“Ah.And that is why you scheme to be rid ofme.”
“Well, there is the matter of your temper, mylady.”He nuzzled her neck and felt the desire rise.“I fear youare not a properly subservient female to suit me.I had alwaysthought to take as wife one who would be standing at the door witha row of bairns in tow, waiting to greet the master of the hearth.You, my lady, would probably insist upon going off to battle withme, and taking the bairns along for good measure.Nay,” he murmuredagainst her throat, “you are not nearly submissive enough to suitme.”
With a laugh she sat up, catching him bysurprise.“Submissive?You seek a submissive woman, my lord?”
He lay back against the linens, loving thelight of laughter in her eyes.
“I suppose you prefer a wench who would firstask you what you like?”
“Aye.That would be nice.”
“And do you like this, my lord?”Shesurprised him by straddling him and leaning close, until her lipswere inches from his.
Her hair drifted around them, tickling hischeeks.His look of surprise changed to one of delight.
“Aye, wench.It pleases me.”
“And this, my lord?”She slowly kissed hislips, then brought her mouth lower, to nibble at his throat.“Doesthis please you?”
The fire began, low and deep, and he clutchedat her.“I fear it pleases me too much.”
“That is good, my lord.”She began to trailkisses along his shoulder and across his chest.“If I am to winyour heart, I must first learn to please you.”
“Wench,” he growled.“You already have myheart.And my body and soul, as well.Now have mercy.I am onfire.”
“Nay, my lord.There is much more I mustlearn if I am to please you.”She gave a delighted laugh and beganto move over him, trailing kisses over his body until he clutchedat her with a fierceness that surprised them both.And then theywere caught up in needs that had them coming together once more ina storm of passion.
* * *
Jamie lay in the bed, hands behind his head,watching as Lindsey washed herself and began to dress.He lovedeverything about her.The smell of her, clean, fresh, like springflowers.The look of her when she first awoke, her eyeshalf-closed, her lips pursed in a little pout.
If he could be granted but one wish, it wouldbe to spend the rest of his life watching her just this way.
Her gaze met his in the looking glass.“Youare looking very pleased with yourself this morrow, my lord.”
His smile grew.“Aye.This is a veryspecial—”
They both looked up at the sound of loudknocking on the door.
“What is it, Mistress Macnab?”Jamiecalled.
“It is Sabina, my lord,” came the timidvoice.
Lindsey walked to the door and opened it acrack.“I do not need your assistance, Sabina,” she saidcheerfully.“As you can see, I am already dressed for the day.”
“The queen sent me to make sure you wereready to travel, my lady.”
“Travel?”Lindsey arched a brow.
The girl shrugged.“The queen said you andyour family would be returning to the Highlands today, mylady.”
With a questioning look Lindsey turned towardJamie.But when she saw the expression on his face, she felt herheart stop.It was true.It was not a mistake.
Turning to the young girl she said with icycalm, “You may return in a little while, Sabina.”
“Aye, my lady.”
She closed the door and waited until thegirl’s footsteps receded.Then the storm broke.
