Highland Heart

by Ruth Ryan Langan

return to camp together when you are strong enough to ride."

  He sat down, with his back resting against the trunk of a gnarled tree,

  taking great pains to see that he was not touching her.

  "Sleep now. I will keep watch."

  Her lids fluttered and without any further coaxing, she drifted into

  sleep.

  Beside her, Jamie felt a sudden quickening of his pulse. As he watched

  her, he thought about the women he had met at the court of Queen Mary

  in Edinburgh. From their earliest years they had been made aware of

  the many ways to please a man. Their dress, their manner of speech,

  their flirtatious behavior left no doubt as to their intentions. Yet

  not one of them had ever aroused him like this artless innocent. There

  was a tenacious ness about her that touched something deep inside

  him.

  Jamie felt a sting of annoyance at the way his thoughts continued to

  center around the female. He had no fight to such thoughts. He was a

  man on a mission. And that mission did not include indulging his own

  pleasures. With a muffled oath he turned away and closed his eyes,

  determined to blot out all thought.

  Lindsey awoke to a heaviness against her arm. Her cloak was pinned

  firmly to her side, preventing her from rolling over. Turning her

  head, she saw Jamie dozing beside her. She felt a rush of anguish as

  her thoughts tumbled around. She remembered crying out, struggling as

  strong arms embraced her. In her fearful state she had relived her

  worst nightmare. This was not the first time she had battled these

  fears.

  But the attack by Argus had brought on a new round of suffering.

  With a flood of embarrassment she realized that she may have revealed

  her most intimate secrets to this stranger. And then a new thought

  intruded as images flooded her mind. She had fought him. Fought like

  one possessed. And he had held her with great tenderness as he sought

  to com fort her.

  How foolish she must have seemed to one like Jamie, accustomed to a

  life of danger and intrigue. How childish.

  For long minutes she lay watching him, struggling with a warring of

  emotions.

  A lock of shaggy hair fell across his forehead. It was oddly

  appealing, and she found herself wanting to brush it aside. She

  watched the slow, steady rise and fall of his chest and found her own

  breathing growing rapid. She studied the way his lashes cast dark

  shadows across his craggy cheeks.

  Suddenly his eyes opened and she found herself staring into those

  fathomless depths that always seemed to carry a hint of danger.

  "So, my lady. Do you feel rested?"

  "Aye." She felt the heat stain her cheeks and was grateful that the

  canopy of trees shielded the late-afternoon sun from his eyes. She did

  not want to be caught staring at this man from such close quarters.

  Nor did she want him to see the remnants of pain she suffered.

  "Do you feel well enough to travel?"

  "Aye." She paused'a moment to swallow.

  "You must think me a whimpering child, my lord. Forgive me for my

  rantings while I slept. I am not usually so foolish."

  "Foolish?" Seeing the color that flooded her cheeks as she turned away

  from him, he touched a hand to her shoulder.

  Her tone had a husky quality to it.

  "I know now it was you who held me while I fought and behaved in a most

  uncivilized manner."

  "Lindsey." He turned her, forcing her to meet his dark gaze.

  "What you experienced at the hands of the highway men would have

  shocked the sensibilities of any woman. I can see, from the cuts on

  your hands and from the bruises you sustained, how bravely you

  struggled against your captors. You need make no apology, my lady."

  His tone softened until his words were barely more than a whisper.

  "Even now, when I think of that man soiling you, my blood runs hot with

  the need for vengeance."

  His touch, his words, were so tender, she found herself responding

  despite the lingering dread.

  "I thought I could escape him," she whispered.

  "In fact, I made it all the way to the horses before I was caught."

  "Were you not bound?"

  "Aye."

  "Then how did you free yourself?."

  "I found several stones imbedded in the earth. In my desperation I

  rubbed my hands against them until the ropes unraveled."

  That would explain the torn flesh.

  "And the leader?" Jamie's eyes darkened.

  "Did you see him?"

  "Nay. My eyes were covered. He spoke only in a strange whisper."

  "Then we must pray that your father's men were able to detain him when

  he approached them for a ransom."

  Jamie's gaze roamed her face, still warm from sleep, and came to rest

  on her lips, pursed in a little pout. Once again he felt the tug and

  was forced to deny it.

  With a determined effort he put some distance between himself and the

  woman. In the past hours he had battled the unsettling emotions that

  plagued him as he held her and offered her comfort. The battle had

  left him far more weary than any battle with sword and dirk.

  "I will prepare a meal for you."

  "I have no hunger," she protested.

  "You will eat," he said firmly.

  "And then we will leave for your father's camp."

  Lindsey watched as Jamie strode to the fire and cut strips of

  venison.

  With food and drink her strength returned, making her eager to take to

  the trail once more. She glanced at the man who ate quickly, then

  prepared their horses for the long trek. He had fought her attacker,

  prepared a soothing balm for her wounds and skinned and cooked a deer

  for their food. Was there anything this mysterious man could not do?

  When he returned he held out his hand.

  "Can you stand, my lady?"

  "Aye." Lindsey accepted his help and got slowly to her feet. For a

  moment she swayed, and instantly Jamie's arms were around her,

  steadying her.

  They both felt the jolt, and fought to deny it.

  "I think, perhaps you need another day to regain your strength."

  "Nay." She pushed away from him and forced herself to walk slowly

  toward her horse. With each step she felt her confidence grow. But

  when she tried to pull herself into the saddle, she did so only with

  great effort.

  He handed her the reins. His voice was unusually gruff.

  "We will ride only until dark. Then I will decide if we will go on or

  make camp."

  His rough tone sounded an alarm in her mind. She had no idea just how

  much of herself she had revealed to this man during the past hours.

  What if, in her fevered state, she had revealed the secret she had kept

  locked all these years in her heart? Though she never spoke about it,

  her limp was a painful reminder of that terrible moment in her

  youth. A moment that was burned into her memory for all time.

  She clamped her teeth. She must never forget that this was, after all,

  the man who had warned her father that she would slow them on their

  journey. And he had been proven correct.

  There
must be no further display of weakness. Else this angry giant

  might insist that she be returned to her home in the Highlands. And

  she would never have her chance to see the queen.

  Chapter Eight

  Dusk settled over the land, lengthening the shadows and carrying the

  chili of night on the air.

  Slumped in the saddle, Lindsey lifted her hood and drew her cloak

  tightly around her to ward off the cold.

  Jamie's voice came from directly behind her, startling her.

  "We will stop for the night and make camp by the river."

  "Nay. I would return to my father's camp. He will need to see me if

  he is to be reassured that I am unharmed."

  Jamie's tone left no room for discussion.

  "A darkened wood leaves many places for a villain to hide, my lady. We

  will stop in that clearing ahead, Where I can keep watch until

  light."

  When they reached the place, Lindsey slid from the saddle and led her

  horse to the bank of the river. Kneeling, she scooped the water into

  her hands and drank gratefully.

  By the time she had' tethered her horse, Jamie had gathered enough'

  logs for a fire. Soon the air was filled with mouth-watering aromas as

  meat sizzled and snapped over the fire.

  "I see that a soldier in service to the queen learns to do many things

  for himself."

  "Aye. If he desires a full stomach and a dry bed."

  "Then I think perhaps my brothers should consider sol- dieting, for

  they have learned to do little for themselves. They expect the

  servants to see to their needs."

  "Your brothers were most apt pupils, my lady, when they knew your life

  was at stake."

  "I am glad. Though I regret that I put them through such fear."

  Lindsey's smile faded. She grew silent.

  Jamie and Lindsey reclined on opposite sides of the fire, eating their

  fill.

  From the corner of her eye Lindsey saw a slight movement in the woods.

  Her hand went to her dirk at her waist. But her look of alarm became a

  smile of surprise when she spotted the hound watching her.

  Tearing off a strip of meat, she tossed it some distance away, then

  turned her attention to her own meal. Within a few minutes she became

  aware that the animal was stalking closer. When Wolf snatched up the

  meat, she threw a second piece. Again the hound crept close and took

  the meat.

  Lindsey found herself admiring the great, shaggy beast. His coat,

  though tangled, was sleek and glossy. His wary eyes gleamed with a

  look of danger. There was a nobility in this wild creature that oddly

  touched her, reminding her of the man who sat across from her.

  She tossed a third scrap, closer this time, and was saddened when the

  hound darted away, melting into the shadows of the forest. All further

  attempts to draw him out of hiding were fruitless.

  Jamie watched in silence. When at last he spoke there was a trace of a

  smile in his tone.

  "I warn you. Wolf has no need of humans."

  "But he took the meat I offered him."

  "Aye. So long as it was free. But when you set the price too high, he

  refused."

  "What price?"

  "The price of his freedom. Do not think to pet him and tame him, my

  lady, in exchange for a little food. He can catch all the game he

  needs in these forests. Like all the Highland creatures, he prefers to

  remain wild and free."

  Aye, wild and free. Again she was reminded of the Heartless

  MacDonald.

  "But do not even the wild creatures crave affection and

  companionship?"

  Jamie glanced at her over the rim of his tankard.

  "Perhaps But not all creatures find what they crave."

  Lindsey was silent for long moments before asking, "How can he be wild

  if he follows you across this land?"

  Jamie's tone was pensive.

  "I was kind to him. He does not forget that.

  But he knows he can retain his freedom. I ask nothing of him. "

  "Nor will I," she said solemnly.

  Jamie noted with a smile that she nevertheless scattered the remains of

  her dinner in the grass before roiling herself into her cloak.

  Within minutes she was asleep.

  Jamie drew his cloak around him and leaned his back against the trunk

  of a tree. The night would be long, for he intended to allow himself

  little sleep. But waking or sleeping he knew his thoughts would be of

  the woman who shared his camp.

  As was his custom, Jamie woke 9uickly before the dawn light had even

  streaked the eastern sky. He lay very still, allowing his gaze to scan

  the camp. The first thing to arrest his attention was the lass, asleep

  on the far side of the fire. Though her sleep had been disturbed

  several times during the night by the demons that plagued her, she was

  now sleeping peacefully. That fact brought him a measure of comfort.

  He was surprised to see the hound lying nearby. And even more

  surprised to note that the animal was not asleep. Though Wolf's head

  rested on his paws, his ears were at tuned to the sounds of the forest;

  his eyes stared warily into the distance.

  Jamie gave a low chuckle. Wolf, having sensed that Jamie was asleep,

  had assumed the role Of Lindsey's protector Now the animal, sensing

  something amiss, turned its head and stared fully at Jamie. Then,

  without a backward glance, Wolf sauntered across the clearing and

  slipped into the forest. As if, Jamie thought with a smile, the

  creature had decided that Lindsey was now safely delivered into

  another's keeping.

  The slight rustling awoke Lindsey. She sat up, for the moment

  disoriented, and Jamie saw the trace of fear in her eyes until she

  caught sight of him.

  "Are you rested, my lady?"

  "Aye."

  Lindsey discreetly gathered the remnants of her torn bodice together.

  She turned her gaze toward the inviting waters of the river.

  He stood abruptly.

  "The horses need time to forage be fore we begin the journey to your

  father's camp. I will leave you alone, my lady."

  To give her some privacy, he led the horses some distance away. But

  though he busied himself with mundane chores, his gaze strayed often to

  the river, bathed with the golden glow of morning sun.

  Alone, Lindsey removed her clothes and examined her torn and muddied

  gown. With great care she washed her garments until the stains had

  been removed, then spread them on low branches to dry.

  She took several tentative steps into the river. The cool water felt

  wonderful against her flesh. She rubbed vigorously at the blood that

  caked her skin, eager-to remove all traces of her ordeal. As she moved

  deeper into the river, the water lapped at her breasts. With a little

  sigh she plunged beneath the waves and came up sputtering and laughing.

  How wonderful it felt to be cool and clean and free of all restraint.

  With strong strokes she swam the width of the river and back.

  A trill of feminine laughter echoed on the breeze. Distracted Jamie

  turned toward the river. The sight that greeted him nearly took his

  breath away. Lindsey m
oved slowly through the shallows toward shore.

  A halo of golden light seemed to surround her. She was a shimmering,

  ethereal figure. Her hair, gleaming red and gold in the morning light,

  fanned out around her like a glistening veil. Her skin was as pale as

  the ghostly mists that danced across the lochs in the Highlands.

  He knew he should turn away, for she trusted him to grant her the

  privacy she desired. But he could not. With a tightness in his throat

  he studied her as she stepped lightly from the water. He drank in the

  sight of high, firm breasts, tiny waist, softly rounded hips. She was

  perfection. And the sight of her left him shaken.

  He watched as she slipped on her delicate chemise. As she tied the

  ribbons that held it, he found that his hands were curled into fists at

  his sides. The thought of untying those ribbons, of removing the lacy

  bit of fabric from her, had his pulse racing.

  She slipped white, frothy petticoats over her head and smoothed them

  down over her hips, and again he was swept by a stab of desire so raw,

  so swift, it left him trembling. If he were less a man, he would give

  in to the need to go to her. But his nobler virtue would hot permit

  it. She was Douglas Gordon's virginal daughter. He would return her as

  he had found her.

  She lifted her gown from its place in the sun and suddenly knelt in the

  grass, examining it closely. With his hands firmly clenched by his

  sides, Jamie forced himself to turn away. He would go below stream and

  take a plunge in the cool river. Hopefully the cooling water would

  have the desired effect.

  Lindsey examined her gown. Though much of the blood had been washed

  away, there was no way to mend the torn and tattered bodice. She knew

  that the sight of it would cause her father much grief. But there was

  nothing to be done about it. She had neither needle nor thread. She

  would simply have to hide inside her cloak until she could exchange

  this gown for one in her trunks.

  Pulling the gown over her head, she smoothed it down and gathered the

  torn bodice into a semblance of modesty. Over this she pulled on her

  cloak.

  There was nothing to be done with the tangles in her hair. Running her

  fingers through the damp strands, she tossed her head, sending her hair

  cascading in waves down her back.

  When Lindsey returned to the fire, Jamie had prepared a hot meal. He

  looked up and noted that the color was back in her cheeks. Her limp

  was much less pronounced, and her cloak was draped modestly around

  her.

  All her precautions, he realized, were for naught. He would never be

  able to forget the sight of her as she emerged from the river. The

  body she kept so cleverly concealed from his sight was already clearly

  imprinted on his mind. An image that would torment him forever more.

  Lindsey noted the beads of moisture that glinted in Jamie's hair. As

  he handed her a tankard, she inhaled the clean, fresh scent of river

  water.

  For the first few moments they broke their fast in awkward silence. It

  was Jamie who finally spoke.

  "Your father will be much concerned."

  "Aye." Lindsey kept her gaze averted, trying not to stare at the wide

  expanse of Jamie's shoulders.

  "If we do not return soon, he will no doubt send riders to fetch us."

  "Aye." She glanced up, then, seeing his gaze fully upon her, lowered

  her gaze to the ground.

  Jamie wished he had the eloquence of the orators at court. Perhaps

  then he could break through this wall that seemed to separate them

  whenever they tried to make simple conversation.