“Aye, my lord.And what about LadyLindsey?”
Lindsey cast a worried glance at Jamie.“Shemust have found my door ajar.Surely she knows that I am in here.”He shrugged.“If she does, she will be discreet.”
In a loud voice he called, “The lady willjoin me below stairs.”
Mistress Macnab’s tone brightened.“Aye, mylord.I shall tell the queen.”
Jamie stared at the woman who shared his bedand could still not believe his good fortune.Earlier this day hehad despaired of finding her alive.His despair had turned into ablack, burning rage at her, at himself, at all those who would harmher.But now, just hours later, he felt more at peace than at anytime in his life.
He loved her.Loved her desperately.And shehad said she loved him.For now, that was all that mattered.Hewould not think about tomorrow, or about how he would manage tokeep her safe, while still guarding his queen.
Right now, her arms were slipping around him,drawing him down to her.And her arms were the only things heneeded around him.She was the only place he wanted to be.
“To hell with them all,” he muttered thickly.“We will just have to be late.”
* * *
Everyone looked up when Lindsey and Jamieentered the drawing room.At first Mary thought it was the goldengown that accounted for the lady’s radiance.But what would havecaused Jamie MacDonald to have such a glow of happiness?From herposition in the chair beside the fire the queen watched withinterest.
Lindsey’s hand rested lightly on Jamie’ssleeve.The look he bestowed on her was one of tender concern.Asthey crossed the room they were careful to draw apart.Jamie walkedto the fireplace, where he bowed stiffly before the queen.
“You are late.Mistress Macnab was forced todelay our meal.”
“Aye.Forgive me, Majesty.”Jamie offered noreason for his delay.
Lindsey walked to where her father and Donaldstood deep in conversation.
“So, my dear.Have you recovered from yourlatest misadventure?”
Lindsey’s cheeks turned very pink.“Aye,Father.As you can see, I suffered nothing more than a fewscratches.”
“My lady.”Ian MacPherson hurried to her sideand lifted her hand to his lips.“I was deeply concerned about youwhen we became separated.I was overjoyed to find that you weresafely home when I returned.”
Across the room, Jamie’s hand clenched into afist at his side.
“How is it that we became separated?”Lindseydemanded.“Did you not boast of a keen sense of direction?”
He gave a careless shrug of his shoulders.“Iknow not, my lady.One moment you were in front of me.The next,you and your mount had disappeared from view.”
“We slipped down a ravine,” she admitted.“But I thought surely you would see me and come to my aid.”
“I was beside myself with worry.We are veryfortunate that Jamie MacDonald found you, else you might still belost out there.”
She shivered and withdrew her hand from hisgrasp.“That is not a very pleasant thought, my lord.”
“Nay.”Ian cast a speculative glance atJamie.
“Dinner is served, Majesty,” Fergus Macnabannounced.
“Douglas,” Mary called, “you will escort meto sup.”
“Where is Lord Darnley?”Jamie glanced aroundthe room.
“My husband is—indisposed.”Mary did notmention the latest argument she had had with Darnley over thenoblemen who had killed her secretary.Though Darnley continued toprofess his innocence, he was weakening.Soon, she knew, he wouldgive her the names she sought.And then those loyal to her wouldrid the land of such monsters.
The queen glanced at Fergus Macnab, who gaveno indication that he and his wife had overheard the angry wordsexchanged between Mary and her husband.
Jamie saw the empty decanter on thesideboard, along with the discarded tankard.It was obvious thatDarnley had started drinking earlier than usual this day.Hesuspected that Mary secretly encouraged the drinking in order toloosen Darnley’s tongue.
