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