Highland Heart

by Ruth Ryan Langan

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  She pushed herself free of his arms and scrambled from the bed.

  Jamie lay back among the pillows, his hands behind his head. It was so

  good to see her up and about. And yet he could not deny the slight

  feeling of regret. He had treasured those hours alone with her. He

  loved watching her while she slept. He loved taking care of all her

  needs. She draped a shawl around her shoulders for modesty. Then she

  filled a basin with water. As she washed her face and arms and lifted

  the square of linen to her cheeks, he felt the sudden tug of desire.

  He could joyfully spend the rest of his days enjoying such mundane

  things as this. So long as they were shared with Lindsey. How he

  loved being with her. He loved her. He could no longer deny that

  fact. And though it complicated his life, it was that simple, he loved

  her. As she brushed the tangles from her hair, she caught sight of him

  in the looking glass. The frown of concentration made her heart

  contract. She was keeping him from his duties to the queen.

  She must send him away. And quickly, i She turned. I "You seem

  exceedingly distracted this morrow, my lord."

  "Do I?" 1 "Aye." She tossed down the hairbrush and strode to the side

  of the bed.

  "Your duty awaits you below stairs."

  "And what of my duty to you?"

  "You owe me nothing, my lord. I am grateful for all that 1 you have

  done for me. But now you must go."

  { "And this is how you show your gratitude? By throwing { me out of

  your chambers?"

  he was still frowning, she could hear the hint of J Though teasing

  laughter in his tone. i'

  "Aye, my lord. You have much more important matters to attend to in

  the queen's company."

  His hand snaked out so quickly she had no time to react. He pulled her

  down on the bed and rolled until he had her pinned beneath him. With

  his lips brushing hers he murmured, "Nothing is as important as

  this."

  The kiss was long and deep and thorough. Jamie moved his lips over

  hers, thrilling to the way she responded to his kiss. Her lips parted

  for his tongue and he invaded the sweetness of her mouth. How soft her

  lips. How wild her taste.

  She gave a little moan of pleasure and he shifted slightly. His hand

  plunged into the tangles of her hair, and he drew back a moment to

  study the way she looked. Clean. Fresh. She was a breath of air in

  his battle-weary life.

  He bent his lips again to hers and felt the tremors that she could not

  hide.

  "Are you afraid, my lady?" he murmured against her lips.

  "Aye. I--should not feel this way."

  "What way?" With his finger he traced the outline of her lips and felt

  them tremble beneath his touch.

  "As if I were on fire. As if I had just run across a meadow and cannot

  catch my breath."

  He touched a hand to her heart and cbuld feel her thundering pulse "Oh,

  my lady. It is the most natural thing in the world to feel this

  way."

  "Do you feel it too, my lord?"

  In reply he framed her face with his hands and drew her to him. His

  mouth came down on hers and he devoured her with his kiss.

  Lindsey's heartbeat thundered in her temples. Her breathing was ragged

  and painful. Her arms closed around his waist, drawing him so close

  she could hear his heart, beating as erratically as her own.

  Jamie knew that he had gone too far. Yet he wanted ! i, more. He

  wanted all. As his lips plundered hers he drew on his last ounce of

  willpower.

  He lifted his head and studied the way she looked, her lips warm and

  moist, her lids heavy with passion. He knew he played a dangerous

  game. Soon there would be no turning back.

  "I will leave you to your rest, my lady. Mistress Macnab will be here

  soon with your meal."

  Lindsey lay in the middle of the bed and watched as he strode from the

  room. The taste of him still lingered on her lips. The need for him

  caused an odd trembling sensation that left her weak.

  Chapter Seventeen

  So, Lindsey, you have decided to join the living. " The queen looked

  up with pleasure when Lindsey entered the refectory on Jamie's arm.

  "Aye, Majesty. I have been pampered too long."

  Fresh from her bath, Lindsey looked radiant in a gown of emerald satin.

  Her long hair had been brushed to one side and allowed to fall over her

  shoulder where it spilled across her breast.

  Though her wounded hand was healing nicely Jamie had insisted that she

  wear a clean linen dressing on it.

  When they reached the table Jamie held her chair.

  "Everyone has been so kind," Linds6y said as she took her seat.

  "We were all very concerned."

  Mary signaled the housekeeper, who, having been warned to dispense with

  the formalities, began to serve their plates as soon as they' were all

  seated.

  "To think there was a villain hiding out on our island. My lord

  MacDonald said you fought bravely." The queen regarded Lindsey closely

  as she bit into the roast duck.

  "I do not know how bravely. I know only that I fought with

  desperation."

  "You are too modest. It is fortunate that you knew how !i

  I would have been at his mercy," the queen said to fight.

  thoughtfully.

  The others at the table grew silent. That thought had crossed their

  minds.

  "How is it that you chose such a late hour to go riding?" Mary pinned

  Lindsey with a direct look.

  Lindsey swallowed. She had anticipated the question. And she had

  prepared herself for the queen's wrath when she answered truthfully.

  "I was planning to return to Edinburgh, Majesty."

  "Against my orders?"

  "Aye, Majesty."

  "For what purpose?"

  "To calm my father's fears. I knew he would be shattered by my

  absence."

  "You would risk your queen's safety by revealing our location?"

  "Nay, Majesty. I would die rather than do such a vile thing. It was

  my intention only to allay my father's fears. I would not have told

  him where you were. I would have my tongue cut out before I would

  place you in harm's way."

  The queen studied her bowed head for several moments before saying

  softly, "Your father must have a very tender heart, my lady, that you

  would risk even the queen's wrath."

  "Aye, Majesty." Jamie felt the unexpected need to come to Lindsey's

  defense. He knew how the lass must be suffering.

  "He has a most tender heart where his daughter is concerned."

  "She seems to have that effect on other men, as well." Jamie clamped

  his mouth shut at the queen's knowing look, and they all fell silent

  until they finished their meal. No one, it seemed, had much appetite

  for Mistress Mac- nab's fine cooking.

  "I would retire to the withdrawing room," the queen announced.

  Taking Lord Darnley's arm, she led the way, with Jamie and Lindsey

  following.

  In the cozy room, Fergus stoked the fire, then offered goblets of wine

  before departing.

 
; A moment later Mistress Macnab bowed her way into the room.

  "Forgive the interruption, Majesty, but I have a message for Lord

  MacDonald."

  Jamie excused himself and followed the housekeeper from the room.

  Mary, resplendent in a scarlet gown, reclined on a chaise pulled before

  the fire. Lindsey steeled herself against the queen's anger, which she

  was certain would spill over at any moment.

  "My lord MacDonald was most solicitous when you were wounded, my lady."

  Mary's lips curved up in a hint of a smile.

  "Mistress Macnab informed me that he was like a wounded bear when he

  arrived at the castle with you in his arms. He shouted orders to

  everyone before locking himself away with you in your chambers."

  Lindsey felt the color rise to her cheeks.

  "He was very kind to me during my distress." " " He was much more than

  kind. He behaved like a man possessed. He.

  would not permit Mistress Macnab or her family to tend to your needs.

  "

  "But my clothes were..." Lindsey stopped, appalled at the thoughts

  that leaped to her mind. It was obvious that she had been stripped of

  her torn and tattered stable boy's clothes and dressed in a fine night

  shift. She had supposed that Mistress Macnab or Sabina had seen to

  such intimate care.

  "Jamie insisted upon doing everything himself. And when I visited him

  in your sleeping chamber..." Mary saw the look of surprise on

  Lindsey's face and said coyly,

  "Aye, I wanted to see for myself how you were mending." ,t i She fixed

  Lindsey with a narrow gaze.

  "Jamie looked to be the one who had engaged in battle. His eyes were

  red- rimmed, his chin covered with stubble. He had not even bothered

  to dress himself. His only thought, my lady, was for your well-being."

  Lindsey wondered if the turmoil she felt at the queen's words could be

  seen in her eyes.

  "I

  am--grateful, of course, for his concern. "

  "Come here, Lindsey. Sit by my side." The queen patted the chaise.

  Lindsey hesitated, then hurried across the room to sit beside her.

  Mary seemed to be studying her very carefully.

  "I have known Jamie MacDonald for many years.

  There are few men for whom I have such admiration. " Mary's voice

  lowered, and she glanced to where Darnley stood, filling his tankard.

  "Jamie MacDonald is a rare breed. His loyalty is absolute. His

  strength is boundless. His word is true. I have seen many women at

  court vie for his attention." She smiled at the little frown line that

  appeared between Lindsey's brows. So, the lady was not as immune to

  his charms as she would pretend.

  "But his is not a fickle heart.

  His interest does not lie in silly flirtations or cheap liaisons. I

  have always known that once Jamie gave his heart to a woman, it would

  be for ever. " Lindsey lowered her head and said nothing. But the

  words the queen had just spoken had her mind awhirl. She looked up

  when Jamie returned. Though he was silent, there was an odd, satisfied

  look on his face. Lindsey saw him exchange glances with the queen. A

  minute later Fergus Macnab entered with a bow and announced, " Majesty,

  your guests have arrived. Shall I announce them? " Guests? Lindsey

  was mystified. Had they not all gone to great lengths to see that no

  one knew where they were?

  Why then would the queen invite guests to Lochleven? She turned toward

  the door with a puzzled frown.

  "Majesty," Fergus said in his most authoritative tone, "may I present

  my lord Douglas Gordon and his sons Murray, Donald, Robert and Neal.

  And my lord Ian MacPherson."

  It took Lindsey a full minute to comprehend what Fergus had just

  announced. As the truth dawned, she got to her feet and brought her

  hands to her mouth. Bowing before their queen were her father and

  brothers and Ian. All were clad in their finest breeches and tunics,

  with their traveling cloaks still tossed rakishly over their

  shoulders.

  They continued to kneel for several moments while the queen spoke in

  whispers to each of them. When at last Mary commanded them to rise,

  their beaming faces told Lindsey everything she needed to know.

  "Father." With tears streaming down her cheeks, Lindsey launched

  herself into her father's arms.

  His eyes were moist as he drew her close and kissed the top of her

  head.

  "So, lass. Another adventure?" he murmured as he held her a little

  away and studied her face.

  "Aye. But it is so much better now that you are here to share it."

  He caught her bandaged hand and brought it to his lips.

  "You are wounded."

  "Nay. A small cut. It is nothing." She snatched it away and, eager

  to distract him, turned toward her brothers.

  "Murray."

  The eldest wrapped her in his big arms and nearly smothered her in his

  warm embrace. Then, embarrassed by his show of affection, he quickly

  released her.

  Donald lifted her high in the air and swung her around until she

  laughingly ordered him to put her down.

  "I missed you," he shouted.

  "And I missed you. You must tell me later all about your adventures

  with the lasses in Edinburgh."

  "Aye." His voice lowered to a whisper.

  "If you will tell me about yours with the Heartless MacDonald."

  Lindsey was shocked.

  "You are mistaken. I am here at the command of the queen."

  "Aye, Lindsey. And the fact that Jamie MacDonald is here has nothing

  at all to do with it."

  Ignoring his taunts, Lindseyo turned to Robbie's out stretched arms.

  The golden-haired lad drew her close and kissed her cheek.

  "You had us half-crazed with worry," he whispered.

  "Forgive me. But you can see that I am fine."

  "Aye." Robbie stared deeply into her eyes until she felt her cheeks

  grow hot.

  "I can see that you are more than fine. You look ... you look more a

  woman than the lass who left the Highlands for a wee journey to

  Edinburgh."

  She flushed and turned away from his scrutiny to her youngest

  brother.

  "Neal. I have missed you so."

  He gave her an awkward embrace.

  "I missed you, too, Lindsey." He patted her shoulder in a clumsy

  gesture of affection and gave her a quick, hard kiss, then drew away,

  embarrassed at the film that misted his eyes.

  The queen watched their warm reunion with great inter est. This love

  and easy affection was something she was i! determined to give the

  babe she carried.

  From across the room Jamie watched as Ian separated himself from the

  others and caught Lindsey's hand. He 1 gave her a long, lingering look

  before lifting her hand to ; his lips.

  "So, my lady. It seems we are fated to be together i again."

  Lindsey gave him a warm smile.

  "So it would seem." Ian continued to hold her hand. Jamie's frown

  deepened.

  "We all grieved your unexpected departure, my lady. i

  And I, for one, was prepared to ride to the ends of the earth to find

  you. "
/>
  "I am. grateful for your concern, Ian." She withdrew her hand and

  turned to include her family.

  "And I deeply regret the unhappiness I caused all of you."

  "We are together now," Douglas said, opening his arms to his

  daughter.

  "And Jamie's message that you were safe with him allayed all our

  fears." "Message?"

  "Aye. He dispatched Justin MacLeod to tell us that you were in the

  queen's company."

  Lindsey glanced at Jamie with a look of astonishment. This was one

  more kindness of which she had been un aware, and his gesture of

  concern touched her deeply.

  "Mistress Macnab," the queen called.

  "Bring refreshments for our guests. Theirs has been a long and arduous

  journey, as we well know."

  "Aye, Majesty."

  The housekeeper hurried away. Within a short time, the sideboard was

  groaning-under the weight of silver trays bearing cold duck and mutton,

  hot crusty breads and tankards of hot mulled wine.

  Lindsey watched with affection as her father and brothers ate great

  quantities of food and downed more than a few tankards of wine. At

  last, refreshed, they were content to pull their chairs in a circle

  around the queen and bask in the warmth of her presence.

  "You spoke of a missive from me," Mary said to Ian.

  "Aye, Majesty."

  With a smug look Ian turned to glance at Jamie. Pulling the rolled

  parchment from his tunic, he bowed and presented it to Mary.

  She read it quickly, then looked up to study the hand some young man

  who knelt before her.

  "So you are Ian MacPherson. You were highly recommended to me by my

  cousin, Lord Desmond Frazer, who told me that you served him well. You

  are welcome here at Lochleven," Mary said.

  "Your skill with a sword as well as your love and loyalty are sorely

  needed. Your presence here should greatly relieve the burden of my

  good friend Jamie MacDonald who has been seeing to my safety."

  Ian turned and gave Jamie a measured look. Jamie, who stood alone

  beside the fireplace, scowled into his tankard. But moments later,

  while the others were talking, Ian sidled up to Jamie and said, "I

  believe you owe me an apology."

  "And you shall have it." Ian smiled, but the smile quickly turned to a

  scowl when Jairtie concluded, "When I am convinced of your loyalty to

  the queen."

  "That is heresy. Since when do you place yourself above the queen?"

  Jamie's voice was low, controlled, "Beware, Ian MacPherson. I do not

  play the fool."

  "Nor do I. I will have your apology." Ian emptied his tankard and

  turned away.

  "Or your blood upon my sword."

  Jamie moved not a muscle as the arrogant youth stalked away.

  Unaware of the tensions, the queen turned to the handsome, white-haired

  leader of his clan, who sat surrounded by his family.

  "Tell me, Douglas, what are they saying in Edinburgh about my absence

  from Holyrood?"

  "There are many rumors, Majesty." The older man placed his hands on

  his knees and leaned forward.

  "There are those who say you have fled to England, and are now under

  the protection of your cousin, Elizabeth."

  At that the queen laughed.

  "So they think I have fled to England? What else do they say?"

  "Some say yours is a difficult confinement, Majesty, and that you

  reside with a physician in attendance at Stirling Castle." "Ah.

  Stirling." Mary threw back her head and laughed.

  "Aye, and well they should think that. It is where I was crowned Queen