“Now?”Ian gave her a startled look.“She hasretired for the night.”
“Aye.But this cannot wait.I must see hernow.”
Ian accompanied Lindsey along the hall untilthey reached the queen’s chambers.His knock was answered by thequeen’s voice from within.
“Who is there?”
“Lindsey Gordon, Majesty.”
“Enter.”
Ian opened the door and stood aside to allowLindsey to enter.When she stepped inside, she barred his way.
“Good night, my lord.”
“Good night, my lady.”He lifted her hand tohis lips and allowed the kiss to linger until she withdrew her handand pulled away.
Ian gave a sigh of regret.His plans to getLindsey alone had been thwarted.But there would be otherchances.
The sitting chamber and dining room of thequeen’s suite were in darkness.But beyond, in the queen’s sleepingchamber, Lindsey could see the flickering light of candles.Whenshe reached the doorway, she paused.The queen, with Sabina’s help,had changed to an ornate lace sleeping gown.Over it she wore acrimson robe of cut velvet.
Mary was seated before a looking glass.Sabina stood behind her, brushing her long red hair.
“What did you wish, Lindsey?”
Lindsey felt suddenly shy in front of herqueen.With her head bowed she said, “I was so overjoyed to see myfamily, Majesty, that I neglected to thank you properly.You mustknow what their presence here means to me.How can I ever thank youfor your kindness?”
“You thank the wrong person.”The queen mether gaze in the looking glass.With a gentle smile she said, “Ithought you knew, my lady.It was not I who sent for your fatherand brothers, though, of course, I gave my approval.”
The other woman saw the questioning look thatcame into Lindsey’s eyes, and her smile grew.
“Aye, Lindsey.It is Jamie MacDonald you mustthank.”
ChapterEighteen
Jamie.As Lindseymade her way down the darkened hail, her heart sang with theknowledge.It was not the queen who had arranged for her family’svisit; it was Jamie.Sensing her anguish, he had done the one thingthat would set her mind at ease.
Why was she surprised by his unexpectedkindness?And so touched by it?It was like him to do such a thing.There was a goodness in him, a kindness that belied his fearsomeappearance and his reputation for heartlessness.Perhaps that waswhy she loved him so.
She stopped dead in her tracks.Loved him?Could it be?Her eyes filled with tears and she wiped at themfuriously.
She must be more weary than she thought.Aye.There could be no other reason for the sudden rush of foolishemotion.She found herself weeping again.
She was not being foolish, she thought withsudden insight.She loved Jamie MacDonald.Aye, truly lovedhim.
Though she did not know how or when it hadhappened, she knew it was so.She knew it when she had awakened tofind him by her side, offering her comfort.She knew it when hekissed her and the icy fear around her heart melted.A fear thatshe had carried for all those long years.She knew it when shelooked into the handsome face of Ian MacPherson and felt nothing.No other man would ever tempt her.No man except JamieMacDonald.
Love.The thought terrified her.It alteredeverything.What could she do about this strange new situation?Howcould she possibly go on sharing a suite of rooms with a man andpretend she did not have these feelings?How could she calmly sitacross the room from him and not blurt out the words?
Her footsteps quickened.The lilt of laughterbubbled to her lips.She had to see him.This very instant.Sheneeded to see if he would look—different somehow.
At their sitting chamber she threw open thedoor and strode inside.She experienced fleeting disappointmentwhen the room was empty.Without thought to what she was doing, shebounded across the room to the door of Jamie’s sleeping chamber.With a quick knock she flung the door wide and stepped inside.
Jamie had removed his tunic and shirt.Hestood on the balcony, his thoughts as dark as the waters of theloch far below.
He was aware of the devious game that IanMacPherson was playing.But he could not be a party to it.MacPherson was aware that he cut a fine figure.And he was verygood at pretty words and lingering looks that were meant to set amaiden’s heart all aflutter.
Jamie’s hand clenched around the stem of hisgoblet.If such things impressed Lindsey, then there was nothing tobe done about it but to turn away.And whatever grief he felt, noone would be the wiser.At least he had not made a fool of himselfby declaring his love.
