As the blade sang through the air, the lass’svoice, low and commanding, broke the silence.
“Hold, Father.”She saw the blood spurt fromthe stranger’s shoulder as her father’s blade missed its intendedmark by mere inches.“The MacDonald gave his word that his was amission of peace.”In quick strides she was beside her father,gripping his arm to stay another thrust.She turned to face the manwhose touch had only moments ago filled her with terror.“I prayyou let him speak.”
Through his pain Jamie breathed a sigh ofrelief.
A dangerous smile touched Lindsey’s lips asshe added, “And if we do not like what we hear, the HeartlessMacDonald will have at least bought enough time to prepare hiswicked soul to meet his Maker.”
Chapter Two
Through a haze ofpain Jamie watched as the warriors lowered their swords.For amoment the room seemed to spin, and he had to struggle to maintainhis rigid stance.Despite the bone weariness that enveloped him andthe loss of blood from his newly inflicted wounds, it would not doto show any sign of weakness.
“I am told that the Gordons are the mostrespected swordsmen in all of Scotland.”
“You have heard correctly,” Murray said.“Have you come to challenge us?”His lips curled into a sneer.“Ordo you only do your fighting with helpless women?”
“Helpless?”Lindsey turned blazing eyes onher brother.“I’ll have you know it was my clever acting thatbought you enough time to draw your swords.Else this villain wouldhave caught you all unawares.”
Acting.So the lass had been pretending to beweak and afraid while she was calmly searching for a way to saveher family.Jamie felt a grudging respect for the woman who had soably tricked him.
“Now he is a villain,” Neal called.“A momentago you begged Father to spare his miserable life so we could hearwhat he had to say.”
“Perhaps I was mistaken.”Lindsey tore herglance from the sight of the wounded giant who oddly tugged at herheart.His blood-soaked clothes and ravaged face touched a chorddeep inside her.“Perhaps I should have let him die.”
“Silence, all of you,” the old man shouted.Turning to Jamie he commanded, “Say what you came here to say.Andthen I will decide whether or not you deserve to live.”
“I have need of a few brave men.”Jamie spokeslowly, allowing his gaze to assess the circle of men.The youngestone revealed a trace of fear in his eyes.The one beside him, ahandsome rebel, gave a cynical smile.The golden-haired lad seemedpuzzled.The bearded son could hardly contain his fury.Jamieallowed his gaze to linger on the lass.What fire there was in her.But her curiosity overcame anything else she might be feeling.Despite her earlier misgivings, she pursed her lips and waited forhim to continue.Jamie tore his gaze from her and turned toward herfather.Only the old man watched without any show of emotion.
“And why would a famed warrior like JamieMacDonald have need of our swords?”
“I have need of not only your swords—” Jamiegritted his teeth against the pain and forced himself to speakslowly, evenly “—but of your ability to lead others, as well.”
“And where would we be leading others?”Murray shot him a challenging look.
“To rally behind their queen.”
The old man took a menacing step closer.“What news do you bring us regarding our beloved queen?”
“I have reason to believe Mary’s life is indanger.”His words brought a sudden chilling silence.It wasDouglas Gordon who finally spoke.
“You will tell us all you know.”
“Aye.The queen’s secretary, Riccio, has beenmurdered at Holyrood.”
The room erupted with muffledexclamations.
“Brice Campbell lies gravely wounded aftersubduing the swordsman.He believes the true intent of the attackwas to murder the queen.”
“God in heaven.”Upon hearing this, DouglasGordon’s look turned grim.“The rumors are true, then.”He glancedat his sons and daughter.
Jamie pressed his fingers to the searing heatat his shoulder and was surprised when his hand came away coveredwith blood.He stared at it a moment without comprehending.Thefront of his tunic was smeared with blood, as were his breeches,yet he could feel nothing but the heat and a strange numbness.
His dazed expression was not lost on the oldman, who had seen such shock on many a warrior in battle.His tonesoftened.“How long have you been without sleep, lad?”
Jamie felt the room sway a moment, thenforced himself to stiffen his spine.“I have been in the saddle twonights and three days.”Or was it three nights and two days?Hecould no longer recall.
“You will rest a while, and then we willspeak more of this.”
“There is no time for rest.I must puttogether an army and lead them to their queen.”
