thousand candles. Her hair was worn loose, tumbling in a cascade of
curls down her back, and entwined with ivy and wildflowers.
On her face was a look so filled with love he felt his heart stop.
"Oh, my lady," he said, taking a tentative step toward her.
"You are so beautiful, words fail me."
"And you, my handsome warrior, make my hands tremble."
He caught her hands in both of his and drew her close.
"I love you, LindseyGordon. More than my own life."
"And I love you, Jamie MacDonald. For now, for all time."
He lifted her hands to his lips and pressed a kiss to each palm. And
then he gathered her into his arms and brought his lips to her
temple.
The fire started, low and deep, and slowly built until they were
consumed by it.
"I cannot wait. You must kiss me."
"I will not be ordered around like a servant," she muttered against his
lips.
His words were warm with unspoken laughter.
"Aye, my love. I will learn not to shout orders like a--bully." The
flames burned higher, until they were a raging inferno.
"Will we stay together even in battle?"
"We will ride together, and love together. But as to battle, who knows
what the fates have in store for us, love."
"But" -His lips closed over hers, silencing her protest. As he
lingered over her lips his fingers found the buttons of her gown, and
he slipped it from her shoulders.
"Jamie. What are you doing? The queen awaits us below stairs." '
"Aye," he murmured against her lips.
"We will simply have to keep the queen waiting a little longer,
love."
They dropped to their knees, still clinging fiercely to each other.
And as she drew him to her, Lindsey was filled with so much love she
feared her heart would explode. At long last, her noble warrior had
come to claim her for his bride. But this was not some childish
dream.
As his lips and fingertips moved over her, she knew that this was
better than any dream. The love they shared was true. And it she
lived a hundred lifetimes, she would never tire of the brave, noble
warrior who had won her heart.
With a sigh she gave herself up to the miracle of love.
Epilogue
The chapel at Stirling Castle was resplendent will thousands of candles
casting their soft glow over the store walls.
Mary, beloved Queen of Scotland, sat upon an ornat throne, gowned in
robes of royal purple velvet. Upon he: head was a tiara glittering
with emeralds, rubies and diamonds.
Lord Jamie MacDonald and his wife, Lindsey, led th procession of
dignitaries who would witness the baptism o Mary's infant son.
Brice Campbell and his wife, Meredith, represented the Highland lairds,
who had sent a proclamation of love ant loyalty to the queen and her
heir. Lord Morgan Grey ant his wife, Brenna, represented the Queen of
England, wh had sent a magnificent gold font weighing two stones. Kie
ran O'Mara and Megan acted as proxy for the King c France, who had sent
a jeweled chest.
"Where is Lord Darnley?" Lindsey whispered.
"The queen tells everyone he has smallpox. The rumor are that he
suffers from syphilis."
Lindsey cast a pitying glance at the woman upon th throne, who seemed
doomed always to have love elude heJ "Who gives this child to God?"
the bishop asked.
"We do," Jamie and Lindsey intoned in unison, as they i stepped forward
and accepted the infant from the arms of I+i Mary's maid. They had
been chosen by the queen to represent all those dignitaries who were
official godparents.
"What name do you give this child?" They both turned toward the queen,
who had aot revealed to them her surprise.
"His name shall be James," Mary said in a clear voice. For a moment
Jamie was thunderstruck. That such an honor should be bestowed upon
him was almost more than he could comprehend. As his wife cradled the
child in her arms and the bishop led them through the ritual of
Baptism, he thought of the strange turns his life had taken.
Who would have dreamed that one day that frightened little orphan would
see the future King of Scotland bearing his name? Or that the most
beautiful woman in the world would give her heart to him?
Lindsey looked up and caught his gaze, smiling a secret, knowing smile.
He could not wait to return to his own lands, his own home, where
together, they would await the birth of the child she carried. He had
spent his life seeking adventure. But he now realized that his love
for the woman beside him was the greatest adventure of all.
After all the research for the four books in this Highland Series, I am
still fascinated with the rugged people who inhabited the Highlands
during the reign of Mary of Scot land and Elizabeth of England. What a
rich tapestry of politics, religion and intrigue was woven around these
two women and the people whose lives they touched.
I felt that I was discovering my ancestors. And with each new
character, I fell in love all over again.
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