he eyed the major 's red-coated back now , as they rode single-file through the narrow lanes , seeking refuge from his miseries in a satisfying vision of those wide blue eyes , bloodshot and popping in amazement as jamie 's hands tightened on that slender throat , thumbs digging into the sun-reddened flesh until the major 's small , muscular body should go limp as a killed rabbit in his grasp .