“Aye, my lord.I am certain of it.”
“Take your rest now, Justin.You have earnedit.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
Lindsey watched as the boatman steppedoutside, pulling the door closed behind him.Jamie stood for amoment, then turned and climbed the stairs to his room.
When his footsteps faded, Lindsey ran to thefront door and let herself out.
The grounds of Lochleven were washed inmoonlight.Little tufts of mist danced across the dark waters ofthe loch.Cursing the full moon that would make her clearly visibleall the way across the loch, Lindsey made her way toward thestables.Once inside she found Jamie’s horse and quickly saddledhim.Then she began to lead him toward the water that shimmered inthe distance.
A night bird cried, and her heart leaped toher throat.She dropped to her knees in the wet grass.As thebird’s wings beat the night air just above her head she felt a rushof relief.Getting to her feet she berated herself for her foolishfears.Why was she being so skittish?They were alone on thisisland.Everyone in their party was asleep in the castle.Soon shewould be across the loch and on her way to her father.
As she approached the loch she heard the snapof a twig and turned.At first she thought she saw the dark outlineof a tree.But as the dark form moved toward her, she realized itwas not a tree.Nor an animal.It was a man.And in his hand was asword, which glinted as the blade caught and reflected the light ofthe moon.
* * *
Jamie entered the suite of rooms and glancedtoward the door of Lindsey’s sleeping chamber.No light showedbeneath it.It was odd that she would retire so quickly, hethought.Especially since she had slept for most of the day.Shehad not seemed particularly sleepy when they had been below stairs.In truth, she had seemed brimming with energy.
He strode to the door, then hesitated.Therewas a very good reason to keep his distance from the lady.Eachtouch, each stolen kiss had taught him one important fact.He couldnot go on being near Lindsey Gordon, and tempting himself, withouttaking her.He wanted her as he had never wanted any other woman.If it took all his willpower to stay away from her in the daylight,how much more difficult would it be now, with the darkness castingits magic spell?
He let his hand drop to his side.With greatreluctance he stepped away from her door and strode to his ownsteeping chamber.
Once inside, he removed his tunic and shirtand crossed the room to poke at the ashes and coals that gleamed inthe fireplace.Adding another log to the embers, he watched asflame leaped along the bark.
Wiping his hands on his breeches, he pausedat the balcony window and stared at the glistening water of theloch far below.Clouds scudding across the full moon obscured thegrounds of Lochleven, and he began to turn away.As the moon brokefree of the clouds, however, something, some movement, caught hiseye and he leaned over the balcony, straining to see what it was.It appeared to be a man and boy fighting over the reins of a horse.Something glinted in the man’s hand.In the moonlight Jamierecognized the blade of a sword.And then, as the figures partedfor a moment, he recognized something else.Something that sent icepouring through his veins.With a savage oath he raced from hisroom.
* * *
“What a shame you chose tonight to go for aride, lad.Now you will have to die.”
As the stranger lifted his sword to strike,Lindsey pulled her own sword from its scabbard and lunged.The man,caught unawares, felt her blade slice his arm.With a string ofcurses he barely managed to dodge her second thrust.But whenLindsey moved in for the kill, he tossed his weapon aside andcaught her hand in a powerful grip.He twisted her arm until thesword slipped from her fingers, then, bending her arm behind her,he dragged her close.
“You may be skilled with a weapon, but youcannot match my strength.Prepare to meet your maker, lad.”Hisbreath was hot against her cheek.
Lindsey saw the blade of the knife as hepulled it from his waistband.As they struggled, the hat slippedfrom her head and her hair tumbled down her back.
For a moment the stranger was taken aback.Then a cruel laugh escaped his lips.
“A female.By the gods, a lass in lad’sclothing.”He grabbed a handful of her hair and yanked her headback until she cried out in pain.“And a beautiful lass, at that.What a pity my mission lies elsewhere.”He thought a moment, thenseemed to come to a decision.“I will have to take you quickly.Maybe, if you please me, you will not have to die after all.”
As he bent his face to hers she struggled toevade his lips.“I would rather die!”
“Then you shall have your wish.It is best toleave no witnesses to the deed I have in mind.”He laughed, low anddeep, sending shivers of fear along her spine.He caught her by thefront of the tunic and with his knife slit the fabric of tunic andshirt from top to bottom.Shame washed over her and she tried tohold the remnants of her clothing across her breasts.He gave acoarse laugh and twisted her hands behind her.
“There is no need to fight, lass.It mattersnot to me how often I have to hurt you.But know this.I will haveyou.With or without causing you pain.”
“Then you will have to kill me.For I willnever submit.”
She sank her teeth into his hand and he gavea cry of rage as the knife slipped from his hand and landed attheir feet.Blood was dripping from his wound.He brought his handacross her face so hard it sent her sprawling in the dirt.With atriumphant oath he dropped to his knees beside her.Making a last,desperate effort, Lindsey reached for the knife, but the strangerwas quicker.As they struggled, the blade sliced her hand, sendingblood spurting down her arm and across her breasts.
Her attacker lifted the knife high in the airand gave a cruel laugh as she struggled to reach it.
With the knife between his teeth he closedrough, callused hands around Lindsey’s throat, cutting off herbreath.
As she clawed at his hands, he tightened hisgrip until strange lights began to dance in front of her eyes.
“I like a lass with fire,” he said with achilling laugh.“I can see that you are going to provide me withmuch pleasure before you die.”
