Ian paused at the head of the stairs and waited until Lindsey and Jamie
joined him. Inwardly Lindsey groaned. Outwardly she was poised and
polite as she placed her hand on his proffered arm. Jamie trailed
behind them. The furrow between his brows left no doubt as to his
feelings.
"You are up early, my lady."
"Aye." Lindsey thought about the long hours she had tossed and turned
in her bed, her thoffghts in turmoil. Finally she h-d given up all
attempts to sleep.
When they entered the refectory, Lindsey was surprised to find her
father and brothers already seated around the queen and her husband.
"I had thought you would sleep late after your journey," she said as
she took a seat beside Robbie.
Ian quickly took the seat to her other side, forcing Jamie to take a
place across from them.
"I could not sleep," Neal admitted, "knowing that today I will be
privileged to groom and saddle the queen's own horse." '
"Aye. And Neal saw to it that I could not sleep," Robbie said with a
laugh.
"Which meant that we were awakened," Donald said, glancing for
confirmation at Murray, who nodded his head.
Joining in the laughter, Douglas added, "And with all the voices
complaining and boots hitting the floor, my sleep ended as well."
Lindsey leaned back in her chair. A smile of pure delight curved her
lips. This was what she had missed. This chorus of voices. They were
like a symphony. Aye. A symphony of love. How could she help but
love these men?
Jamie saw the smile on her face and joined her. When she realized that
he shared her secret, her smile grew. Aye. Jamie understood what her
family meant to her.
Seeing the two of them, Ian said sharply, "What amuses you, my lady?
Have I missed something that was saidT' Lindsey merely shook her head
and pretended to eat. It pleased her that she and Jamie shared a
secret from the others. She could not bear to share it with anyone
else. She pushed her plate aside. For some strange reason, she had
lost her appetite.
When they had broken their fast, the queen smiled at Neal.
"When my--stable master has my mount ready, I will ride."
"Aye, Majesty." Neal was on his feet at once.
"I shall come to fetch you as soon as I have your horse groomed
saddled." iii and'I should like Lindsey to join us," the queen
called.
Lindsey could not hide her pleasure. But she was startled when Ian
said, "Would I be too bold if I were to ask to join you as well,
Majesty?"
Mary turned. Seeing Ian's boyish look of eagerness, she could not
resist. But when she caught sight of Jamie's frown of displeasure, she
nearly laughed aloud. So, these two young stallions wanted the same
mare. What fun it would be to watch them vie for the lady's
attention. Oh, she would enjoy this day immensely. Life had become far
more interesting since their small band had grown larger.
"Aye, you are indeed bold, Ian MacPherson." Mary's haughty tones gave
way to delighted laughter.
"But I like a man who knows how to slip past protocol at times. Aye.
You may accompany me on my ride."
"I am most grateful, Majesty." He made a grand bow and kept his head
lowered until the queen swept past him.
"I will be in the withdrawing room. Come, Douglas," Mary said, placing
her hand on his arm.
"I would speak with you about several matters."
"Aye, Majesty."
Lindsey watched as her father and the queen exited the refectory. When
she glanced at Lord Darnley, she saw his barely concealed look of fury
at being excluded from his wife's company.
Lindsey descended the stairs wearing a riding gown of emerald velvet
and a matching green cloak lined wither mine, which Mistress Macnab had
found for her among the trunks.
As he watched her, Jamie thought he had never seen anyone so lovely.
Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm for the ride. On her lips was a
smile of pure pleasure.
"Why do you not join us?" she asked Jamie.
"I regret I cannot. Your father wishes to speak to me about--several
matters."
"It is a pity that you must always attend to such dull matters when I,"
she said with a laugh, "have every intention of playing."
It cheered him to see her so happy. But his smile suddenly faded when
Ian MacPherson appeared, wearing black breeches and a crimson cape
flung rakishly over his shoulder. Ian held the door for Lindsey, then
bent to whisper something in her ear. The sound of her laughter was
like a knife twiting in Jamie's heart.
He stood at the window and watched as the queen and her party took off
at an easy trot. Then he reluctantly turned and went in search of
Douglas Gordon, who awaited him in the lib'ary.
The queen was in high spirits. She had been sequestered far too
loflg.
Now, suddenly, she was free to ride the beautifully manicured paths of
Lochleven. And when she tired of the safe trails, she could always
venture into the surrounding woods.
"Are you a skilled rider, Lindsey?"
"A fair one, Majesty."
"Would you care to race me?" Lindsey'S eyes crinkled.
"Aye, Majesty."
The queen pointed to the maze of hedges and formal plantings that
surrounded the castle.
"The first one through the maze wins. I will take Neal with me as a
guide, and you will take Ian."
Lindse)' nodded, her blood already heating at the thought of a race.
"Beware Lindsey," the queen said with a smile.
"There are many paths in the maze, but only one leads back to the
beginning. Your guide must make decisions in the blink of an eye. And,
to make it more interesting, I think we should make a wager."
"Aye, Majesty. Name your price."
The queen smiled. This was too easy.
"Ten gold sovereigns."
"Ten..." Lindsey arched a brow. The queen did not play for small
stakes.
"Aye, Majesty."
"Then let the race begin."
The qoeen wheeled her mount and entered the maze, with Neal by her
side. Just behind her rode Lindsey, with Ian beside her. Though the
queen and Neal turned left into the first hedgerow, Ian caught
Lindsey's bridle and urged her to turn right. They rode at breakneck
speed through the maze, twisting and turning with amazing skill.
"I believe we are lost," Lindsey called to the man beside her.
"Nay, my lady. Trust me. I have an instinct for such things." He
pointed to a turn ahead, and they took it with out pausing.
Within minutes they had broken free of the maze and reined in their
mounts. It was several minutes more before the queen, with Neal by her
side, came thundering toward them.
As they pulled alongside, Mary said wryly, "I see that my young stable
master knows more about this maze than I." She leaned over and patted
his hand, a gesture that caused him to blush clear to his toes.
"He bade me turn right, but I refused, thinking I knew better. That
misjudgment caused me the race."
She glanced at Lindsey.
"It would seem that I owe you ten gold sovereigns." She dug the coins
from her pocket.
"Will you grant me the opportunity to win it back?"
"Aye, Majesty.
Name your skill. " The queen paused, deep in thought.
Ian's voice interrupted.
"The woods, Majesty. Let us race through the woods to the far side of
the island and back. The first ones back shall be the winners."
Lindsey shook her head.
"Nay, Majesty. Jamie would not be pleased if we were to ride that far
without him."
"Are we children to be watched over by a wet nurse Ian asked.
Ian's words had their desired effect. The queen could not ignore a
challenge, no matter how dangerous.
With a glittering smile she said, "I have Neal; you have Ian. What
could possibly happen on such a sunny morn as this?"
"Please, Majesty," Lindsey pleaded.
"Wait until an other time."
"Nay. I demand the chance to win back my gold. We ride," Mary called,
wheeling her mount.
Lindsey hesitated a moment, then followed. Beside her, Ian MacPherson
could hardly contain his delight.
Chapter Nineteen
As the darkness of the forest closed around them, Lindsey felt a sudden
chill. Thoughts of her last adventure in the Highland forests filled
her mind. With an effort she brushed the gloomy memories aside.
This was nothing more than a morning jaunt. She would be back at the
castle in time for Mistress Macnab's midday meal.
As she began to follow a well-worn path through the woods, Ian clutched
her reins.
"Nay, my lady. This way."
"If we leave the path we will be lost."
"Did I not tell you that I have an uncommon sense of direction? Trust
me."
Without waiting for her reply he veered off the path and plunged into
the darkened forest. Lindsey followed.
The foliage was so thick they had to pick their way care fully over
fallen logs and around muddy bogs. The farther they rode, the deeper
grew the forest, until it seemed to close around them, shutting out all
light, all sound.
Ian held several thick branches aside and reined in his mount, allowing
Lindsey to move ahead of him. As she did, her horse stumbled down a
sharp ravine, sending her flying through the air. She landed with a
dull thud on the spongy, moss-covered floor of the forest.
For several moments she was too stunned to react. Then, quickly
getting to her feet, she was dismayed to see her horse galloping ahead
of her through the thick foliage.
"Nay," she shouted.
"Halt. You must wait." The horse was swallowed up by the woods.
She turned, scanning the wall of trees. Ian was nowhere to be seen.
"Ian. Where are you?" she shouted.
The only sound she heard was the shrill cry of a bird.
"Ian. This is not amusing. Do not tease," she called.
"Show yourself."
Her voice seemed to echo in the mist-shrouded woods. The forest closed
around her. She stood very still, gripped by a paralyzing chill. It
was happening again. The demons that had plagued her for so long were
returning to torment her once more.
The queen, accompanied by Neal, waited in the courtyard to claim her
victory. Soon her smile of anticipation turned to a frown of
concern.
"They should have emerged from the woods by now." Neal glanced at the
sun, almost directly overhead.
"Aye, Majesty. It is not a large island. They could have traversed
the entire distance by now."
"Help me from the saddle," Mary commanded.
Neal assisted her and stood holding the reins of her horse as she
climbed the steps of the castle.
Over her shoulder she called, "Summon me when your sister returns. I
wish to collect what it due me."
"Aye, Majesty."
When the door opened, Jamie and Douglas, who had been deep in
conversation, looked up to see the queen's flushed face. Both men
scrambled to their feet.
"It would seem you exerted great energy on your ride, Majesty."
"Aye. I engaged Lindsey in a race. But she has not yet returned." '
"Where did you ride?" Douglas came forward to offer his arm.
"The forest."
Douglas paused and glanced toward Jamie, whose smile faded to a look of
alarm.
"Lindsey is alone in the forest?"
"Nay. Neal and I rode together. Lindsey is with Ian MacPherson."
MacPherson. That was even worse. Jamie's throat went dry. Struggling
to control his voice he asked, "Did you see the direction they took?"
"Nay, my friend. You know how I hate to lose a wager. I led the way
into the forest and never looked back."
Jamie was already heading up the stairs toward his chambers.
Strapping on his scabbard, he lifted his sword from the mantel and
hurried from the room.
As Lindsey picked her way through the undergrowth, she cursed the
clumsy skirts that impeded her progress. Having had the occasion to
wear a lad's breeches, she knew that a woman's clothing put her at a
distinct disadvantage.
She paused a moment, seating herself on a fallen log. As she lifted a
handkerchief to her face she had the eerie feeling that she was being
watched. But when she turned to glance over her shoulder, she saw no
one.
Getting to her feet, she studied the progress of the sun. It seemed
only minutes ago it had been directly overhead. But already it had
begun its arc to the western sky: She must find her way to the castle
before daylight faded. Else she would be forced to spend a night of
terror alone in these woods.
She tossed her head, refusing to permit such thoughts. She would think
of this forest as a maze. And she would work her way through it to
safety.
She heard the snap of a twig above her and looked up just in time to
see a heavy branch falling toward her. With a cry she leaped back and
watched in horror as the limb crashed to the ground inches from her.
Had she not looked up in time, she would have been crushed.
She looked through the dense foliage. There was no one visible. It
was merely the wind. She knew she was imagining dangers that were not
really there, but she could not fight the terror. With her heart
pounding she took off at a run, plunging deeper into the woods.
Behind her, pale, nearly colorless eyes watched her progress. The sun
glinted on fair hair. The hand holding the dirk tightened its grip.
The neighing of a horse alerted Jamie that someone was near. Following
the sound, he left the well-worn path he was traveling and entered the
thick forest.
He was a man unaccustomed to fear. It never occurred to him to worry
about his own safety. And yet, since he had met Lindsey, he had been
afraid for her more than once. This time, the fear bordered on
desperation. He must find her, and soon.
The sound of a woman's cry turned his blood to ice. Urging his mount
to a run, he tore
through the wild, tangled growth.
"Lindsey," he shouted.
"If you can hear me, call out so that I may follow the sound of your
voice."
Despite the crackle of brush underfoot, Lindsey heard Jamie's words and
came to a sudden halt. She turned. For a brief moment she thought she
saw the flutter of crimson in the woods behind her. She blinked and it
was gone.
Cupping her hands to her mouth she shouted, "Jamie. I am here."
With her heart pounding, she continued to call until a horse and rider
emerged from the forest.
"Jamie." With a cry she raced toward him.
He leaned down and lifted her easily into his arms.
"It seems all I do is save your pretty neck," he muttered thickly.
"Praise heaven you found me. I was beginning to fear that I would be
forced to spend the night in this..."
She glanced up and the words froze on her lips. Though he said
nothing, the dark scowl on Jamie's face spoke volumes.
Her cheeks flamed. And to think that she had almost hugged him
fiercely in her joy at being rescued. In such a temper he probably
would have pushed her away.
Wheeling his mount, they plunged into the darkness of the forest. They
picked their way through the woods until they emerged on the path.
Minutes later they broke free of the forest and entered the clearing,
They rode the entire distance to the castle in silence.
When they reached the courtyard, Jamie tossed the reins to Neal, who
led the queen's lathered horse to the stables.
Taking Lindsey's arm, Jamie strode up the steps and sent the door open
with a resounding crash. Once inside he released his death grip on her
arm as Douglas and his sons stir rounded Lindsey, embracing her
warmly.
They looked up when the queen came hurrying into the room.
"Wherever have you been?" Mary demanded.
"I fear I became hopelessly 10st in the forest," Lindsey said, feeling
th sting of shame upon her cheeks.
"Where is Ian MacPherson?"
"I know not. I became separated from my horse during a fall. When I
looked around Ian was nowhere to be seen. And though I called and
called, I never caught sight of him."
Jamie and Douglas exchanged a glance.
"You look terrible," Mary said.
Surprised, Lindsey glanced down at her arms and saw that they had been
scratched by brambles and were bleeding in a dozen different places.
Her gown and cloak were like wise torn and stained with her blood.
"Oh, my," Mistress Macnab cried when she entered the withdrawing room
and caught sight of Lindsey.
"I shall see to your bath immediately, my lady."
"Thank you, Mistress Macnab." Turning to the queen and her family,
Lindsey said softly, "There is no need for all this fuss. It is not
nearly as bad as it looks. A few scratches. A torn gown." She turned
to include Jamie, who had still not spoken a word. His features were
stiff with anger.
"You will see. I will be fine after my bath."
"I am relieved that you are unharmed. But you seem to have forgotten
something," the queen called.
Lindsey arched a brow.
"You owe me ten gold sovereigns."
"Aye." Reaching into the pocket of her gown, Lindsey withdrew the
coins.
"Now you may retire to your bath," Mary said with a smile of triumph.
Lindsey saw Jamie's scowl deepen. With a look of extreme discomfort
she turned and followed Mistress Macnab up the stairs to her
chambers.