dropped listlessly to rest upon his thighs.
To Jamie it was a most pleasant sensation, and a smile touched the
corner of his lips. She would be horrified if she could see his
reaction to her touch.
He longed to pause in their journey to let her sleep without the
jarring motion of their horse. He thought about the suite of rooms he
had secured for her at the inn. A tub of warm water, a roaring fire
and a feather bed awaited her. Alas, the little firebrand was forced
to endure another difficult journey, a cold trail and a few moments of
respite with her cheek against his shoulder.
He felt the pressure of her breasts against his chest and endured a
tightening in his throat. To keep her warm, he drew his cloak firmly
around her and hunched his body over hers.
They rode like that for several miles until he felt her head come up
sharply. She had suddenly been jolted awake. He sat up straighter.
Embarrassed at her lapse, Lindsey again held herself stiffly in his
arms. If the queen, who was heavy with child, could ride for hours
without rest, she would allow herself to do no less. But though she
did not speak to him, she was achingly aware of the man who held her in
the circle of his arms. The heat of his body still lingered in the
folds of his cloak, and she was grateful for its warmth.
The morning sun was just beginning to break through the clouds when
they halted by the banks of a wide loch. Far across, in the middle,
four islands converged. There, in the center of the largest island,
stood a dark imposing castle.
"Praise heaven. Lochleven at last," the queen breathed. A man stepped
from his concealment behind some shrubbery that grew down to the
water's edge. Instantly Jamie slid from his mount and drew his sword,
placing himself between the queen and the stranger.
"Hold, my lord," the man shouted.
"I am sent by my lord William to see to your journey to his castle. I
have waited all night for your arrival."
As Jamie contintled to challenge him, the stranger pointed to a boat
hidden by foliage.
"It is a humble vessel, Majesty," the man said with lowered gaze, "but
sturdy.
"Twill see you safely across the loch."
"Thank you." The queen slid wearily from the saddle.
"What about our mounts?"
"I will tie them here and see to them later," the man explained.
Lindsey slid gratefully from the horse and watched as the queen's
husband, who had journeyed with them all night without uttering a
single word, climbed from his mount and took a seat in the boat.
Jamie assisted the queen into the boat, then caught Lindsey's hand and
drew her down on a hard wooden seat beside him. The boatman pushed
them from shore with a long pole, then bent to his oars.
The wind on the water was cold, and Lindsey shivered despite the warmth
of Jamie's cloak.
She stared at the castle looming across the icy water. How forbidding
it seemed, with its dark stone and scarred battlements.
"Your thoughts are gloomy, my lady," Jamie whispered.
"But I do not think they are about Lochleven."
"Mayhap I plot ways to thank you for this, my lord."
Jamie swallowed back a smile. The lady had no idea how beautiful she
looked when fire blazed in her eyes.
"If you plot to swim the loch, know that the waters are frigid, and the
distance to shore is great."
"It is a small price to pay to return to my family. I fear for my
father," she murmured, praying the queen would not overhear.
"He will be heartsick when he awakens and discovers that I am absent
from the inn."
"And what," Jamie muttered, "will the rumors be when it is discovered
that I am also missing, along with Douglas Gordon's virginal
daughter?"
Lindsey gave a little gasp and turned to meet his dark gaze.
"Aye, my lady. Rumors will abound, especially in a city like
Edinburgh, where rumors and gossip are the very food of its
citizens."
His eyes narrowed.
"It matters not what they say about me. I have lived with such things
my whole life. But I deeply regret what this will do to your father
when he sees such a cloud upon his daughter's reputation."
Lindsey turned and stared at the rough waves of the loch, her thoughts
as dark as the water. She had to escape this nightmare. And soon.
"Land ahead," the boatman called out.
The queen turned to watch as the boat glided silently toward the
island. Lindsey studied the stiff spine of her monarch and watched the
proud lift of her head as they neared land. Though Mary must be weary
beyond belief, she could not forget for even a moment that she was the
queen, and must appear regal to all her subjects.
As soon as the boat touched land Jamie leaped to the shore and assisted
the queen from the boat. The hooded man climbed out and stared around
as if in a daze. Jamie took Lindsey's hand and helped her onto dry
land.
"I will ferry the horses one at a time, Majesty," the boatman said, "so
that you might ride the grounds of Loch- leven if you desire."
"That is most kind of you." The queen drew her cloak around her to
ward off the chill from the water.
"What is your name?"
"Justin MacLeod, Majesty."
"Thank you, Justin MacLeod. Your kindness will not be forgotten."
Moved by his queen's gratitude, the man bowed low until she and her
party had turned away.
No one took any notice of the silvery shadow that crawled from the loch
and shook the water from its heavy coat before disappearirig into the
mist.
The queen and her party strode through damp marsh and tall grass until
they reached a hilly mound. Walking became easier as they made their
way along a winding drive lined with stately trees and formal
gardens.
In the distance, perched on a ravine, were the crumbling remains of
ancient monastic buildings. A new chapel had been built along one side
of the castle. Despite the obvious attempts to beautify the ancient
fortress, it retained the wild, primitive look of a hunting lodge.
As they drew near, the massive doors were thrown wide. Lindsey paused,
expecting to see a staff of several dozen spill through the open
doorway to greet their royal guest. Instead, a tiny, birdlike woman,
wiping her hands on her apron, bobbed her way down the stone steps.
Behind her trailed a girl of about ten and four, and a stooped little
man in immaculately tailored livery.
Queen Mary looked beyond them expectantly. When no one else appeared,
she turned to the woman, who curtsied.
"Welcome to Lochleven, Majesty. My name is Genevieve Macnab." She
made another curtsy, then went on in the same breath, "This is my
daughter, Sabina." She caught the lass by both shoulders and pushed
her forward, causing the girl to stumble as she made a clumsy bow.
"She will be your personal maid, if she pleases you." Taking a deep
breath, she caught the old man by the hand and drew him to her side.
"And this is
my husband, Fergus. He will be manservant, footman,
stable master, coachman. Fergus can do everything."
The man made a sweeping bow.
"Welcome to Loch- leven, Majesty."
For a moment the queen was silent, and the three shifted uncomfortably.
Then a soft smile touched Mary's lips.
"Thank you, Master Macnab, Mistress Macnab. Your daughter, Sabina,
seems a fine, sturdy lass. I shall be most grateful for her
assistance."
The three beamed with pleasure.
Mary turned to include the others in her party.
"This is my husband, Lord Darnley."
Lindsey was-aware of the ice in the queen's tone and turned to study
the hooded figure beside her. The man barely glanced at the servants
before striding up the steps.
Ignoring his impertinence, Mary said softly, "This is my true and loyal
friend, Jamie MacDonald."
"My lord." Fergus stepped forward and extended his hand, his eyes wide
with respect.
"I have long heard of your prowess in battle. Your name is legend. It
is a rare privilege to meet you at long last."
"Thank you, Fergus."
"And this," the queen said, swallowing back a sudden smile, "is the
lady Lindsey Gordon."
Lindsey saw the way the Macnab family studied her, their gazes locked
on her strange clothes.
It was Genevieve Macnab who composed herself quickly enough to say,
"Welcome, my lady."
"Thank you, Mistress Macnab."
"And now," Mary said, lifting her skirts as she began to ascend the
steps, "I want nothing more than a comfort able bed."
"I have prepared a meal, Majesty."
The queen's pale skin seemed almost translucent in the morning
sunlight. Blue veins could be seen just below the surface. She
suddenly seemed as frail as a wee hairn.
"Not just now. I could not manage to eat a thing, Mis tress Macnab. If
you will but show me to my quarters."
"Aye, Majesty." With a worried frown, the housekeeper and her daughter
led the way up a wide, curving staircase.
"We.prepared a suite of rooms for you and your husband, Majesty."
Mistress Macnab threw open double doors leading to an elegantly
appointed sitting chamber. Beyond that was a large room with several
desks and chairs, and beyond that a second it ting chamber, with doors
on either end leading to matching sleeping chambers.
Everything, Lindsey noted, was scrubbed and polished to a high shine.
The queen examined both sleeping chambers and announced "I will sleep
here." To the housekeeper she added, "Lord Darnley will occupy the
other room."
Mistress Macnab arched a brow but said nothing.
"Now I would rest," Mary announced.
"Sabina, you will assist me."
"Aye, Majesty." The girl bowed and began to remove the queen's
cloak.
"If you will follow me," the housekeeper said to Lindsey and Jamie, "I
will show you to your rooms."
They followed the woman down the hall toward a second suite of rooms.
The sitting chamber was a large, cheerful room with rich tapestries on
the walls and heavy rugs on the floor. A fire blazed in the fireplace,
in front of which had been positioned several chaises and chairs. On a
sideboard were a decanter of ale and several crystal goblets.
On either end of the room were doors leading to identical sleeping
chambers.
The housekeeper seemed embarrassed as she explained to Jamie, "I was
not told to expect you and the lady. I have no other rooms prepared.
And my Lord William had the servants transported to his castle outside
Edinburgh, because, he said, the queen would bring her own trusted
staff. But if you will give me a day, my daughter and I can have
another suite of rooms prepared. "
"It is not necessary, Mistress Macnab. The lady and I
are--together."
Jamie had seen the look on Lindsey's face. And he knew she was
calculating how long it would take her to swim the loch and return to
Edinburgh. He would need to keep her close.
"Lady Lindsey will be quite comfortable sharing the suite."
To hide her embarrassment, Lindsey stepped into one of the sleeping
chambers, hoping the color would fade from her hot cheeks. It was not
seemly that a maiden share such close quarters with a man. But like so
many other things in her life lately, this was beyond her control. She
would simply have to make the best of it until she could slip away from
this terrible place.
She took these minutes to appreciate the work that had been done in
preparation for their visit. The rooms were furnished much like the
queen's chamber, with a large bed surrounded by satin curtains. In
front of the fireplace were two chairs covered with animal hides.
"My lord William loves to hunt." Mistress Macnab, standing in the
doorway, had noted the direction of Lindsey's gaze.
"So this is his hunting lodge?"
"Aye. He thought it would be a fine place for Queen Mary to await the
birth of her hairn." The housekeeper turned a quizzical glance toward
Jamie.
"We expected Her Majesty to travel with her servants, my lord."
Jamie's features revealed nothing.
"The queen has chosen a respite from the pomp and ceremony that
surrounds her at court. This will be a quiet time for her until after
the birth. We are here to see that nothing disturbs her. If a problem
should arise, Mistress Macnab, bring it to me. And if anyone should
come to call, anyone," he said very carefully, "you are to tell me at
once."
The housekeeper smiled conspiratorially.
"Aye, my lord. I understand.
I felt the same way myself, before giving birth to Sabina. Why, there
were times when I wished I could just send Fergus away, so I could sit
all by myself and dream about the wee hairn I would soon be holding to
my breast. A woman needs some time alone. Especially a woman like our
lovely queen.
"I told Fergus how blessed we were that we had been chosen to be the
ones to stay behind and see to the needs of our monarch. If my lord
William had not chosen us, I would be in that cold city now, cooking
for the likes of Lady Margaret, who finds fault with everything I do.
That woman has never liked anything in all the years I have been with
Lord William. Of course, Fergus and I have been with him since he took
his first wife, the lovely Lady Catherine. "
Lindsey swallowed a laugh and turJ]ed to warm herself in front of the
fire. As the housekeeper paused to take a breath, Jamie seized the
opportunity to say, "You mentioned a meal earlier, Mistress Macnab. The
lady and I would be pleased to sample your cooking."
"Oh." She seemed surprised at the interruption of her narrative.
"Aye.
Of course, my lord. I prepared a fine meal in honor of the queen's
visit. " She started toward the door, then paused.
"Will your trunks be here soon, my lord?"
Jamie coughed.
"Nay, mistress. I fear there will be no trunks. We had--an accident
along the way."
"How dreadful. What will you do for clothes?"
Before Jamie could think of something to say, the house keeper
brightened.
"It is no matter, my lord. There are trunks filled with fine clothes
for Lord William, Lady Margaret and the guests who always accompany
them to Loch- leven. I will see that your wardrobes are well
stocked."
"We are indeed fortunate to have you, Mistress Mac- nab."
At Jamie's warm smile she blushed all the way to her toes and bowed her
way from the room. When the door closed behind her, Lindsey speared
him with a hateful look.
"I had not known you to be so charming. Nor such an accomplished liar,
my lord."
"Nor had I." He shrugged.
"Necessity is a fine teacher, it would seem."
Lindsey walked to the balcony and stood watching as the morning sun
burned off the mist that shrouded the loch. On the far shore, the boat
could be seen heading toward land. She would have to make good her
escape before Jamie's mount was ferried across or she would have no
horse to ride to Edinburgh.
"What bitter irony," she murmured.
"All during our journey, my consolation for the discomfort was that I
would finally see the queen in Edinburgh, a city teeming with people,
with life, with excitement.
Instead I am isolated. " Lindsey shivered, drawing her arms tightly
around her.
"I
am far more isolated here in Lochleven than I have ever been in the
Highlands, What is worse, I am separated from my father and brothers.
"
Jamie cautioned himself against feeling too deeply about the lass's
troubles. His only concern must be the safety of the queen. He must
not let anything or anyone distract him from his duty. He lifted the
decanter and filled two goblets. Crossing the room he handed one to
her.
As she accepted it he said, "I have learned never to question fate.
This is not as either of us had planned it, my lady. But it could have
been much worse. "
"Worse? My dream has always been to meet the queen. Yet I met her,
not in my finest gown, but in the garb of a street lad. I was
abducted, without even a chance to get word to my father, who will be
grieving inconsolably. We rode all night in fear for our very lives."
She turned away, missing the smile that touched his mouth.
"How could it have been any worse?"
"You could still be at your quiet, isolated home in the Highlands, my
lady, yearning for adventure."
"Oh!" She pushed past him and slammed her goblet down on the
sideboard. When she lifted her head he could see the glitter of tears
filling her eyes.
"If I could think only of myself, none of this would matter. Do you
not see? My father's heart can bear no ffirther strain.
My unexplained, absence could be the death of him. "
"Where was your concern about your father last night?" Jamie asked
quietly.
"Did you give a thought to him when you dressed yourself in such a
manner and followed me to a tavern? It would sem, my lady, that you
think of others only when it pleases you."
Lindsey blinked her tears away and straightened her spine. Turning
toward the sleeping chamber she said, "If you will excuse me, my lord,
I will follow the example of the queen and seek my solitude."
"Aye. But bear in mind that it was Mary who ordered you here, my lady.
Do not attempt to leave Lochleven. Or the queen might order the
removal of your lovely head."
Highland Heart Page 15
