The Maid of Lorne

by TERRI BRISBIN

  The sun dropped behind the trees and she knew she could not remain much longer. She shivered, both with cold and with trepidation over the coming scene with Sebastien. Now that she knew his true role in the Bruce’s campaign, how could she face him? If he and Eachann were involved in some personal war, did he know her role?

  Her legs were tired from being in this position for too long, so she immersed the edge of the cloak one more time and then stood with it against her cheek.

  “Tell me what brings you to the water’s edge? Surely you cannot mean to swim now?”

  Sebastien’s voice was light, even playful, but his face when he saw hers was nothing like that. He wore a deadly expression and she watched him change into the forbidding warrior he was. “Give me his name,” he ordered. “Give me his name!”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Sebastien strode to her side and took her by the arms. When Lara winced, he released her but did not move away. She was shaking and the dark, spreading bruise on her face told of her being struck. But she would not meet his eyes, so he summoned the two guards assigned to her.

  “Explain this,” he ordered as he pointed at her. The two men paled at the sight and said nothing. “You were guarding her. How did this happen?”

  “Sebastien,” she called out in a weak voice, “it was not their fault.”

  “I will speak to you both later, but now summon Hugh and go back and search that chapel for anyone, anything suspicious.” They seemed frozen in place, so he raised his voice. “Now!”

  They turned and ran at his orders. Lara watched his every move as though she would bolt. The terror, fresh in her eyes, overpowered her and her body shuddered. He approached her slowly now and spoke softly. Suspecting he knew the culprit, he needed her confirmation of it.

  “Lara, who did this to you?”

  “He said that you two know each other. Is that true, Sebastien?”

  “Aye, Lara. ‘Tis true.” He did not bother to question her or to deny the identity of the person they both knew was responsible for this.

  “He said that you are in charge of the Bruce’s spies.”

  Before he could respond—and he was candidly not sure of how to answer her—Hugh and a small contingent of men ran down the shore from the castle with swords and axes drawn. They needed to move quickly if they were to find or follow him.

  “Jamie, escort the lady back to our chambers. Do not leave her side until I am there,” he said. The young soldier moved forward and took Lara by the arm. To another soldier, Sebastien said, “Search the north tower before the lady enters it and take the children there as well. Let no one join them but her maid.”

  He watched as Lara moved with Jamie, not resisting his orders. When they were far enough away that she could not hear him, he turned to Hugh. “Search every inch of that church. Eachann MacDougall was in there.”

  Hugh nodded and turned to do as ordered, but Sebastien stopped him for a moment. “I suspect there is another entrance there. Find it, Hugh.”

  He needed to secure the castle and make certain that Eachann was gone. If he knew the man, Lara’s cousin would not be found here. Munro had been having no luck in tracing Eachann’s movements over these last weeks. How long had he been this close? Shaking his head, Sebastien recognized that Lara was at the center of this.

  It took nearly an hour to accomplish, but the keep and the castle, as well as the surrounding grounds and chapel, were searched completely. Once satisfied of this, Sebastien made his way to the north tower to face Lara and the questions that hung between them.

  He stopped in the solar and checked on Malcolm and Catriona before climbing the stairs to their chambers. A guard stood at the top of the steps and another inside the doorway. Jamie took his orders seriously, for he was in the same room as Lara. She sat in the chair and stared at the flames in the hearth. Sebastien did not say a word, but the guard and Margaret left.

  He walked to the window and looked out at the deserted yard. No one he did not know personally was inside the walls now, and the same restriction would continue until he was certain Lara and the children were not in danger.

  He did not wait for her to ask. Without knowing what Eachann had revealed, he would tell her the truth. Then, he knew, she would lie to him.

  “’Tis true, Lara. I do spy for the king. I have since the beginning of my service to him nigh unto three years ago. Although I have some talent for fighting, Robert discovered that I could gather information. I have men all over Scotland, in cities, villages and in the countryside, who provide Robert with the most accurate information about his enemies, their troops, their plans.”

  Lara sat unmoving in the chair. From his place by the window, he could see that her whole cheek was bruised.

  “So you kill as he does? He said those villagers were murdered by you.”

  “I do not kill innocents. I do not turn away from doing what must be done in carrying out the king’s orders, but those not involved in the fight need not fear me.”

  He thought she glanced at him then, but she lowered her gaze quickly if she had. What was her part in this?

  “Was Eachann there when you arrived?”

  “Aye.”

  “How did he come to be there?”

  “Sebastien, he was here in the castle this morn. He told me to meet him there or he would come back to harm Malcolm.”

  “He was here and you did not tell me?” he asked, already knowing the answer.

  “I could not,” she said.

  He faced her now and asked again. “Could not or would not?”

  Lara met his gaze and repeated, “I could not. He threatened the children if I did not meet him in the chapel.”

  “He only has the power you give him, Lara. If you could have trusted me and told me, he would never have gotten close enough to do that—” he pointed to her cheek “—to you. And he would not get to the children, either.”

  “I do trust you, Sebastien. But he is family…” She stopped and looked away when she realized what she’d said.

  “And I am still the enemy.” His heart hurt as though stabbed. She was holding on to the past with both hands, and there was no way to move forward in their lives, in their marriage, when she did so.

  “For each step we take ahead, we seem to stumble two back. I thought you were becoming accustomed to our marriage. I thought you might even be accepting it. Was it Eachann’s visit that make you doubt again? What did he tell you that is making you look at me with such fear?”

  “Eachann said that you killed those villagers as a warning to him.”

  “Look at me, Lara. Who is lying in this? You know my ways. You have witnessed how I run this castle and how I carry out my duties to Robert. Have you ever known me to kill without reason? I could have slain every man and woman the day I came here. ‘No quarter asked and none given’ is the battle cry. I could have, but I chose another way to get in the castle.”

  “Yes, you lied to me to get in.”

  “Lied, yes, and bluffed, and humiliated you as well, but you and those you care about the most are alive, when most who refuse the king’s orders are not.”

  Lara stood now and walked to the other side of the room, as far as she could go. “And if you’ve lied to me all along, why should I believe you in this? It will be easier if you can convince me to accept your words over my cousin’s.”

  His anger flared, so much he wanted to scream it out at her. But, he realized that she was doing the same thing she had in the past when afraid of her own feelings or of something she faced—striking out so that she could be driven away. Did she even know she did it?

  “What is behind this, Lara? What else did Eachann say that has made you doubt me?”

  She did not answer quickly, indeed she crossed her arms over her chest and for a few minutes appeared to be thinking over her answer. She still kept her secrets, the ones he knew about and the ones he prayed he was wrong about.

  “Tell me of my father,” she whispered.

 
; Ah, so Eachann had told her of her father’s return to the fight. “Your father is now serving as an admiral in Edward’s forces. Although he has returned to Scotland, his activities so far have not been in this area. Mayhap he does think to protect the ones he left behind as hostages?”

  “So you did know?” she asked.

  “Of course I knew. I was the one who informed Robert of it. Eachann was right about one thing—I am the king’s spy.”

  She flinched at his words. “What else do you know about him?”

  “Lara, he fights for England, hoping to recover all he has lost. He wants to use you as a wedge—causing enough trouble to distract me from my duties to Robert and using you as a figurehead to draw his allies into the fight.”

  “Me? How is he using me?”

  Apparently Eachann had not revealed the whole plan to her. “His aim is to, in his own words, free the Maid of Lorne from her captor and return her and this castle to their rightful place.”

  “His own words?”

  “I have one of the letters he sent to several of his former allies, all of whom have sworn allegiance to Robert now. He is using you as a rallying cry and nothing more. This is not about him caring for you, ’tis about his own goals.”

  She looked confused. But she did appear to be considering his words. That was a good sign, but not enough to remedy this situation, which put all of them and especially him and his men and their mission for the king in danger. He could not and would not do that, not even for the woman he loved.

  “Every good spy has a contingency plan. Situations change, allies become enemies and enemies become friends,” he explained. “’Twould appear that we have need of one now.” Her eyes widened at his admission. “Sit and let us discuss mine.”

  Lara moved back to the chair and sat. He noticed her favoring her arm. “He hurt you there, too?” At her nod, he went to the door and called for wine to be brought. “Has Gara seen to you yet?”

  “Nay. You ordered that no one could enter and Jamie took your instruments very seriously.”

  “Good. I do not like to have my orders disobeyed or ignored.”

  He stood at the door and took the pitcher and goblets from Margaret when she returned with them. After telling the maid to summon the healer, Sebastien filled the cups and handed one to Lara. She accepted and drank most of it in one swallow.

  “Go slowly or you will be asleep before I finish telling you of my plan.”

  He’d thought on this for many weeks. The future, one with her as his wife, was just ahead of them if he could only make her see the rightness of it. If only she could trust him or if she wanted to trust him, it could work out well. But, without her full support, it would not work at all.

  “As Robert’s commander here, I perform many duties for him. His decision to leave this castle standing when his tried-and-true method is to destroy such keeps is based on my ability to carry out my orders. My first responsibility is to hold this castle and area in his name. My second is to organize and maintain supply lines from here on the coast to many locations. My third task is to continue to gather information and use it against his enemies.”

  He paused and drank some of his wine. “Your inclination to favor your family over me is causing problems and preventing me from successfully carrying out those duties.”

  “Me? I do not understand. How do I interfere here? I have no power, nothing with which to stop you.”

  He smiled at her. “If I have to worry that you are being dishonest with me, or giving aid to your cousin, who is my bitterest enemy, or that you are in danger here, I cannot be effective.” He drank down the rest of his wine. “And I must be effective or it will cost lives.”

  “Am I to be a prisoner again? As in those first days and weeks?” She shivered and he knew she was at the end of her endurance.

  “Nay, not a prisoner. You have a choice to make and not much time to make it.”

  “I made my choice—I have been trying to be a good wife to you. I have begun taking over the duties that should be those of the lady and chatelaine. What more do you want?”

  “I want your unconditional surrender.”

  She was about to take a sip of her wine but stopped and stared at him. “What do you mean?”

  “In battle, when one side is overwhelmed by the enemy, an unconditional surrender is the only way out. I told you that I want everything I never had, Lara. I want it with you. But, you must give yourself to me, in mind and body and soul and, most especially, in heart. I must be the family who claims your loyalty, your trust and your support.”

  “You ask much of me, Sebastien. Do you know the cost of this to me?”

  “Aye, love, I do. But the rewards will be great.”

  “And if I cannot give you what you ask?” She frowned and he was pleased that she wanted to know all the conditions before accepting or rejecting his offer. She was thinking, which was better than acting in haste.

  “You have two options. If you want to remain my wife, but cannot stay here in the thick of things, I can send you to a cousin who lives in the east. You and Malcolm and Catriona can live with them until this is over, and be safe there.” He paused and then explained the next part. “If you do not wish to remain my wife, if you wish to return to your clan, I will send you back to them.”

  “You will put me aside?”

  “Aye. Robert has enough bishops on his side that I am certain one or more could be convinced to annul the marriage. You can go on as before and your father can choose your husband.”

  “Malcolm and Catriona?”

  “They must stay in my control, but I will send them to my cousin for safety.”

  “You will not allow them to return with me?”

  “Nay, they are in the king’s custody and not mine to release. Your father will have no compunction about attacking here if they are returned to him.” Sebastien stood and walked to the door. “Since I leave on a mission for the king in four days, you must decide by then which you choose.”

  “Four days?” she asked, shifting on the seat. It was such an uncomfortable chair, he wondered why she’d chosen it for their chambers.

  “Aye, four days and then I must handle some matters for the king.”

  He watched for any reaction to his words, for he suspected that she did know the details of the upcoming battles. Other than looking paler than a few minutes ago, she revealed nothing. They would hold to the plan; however, there were additional precautions he would put in place to prevent Eachann from benefiting from anything he’d forced from Lara. Sebastien opened the door and nodded to Gara, who stood waiting there.

  “Come and give assistance to your lady,” he said.

  When Gara and Margaret entered, he stepped aside to let them tend to her. It was obvious that he was not needed, so he left to find Hugh and Etienne. There was much to do and little time in which to accomplish it.

  Chapter Sixteen

  She awoke in the middle of the night, the pain in her face pounding. Lara sat up in the bed and realized she slept alone. The draft that Gara prepared had made her sleep, but obviously not long enough. Shifting under the covers, she turned to the other side so that her cheek would not press against the pillow. That was when she saw him.

  He slept in her father’s chair, hunched over. A snore broke the silence in the room, then he twisted around and leaned back once more. Lara pushed the covers away and walked softly to his side.

  “Sebastien. Sebastien, wake up,” she said, shaking his shoulder gently. He came awake with a start and reached for the sword that usually hung from his belt.

  “What is it? Are you well?” He sat up and looked around the room. “Why are you out of bed?” Stretching his arms and rolling his shoulders, he stood and frowned at her.

  “You cannot sleep in that chair. Come to bed.”

  “I was asleep, Lara. I can usually sleep anywhere—in a bed, a chair, even on the ground.”

  “Well, if there is a bed here, why not avail yourself of it?”
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  “I did not want to disturb you when I came in. I thought it best to rest here,” he explained.

  “Please come to bed. There is no reason for you to avoid it.”

  He looked as though he might object, but then he glanced at the chair again and accepted. He waited as she climbed back in, then followed. She leaned against the pillow and watched as he slipped under the blankets. Lying quietly, she waited for sleep to claim her…which it did not. Lara turned her head to look over at him and found him watching her.

  “Are you in much pain? I can summon Gara if you need her,” he said. He reached out his hand to touch her cheek and stopped himself.

  “There is no need. I just cannot sleep.”

  They lay there, not touching, not sleeping, for a few more minutes until she could not bear the silence. Leaning up on one hand, she asked him a question that had bothered her since he’d mentioned it the first time.

  “You have told me all that you did not have as a child. Pray thee, what did you have? What was Cleish like?”

  He glanced at her and for a moment she thought he would not speak of it. Then he turned and lay in the same manner as she, so that he faced her.

  “Cleish is a wee village not far from Stirling. ‘Tis truly small but, being just off the main roads, many travelers pass through it. My mother’s da had an inn there and she took to running it when he died.”

  “And you were how old when she married?”

  “I had five years.” She could almost see him at that age, not much younger than Catriona was now, with light hair and his green eyes sparkling as he ran and played.

  “How many brothers and sisters do you have?” She found herself curious about details of which they’d never spoken.

  He paused and the strangest expression lit his face. “I have two brothers and three sisters, the youngest now ten-and-three. I had thought to have her come here to live, but that discussion is for another time.”