He leaned in to the horse, lifting its hoofas he applied a poultice.
Lindsey studied Jamie’s muscled thigh,straining against the fabric of his breeches.Suddenly her throatwent dry and she was forced to swallow.Before she could think sheblurted, “You avoid my family.”
“Nay, my lady.”He lowered the horse’s leg,then wiped his hands on his breeches before glancing at her.“Thishas naught to do with you or your family.”
“Ian MacPherson then.You avoid us because ofIan.”
“Aye.”He turned and began walking toward asmall stream that glistened in the moonlight.On the banks he kneltand plunged his arms into the cool water.Following several stepsbehind, Lindsey watched as he splashed water over his face andchest.
“Can you not wait until we reach Edinburgh tojudge him?Or does the Heartless MacDonald not even heed the wordof his queen?”
Pressing a square of linen to his face, hedried himself.Lindsey stared in fascination as he ran the linenover his chest and arms.
“I am more than willing to offer my hand toIan MacPherson, should the queen declare him to be what be claims.If, however, he is the liar I think him to be, it will not be myhand but my sword he faces.”
“Do you really believe that one of myabductors would return to my father’s camp and risk his wrath?”
Jamie crushed the linen as his hand formed atight fist.His eyes blazed for a moment before he said quietly,“Your question is not worthy of a reply.”
Lindsey felt her temper growing.With herhands on her hips she taunted, “What must it feel like to be soperfect?”
He ignored her taunt and turned away.As hebegan to walk she followed, feeling her anger begin to spill over.“Why can you not admit that you may be wrong?”
He spun around so quickly she nearly collidedwith him.Before she could take a step back he caught her roughlyby the arms and dragged her even closer.“Woman,” he snarled, hiseyes narrowed in anger, “you sorely try my patience.”
“Patience?”She tossed her head, as if todefy him.“I have seen no trace of this virtue you claim, mylord.”
“Nor will you, if you continue on thisdangerous course you have set.”
For a moment his hands tightened on her armsand she felt a tiny thread of fear course along her spine.For longminutes he stared into her eyes.She refused to blink or look away.Abruptly he released her and turned on his heel.
Lindsey had no idea what drove her to behavein such a foolish manner.But now that her temper had been aroused,she seemed unable to back away.Once again she flounced behind him,her biting words mocking him.
“I see that you do not intend to admit thatyou could be wrong.Is this why some men claim the HeartlessMacDonald is never defeated?He merely insists that his way is theright way?”
She saw his hands clench at his sides as hecontinued on his way.Her words had obviously found their mark.Flushed with victory she stalked him as they passed through a standof trees that blocked the light of the moon and stars.“So.Themighty warrior now is reduced to threatening women if they dare tovex him.Is this how you earned your name?”
“Damn you, woman.”
She did not even see him as he spun aroundand caught her arms in a painful grasp.His breath was hot againsther cheek.
“I am sick to death of that name.”
“It suits you.The Heartless MacDonald.”
His voice was a low whisper of fury as hetook both her hands and pressed them to his chest.She felt thesudden jolt and tried to pull away, but he held her fast.
“Can you feel the pounding of my heart?”
Her voice was little more than a strangledwhisper.“Aye.I can.”
“Is it less a heart than that of othermen?”
She swallowed.“Nay.”
“Then you admit I am not heartless, mylady?”
Her palms were damp where they touched hischest.His mat of hair was soft and springy against her flesh.Aye,he was far from heartless.His heartbeat was every bit asthunderous as hers.
