Jamie smiled gently.“He would have to begodlike to possess all the qualities Lady Lindsey has justdescribed in all her brothers.”
Lindsey’s sadness lifted as she broke into asmile.“Aye, Majesty.And you must remember that I am seeing mybrothers from a distance.When I am with them, I yearn for thechance to be rid of them.”
They shared a laugh.
Mary turned to Jamie.“You have met DouglasGordon’s sons, my friend.What say you?Has the lady described themhonestly?”
“Aye, Majesty.’Twas an accurate description.But she failed to mention the chorus of voices.When the entireGordon clan discourses, it can become a bit overwhelming.”
“Is this so?”
Lindsey joined in his laughter.“Aye,Majesty.It is true.We never speak if we can shout.And if threeor more can shout at one time, we are even happier.”
The queen placed her hand below her heart.“This I do not wish for my son.”
They all burst into gales of laughter.
From his position beside the fireplace, Jamiewatched the queen with a feeling of relief.He had never seen herso relaxed.Or so radiant.
“Are there any musicians in your family?”Mary asked.
“Robbie plays the lute.I was forced to learnthe virginal.”
“How wonderful.”The queen clapped her hands.“You must play for us.”She pointed to the small, rectangularinstrument that rested atop a table in the corner of the room.“Jamie, bring the virginal to Lindsey.”
As he placed the instrument across Lindsey’slap, she cautioned, “I much preferred learning the use of weaponsto playing music.But my father insisted that I must learn to playthis as well as my mother once did.”
Positioning her fingers on the keyboardLindsey began to play a hauntingly beautiful melody.
The queen was enthralled.Jamie waspleasantly surprised.Even the musicians at court had not played aswell.As the last notes of the music faded, the queen clapped herhands and demanded another song.
Jamie glanced at the chair where Lord Darnleywas seated.His head had fallen back against the upholstery.Hismouth had gone slack.The empty tankard lay beside his elbow.
Jamie gave a sigh of relief.There would beone less to worry about this night.Darnley would sleep untilmorning.
Now there would be only Lindsey to watch andhe had no intention of letting her out of his sight.
The woman who dominated his thoughts was busymaking plans of her own.Before this night was over, she intendedto be free of her prison.
ChapterFifteen
Lindsey closed thedoor to her chambers and leaned wearily against it.The queen hadkept her up half the night playing the virginal.She had playedevery melody she knew a score of times.And still Mary had notheard enough.The queen reluctantly agreed to retire only afterLindsey promised to entertain her again on the morrow.
Tomorrow, Lindsey thought with a littlesmile, she would be in Edinburgh, embracing her father.
She knew it was wrong to lie to one’smonarch, but she felt she had no choice.She could not, after all,admit what she planned.Jamie MacDonald would see her locked in herroom if he knew that she entertained such thoughts.
Jamie.Her heart skipped a beat.He hadwanted to escort her to her chamber after he saw the queen to hersuite.But Lindsey had foiled his attempts by insisting uponretiring immediately.She had seen the look in his eyes when hewatched her.If she allowed him to kiss her again, there was notelling what might happen.She was afraid of the feelings hissimple touch unleashed in her.
She must not allow herself to think of him.He would be humiliated by her escape.Worse, his fury would be aterrible thing to behold.She would have to see that she alwaysremained one step ahead of him.She dared not face his wrath.
Rushing to the bed, she retrieved the stableboy’s clothing, which she had hidden underneath.Within minutes shehad removed her gown and petticoats and donned the rough breeches,shirt and tunic.Tucking her hair beneath the hat, she made her wayto the door of the chamber and listened.Hearing no sound shepulled it open a crack and peered out.The hall was empty.
She made her way carefully down the stairs.When she reached the lower level she was startled to hear voices.Quickly ducking behind a chaise, she watched and listened as Jamiewas met by Justin MacLeod.
“I saw to that little matter, my lord.Theywere most grateful to have their minds set at ease.”
“Good,” came Jamie’s deep voice.“Did you seethat you were not followed?”
