smile.“Aye.But at least we are all safelytogether now.”
Jamie glanced from Douglas to his sons indisbelief.Surety they did not accept this story as truth.Werethey all blind?Or worse, addled?
“I do not believe you.”Jamie’s words werespoken in dangerously icy tones.
Everyone in the camp went silent.Murray andDonald exchanged knowing looks.Neal and Robbie appeared nervousand agitated, glancing quickly toward their father forguidance.
Lindsey’s eyes went wide.Stepping close toJamie she reached out a hand to him, as if to silence his words,but he fixed her with a cold look, causing her to pull her handaway.
“Do you call me a liar?”Ian’s gaze dartedfrom Jamie to Lindsey, then back to Jamie.
