In the darkness she whispered furiouslythrough clenched teeth, “I will never forgive you for this, JamieMacDonald.”
And with each mile, her hatred of the mangrew as she found herself wondering if she would ever see herbeloved family again.
ChapterTwelve
Athin sliver ofpale moon still hung in the sky as the gauzy pink of dawn began tostreak the horizon.
All night they had ridden without stop,hardly daring to glance over their shoulders as they fled.On thelong night’s journey they had stayed far ahead of those who wouldharm them, and had encountered no resistance.
Lindsey held herself stiffly in Jamie’s arms.But as the horses moved along mile after endless mile of gentle,rolling hillside, frosted by a silver, predawn mist, she gave in tothe overpowering need to sleep.
Jamie knew when sleep overtook her.Her facelowered to his shoulder and her lips pressed against his throat.Her hands grew slack and dropped listlessly to rest upon histhighs.
To Jamie it was a most pleasant sensation,and a smile touched the corner of his lips.She would be horrifiedif she could see his reaction to her touch.
He longed to pause in their journey to lether sleep without the jarring motion of their horse.He thoughtabout the suite of rooms he had secured for her at the inn.A tubof warm water, a roaring fire and a feather bed awaited her.Alas,the little firebrand was forced to endure another difficultjourney, a cold trail and a few moments of respite with her cheekagainst his shoulder.
He felt the pressure of her breasts againsthis chest and endured a tightening in his throat.To keep her warm,he drew his cloak firmly around her and hunched his body overhers.
They rode like that for several miles untilhe felt her head come up sharply.She had suddenly been joltedawake.He sat up straighter.
Embarrassed at her lapse, Lindsey again heldherself stiffly in his arms.If the queen, who was heavy withchild, could ride for hours without rest, she would allow herselfto do no less.But though she did not speak to him, she wasachingly aware of the man who held her in the circle of his arms.The heat of his body still lingered in the folds of his cloak, andshe was grateful for its warmth.
The morning sun was just beginning to breakthrough the clouds when they halted by the banks of a wide loch.Far across, in the middle, four islands converged.There, in thecenter of the largest island, stood a dark imposing castle.
“Praise heaven.Lochleven at last,” the queenbreathed.
A man stepped from his concealment behindsome shrubbery that grew down to the water’s edge.Instantly Jamieslid from his mount and drew his sword, placing himself between thequeen and the stranger.
“Hold, my lord,” the man shouted.“I am sentby my lord William to see to your journey to his castle.I havewaited all night for your arrival.”
As Jamie continued to challenge him, thestranger pointed to a boat hidden by foliage.
“It is a humble vessel, Majesty,” the mansaid with lowered gaze, “but sturdy.’Twill see you safely acrossthe loch.”
“Thank you.”The queen slid wearily from thesaddle.“What about our mounts?”
“I will tie them here and see to them later,”the man explained.
Lindsey slid gratefully from the horse andwatched as the queen’s husband, who had journeyed with them allnight without uttering a single word, climbed from his mount andtook a seat in the boat.
Jamie assisted the queen into the boat, thencaught Lindsey’s hand and drew her down on a hard wooden seatbeside him.The boatman pushed them from shore with a long pole,then bent to his oars.
The wind on the water was cold, and Lindseyshivered despite the warmth of Jamie’s cloak.
She stared at the castle looming across theicy water.How forbidding it seemed, with its dark stone andscarred battlements.
“Your thoughts are gloomy, my lady,” Jamiewhispered.“But I do not think they are about Lochleven.”
“Mayhap I plot ways to thank you for this, mylord.”Jamie swallowed back a smile.The lady had no idea howbeautiful she looked when fire blazed in her eyes.
“If you plot to swim the loch, know that thewaters are frigid, and the distance to shore is great.”
“It is a small price to pay to return to myfamily.I fear for my father,” she murmured, praying the queenwould not overhear.“He will be heartsick when he awakens anddiscovers that I am absent from the inn.”
“And what,” Jamie muttered, “will the rumorsbe when it is discovered that I am also missing, along with DouglasGordon’s virginal daughter?”
Lindsey gave a little gasp and turned to meethis dark gaze.
