Behind her, pale, nearly colorless eyeswatched her progress.The sun glinted on fair hair.The handholding the dirk tightened its grip.
* * *
The neighing of a horse alerted Jamie thatsomeone was near.Following the sound, he left the well-worn pathhe was traveling and entered the thick forest.
He was a man unaccustomed to fear.It neveroccurred to him to worry about his own safety.And yet, since hehad met Lindsey, he had been afraid for her more than once.Thistime, the fear bordered on desperation.He must find her, andsoon.
The sound of a woman’s cry turned his bloodto ice.Urging his mount to a run, he tore through the wild,tangled growth.
“Lindsey,” he shouted.“If you can hear me,call out so that I may follow the sound of your voice.”
Despite the crackle of brush underfoot,Lindsey heard Jamie’s words and came to a sudden halt.She turned.For a brief moment she thought she saw the flutter of crimson inthe woods behind her.She blinked and it was gone.
Cupping her hands to her mouth she shouted,“Jamie.I am here.”
With her heart pounding, she continued tocall until a horse and rider emerged from the forest.
“Jamie.”With a cry she raced toward him.
He leaned down and lifted her easily into hisarms.“It seems all I do is save your pretty neck,” he mutteredthickly.
“Praise heaven you found me.I was beginningto fear that I would be forced to spend the night in this...”
She glanced up and the words froze on herlips.Though he said nothing, the dark scowl on Jamie’s face spokevolumes.
Her cheeks flamed.And to think that she hadalmost hugged him fiercely in her joy at being rescued.In such atemper he probably would have pushed her away.
Wheeling his mount, they plunged into thedarkness of the forest.They picked their way through the woodsuntil they emerged on the path.Minutes later they broke free ofthe forest and entered the clearing.They rode the entire distanceto the castle in silence.
When they reached the courtyard, Jamie tossedthe reins to Neal, who led the queen’s lathered horse to thestables.
Taking Lindsey’s arm, Jamie strode up thesteps and sent the door open with a resounding crash.Once insidehe released his death grip on her arm as Douglas and his sonssurrounded Lindsey, embracing her warmly.They looked up when thequeen came hurrying into the room.
“Wherever have you been?”Mary demanded.
“I fear I became hopelessly lost in theforest,” Lindsey said, feeling the sting of shame upon hercheeks.
“Where is Ian MacPherson?”
“I know not.I became separated from my horseduring a fall.When I looked around, Ian was nowhere to be seen.And though I called and called, I never caught sight of him.”
Jamie and Douglas exchanged a glance.
“You look terrible,” Mary said.
Surprised, Lindsey glanced down at her armsand saw that they had been scratched by brambles and were bleedingin a dozen different places.Her gown and cloak were likewise tornand stained with her blood.
“Oh, my,” Mistress Macnab cried when sheentered the withdrawing room and caught sight of Lindsey.“I shallsee to your bath immediately, my lady.”
“Thank you, Mistress Macnab.”Turning to thequeen and her family, Lindsey said softly, “There is no need forall this fuss.It is not nearly as bad as it looks.A fewscratches.A torn gown.”She turned to include Jamie, who had stillnot spoken a word.His features were stiff with anger.“You willsee.I will be fine after my bath.”
“I am relieved that you are unharmed.But youseem to have forgotten something,” the queen called.
Lindsey arched a brow.
“You owe me ten gold sovereigns.”
“Aye.”Reaching into the pocket of her gown,Lindsey withdrew the coins.
