“You knew this.”Her tone was controlled.Toocontrolled.
Jamie scrambled from the bed and stood acrossthe room facing her, damning the timing of the girl’s announcement.He had been about to tell her in his own way.
“Aye.Your father and I discussed ityesterday.”
“Yesterday.”
“When you and Neal went riding with thequeen.”
“Before I—” she swallowed and forced herselfto go on “—came to your bed.”
“Aye.But it had nothing to do with—”
“And you did not tell me.”
“Lindsey, there was no time....”
“We have been together all night.And most ofyesterday.”Her voice rose to near hysteria.“And yet there was notime to tell me that you are sending me away.”
He crossed the room and opened his arms toher.“It is not like that.I am not sending you away.Your fatherrides to the Highlands to recruit an army for the queen.And I mustremain here to see to her safety.”
For a moment Lindsey was tempted to move intothe circle of his arms where she would be warm and safe.But whenshe was in his arms she could not think.And she needed a clearhead.
“Then I will stay here with you.”
“If only you could.”He lifted his hands toher in a pleading gesture and she took a tentative step toward hisembrace.“But we are not formally betrothed.Such a thing wouldbring shame to your family.”
“Shame?”She pushed herself free of his arms.“You speak of shame?You, who took me from Edinburgh against mywill?You, who took me to your bed, knowing you were sending meaway on the morrow?”
He caught her by the arm but she shook hishand away and stalked to the looking glass, where she crossed herarms beneath her breasts and stared at his reflection.Her voicewas soft, little more than a whisper, as she fought back tears.
“This is a cruel jest, my lord.But I supposea man must take his pleasure when he can find it.And it is as yousaid.I am not subservient enough to please you.It is just as wellthis ends quickly, without—complications.”
He swore, loudly, savagely.“Lindsey, thiswas no jest.I love you.You must believe me.”
“Aye.Just as I believed that a lass whocould not run like other lasses would one day wed the leader of aproud clan.”Tears shimmered in her eyes as she pushed past him andfled to her own sleeping chamber.
* * *
“How long do you think it will take to raiseup an army, Douglas?”
The queen presided at the head of the table.Douglas Gordon and his four sons sat on either side, along withLord Darnley, whose red-rimmed eyes barely focused on his guests,and Ian MacPherson, who seemed extremely pleased with himself.Jamie stared at his food without seeing or tasting it.
“I will call a council of Highland chiefsimmediately, Majesty.As soon as the men can be armed and ready, wewill return.”
“It is dangerous to tarry too long,” Marysaid.“My absence gives my enemies time to foment trouble.Alreadythere are whispers and rumors, and the good citizens know not whatto believe of their monarch.”
“When they see you return in triumph,Majesty, they will know that you did not desert them.”
“Aye.I pray it is soon.”
Mary looked up as Lindsey entered and notedthe lass took her seat quickly beside her father.Though Jamieglanced at her, she did not look his way.
“Ah, Lindsey.I regret that there will be nomore wagers,” the queen said.“A pity I must lose both my ridingcompanion and my young stable master.”
Neal flushed with pleasure.“I was up early,Majesty, to see to your mare.She has been groomed and fed.JustinMacLeod will see to her care when I am gone.”
“When do we leave?”Lindsey asked herfather.
