She would make amends.The plan had beenforming in her mind since her arrival.The timing was perfect.Setting the candle on a table she hurried across the room andpicked up the sword that had been hanging over the fireplace andthe bundle of clothing she had discarded that morning.If thedisguise had worked once, it would work again.
She would leave Lochleven under cover ofdarkness and arrive in Edinburgh by dawn.She had seen JustinMacLeod ferrying the horses across the loch.She knew where theywere stabled.She would borrow Jamie’s mount for the journey.Hewould understand, as would the queen.She would leave a missiveprofessing her regret at what she must do.But her father’s heartcould not be broken again.
At a knock she hurriedly tossed the breechesand tunic beneath her bed.Draping a shawl over her shoulders shewalked to the door.
“I saw the light of your candle, my lady,”Jamie said, “and knew you were awake.”
He studied the way she looked, her slenderbody visible beneath the gauzy gown, her long hair tumbling downher back in a riot of tangles, and felt desire stir within him.
She seemed breathless.Two bright spots ofcolor flamed on her cheeks.“You are not welcome in my chambers, mylord.”
She made a move to close the door but hestopped her, holding the door when she would slam it shut.“Ourqueen seeks your company below stairs.”
She hesitated.A royal command could not bedenied.But these hours were fleeting.Swallowing her frown, shenodded.“Then I will be happy to join her.It will take but a fewminutes to prepare myself.”
As she closed the door to her chambers, Jamiewalked to the fireplace and stood, deep in thought.The lass was upto something.He recognized the fire in those green eyes.He wouldhave to keep a careful watch on her.It would be like Lindsey toattempt to escape Lochleven and blunder around the countryside,searching for Edinburgh.
Jamie began to pace.He had been below stairsa short time ago.It was obvious that Lord Darnley had beendrinking most of the day.Unless he fell into a drunken stupor, hewould be in an ugly mood this night.Jamie frowned.He would haveto devise ways to keep Mary in plain view, where he could protecther.
He had to protect Mary from her husband, andLindsey from herself.No small task.Mayhap he could persuadeLindsey to talk about her family.The queen would be entertained bythe colorful descriptions of Lindsey’s father and brothers, fortheirs was a lively group.It could help pass the time.It wouldalso keep Lindsey in the same room with the queen, where Jamiecould watch both of them.Somehow, he must devise ways to bringthese two women closer together.Then his job of watching both ofthem would be easier.
When the door to Lindsey’s chambers opened,she was dressed much like she had been that morning.The blue gownmolded her trim figure.Her hair was pinned back with combs.Hereyes sparkled now with fresh vitality.
As they descended the wide stairs, Jamieoffered his arm and she placed her hand upon his sleeve.Thoughtsof the kiss they had shared played through his mind, and he glancedat the woman beside him.Though her lashes were demurely lowered,he felt the heat of her touch and cursed himself for the rush offeelings that he could not dispel.
When they entered the withdrawing room,Lindsey curtsied before the queen, who was seated in a comfortablechair in front of a roaring fire.Lord Darnley stood to one side,frowning into his tankard.
“Ah, Lindsey.You are rested?”
“Aye, Majesty.And you?I trust youslept?”
“I do not sleep as well as I once did, but Iam rested.The babe moves within me,” the queen said, touching ahand to her swollen stomach, “whenever I try to rest.”
“Is it painful?”Lindsey cast a worriedglance at her monarch.
Mary smiled gently.“Nay.It is, in fact, amost pleasant sensation.”She arched a brow as she studied theyoung woman.“Do you know nothing about childbirth?”
“Very little, Majesty.As daughter of thelaird, I have assisted in a few birthings in the village.But myown mother died when I was a child, and none of my brothers hastaken a wife.”
“Then I shall have to share this adventurewith you.Would you like that, Lindsey?”
For the first time since they had met, thequeen truly smiled, and Lindsey studied her in the glow of thecandlelight.She was a lovely woman at twenty-three.Mary’s hairwas more red than blond.Her almond eyes sparkled with humor, andshe had a well-formed mouth and chin.Up close her skin was as fineas porcelain.
Lindsey’s smile matched the queen’s.“I wouldlike that very much, Majesty.”
“Come.”Mary indicated the chair beside hers.“Join me in a cup of tea before we sup.”
As Lindsey took her seat the queen pouredfrom a silver tea server.
Lindsey glanced appreciatively around theroom.Trophies of the hunt adorned the walls.Talented artists hadrecreated on canvas scenes of Sir William as he hunted deer, boarand bird.The floors were carpeted with hides.Though this wasobviously a man’s sanctuary, it was softened by the addition of afew chairs covered with plush pelts and a marble table displaying acollection of lovely woodland creatures crafted of silver andgold.
“Will you take tea with us, Darnley?”thequeen asked.Her husband barely looked up.“Nay.I much prefer myale.”
“Jamie?”
Jamie smiled.“I fear I would prefer ale aswell, Majesty.”
“Ah, well.”The queen saw the way Lindsey’sgaze trailed through the window to the loch, dark now with eveningshadows.“I see you have still not resigned yourself to being herewith us.”
