“As soon as you have eaten, lass.”
She pushed her plate aside.“I am not hungry.I would leave now.”
The queen glanced from Lindsey’s proudlytilted head to Jamie, whose expressionless features could have beencarved from stone.
Standing, Mary waited for her husband tooffer his arm.As the queen led the way from the room, Lindseyplaced her hand on her father’s arm.The others followed.
They left the castle and walked to thewater’s edge.Justin MacLeod stood beside the boat that would takethem across the loch.He bowed to the queen, who smiled beforeturning to Douglas Gordon.
“God speed, old friend,” she said as hekissed her hand.
Douglas pressed her small hand between bothof his.“Rest assured that I will succeed at the task you haveassigned me, Majesty.”
She turned to Murray, Donald, Robbie andNeal.“You have been blessed with the finest of fathers.I couldwish no more for my own child.”
Each of them kissed her hand, filled withpride at the praise heaped upon their father by their queen.
Lindsey curtsied, then stood before the queenand lifted her chin.She had thought to plead with Mary to allowher to stay.But she had dismissed such a thing as childish.Shewould not beg.Nor would she show any emotion at leaving JamieMacDonald.If it killed her she would not let him see what thiscost her.“It was an honor to be with you in your time of need,Majesty.”
“God go with you, Lindsey.You take thegratitude of your queen with you.”She leaned close and murmured,“As well as someone’s heart.”
Lindsey’s eyes widened and she turned for amoment to glance at Jamie, who stood a few steps behind the queen.His eyes were hooded, his face devoid of all expression.
She could not speak.The lump in her throatthreatened to choke her.Turning away, she felt blinded by the mistthat blurred her vision.She was grateful to the boatman, whocaught her hand and helped her clamber aboard.
Ian MacPherson bowed low before the queen.“Iwill not fail you in my mission, Majesty.”
Jamie took a step forward.“What mission isthis, Majesty?”
“Ian has friends who are pledged to mysafety.He will ride with the Gordon to the Highlands and enlisttheir aid.”
Jamie felt a sudden chill at her words.“Ihad thought Ian was brought here to bear arms in your cause,Majesty.”
“Aye.So he was.But if he can summon others,he is more valuable to me in the Highlands than languishing here.Especially since I am in your very capable hands.Do you notagree?”
With every part of his being, Jamie sensedthat Ian MacPherson was an evil that should not be unleashed.Buthe knew that it was his word against Ian’s.Despite the fact thathe had hoped to keep Ian under his watchful eye until this thingwas over, he held his silence.
With a feeling of helpless rage, Jamiewatched as Ian climbed aboard the vessel and took a seat besideLindsey.Within minutes they were being ferried across the loch towhere their horses had already been assembled.
As the wind whipped the figures in the boat,Jamie saw Ian’s arm close around Lindsey’s shoulder to keep hercloak from blowing.
Mary and Lord Darnley turned away and beganto make their way to the castle.But Jamie could not leave.Evenwhen the distant figures were no more than dark spots on thehorizon, he continued to stand by the water, his hands clenched,his heart heavy.
* * *
Jamie and the queen returned from a ridethrough the maze.Mary’s cheeks were a becoming shade of pink inthe warm afternoon sun.As Jamie helped her from the saddle, JustinMacLeod leaped from his boat and came hurrying toward them.
“Majesty, two men desire an audience withyou.”
A look of alarm flew into the queen’s eyes.Jamie’s hand went to the sword at his side.Both turned to gaze atthe figures on the far bank of the loch.
“No one knows I am here.Who are thesemen?”
“One of them said to tell you that he is yourcousin, Lord Desmond Frazer, Majesty.”
“Describe this man.”
“He is tall, Majesty.Almost as tall as LordJamie MacDonald.And his hair and beard are very white.Hisvoice—thunders, Majesty.”Justin felt his face grow hot and hopedhe had not offended the queen.
