Still, she was intruding upon something veryprivate.She had no claim on Jamie.And no right to follow him onsuch a personal mission.
After warring with her conscience, sheglanced up.Jamie and the woman were far ahead, nearly running intheir haste.As she studied the darkened buildings that toweredover her, she realized that she could never find her way back tothe inn.She had no choice.She must follow Jamie or be lost inthis maze, perhaps until morning.
Breaking into a run she came to the end ofthe street.She looked left and right.There was no sign of Jamieor the woman.Taking a chance, she turned left and rounded acorner.There, slipping through a tall hedge, she spied the twofamiliar figures.In the next moment, they disappeared.
Lindsey started to run.Ahead of her anunbroken wall of tall hedge ringed a darkened building.Shesearched for the opening into which Jamie and the woman haddisappeared.But all she could find were prickly brambles that toreat her flesh and snagged at her clothes.
In the darkness she heard the sound of anapproaching horse and rider corning up behind her.From theopposite direction another horse and rider approached.Judging bythe hoofbeats, both were traveling at high speed.She would betrapped between them unless she found the entrance.
Frantically she reached through the brambles,searching for escape.Suddenly, looming before her, was thecarefully concealed opening she sought.As the horses grew close,she ducked into the narrow hole in the hedge and stepped throughonto a perfectly manicured lawn.A walkway led to stone arches,beyond which was a heavy door.
Her palms were sweating.With greatapprehension Lindsey pulled open the door.It led to a long hallwaylit by sconces that sent eerie, flickering shadows across thewalls.She was grateful to find the hall empty.No sounds broke thestillness.No one challenged her presence.
Following the hallway, Lindsey paused infront of an open door that led to a cavernous room.Steppinginside, she saw that Jamie and the woman were standing on the farside of the room.They were speaking in low tones to someone seatedin a massive chair drawn up before the glowing coals of a fire.
Creeping closer, Lindsey strained to heartheir words.
“I dare not stay here.”The woman’s voice wassoft, with a slight French accent.
“I have brought others who are loyal.”
“Brice Campbell?”
“Nay.Brice is...”Jamie paused, unable tospeak the words.Carefully he said, “He is still fighting torecover from the wounds inflicted in the attack.”
There was a gasp followed by a silence.
Jamie cleared his throat.His tones were low,persuasive.“When the people hear what has happened, our numberswill swell.”
“You do not understand, my dear friend.Atthis moment I cannot even trust those closest to me.My only safetynow is in escape.”
“And what of Darnley?”
There was a slight hesitation.“For themoment he is more afraid of my wrath than of hell itself.He willdo whatever I command.”
“Where will you go?”
“George and Will have offered me haven inLochleven.”
“Lochleven.God in heaven.You would travelthat treacherous route in your condition?”
“Aye.We leave now if my steed is ready.”
“Then I go with you.And this I vow,” Jamiesaid fervently, falling on his knees and lifting a small hand tohis lips.“I will not leave your side until all those who dare tothreaten you are lying in their own blood and you are once moresafely ensconced upon the throne at Holyroodhouse.”
At his words Lindsey’s legs seemed unable tosupport her.She sank to her knees as the realization dawned.Thiswas not the home of his mistress or a friend.This was indeed thequeen’s fortress.And the figure seated before the fire was Mary,Queen of Scots.
* * *
Lindsey struggled to shake off thelight-headedness that seemed to grip her.She had never beforefainted.Nor would she permit such a weakness now.But there was nodenying that she was confused.
She remained kneeling on the cold floor andwatched as three women crossed the room and bowed before the queen.All three were weeping and wringing their hands.
“I implore you, Majesty.Do not attempt toride in your condition.”
“Stay here with us, where you will be welltended.”
“My dear Maries.”The queen kissed eachwoman, then caught their hands.
