“Aye, lass.”Douglas watched as she flouncedfrom the room, then commanded softly, “Mind your tongues aroundLindsey.She should not be forced to listen to your cruderemarks.”
“She is usually the one who makes them,” Nealprotested.He remembered the first time he had heard his sisterswear.She would have put a soldier to shame.
Douglas chose to overlook his son’s comment.Despite his daughter’s quick temper, she was the light of his life.Though she went about her chores without complaint, Douglas sensedher loneliness at times.Despite the fact that theirs was a lively,raucous family, he knew that his daughter had been denied thecompany of other women.Her isolation had given her a simpleinnocence that, to him, was refreshing.But to those beyond thesesecluded hills she would no doubt appear too artless.
He emptied his goblet and glanced at the sonsseated to his right and left.Their talk soon turned, as always, tothe state of their country and their beloved young queen.
* * *
Lindsey gathered the last of the eggs intoher apron and headed for the house.Usually such mundane choreswere given over to a servant, but she had a need to escape theconfines of the four walls, despite the weather.A bitter rain wasnothing compared with the storm that raged within between herbrothers and her father.
Theirs was a prickly, combative family, andthough she loved them dearly, there were times when she would havegratefully strangled her overbearing menfolk.At such times shefled to the solitude of the forest.Today, because of the weather,she would content herself with a brief foray into the rain-soakedacreage that ringed their fortress.
All the talk between her father and brothers,if shouts and resounding oaths could be called talk, centeredaround the rumors of turmoil at Holyrood, the queen’s officialresidence in Edinburgh.Turmoil, she thought.The queen should livewith Douglas Gordon and his four sons.If they weren’t broodingover Donald and his wenches, they were arguing over Murray’slong-standing feud with the Robertsons, or Robbie’s rambling,poetic missives to an unnamed maiden, or the never-ending tensionsthat simmered between Scotland and England.
One day soon, Lindsey knew, the warlikeHighlanders could be called upon to defend their country againstthe aggressions of England.The thought of it did not frightenher.
All her life she had watched her father andbrothers go off to do battle.She had seen her poor mother’s heartbroken by the thought of losing her adored husband and sons to thesword.Lindsey’s lips tightened.Instead it was her dear mother whohad died young.Far too young.And left a family washed ingrief.
Lindsey could still recall those early years,when she and Neal were left behind while her father and olderbrothers went off to do battle.She had cried out at the injusticeof it.There was still a lingering trace of guilt that, because ofher mother’s untimely death, she had been granted her wish.Fromthat day on her father had seen to it that all his children,including his daughter, accompanied him everywhere.Those foraysinto battle had convinced Lindsey that she would never be contentto stay at home while her men went off on their adventures.
Perhaps Lindsey was distracted by herthoughts.Or perhaps she had taken on too many chores this day.Forwhatever reason, she let down her guard for a moment.In the softlyfalling rain she heard the crackle of a branch just moments beforean arm came round her waist and a big hand closed over her mouth.The hem of her apron slipped from nerveless fingers.Eggs tumbledto the ground, their contents mingling with the rain to run insticky yellow rivers at her feet.Her scream was abruptly chokedoff.
Her heart hammered in her temples as a roughvoice warned, “Not a word, lass, or I shall have to break yourpretty neck.”She felt the heat of her attacker’s breath as hesaid, “Do as I say and you will not be harmed.Do youunderstand?”
She swallowed the terror that clogged herthroat and nodded.
“I wish only to speak to your master.I meanhim no harm.You will lead me through his keep by way of thescullery.”
Lindsey’s mind raced.The lout thought shewas a servant.If he were to learn the truth, she would be in fargreater danger.She must keep up the charade until she thought of away to warn her family of this invader.
Feigning weakness, she slumped against him.With a muttered oath Jamie lowered her to the wet grass.He had notmeant to harm this female, but ofttimes he did not know his ownstrength.As he knelt beside her his breath caught in his throat.God in heaven.Close up, she was far lovelier than he had expected.Thick tangles of russet hair fell to her waist.Damp littletendrils kissed her cheeks in a most becoming fashion.Her ovalface was accentuated by high cheekbones and a tiny, upturned nose,and her lips were full and ripe.As her lids fluttered he foundhimself staring into eyes that rivaled the queen’s emeralds.
He cursed this damnably hysterical female forher beauty and her weakness.He was unprepared for either.He hadexpected to bully the servant into leading him to her master.Nowhis gallantry would not permit it.He would have to carry her.Anot altogether unpleasant task.
Sweeping her into his arms, he lifted her aseasily as if she were a bairn.With quick strides he began to pickhis way through the wet grass toward the scullery.
As the giant carried her, Lindsey plotted hernext move.Those few moments had bought her time to study thisstranger.From the weapons he carried, he was no ordinary traveler.The hilt of the sword at his waist glinted with gold and preciousjewels, proving him to be a man of some wealth and measure.Unless,she thought with a tremor of new fear, he had stolen the sword froman unfortunate nobleman.She pushed aside that thought andconcentrated on the matter at hand.The sword’s blade was honed toa razor edge.A fighter’s sword, not a gentleman’s weapon.She hadcounted three dirks, one at his waistband and one at each boot.
She could not allow this villain to catch herfather and brothers unaware.Somehow she must warn them of hispresence.
As he cradled her to his chest, Jamie glanceddown at the sweep of thick lashes that shielded her eyes from hisview.He seized the moment to study her flawless complexion andfelt the sudden, unwelcome stirring in his loins.Had heencountered this female at some other place and time, he would havesavored her wild, primitive beauty.But at this moment he wantednothing more than to present his offer to the Gordon clan and be onhis way to Edinburgh to be with his queen.Still, he could notignore the fragrance of evergreen and wildflowers that driftedgently from her hair and clothes, enveloping him in the sweetestperfume.She was a most fetching distraction.
At the door to the scullery Jamie paused.Hearing no sound from within, he kicked open the door and strodeinside.
The woman in his arms moaned.Alarmed, he sether down on a rug by the hearth and knelt beside her.
“Are you hurt, lass?Is something wrong?”
“Water,” she rasped, keeping her eyes firmlyclosed.Please, sir, I have need of water quickly.”
Her voice was soft, almost husky.It wasunlike any female voice he had ever heard, whispering over hissenses in a way that disturbed him greatly.Still, he remindedhimself, he had not come here to be charmed by a voice.There wasdesperate work to be done.
As he knelt over her she watched from beneathhalf-closed lids and tried again.“Please.Water.”
“Aye.”Reluctantly Jamie crossed the room andfilled a dipper from a bucket.From the corner of his eye he sawthe flash of color and turned in time to see the girl racing towardthe doorway leading to the refectory.
“By the gods!”In swift strides he caught upwith her.
