Highland Heart

by Ruth Ryan Langan

  For a moment the two stared at each other in silence. Then Jamie

  strode across the room and caught Brice in a warm embrace.

  "You are truly well?"

  "Aye. The wounds heal. Slowly. But they heal." Brice studied the

  haggard features and clapped a hand on his shoulder.

  "I

  knew you would succeed," he muttered.

  "Did you? That was more than I knew. I merely did as you

  suggested."

  "From the queen's missive, you did much more than that. She considers

  you her champion."

  Jamie hung his head at Brice's scrutiny.

  "And there are rumors of--misadventures, as well," Brice said

  thoughtfully.

  Jamie's head came up sharply.

  "What have you heard?"

  "Only that you had the misfortune to meet a Highland lass with a temper

  to match your own."

  Jamie swallowed and remained silent. But his pain was evident to the

  man who had raised him.

  "Go and refresh yourself," Brice said.

  "And then return and lift a tankard with me. I would hear

  everything."

  "Aye." Brushing a hand wearily across his eyes, Jamie made his way to

  his old chambers and sank down gratefully on the bed. There had been

  no rest for him in many days. He was too weary to even remove his

  sword and scabbard, And yet he could not seem to summon sleep. His

  thoughts were tormented by his last view of Lindsey, riding defiantly

  out of his life and vowing never to forgive him.

  Jamie, looking splendid in black breeches and tunic, descended the

  stairs. He could hear the hum of conversation in the great hall. When

  he entered, he was astounded to see the great number of guests who had

  been invited to sup with their queen. Besides the hundreds of

  Highlanders who had ridden with him, thee were all the Campbells and

  their families, and the dignitaries from the surrounding towns and

  villages, who were so rarely privileged to bask in the presence of

  their monarch.

  As he made his way through the crush of people, Murray Gordon caught

  his arm and pulled him aside. Standing with him were his three

  brothers, who greeted Jamie warmly.

  "So," Jamie said, "you are healed. When did you arrive?"

  "Only this morrow. We left as soon as the queen's missive arrived."

  We. Jamie longed to ask about Lindsey, but his pride prevented him

  from doing so. Besides, he warned himself, the lass was too furious

  with him to ever forgive him.

  "i would say this now," Murray began, "before the ale flows too freely,

  getting in the way of my tongue." The others chuckled.

  "What is it?" Jamie tensed.

  "I resented you when you invaded our home." Murray flushed but forced

  himself to go on.

  "And I resented the way you behaved like a mule in the presence of my

  sister."

  "Mule?"

  Murray held up his hand and said, "Aye. A mule. But then, Lindsey is

  not the easiest of lasses. Now I would apologize for my unkind

  thoughts and at times my rude behavior toward you." He offered his

  hand. 'of ever I find myself in battle with a dozen men against me, I

  would have you at my side, Jamie MacDonald. You are truly the finest

  warrior in Scotland. "

  Jamie stared at his hand in amazement, wondering what had brought this

  on. Then he smiled and accepted his handshake.

  The others patted him on the back and offered their hands.

  "Come, now," Murray said.

  "I was told to see that you sat with the queen at the table of honor.

  Her husband, 'tis said, is indisposed."

  The four escorted Jamie through the throng until they reached the head

  table, where they were greeted warmly by the queen and by Meredith and

  Brice. But when Brice moved aside, Jamie was astonished to see,

  standing behind him, a vision in emerald satin.

  "Lindsey." Jamie breathed her name as he strode for ward, then halted

  abruptly.

  "How did you come to be here, my lady?"

  Lindsey struggled to hide the tumultuous emotions she was experiencing

  at the nearness of him. The rogue still had the ability to make her

  pulse race and her blood heat.

  "The queen commanded it. Else I would still be in banishment at my

  father's fortress."

  Banishment. Jamie's heart fell at her choice of words. She was making

  it as plain as possible that she was not here of her own free will.

  Both of them were unaware that Mary was watching them with great

  interest.

  "Jamie," Mary said imperiously, "you and Lindsey will sit to my

  right.

  Brice and Meredith will sit on my left side. "

  All bowed and took their places when the queen was seated.

  Mary's confessor, Bishop Edmund Grant, led a prayer of thanksgiving,

  which went on endlessly, as he praised the queen, the Highlanders and

  all loyal to the throne. At last dozens of servants, recruited from

  nearby villages, helped serve the feast.

  The meal was a festive affair, with silver trays of whole roasted boar,

  partridge and pheasant, mutton and venison. There were baskets filled

  with breads and trays of puddings, tarts and pastries of every kind.

  Tankardsarid goblets were filled with ale. and hot mulled wine.

  There were toasts to the queen's beauty, and to her wisdom, and to her

  unborn child. And there were toasts to the men who had left their

  homes to see to the queen's safety, and toasts to the men who ld

  them.

  Through it all, Jamie and Lindsey sat silent and awkward in each

  other's presence.

  This was not, Jamie brooded, the reunion he had planned. He detested

  the prying eyes, the knowing looks that passed among many in their

  company. Worst of all, he was aware of the tension in the lass beside

  him.

  For Lindsey, the hours seated beside Jamie were the longest she had

  ever spent. She was achingly aware of the muscled thigh that brushed

  hers, of the callused fingers that closed around the stem of his

  goblet.

  When the banquet was finished, they retired to a great hall, made

  festive with fires blazing on the hearth and a velvet throne on a

  raised platform.

  When all had assembled the queen took her seat upon the throne and

  announced, "I command Jamie MacDonald to come forward."

  Bewildered, Jamie made his way to the throne and bowed before the

  queen.

  Robbie stepped forward and recited stirring verses about Jamie

  MacDonald, and his loyalty to his beloved queen. When he had finished,

  many in the crowd were openly weeping.

  At a signal, Brice handed the queen his jeweled sword.

  "Kneel," Mary whispered. Jamie knelt.

  The crowd fell silent.

  In loud, clear tones the queen intoned, "James Devin MacDonald, I

  pronounce you the Queen's Champion and Sir Knight. Along with your

  title, I award to you the lands that stretch from Callender in

  Perthshire to the land from Sterling to the Clyde, and I appoint you

  laird of all the MacDonald clans in Glengarry, who have long been with

  out a leader." She touched each of his shoulders with the b
lade of the

  sword, then said, "Arise, Sir James Devin MacDonald, and accept the

  acknowledgement of a grateful queen and her people."

  Stunned beyond belief, Jamie stood and felt the queen's hand upon his

  arm. When he turned, the crowd burst into cheering. For long minutes

  he acknowledged their applause. Then he turned to where Lindsey had

  been standing with her father and brothers. How proud he was to share

  this with her.

  His heart fell. Her place was empty.

  As soon as he could do so without undue notice, he slipped away from

  the festivities.

  The night air was cool, the darkened courtyard deserted. It was the

  perfect place for Lindsey to hide the tears that spilled from her eyes.

  She was overcome with emotion.

  Sir James Devin MacDonald. Jamie was now a man of title and

  privilege.

  A legend among her people. And a leg end would never be satisfied with

  a mere Highland lass.

  She had always been a foolish dreamer. But now she must face reality,

  no matter how painful.

  She had seen how easily Jan-He slipped on the mantle of authority.

  Now he would become part of the queen's court in Edinburgh, where

  beautiful women would vie for his affection.

  It mattered not, she consoled herself. He was a cold man. Cold and

  cruel. Look how easily he had banished her. And though they had been

  apart all these long days, he had greeted her as though she were a

  stranger. Aye. He would have no difficulty walking away from her

  again. Her mother had been right all those years ago. The tears

  started afresh, and she was helpless to stop them.

  Jamie was grateful for the bite in the air. He wanted nothing more

  than to walk off his frustration and to think without interruption. As

  he walked, his hands balled into fists at his sides.

  This day had been the culmination of every warrior's dream.

  Knighthood. The'leadership of a clan. A castle of his own and lands

  enough for generations of MacDonaids to work and rule. And yet it was

  all empty.

  The lass who owned his heart had made it plain that she would never

  forgive him for sending her away.

  He cursed the fates that had brought them together. His life before

  Lindsey had been uncomplicated. Now life had lost its flavor. He

  would be well rid of this place. He needed a new challenge.

  With an angry oath he rounded the corner, then stopped in mid-stride.

  A lone figure, wrapped in a hooded cloak, stood alone staring at the

  towering peaks in the distance.

  She whirled at the sound of approaching footsteps, and he felt his

  heart stop.

  Lindsey swallowed, brushing away the incriminating tears that clung to

  her lashes.

  "Well, my lord." She stiffened her spine as he approached.

  "Your legend has grown. You must feel very proud. Even my brothers

  boast to all who will listen that they fought beside the Heartless

  MacDonald."

  He flinched, hating the name.

  "I do not know what I feel. It has all happened too quickly."

  "When you return to Edinburgh, you will be acclaimed a hero. You will

  surely have your choice of celebrations to attend, my lord." Not to

  mention, she thought dismally, his choice of women.

  "I will not tarry in Edinburgh. Mary now has enough soldiers to assure

  her safety, thanks to your father's efforts."

  "You will journey to your new castle then?"

  Jamie glanced away, unable to look at her. The sight of her beauty

  caused his heart to lodge in his throat. With his gaze fastened on the

  moon he said, "It is expected of a new laird. I will have to inspect

  my lands and get to know my people."

  "You will want Wolf to accompany you to your new home."

  "Wolf lives?" He turned to her with a look of astonish- mentl By the

  gods, she had wrought a miracle, and all be cause of her persistence.

  "I thought my brothers would have told you. Wolf awaits you in my

  chambers."

  "Your chambers? You have turned him into a pet, my lady?"

  Lindsey bristled, feeling her temper return.

  "I did not force him. It was his choice. He is very content to walk

  by my side, to eat from my hand and to sleep beside my bed."

  She had just described heaven. Jamie knew of another who would be

  content with that, but he kept his silence and turned away.

  Slowly she turned to study his proud profile.

  "Mayhap he tired of the battle and yearns for a life of ease."

  His voice roughened.

  "It is what all warriors yearn for. But they fool themselves. The

  battles never end."

  He drew his cloak around him and began to turn away.

  "Aye. Especially if the warrior is the Heartless Mac Donald, who stirs

  battles wherever he goes."

  Jamie turned on her, his eyes blazing.

  "I have told you how I hate that name. Why do you persist in trying to

  goad me, my lady?"

  Lindsey drew herself up to her full height and faced him.

  "The name suits you. I cannot forget that you coldly sent me away. You

  ordered me around as though I were a servant. You shamed me in front

  of my family."

  His eyes darkened. Without thinking he caught her roughly by the

  arms.

  "Shamed you? God in heaven, I wanted to spare you any further pain. I

  sent you away be cause I could not risk having you harmed. Why can you

  not accept that?"

  Too late, he remembered the jolt that always accompanied the mere touch

  of her. He felt it now, swift and jarring. His fingers tightened,

  drawin her near.

  "I will not Stand here and allow you to shout at me." She tried to

  pull away, but he tightened his grasp and dragged her roughly to him.

  "Damn you, woman. Why must you always fight me?"

  Lindsey struggled to push free of his arms.

  "I will not be bullied by"

  "I had forgotten. There is only one way to stop your curses." His

  lips covered hers in a kiss, cutting off her protest.

  Each of them reacted as though they had been struck by lightning. Fire

  raced through them, heating their blood.

  "God in heaven." Jamie lifted his head and framed her face with his

  hands, staring deeply into her eyes.

  "You may think me a bully and a..."

  "Son of a viper," she added, watching his lips draw closer.

  "Aye." Perhaps, he mused, he could perform a miracle himself, if he

  but persisted.

  "Will you at least admit that you missed me?" He brushed his lips over

  hers, feeling a wild pulsing deep inside.

  She could go on being kissed like this all night. She had never

  forgotten the fire, or the needs that surfaced each time he kissed

  her.

  "Aye, I did miss your kisses. Though at times you are an overbearing

  brute. I missed the fighting." She parted her lips.

  "And the making up."

  With his lips a fraction above hers he muttered, "Admit that you love

  me, Lindsey."

  She swallowed, anxious for his kiss. With a little sigh she muttered,

  "Only if you say the words first."

  He brushed his lips light
ly over hers and felt the flames begin to lick

  along his spine. The miracle was within his grasp.

  "I love you, Lindsey Gordon. With all my heart."

  She moaned and drew him close.

  "And I love you, Jamie MacDonald."

  With a laugh he lifted his head. He dared not kiss her again. Not

  yet.

  He knew that this time, once the floodgates were opened, there would be

  no stopping the outpouring of passion he felt for her.

  Suddenly grasping her hand, he began to run toward the castle, forcing

  her to race by his side to keep up.

  "Stop. Whatever are you doing?"

  "You will see."

  When they reached the great room, he hauled her along beside him as he

  searched among the guests until he came to Douglas Gordon.

  "I would have a word with you," Jamie said, interrupting Douglas and

  Brice as they talked with the queen.

  Everyone looked up in surprise at his brusque behavior.

  "Aye. What is it?" Douglas asked.

  "I seek your permission to wed your daughter." Douglas turned a

  startled gaze on his daughter and saw, despite her breathlessness and

  disheveled appearance, the dazed expression of love in her eyes.

  "Aye, Jamie. I have long known how the two of you felt. You know I

  approve.

  But why must we discuss this here, now? "

  "Because the bishop is her to speak the words. And the queen is here

  to give witness. And if truth be told," he added with a smile, "I do

  not wish to give your daughter time to change her mind, my lord."

  Brice threw back his head and roared with delight.

  "Spo ken like a true strategist, Jamie lad."

  Mary clapped her hands in delight.

  "A wedding tonight? Aye, I approve.

  In fact, it is as I had hoped when I arranged that the two of you be

  thrown together. You know how I love romantic entanglements. " She

  turned to the bishop.

  "What say you, Excellency? Will you waive the banns and see the lad

  wed to his true love?"

  Pursing his lips, the bishop thought a moment, then nodded gravely.

  "If you so command, Majesty, I will see to it."

  "A gown," the queen said, turning to Meredith and her sisters.

  "Lindsey must se wed in a gown fit for such a grand occasion."

  Amid much whispering and giggling, Meredith, Brenna and Megan hauled

  Lindsey away to their chambers.

  At Brice's command, the servants began preparing the chapel for a

  wedding. Wine flowed, and the guests began eagerly awaiting the

  surprising ending to the queen's feast.

  Jamie, for the moment, had been forgotten. He slipped from the great

  hall. Like a caged panther he paced the upper hall, waiting for a

  glimpse of his bride-to-be. Surely going into battle was easier than

  this.

  What were the women telling Lindsey? Perhaps they were advising her

  against the match. Would they fill her head with stories of the

  dangers of marriage to a warrior, or the terrors of bearing his

  children?

  When the sisters finally slipped from Lindsey's chambers, their faces

  were unreadable. They kissed Jamie's cheek, then went below stairs to

  join the others in the chapel awaiting the arrival of the happy

  couple.

  Staring at the closed door to Lindsey's chambers, Jamie could bear the

  waiting no longer. With a quick tap he entered For a moment he paused

  just inside the doorway. Lindsey turned from the looking glass, and he

  caught his breath at the sight of her.

  She wore a gown of dazzling white shot with silver threads. At her

  throat was a necklace of diamonds that burned with the light of a