He pressed her down against the pillows anddrew the linens snugly around her.She caught his hand and presseda kiss to it, and he felt the flare of heat.
“You will lie here beside me, my lord?”
“Nay, my lady.”He thought of the desire hefelt each time he touched her.It would not be at all safe to liebeside her.“I will remain here in your chambers and see that youare not alone.”
“The dream will come again.I know it.And Iam so weary of the fight.Please, my lord.Lie beside me.”
How could he refuse?“Aye, my lady.”
He drew her into the circle of his arms andclosed his eyes.If indeed there was a heaven, he had already foundit.
* * *
Lindsey awoke with a start.As her lidslifted she could make out the image of a haggard, unshaven Jamiebeside her.They were lying in each other’s arms, in a mostintimate embrace.
Feeling suddenly ashamed, she struggled topush herself free of his grasp.His arms tightened around her.
“Are you awake?”she whispered.
“Nay,” came his whispered reply.“I must bedreaming.Else how can you explain how we happen to be sleepingtogether?”
Heat stained her cheeks.“Where am I, mylord?Where have you taken me?”
“To your sleeping chamber.”Seeing the cloudof confusion still in her eyes he added with a smile, “InLochleven, my lady.”
“Aye.Lochleven.”Then the terror returned.She sat up, pushing a tangle of hair from her eyes.“The man withthe sword...”
“Is dead, my lady.”Jamie sat up besideher.
“You killed him?”
“Nay.It was Wolf who came to your rescuefirst.”
“Wolf.”Lindsey struggled to remember.“Thesound.It was like a scream, but yet it was like nothing I had everheard.”
“I was screaming,” Jamie explained.“Screaming to distract the stranger.But the sound of Wolf’s howlmay have drowned out any other sound.”
“Who was the man?”
Jamie shook his head.“No one seems to know.Can you tell me what he revealed to you?”
Lindsey thought a moment.“He said it was ashame I had chosen that night to ride.”
“So you were not his intended victim?”
“Nay.I just happened to cross his path.”
“Did he say anything else?”
Lindsey struggled to recall everything thathad been said.At length she shook her head.“I wish I could recallanything of value.But I cannot.”
“It matters not, my lady.The most importantthing of all is that you are safe.”
“Thanks to you.”For the first time shenoticed that he was shirtless.His naked torso rippled withmuscles.She found herself staring at the mat of hair that coveredhis chest and tapered to the waist of his breeches.
“And Wolf.”Seeing the direction of her gaze,his voice warmed.“Do not forget Wolf.”
“Aye.”She felt herself blushing and tore hergaze away.But as she lifted her head she found herself staring athis lips.How close they were.How inviting.“I shall have to seethat Wolf is well rewarded for his bravery.”
