“Thank you, Majesty.”
She gave him a wan smile.“Nay.I thank you,Jamie MacDonald.For restoring my faith in man.”
When the door closed behind Mary and LordDarnley, Jamie sank gratefully into the chair.Within minutes hewas dozing.
* * *
Lindsey felt the bile rise up in her throatas the unknown terror seized her once more.She saw the hooded man,so tall, so menacing, moving toward her.In his hand was a sword.She stared in horrified fascination as the blade caught andreflected the light of the sconces that adorned the walls of thefortress.
“You must not—” her voice was little morethan a whisper “—do this.”
The man laughed, a cruel, chilling laugh, andstrode closer.
She did not scream, for he had already warnedher that no servants would come to her defense.They were hisservants, after all, and he was her father’s avowed enemy.
“I will not have to kill Douglas Gordon,”came the man’s booming voice.“The knowledge of what I have done tohis beloved little lass will be revenge enough.Such knowledge willeat at his soul until he loses the will to live.And I will havewon the sweetest victory of all.I will have destroyed the nobleDouglas Gordon.Without his leadership, his fertile lands will bemine.And his people will be my slaves.Now, lass, come here tome.”
Lindsey continued to stare at the glitteringblade, her young mind in turmoil.If she allowed this monster to dowhat he threatened, his words would be prophetic.It would surelybreak her father’s heart.
What would it be like to die?She was tooyoung to even imagine such a thing.But this she knew, despite heryouth, despite her innocence.She must choose death over dishonor.Her father’s bitterest enemy, Neville Sinclair, must not be allowedto sully her.
“I have been patient long enough,” he saidthrough gritted teeth.“Come here, child.”
“Nay.”
Lindsey turned and began to run from him.Butthere was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.The doors to his chamberwere barred.In a state of panic she ran to the balcony, thenskidded to an abrupt halt.Trapped.She was trapped.She turned.Neville Sinclair stood barring her way.The only escape now wasdeath.
Without hesitation she climbed onto the wideledge that ringed the balcony.For as far as the eye could see,there were the green, rolling hills of Sinclair land.Directlybelow the balcony was a courtyard where several horses weretethered.It was such a long way down.
Out of the corner of her eye Lindsey saw theman racing across the balcony toward her.She inched her way to thevery edge of the ledge.There would be no second chance.If hecaught her, he was strong enough to drag her back.
She was suddenly seized with a feeling ofpeace.She had chosen the right path.She was certain of it.
Without a word she leaned forward and feltherself falling through space.Above her the man’s voice was a cryof rage at the child who had denied him his chance for vengeance.Below her the courtyard loomed, the animals shifting nervously asshe fell.
She awoke to the sound of a voice weeping.Her voice.She was bathed in sweat.Strong arms cradled her againsta solid wall of chest.For long minutes she clung to the gentlegiant who held and comforted her.
Safe.Though she knew not why, she felt safewith Jamie MacDonald.
Slowly the fear drained from her.Jamie couldfeel her gradually relax against him as the tension wasreleased.
“It was all a terrible dream,” she saidaloud, her voice trembling.
Jamie had heard too much to be fooled.Theterrors she had relived in her mind had been too real.
“Have you had this dream often, my lady?”
“Aye.For many years.”
“Do you wish to talk about it?”
She shivered and he drew her closer andpressed his lips to her temple.
“How much did I reveal?”
“Enough.”He chose his words carefully.“Enough to know that you were a very brave lass.”
He felt the shudders that racked her.“I wasbut a child.Still, the fear of that time lingers.And so manythings seem to cause the memory to flood my mind.”
