“Oh, my lady.It is the most natural thing inthe world to feel this way.”
“Do you feel it too, my lord?”
In reply he framed her face with his handsand drew her to him.His mouth came down on hers and he devouredher with his kiss.
Lindsey’s heartbeat thundered in her temples.Her breathing was ragged and painful.Her arms closed around hiswaist, drawing him so close she could hear his heart beating aserratically as her own.
Jamie knew that he had gone too far.Yet hewanted more.He wanted all.As his lips plundered hers he drew onhis last ounce of willpower.
He lifted his head and studied the way shelooked, her lips warm and moist, her lids heavy with passion.Heknew he played a dangerous game.Soon there would be no turningback.
‘“I will leave you to your rest, my lady.Mistress Macnab will be here soon with your meal.”
Lindsey lay in the middle of the bed andwatched as he strode from the room.The taste of him still lingeredon her lips.The need for him caused an odd trembling sensationthat left her weak.
ChapterSeventeen
“So Lindsey, youhave decided to join the living.”The queen looked up with pleasurewhen Lindsey entered the refectory on Jamie’s arm.
“Aye, Majesty.I have been pampered toolong.”
Fresh from her bath, Lindsey looked radiantin a gown of emerald satin.Her long hair had been brushed to oneside and allowed to fall over her shoulder where it spilled acrossher breast.
Though her wounded hand was healing nicely,Jamie had insisted that she wear a clean linen dressing on it.
When they reached the table, Jamie held herchair.“Everyone has been so kind,” Lindsey said as she took herseat.
“We were all very concerned.”
Mary signaled the housekeeper, who, havingbeen warned to dispense with the formalities, began to serve theirplates as soon as they were all seated.“To think there was avillain hiding out on our island.My lord MacDonald said you foughtbravely.”The queen regarded Lindsey closely as she bit into theroast duck.
“I do not know how bravely.I know only thatI fought with desperation.”
“You are too modest.It is fortunate that youknew how to fight.I would have been at his mercy,” the queen saidthoughtfully.
The others at the table grew silent.Thatthought had crossed their minds.
“How is it that you chose such a late hour togo riding?”Mary pinned Lindsey with a direct look.
Lindsey swallowed.She had anticipated thequestion.And she had prepared herself for the queen’s wrath whenshe answered truthfully.
“I was planning to return to Edinburgh,Majesty.”
“Against my orders?”
“Aye, Majesty.”
“For what purpose?”
“To calm my father’s fears.I knew he wouldbe shattered by my absence.”
“You would risk your queen’s safety byrevealing our location?”
“Nay, Majesty.I would die rather than dosuch a vile thing.It was my intention only to allay my father’sfears.I would not have told him where you were.I would have mytongue cut out before I would place you in harm’s way.”
The queen studied her bowed head for severalmoments before saying softly, “Your father must have a very tenderheart, my lady, that you would risk even the queen’s wrath.”
“Aye, Majesty.”Jamie felt the unexpectedneed to come to Lindsey’s defense.He knew how the lass must besuffering.“He has a most tender heart where his daughter isconcerned.”
