had expected, with a firm jaw and full, sensuous lips.
"Join us, Jamie MacDonald," Douglas Gordon said.
"Though you have been with us for a day and a night, you have yet to be
properly introduced to my family. I am Douglas Gordon."
Jamie bowed slightly before the old man, then offered his hand.
"Murray is my eldest son," the old man said, indicating the bearded lad
to his left.
Jamie extended his hand and felt the strength in Murray's grip. The
two men assessed each other in silence.
"This is my second son, Donald."
Jamie offered his hand to the raven-haired lad who had. passed him in
the rain. Close up Jamie could see why the lasses were attracted to
this darkly handsome youth.
"Robbie is our poet and dreamer," Douglas said, indicating the
golden-haired lad who smiled shyly at Jamie be, fore extending his
hand.
"And our youngest is Neal."
The lad was slender as a sapling, with arms and legs that seemed too
long for his body. But there was strength in his grip and the
beginnings of muscles in his arms. And his smile was genuine when he
offered his hand to Jamie.
"You have already met my daughter, Lindsey."
"Aye." Jamie bowed over her hand and saw the heat that stained her
cheeks when he lifted her hand to his lips. This day she was gowned in
pale ivory wool that hugged her high firm breasts and revealed a tiny
waist. He thought of the way he had hauled her roughly into his arms,
pressing her lithe young body against his, and once again he felt the
rush of heat. Her waist-long hair had been brushed and tied back with
ribbons, but already several strands had man aged to spring free,
falling in an oddly appealing way across her eye.
"Sit," Douglas said, indicating the place beside his daughter.
As he took his seat Jamie felt his thigh brush Lindsey's and he chanced
to look in her direction. She studiously avoided meeting his gaze.
"I see my mission has caused a conflict, my lord," Jamie said as he
filled his plate.
"Everything creates a conflict in this clan," Douglas Gordon said
dryly. "" Tis the nature of the Gordons. At the moment we are
discussing the danger of leaving our lands and people unprotected. "
"Aye.
"Tis a risk. Mayhap I should take my leave quickly, so that you might
discuss your family business in private."
Unknowingly Lindsey's voice tdok on a note of soft per- suasiorr.
'"Twould be folly." Seeing the way her brothers' heads came up, she
added quickly, "To leave without accomplishing your mission, my lord.
You do not yet know if the Gordons will take up your banner. "
"How can you mt?" His gaze left her to study those around the table.
"If you love your queen, you have no choice." His tone was
matter-of-fact.
"Mayhap." Neal, the youngest, met his even look.
"But we would go at great sacrifice, my lord."
Jamie knew the truth of his words. This clan prospered because of the
strength of its lairds. Without these leaders to defend against
invasion, all could be lost to invading clans within a fortnight.
Still, the queen's safety must be their first consideration.
"There must be a nobler aim than defending your people, or protecting
your wealth." Jamie drained his goblet and felt his strength slowly
return. The fire was back in his blood. And in his voice.
"I have come to beg you, in the name of our queen, to take up arms
against those who would shamelessly attack one who, though queen of
this great land, is helpless against 'her enemies."
Robbie's fair hair glinted in the morning sunlight.
"Does the queen not have an army to command?"
"Nay," Jamie said, his eyes flashing.
"The lady is at the mercy of those who plot and scheme against her. We
must be her army."
"But she is queen," Neai interrupted.
"How would any one dare to harm her?"
"Aye, she is a queen. She is also a woman. A woman," Jamie added
softly, "who is heavy with child."
At that everyone fell silent. It was the handsome Donald who broke the
uncomfortable silence.
"How do we know that this attack was truly meant for the queen? Did
you not say she lives?"
"Aye. But her secretary, Riccio, is dead. And Brice Campbell lies
near death because he went to Mary's aid. And even now, while Brice
fights for his own life, he is concerned only for Mary. He is
convinced that she was the intended victim."
"There are many," Murray remarked to those around the table "who would
see your laird, the Highland Barbarian dead. He has crossed swords
with many men of influence."
Beneath the table Jamie's hands clenched into fists as he struggled to
keep the anger from his voice.
"Is there one among us who has not made enemies?" He studied the faces
of the Gordon men, who stared back at him without emotion.
"But I tell you that Brice Campbell is not a fool. His instincts about
men are shrewd. If he believes that the queen's life is in danger, I
believe it also. And I am willing to lay down my life for my queen."
Douglas Gordon studied the solemn faces around theta ble.
"Murray.
What say you? "
The eldest son spoke to his father, ignoring the man seated beside his
sister.
"I do not relish leaving our lands and people unprotected. And I am
not convinced that Queen Mary is in danger. Still..." He glanced at
his brothers
"If the others vote to go to Edinburgh, I ride with them."
"Donald," the old man prodded.
"What say you?" The handsome lad studied the giant who sat beside his
sister. He resented this messenger of bad tidings. But his love for
adventure far outweighed his misgivings. Besides, he had heard that
some of the women at court in Edinburgh were some of the most beautiful
in the world.
"If we could summon our clan to stand watch until we return, I say we
ride to Edinburgh."
"Robbie?" Douglas Gordon turned his gaze on the quiet, studious son
who much preferred his books to a life of action.
Robbie thought about his well-ordered life and felt a welling of
resentment at this intruder. But Jamie's reminder that the. queen was
a woman in distress had found its mark. The poet's tender heart could
not be denied.
"Aye. I would ride to the queen's defense."
"Neal?" The old man smiled gently at his youngest son.
"Aye, Father."
Th lad was twitching with eagerness at this unexpected chance for
adventure. He had never before had the opportunity to see what lay
beyond his beloved Highlands.
"How can we refuse?"
Jamie sat back, relieved that there had been no objection raised. He
was surprised when Douglas Gordon turned to his daughter.
"And you, Lindsey? What say you?"
Lindsey saw the way the man beside her stiffened. It gave her a rush
of pleasure to know that Jamie MacDonald had once again been caught
unawares. He had not expected a Highland laird to respect
a lowly
woman's views.
"My first impulse was to agree with Murray," she said, enjoying the way
Jamie's eyes narrowed at her words.
"We cannot, after all, journey all the way to Edinburgh without being
observed. There are those who will take advantage of our absence to
steal and plunder. But, like the others, I am not willing to risk my
qiaeen's safety for the sake of wealth and comfort." She paused to
moisten her dry lips, then said with a rush of words, "And, as Donald
said, we can summon our clan to defend our home. But there is a
question no one else has voiced."
She turned to meet Jamie's look, and he could read the challenge in her
gaze.
"How do we know that this man's word is true? How do we even know that
he is the man he claims to be?"
The others turned to their father, who sat silently regarding his
daughter and the giant beside her.
In a solemn tone Douglas said, "I know of no other who could masquerade
as a man as ... unique as Jamie MacDonald." A hint of a smile touched
the older man's lips.
"But, to put your fears to rest, I will tell you thatI have seen this
man before, standing with Brice Campbell in the court of Mary. Their
friendship and loyalty to our queen are well documented." He turned to
his daughter.
"Does that ease your mind, Lindsey?"
She tore her gaze from the man beside her and nodded.
"Then the matter, for me, is settled. I vote to ride to Edinburgh no
matter what the cost."
Douglas glanced around the table
"You have all spoken. We are in agreement then? We are all willing to
see to the queen's safety?"
Murray, as eldest son, spoke for all.
"Aye, Father."
"It is done, then." Douglas Gordon turned to Jamie with a smile.
"The Gordons will ride with you to Edinburgh, my lord. Our hearts and
swords are pledged to our queen."
"Thank you." Jamie extended his hand to the old man, then to each of
the sons.
"Thank you, one and all."
When he turned to Lindsey, he lifted her hand to his lips.
"And my thanks to you, my lady, for your eloquent words."
"They were not mere words, my lord. Like my brothers', mine was a
solemn promise. I have pledged my heart and sword to my queen. And
now, if you will excuse me, there is much to prepare before we ride."
"We?" Jamie glanced from Lindsey to her father, then back to
Lindsey.
"Surely you do not intend to ride with us all the way to Edinburgh?"
"Did you not hear my father's words?"
Jamie saw the smiles on their lips as the others pushed away from the
table and exited the refectory.
Alone, Lindsey stood facing Jamie, her eyes flashing fire.
"The Gordons will ride with you to Edinburgh, my lord." Her tone of
voice, her eyes, dared him to challenge her father's pronouncement.
"All the Gordons."
"Including you?"
"Aye, my lord. Including me."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"We shall see about that, my lady."
" Her look was equally defiant.
"Aye. You shall see, my lord." With a swish of skirts, she was
gone.
As the servants began clearing the table Jamie walked to the window and
stood, deep in thought. He had his wish. The Gordons were pledged to
the queen's safety. But he had not anticipated this turn of events.
One among them might prove more a curse than a blessing.
Chapter Four
Jamie leaned a hip against the balcony and watched the bustle of
activity in the courtyard below. Servants were busy loading supplies
into a wagon. Grooms scurried around saddling horses. Men in the
rough garb of the High lands stood embracing their wives and
children.
Entire families had gathered to bid their men goodbye.
Once he had gained the ear of the Gordons, Jamie was amazed at how easy
it had been to convince them of the need to follow him. This task
Brice had given him was surprisingly simple. With the Gordon swords to
back him up, they would ride to Edinburgh and dispose of the queen's
enemies. Within a fortnight they would all be. safely back in their
strongholds, their lives returned to normal He could then summon a
council of all the Highland lairds, to form a united front behind their
queen.
He touched a hand to his stiff shoulder. It had been worth a few cuts
and scratches to see this matter successfully concluded.
Below, a ladies' maid shrieked when a trunk fell from the wagon,
spilling its contents. Jamie craned his neck to watch. Within minutes
it was repacked and lashed firmly to the back of the wagon. But not
before Jamie had glimpsed a rainbow of frothy petticoats and gowns. He
felt a rush of impatience. Lindsey had no business accompanying them.
Did Douglas Gordon have so little control over his offspring that he
would endanger his only daughter's life rather than say nay to her?
The poor fool must be mad. This was not some frivolous jaunt in the
countryside to visit the queen. This was dangerous business. Did not
his dearest friend lie near death because of the threat to the queen?
Annoyed, Jamie strapped on his scabbard and tossed his cloak over his
shoulders. Sheathing his sword, he tucked a dirk into his waistband
and two more into his boots and went in search of his host.
Douglas Gordon stood in the center of activity . in the courtyard, a
sea of calm amidst the chaos. He looked up as Jamie approached.
"I would speak with you about your daughter."
At the anger that roughened Jamie's tone, Douglas swallowed his
smile.
"Aye, lad. Say what is on your mind."
"This journey involves treachery and deceit, and could very well end in
a battle to the death."
"Aye."
Jamie stared at the placid old man and felt his temper rise a notch.
"It is no place for a tenderhearted woman."
Douglas stroked his beard and gave a vague nod of his head.
Jamie brightened.
"You agree?"
"Aye, lad."
"Then will you tell your daughter that she cannot ac company us to
Edinburgh?"
"Tell Lindsey?" The old man gave him an incredulous look before
saying, "I'can see that you know little about women, lad, and nothing
about Lindsey. My daughter is not about to calmly sit by the fire
warming the hearth until her men return. Mary is her queen as much as
yours, Jamie MacDonald. It is an honor and a privilege to bear arms in
the name of the crown. Would you have me deny my own daughter that
which I would permit my sons?"
"But you agreed that it was no place for a female."
"Aye. If she were any other female but Lindsey." His voice roughened
with emotion.
"Every father wishes to cherish his children and protect them from all
harm. God knows I tried with Lindsey. But now I've learned 'twould be
folly to believe such a thing can be done in this world we have
inherited."
At Jamie's look of disbelief he said, "Lindsey grew up
in a household
of men. She has been taught to wield a dirk with the best of them.
Besides," he added wistfully, " I gave my word on her mother's deathbed
that I would not consigri the lass to a life alone. At my side she
will stay"-his voice roughened with emotion " --unless a proper man
claims her for his wife. " He studied Jamie's stormy countenance and
said firmly, " She'll not be left behind. Lindsey will accompany her
brothers and me to Edinburgh. "
He glanced beyond Jamie and his tone became surprisingly soft.
"Ah, lass. Is all in readiness?"
"Aye, Father."
A bit breathlessly, Lindsey approached them. She wore a dark green
velvet riding gown and matching cloak lined with ermine The fur-lined
hood framed her lovely face in a most becoming fashion. At the sight
of her Jamie felt his blood run hot and blamed it on his temper.
"It was difficult to decide which gowns would be appropriate for
Holyrood, since I have little need for fashion here in our fortress.
But Moira and I chose carefully. "
"It is wise of you to pack carefully my lady." Jamie could barely keep
the sarcasm from his tone. '"Twould be a sad day indeed if you were
asked to defend your life in a gown that did not meet the queen's
approval. Worse, we would not want you lying dead in the muck in a
gown that did not befit the solemnity of the occasion."
At the venom in his tone her mouth dropped open. A torrent of oaths
she had learned from her brothers rushed to mind.
"You priggish, son of a snake" -She glanced at her father and saw the
warning light come into his eyes.
Oh, if only they were alone, she would lay this imperious oaf open to
her sharp words. It was only with the greatest of self-control that
she managed to hold her tongue.
Turning to her father Jamie said curtly, "By your leave I will inspect
the supplies and wait with your men until we are ready to begin the
journey."
Hearing the emphasis he placed on the word men, Lindsey watched him
walk away with a look of fury.
"I can see that the Heartless MacDonald is overjoyed at my presence on
this journey, Father."
"Aye. So it would seem." Douglas Gordon gave a deep sigh. He would
have to keep these two busy and far apart during the journey. Else
they would chew each other into little pieces before reaching
Edinburgh.
"The lad means well. But he does not know us yet, lass. We will give
him the benefit of some time in our company."
Time. Fuming, Lindsey crossed to where a groom held the spirited horse
she had requested. She had dismissed a sidesaddle in favor of a more
comfortable man's saddle. Pulling herself up, she arranged her long
skirts over her exposed legs and took the reins from the groom.
Glancing across the courtyard she saw Jamie MacDonald glowering at her.
She tossed her head in a gesture of defiance. She had spoilt enough
time in his unpleasant company. She needed no more.
At a command from Douglas Gordon, the chosen men mounted and formed a
double column. A mere dozen men would accompany their party to
Edinburgh. The rest of the clan and all the assembled families would
remain within the wails of the fortress, prepared to defend it until
the return of their leader.
Douglas and Jamie rode between the two columns, inspecting weapons as
they rode. Jamie showed no emotion as he passed Lindsey, who was
holding aloft a bejeweled sword. The fierce weapon seemed incongruous
in the hand of one garbed in softest velvet and ermine. She would have
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