Highland Heart

by Ruth Ryan Langan

been better disposed to bring along a dainty needle and thread. Mayhap

  she could sew their enemies' hands to their 0 sides. He stifled a

  smile at the humorous thought.

  When they reached the head of the columns, Douglas and Jamie gave a nod

  of satisfaction. Each member of their party was properly armed.

  All weapons were honed to a razor's edge. Turning, they watched as the

  riders nudged their horses into a trot. As Lindsey's mount pranced by,

  Jamie felt another rush of heat. The damnable woman brought out the

  worst in him.

  When their company reached the edge of the forest, Jamie took up a

  position in front while Douglas Gordon brought up the rear.

  Jamie's heart kept tempo with the horses' hooves. With very little

  effort, he was on his way to Holyrood, where he would avenge the attack

  upon his queen and Brice Camp bell. Cresting a hill, he paused and

  watched as the long column of riders passed him. At the sight of a

  pretty face framed by a hood of ermine, he frowned. He did not look

  forward to making frequent stops on their long journey while the lady

  paused to repair her toilette. He would be quick to remind her, with

  every pause in their progress, that she was keeping them from their

  duty to their queen. Or, he thought with a grim smile, he could urge

  the others on ahead while the lady made her frequent stops. Mayhap

  then her father would realize his folly. Jamie hand tightened on the

  reins. Nay, he would offer no further objection, he decided with sudden

  fury. He would not want Douglas Gordon's beloved daughter to face the

  dangerous journey with her hair or gown mussed. For the sake of unity

  he would hold his tongue and let this spoiled, foolish lass have her

  way.

  A silvery shadow slipped from the cover of the forest.

  "Wolf," Jamie called, pleased to see his bedraggled companion.

  The hound fell into position behind Jamie's mount.

  Jamie pressed a hand to his lower back and cursed his aching muscles.

  Those few days of rest had made him soft. Already his body was

  protesting the long hours spent in the saddle.

  Bringing his horse to a halt, he drew his cloak tightly around him to

  ward off the rain. Lifting his plumed that he wiped the moisture from

  his brow and squinted up into the raindrops that pelted him. Judging

  by the steady throb of his shoulder and the dark clouds that filled the

  sky, the rain would not soon end.

  The column of horsemen slogged past, heads lowered against the

  downpour. As one hooded figure passed him, he forced himself to sit

  straighter in the saddle. It would not do to have the female detect

  any weakness in him.

  It occurred to Jamie that their company had not made a single stop

  since their journey began. He experienced a sudden flash of guilt. If

  his muscles were protesting, how much worse would it be for Lindsey?

  Yet the lass, to her credit, had not once asked to stop and be allowed

  to rest.

  Wheeling his horse, he raced past e riders and signaled to the leader

  to halt.

  "We will take shelter beneath those trees ahead and give our mounts a

  rest."

  "Aye, my lord."

  With a collective look of relief the column of riders headed for the

  forest arid climbed wearily from their sad- dies. The canopy of trees

  and vines offered a respite from the steady rain. Soon a fire was

  raging, and while the horses foraged under Neal's careful watch, the

  riders sat on fallen logs or reclined on their cloaks around the fire,

  eating their first meal since early morning. Two Highlanders stood

  guard on either edge of the clearing.

  Jamie leaned his back against the gnarled trunk of a tree and watched

  as Lindsey returned to the clearing. Except for the slight limp, she

  showed no sign of weariness. Her carriage was erect, her manner

  animated as she spoke with her brothers and the other men. Folding her

  cloak as a cushion, she knelt before the fire. Her hair was bound

  tightly to her head by netting, but a few damp strands had pried loose

  to kiss her cheeks.

  One of her brothers said something that caused her to laugh. At that

  moment she lt)oked across the clearing and caught Jamie staring at her.

  For a long moment their gazes met and held.

  Lindsey felt her breath catch in her throat. Never before had a man's

  eyes held such fascination. It was as if he was reaching out across

  the space that divided them and was touching her. It was as intimate

  as any embrace. She felt the heat rush to her cheeks. Blinking, she

  looked away, hoping to break the spell this giant held over her. But a

  moment later she chanced another look. His gaze still burned over her,

  causing a rush of heat. She blamed it on the fire and forced herself

  to join in the conversation of the others.

  She would not allow this tyrant to gain such a strange power over

  her.

  She could not. But against her will her gaze strayed once more to

  where Jamie stood. He was no longer alone. Her father stood beside

  him, engaged in ear nest conversation. Even as they spoke, she saw

  Jamie's gaze shift to her, and the heat once more stained her cheeks.

  Damn the man. And damn this weakness that seemed to come over her

  whenever he stared at her so boldly.

  She turned away, determined to put him out of her mind. She would

  concentrate instead on the excitement of the journey that lay ahead. A

  visit to Holyrood, to see the queen. It was every Scot's dream. And

  at long last she was living it.

  She looked up at the sound of a muffled scream. Before she and the

  others could scramble to their feet and unsheathe their weapons, they

  found themselves surrounded by a band of fierce highwaymen.

  A dagger sang through the air, heading directly toward her father.

  "Take arms," Jamie shouted, shoving Douglas Gordon out of harm's way.

  A moment later both men were engaged in a deadly battle with several

  swordsmen.

  The air was filled with cries of rage and pain as sword met sword.

  From the cover of the forest, dozens of screaming villains poured

  forth, weapons poised for the kill.

  As he fought back several attackers, Jamie berated himself for leading

  his company into danger. He should have sent riders ahead to scout the

  forest before allowing anyone to make camp. He had allowed his concern

  for Lindsey's comfort to cloud his thinking. Lindsey.

  He glanced across the clearing and was stunned to see the object of his

  thoughts holding off two attackers. The bejeweled sword in her hand

  slashed with deadly accuracy.

  "Lindsey, behind you," he shouted, leaping over a fallen body to reach

  her side. But before he could lift a sword in her defense, she had

  disposed of the threat.

  Several more swordsmen rushed to the aid of their fallen companions,

  and Jamie and Lindsey found themselves surrounded.

  Standing side by side, they fought bravely, driving back the attackers.

  Jamie was amazed by the lady's skill. Though slight of stature, she

  plunged her blade with mortal skill. And th
ough the cries of the

  wounded filled the air, she did not flinch.

  Three swordsmen attacked Jamie at one time, and he found himself

  struggling to hold them at bay. Suddenly he felt a sharp pain at his

  back. An attacker had crept up from behind and held a sword tip to his

  back.

  "Lower your weapon or die," a deep voice ordered. Before Jamie could

  react, the pressure against his flesh suddenly disappeared. Jamie

  glanced around in surprise to see Lindsey disarm the attacker.

  For one brief moment their gazes met and held. Though they exchanged

  no words, their looks spoke volumes.

  Moments later a cry went up from one of the highway men, and those who

  were still standing pulled themselves onto the backs of their horses

  and disappeared into the for est. In the stillness that followed,

  their fallen comrades lay bleeding into the rain-soaked earth.

  "How many of our company are wounded?" Jamie cried.

  For long moments no one spoke as the fallen men were scrutinized

  carefully.

  At last a shout went up.

  "Three."

  "Any dead?"

  "Nay, my lord: None of ours are dead."

  Jamie breathed a sigh of relief.

  "See to their wounds," he commanded.

  Seeing blood on Lindsey's gown, Jamie caught her by the arm and led her

  to a boulder near the fire.

  "You are wounded, my lady," he said, studying her anxiously.

  "Sit here."

  She seemed surprised by his concern. Glancing down at her gown, she

  gave a little laugh.

  "Nay.

  "Tis not my blood, but the blood of one of the villains who dared to

  test my prowess with the sword."

  Jamie felt a swift rush of relief, which for some unexplained reason

  quickly turned to anger. Through clenched teeth he said, "You should

  have hidden yourself when the highwaymen attacked. Have you any idea

  what a woman's fate would be at their hands?"

  "Hide myself?" She stood up, her hands on her hips, her eyes blazing,

  "I will remind you, Jamie MacDonald, that were it not for my skill with

  a sword, you would have no voice left with which to scold me."

  "Aye. I am grateful that you saved my life, my lady."

  He felt his unexpected temper flare anew.

  "But if we are attacked again, I order you to hide until the battle is

  over." With fury darkening his eyes, he stormed away.

  Lindsey watched him, feeling her own temper simmer. Men. Despite the

  fact that she had been surrounded by them all her life, she would never

  understand them. Did the lout not recognize that she had a need to

  take care of herself? Lifting her skirts, she went off in search of

  her horse. From his position across the clearing, Jamie accepted a

  tankard from one of the men and glowered at Lindsey's retreating back.

  God in heaven, she was a distraction. A very dangerous distraction.

  For the rest of the journey he must force himself to ignore her and

  think only of the safety of everyone. His carelessness had very nearly

  cost them their lives. He expelled a hiss of anger. Praise heaven

  that in a matter of days he would be at Holyrood and rid of her.

  Still brooding, he drained his tankard and set it down. When he

  straightened, he saw a blur of movement. Just beyond Lindsey, under

  cover of misty rain and the tangle of forest growth, was a man on

  horseback. Jamie let out a cry of warning. Everyone in camp looked

  up.

  In quick strides he was across the clearing and racing into the dense

  forest. With sword lifted, he flung Lindsey roughly behind him.

  "Advance and prepare to do battle" he shouted to the stranger.

  Lindsey let out a gasp at the sight of the man whose dark plaid blended

  into the green of their surroundings, shielding him from view.

  Though he was only a few feet from her, she had not spotted him until

  Jamie called him out.

  The man remained motionless, assessing the giant who faced him. For

  the space of a heartbeat it appeared that he would draw his sword.

  Then, with a slow, dangerous smile, he slid from the saddle and

  extended his hand.

  "I heard the sound of battle, and thought to lend my sword. But I see

  I am not needed."

  He saw the lass peer from behind the giant's back and his smile grew.

  "I am Ian MacPherson. And the land you stand upon is mine."

  Jamie studied the man whose fair hair and pale eyes gave him a

  youthful, innocent appearance.

  "I am Jamie Mac Donald." As the others surrounded them, Jamie added,

  "And these are Douglas Gordon and his family."

  Ian offered his hand to each man, taking their measure as he did.

  "And the lovely lady?" he asked.

  Lindsey stepped from behind Jamie's back.

  "This is Lindsey Gordon." Jamie's tone was curt.

  "A most beautiful lady." Ian lifted her hand to his lips.

  "And a most splendid swordsman."

  "How would you know that?" Jamie felt a flash of emotion as he watched

  the man kiss Lindsey's hand. Jealousy? Impossible. Never in his life

  had he been jealous of any man. Still, for some unexplained reason, he

  mistrusted this man on sight.

  "I happened upon the fight just as the lady disposed of her attackers,"

  Ian said, meeting Lindsey's eyes. He saw the flush on her cheeks and

  pressed her fingers a moment longer before releasing them.

  "And still you did not come to her defense?" Jamie's voice held a

  challenging tone.

  "Alas, I was too late."

  "Too late or too lazy..."

  "Come, my lord MacPherson." Douglas Gordon stepped between them,

  hoping to diffuse the anger in Jamie's eyes.

  "You will join us for a tankard before we move on?"

  "Aye." Ian paused, then turned toward Lindsey.

  "That is, if the lovely lady will join me."

  With growing anger Jamie watched as Lindsey blushed and moved along by

  the stranger's side.

  "You handled yourself admirably in battle, my lady. You needed no

  man's help to dispose of those villains."

  Ian' swords brought a smile of pleasure to Lindsey' slips.

  "If only certain other men could understand that."

  "Where do you travel in such weather?" Ian's voice drifted back to

  Jamie, who paused in the woods to retrieve Lindsey's horse.

  "To Edinburgh."

  "How fortunate." Jamie's head came up sharply as Ian added, "I journey

  there myself. Mayhap I will join you."

  Chapter Five

  Within the hour their company was prepared to move out.

  Jamie watched as Ian MacPherson helped Lindsey into the saddle. The

  man's hands lingered overlong at her waist as she settled herself

  comfortably. And his gaze lingered overlong on her shapely limbs

  before she smoothed her skirts down to cover them.

  Jamie felt his dislike for the man grow.

  "I have lived all my life in this forest," Ian assured Douglas

  Gordon.

  He pulled himself into the saddle and turned a smug look in Jamie's

  direction.

  "No highwayman would dare to attack you while you are in the company of

  a MacPherson."

  "Then we are grateful for your
protection, my lord," the old man said

  as he mounted. Turning to his sons he called, "Come. Let us ride."

  As he followed, Jamie brooded. Was he the only one who had doubts

  about this MacPherson? When he had first spotted the figure in the

  forest, Jamie was quite certain that the man had been watching Lindsey

  for evil purposes. De spite Ian's claims otherwise, Jamie was not

  convinced. He would wait and watch. Since MacPherson had agreed to

  accompany them all the way to Edinburgh, they would be forced to endure

  his company for many days.

  As Jamie's horse moved out smartly, Wolf raced along under cover of the

  forest, keeping Jamie always in view.

  By early evening the rain had turned to a fine mist. The horses picked

  their way over the spongy grass of a high meadow.

  "Darkness comes early in the Highlands," Jamie said to Douglas

  Gordon.

  "We must soon make camp for the night."

  "I know the perfect place," Ian MacPherson called.

  "Follow me."

  As the others fell into line behind Ian's mount, Jamie took up the

  rear, glancing often over his shoulder. It would have been an easy

  matter for the highwaymen to follow them. There were too many in their

  company to conceal, even when they had been in the dense forest. Now

  that they were in an open meadow, they were perfect targets. Worse,

  since three of their number had been wounded, they had been forced to

  travel at a much slower pace than before.

  They passed through glens and fells and made their way to the banks of

  a swollen stream.

  "This is a fine place to spend the night." Ian slid from the saddle

  and rushed to Lindsey's side to assist her.

  "We will have fresh water to drink, and the trees will protect us from

  any further rain that might fall."

  "What is that sound?" Lindsey asked.

  "The water rushing over a precipice." Ian pointed to a bend in the

  stream, where the water tumbled over rocks before disappearing from

  view.

  "The stream spills out of sight into a deep gorge" " He turned to

  Lindsey. '" Twill lull you to sleep tonight, my lady. "

  "I will need no waterfall to help me sleep this night, my lord," she

  said with a lilt of laughter.

  Ian stared after her as she strolled to where her brothers were already

  preparing a fire.

  For long minutes Jamie remained on his mount, surveying the scene. He

  had not missed the look of appreciation on Ian's face when Lindsey had

  walked away. Again he felt the swift rush of anger and cursed himself

  for his petty jealousy.

  As he watched the others set up camp, it occurred to Jamie that the

  thunder of the waterfall would drown out the sound of approaching

  horses. Could there be more to Ian MacPherson's plan than a

  comfortable place to spend the night? Sliding from the saddle Jamie

  went in search of Douglas Gordon.

  The old man was speaking in low tones to his sons. They looked up as

  Jamie approached.

  "I sense danger here," Jamie announced without pre amble.

  "Aye. So you feel it, too, lad?" The old man kept his tone low.

  "We will post guards throughout the night. Each of my sons will take

  his turn making certain that the guards remain alert."

  Jamie felt a sense of relief at the older man's words. At least he was

  not alone in his fears.

  "I will take my turn standing guard, as well."

  Douglas nodded.

  "Now let us eat and get some rest." They made their way to the

  campfire where Lindsey, with Ian's help, had prepared a simple meal.