The hands gripping her upper arms tightenedtheir grasp until she cried out.His words were a low rasp of fury.He spoke each word with emphasis.“You will do as I order.”Turningto her father he added, “I will brook no arguments, Douglas.I wantthe lass returned to your fortress at once.”
Lindsey bristled.Every curse she had everlearned rushed to her lips.“I will not have this son of a viperorder me about like a servant.I would rather...”
Douglas lifted a hand to still her tirade.Turning to Jamie with a solemn nod he said, “It will be as yousay.”
With a look of disbelief Lindsey’s gaze wentfrom Jamie to her father, then back to Jamie’s implacable look.
“You go too far, my lord.I will neverforgive you.”
Jamie turned on his heel and strode away.
For long minutes she stared after him,battling a tangle of jumbled emotions.At last she swung away.Toher brothers she directed, “Bring the hound.”
“He is beyond saving,” Donald said as gentlyas possible.
She wiped her tears with the back of herhand.She would not cry over Jamie MacDonald.He was, unworthy ofher tears.Her look of determination matched Jamie’s.“Bringhim.”
As she bid her father and young brothersgoodbye, Jamie stood alone, his face a grim, unreadable mask.
ChapterTwenty-three
“Majesty.Look.”
Lord Desmond Frazer pointed.Beside him, thequeen stared in astonishment at the sight of hundreds ofHighlanders gathering on the far bank of the loch.
Within the hour, Jamie MacDonald and theGordons had been ferried across and stood before their queen.
“We are here, Majesty, to return you, intriumph, to Holyroodhouse,” Jamie announced, bowing low over herhand.
“Oh, Jamie, my friend.You are as good asyour word.”
“As are the Gordons, Majesty.It was DouglasGordon who summoned the lairds.”
“And it was Jamie’s eloquent words thatpersuaded them to leave their homes and follow him,” Douglassaid.
“Then my gratitude to both of you,” Marysaid.“I rejoiced when your messenger arrived, assuring me that allwere safe.My husband,” she said, glancing at Lord Darnley whostood meekly beside her, “has revealed the names of all the lairdswho plotted against me.Already many have fled the country.Therest, including Ruthven, lie dead.”
Jamie felt relieved that the men who hadattacked Brice Campbell were finally punished for their crimes.
“And now with your army,” Mary continued witha note of happiness, “our success is assured.”
With pride Neal led the queen’s horse fromthe stable and assisted her into the saddle.
“Where is your sister?”Mary asked as sheaccepted his hand.
“Jamie sent her home, Majesty.Along withMurray and Donald, who were wounded by the highwaymen.”
“I would wager she did not go willingly.”
“Nay, Majesty.There were words betweenthem.”
The queen glanced at Jamie.That wouldexplain his haggard appearance.Love, she thought with a sigh, wasnever easy.
“We ride to Edinburgh,” she called in a loud,clear voice.The men cheered.
“But first, my friends, there is a mostimportant stop we must make along the way.Jamie, I would send arider ahead with a message.”
“Aye, Majesty.”He summoned a rider fromamong the Highlanders, and waited while the queen prepared severallong missives.”
