“I had not known you to be so charming.Norsuch an accomplished liar, my lord.”
“Nor had I.”He shrugged.“Necessity is afine teacher, it would seem.”
Lindsey walked to the balcony and stoodwatching as the morning sun burned off the mist that shrouded theloch.On the far shore, the boat could be seen heading toward land.She would have to make good her escape before Jamie’s mount wasferried across or she would have no horse to ride to Edinburgh.
“What bitter irony,” she murmured.“Allduring our journey, my consolation for the discomfort was that Iwould finally see the queen in Edinburgh, a city teeming withpeople, with life, with excitement.Instead I am isolated.”Lindseyshivered, drawing her arms tightly around her.“I am far moreisolated here in Lochleven than I have ever been in the Highlands.What is worse, I am separated from my father and brothers.”
Jamie cautioned himself against feeling toodeeply about the lass’s troubles.His only concern must be thesafety of the queen.He must not let anything or anyone distracthim from his duty.He lifted the decanter and filled two goblets.Crossing the room he handed one to her.
As she accepted it he said, “I have learnednever to question fate.This is not as either of us had planned it,my lady.But it could have been much worse.”
“Worse?My dream has always been to meet thequeen..Yet I met her, not in my finest gown, but in the garb of astreet lad.I was abducted, without even a chance to get word to myfather, who will be grieving inconsolably.We rode all night infear for our very lives.”She turned away, missing the smile thattouched his mouth.“How could it have been any worse?”
“You could still be at your quiet, isolatedhome in the Highlands, my lady, yearning for adventure.”
“Oh!”She pushed past him and slammed hergoblet down on the sideboard.When she lifted her head he could seethe glitter of tears filling her eyes.“If I could think only ofmyself, none of this would matter.Do you not see?My father’sheart can bear no further strain.My unexplained absence could bethe death of him.”
“Where was your concern about your fatherlast night?”Jamie asked quietly.“Did you give a thought to himwhen you dressed yourself in such a manner and followed me to atavern?It would seem, my lady, that you think of others only whenit pleases you.”
Lindsey blinked her tears away andstraightened her spine.Turning toward the sleeping chamber shesaid, “If you will excuse me, my lord, I will follow the example ofthe queen and seek my solitude.”
“Aye.But bear in mind that it was Mary whoordered you here, my lady.Do not attempt to leave Lochleven.Orthe queen might order the removal of your lovely head.”
“She is not that cruel.”
He caught her arm and drew her close, hiseyes narrowed in anger.Through clenched teeth he said, “It is notcruelty for Mary to protect herself at all cost from those whowould steal her very life.And no one, not even you, my lady, willbe permitted to leave this place, lest you unwittingly reveal thequeen’s sanctuary.”
Pulling away from him, Lindsey entered hersleeping chamber and slammed the door, shutting out his words.
For long minutes after she left, Jamie stoodstaring at the closed door.Then he turned and glanced at therolling hills in the distance, far across the loch.
The lass was right about one thing.Herfather would suffer great heartache from her unexplainedabsence.
His hand clenched at his side.Though itwould involve much risk, he would find a way to get word to DouglasGordon.
ChapterThirteen
Lindsey answered theknock on her door and found shy, sweet Sabina standing there withan assortment of ladies’ garments.
“My mother said I was to bring these to youstraight away,” the lass said, timidly entering Lindsey’s sleepingchamber.“My lord Jamie MacDonald wanted to fetch you, but I wassent ahead to see that you were properly gowned.”
“Thank you, Sabina.I will be most gratefulto be rid of what I am wearing.”
While the girl laid out the clothes on thebig bed, Lindsey swallowed her anger.Jamie would fetch her,indeed.She could see to her own needs without hisinterference.
She removed her borrowed breeches and tunicand began to wash herself.In the looking glass she could see thegirl watching her with interest.Finally Sabina broke thesilence.
“My mother said I must not ask you about yourstrange clothing, my lady.”She ducked her head when Lindseyturned.“But I have never seen a fine lady wearing such as—that.”She pointed to the pile of soiled clothing at Lindsey’s feet.“Myfather said ’twas because you are a Highlander, and they are arough, strange breed.”
Lindsey swallowed a laugh.“Aye, it is astrange costume, is it not?”She smiled and beckoned the girl tohelp her into the delicate chemise and petticoats.
As the lass tied the ribbons, Lindsey said,“Though I am indeed a Highlander, this is not my usual garment.Iwanted to appear to be a lad, so that I could enter a tavernunmolested.”
“A tavern, my lady?”The girl’s hands stilledas she stared at Lindsey with a look of surprise.
“Aye.I wanted the freedom accorded a man.And so I dressed like one.”
“Oh, my lady.”The girl’s voice lowered to awhisper.“What was it like?”
