When his door was thrown open, he turned.Forlong moments he could not believe his eyes.The object of histortured thoughts stood before him, smiling as if she had justlearned a great secret.
Now what was she up to?
Lindsey came rushing into Jamie’s sleepingchamber, then skidded to an abrupt halt.Her eyes widened.What hadshe been thinking of?From her position by the doorway, she couldsee that he had prepared himself for sleep.He was in a state ofundress.Moonlight streamed through the balcony window, casting himin mysterious silvery light and darkened shadow.As always, he wasscowling at her.
She suddenly felt shy and awkward.
“Forgive me, my lord.I...”Her brain seemedto have gone numb.She could think of no plausible reason for suchuncivilized behavior.“I was told by the queen that you wereresponsible for bringing my father and brothers here to Lochleven.I wanted to thank you.”
“You are most welcome.”
“I had thought to wait until the morrow tooffer my thanks, but my heart was too joyous to wait that long.Ihad to thank you now, before I retired for the night.Else, I couldnever sleep.”She was babbling, she knew, but she could not seem tostop herself.She had a terrible need to fill the silence withsilly prattle.
He said nothing.He merely stared at her withthat strange, haunted look.
“Well, I—” she twisted her hands nervouslyand turned toward the door “—am keeping you from your sleep, mylord.”
“Nay.”He quickly crossed the room and placeda hand on her sleeve to stay her departure.“I am not tired, mylady.I was merely looking over the grounds of Lochleven andthinking of the Highlands.”
She felt his hand, warm upon her arm, and herheartbeat quickened.
“Do you miss the Highlands?”
“Aye.”
“As do I.”
“You?”He smiled suddenly, erasing the frownthat until then had her paralyzed with fear.“After planning andscheming to journey to Edinburgh, you miss the Highlands?”
“Aye.”She looked away, unable to bear thefact that he was laughing at her How could he be so cruel, when herheart was brimming with such love?“My heart will always lie in theHighlands.”
“As will mine.”
She swallowed.There was nothing more tosay.
As if sensing her uneasiness, he broke thesilence.“Will you have some ale, my lady?”
Before she could respond he crossed to asideboard and filled a goblet.Handing it to her he said, “We willdrink to the safe arrival of your family.”
“Aye.”She gave him a warm smile beforelifting the goblet to her lips.The ale heated her blood.She tookanother sip.
“Did your father approve of his rooms?”
Lindsey shrugged.“I do not know.When Irealized that I had forgotten to thank the queen, I left the othersand went to her chambers.It was she who told me of yourkindness.”
He felt a lightness around his heart.She hadnot gone with Ian MacPherson to his suite of rooms.Had gone, infact, no farther than the queen’s chambers.There would have beenno time for MacPherson to steal a kiss.
He caught her hand and led her to thebalcony.She was so happy just to feel his touch upon her, shefollowed with a light heart.
On the gentle breeze was the tang of theriver and the perfumed fragrance of spring flowers.
“It is pleasant to watch the loch bymoonlight.”He suddenly pointed.“Look.There.”
Lindsey followed his direction and saw ashooting star making its glittering path across the velvet sky.
“It is said to bring anything you wish for,”she murmured fervently.
She closed her eyes for a moment and Jamiehad to fight the urge to haul her into his arms and kiss her untilshe was breathless.
