He was going home.
When she realized she’d been duped, or at least lied to, Lara asked permission to visit the chapel. She waited as long as she possibly could for Eachann’s man to show up. As her cousin had suggested, she’d spoken with others in the keep to gather information about the Bruce’s plans. One man overheard “Kilcrenan,” while another heard soldiers discussing a move north, over Loch Etive. A serving maid now on good terms with one of the guards told her about some talk of St. Modan’s.
Eachann’s man listened, cursed under his breath and then left without saying a word to her, so she did not know if she’d helped or not. She hoped that they were watching the castle, and knew that Sebastien had left early for whatever his mission was. If what she’d overheard was true, he would be back in another day or so.
Once they’d entered the castle, the guards dropped away from her side and she was permitted to walk freely there. A surprise fromher husband,Sir Hugh had announced the morning after he’d gone. Still furious over Sebastien’s attempts to seduce her, she’d awakened to find his place in the bed marked but cold, and him and his soldiers already on their way. When Sir Hugh had appeared, to explain the new rules regarding her restrictions, or lessening of them, Etienne and old Callum had stood at his side.
Another change wrought byher husband.Callum now served Etienne in his duties as steward of Dunstaffnage. She wanted to rush to his side and ask Callum about his new position, but he warned her off with a look. Mayhap the old man was not so changed then in his ways.
So, she accepted the new rules about where she could and could not go, and then set off to discover the changes since her husband took control.
The storerooms beneath the hall were filled now with all manner of foodstuffs and provisions. Instead of coming from surrounding farms belonging to her family, supplies began to arrive from all different places. A new smithy was being constructed off the kitchens, as was another storehouse. The yard was filled with the sounds of renovations from morning until dark. Lara found the best place to watch was from the battlements, so she spent most of the next days there. Margaret would stay with her for a time and then she would beg off and leave.
Malcolm and Philippe had also managed to become fast friends in a short time. Sebastien had assigned them to duties in the stables and in the smithy, and they were anything but quiet when together. Although Philippe was older by four years, he accepted the difference and kept her brother close. Largely ignored by their father, Malcolm now began to thrive under the attention of these other men.
Catriona, who had been so close to Lara since her birth, and especially these last weeks, now clung to Margaret, or sometimes, with childish affection, shadowed Phillippe’s movements while he was inside the keep.
Lara stood looking over the wall into the yard, wondering if she was seeing the new Dunstaffnage. And if it were, where did she fit in? By the seventh day of Sebastien’s absence, she was no closer to discovering it. And on the eighth day, when he rode back into the yard, she knew her world had changed once more.
He dismounted and Sir Hugh approached him quickly. They put their heads together for a few minutes and she could tell even from her distance that Hugh was thoroughly questioning Sebastien about something. Then, Hugh stepped back and shook his head—clearly not believing whatever Sebastien had said. Both men laughed loudly and then embraced each other.
Clearly good news. For someone.
More words were exchanged and several orders called out to men close by. More gathered, and she watched as the news spread across the yard, among his soldiers, even to the MacDougall servants and anyone else present. Then she noticed that Sir Hugh was pointing in her direction, and Sebastien headed for the stairway.
Lara stood back and waited, wanting but not wanting to go and meet him. Curious about what news he brought, she found her hands trembled. Clasping them, she took a deep breath and let it out. He paused to speak to the guards along the perimeter, then reached her side quickly.
“Lady,” he said with a bow. “How do you fare?” She felt the heat of his gaze as it moved over her.
“Well, sir.” Except that her hands still shook. Then Lara noticed the blood on his leg and his arm. Fresh blood, from its appearance. “You had some trouble?”
“A minor skirmish a few miles from here. I assure you, I am none the worse for it.” He stepped closer and, without warning, kissed her on the forehead. “I am glad you are well then, lady. I fear we separated on less than ideal terms at our last encounter.” His face flushed as though he had admitted more than he wished to, and he cleared his throat before speaking again. “I have missed you, Lara.”
Surprised by his words and his forthright, even bold, manner, she could not answer. Before either of them could say anything more, a guard approached rapidly and called out to him.
“My lord, Sir Hugh said to tell you that everyone is gathering as you ordered.”
My lord? The guard called him lord? She stared at him, waiting for his explanation…or his correction of the guard’s address.
“Tell Hugh that we shall be there momentarily,” he replied without looking away from her, and then he waited for the guard to leave. “There is news I would share with you before we go to the hall.”
“I suspected as much. And, if it was good news for me, you would not be hesitating and wanting to give it to me in private,” she said.
“It could be, if you let it be, Lara.”
Her mouth went dry as he spoke her name in that low voice, and the tremors spread through her. Could he see what his voice alone did to her? “What has happened?”
“The king has announced his decision about Dunstaffnage.”And about you… He did not say it, but she knew. “I have been appointed royal warden and guardian of both Malcolm and Catriona.”
“There is more. I can see how you guard your words and give me this news of great import piece by piece. Come, sir, tell me the rest.” She tried to imagine the worst and could not, most likely a testament to the last month of her life.
“He has made me Laird of Dunstaffnage and has awarded me these lands and the title until Malcolm is of an age to pledge for himself.”
Lara thought herself prepared, but hearing it said, she reeled from all it meant. “So, everyone is taken care of then, but for me.”
“Do you not understand, Lara? This is what you wanted. A home, your home, and a prison no longer to you and your family. A place to be needed. A husband, not of your choosing, but one who stands high in favor with the king and one who can protect you from those who are your enemies.” He held out his hand to her.
Sebastien stood before her, offering so much with his words and his simple gesture that she feared her total capitulation to him. All she need do was reach out her hand. He waited a minute, then another, and then he lowered his own. His eyes showed no sign of how or even if her rejection affected him, but he turned away and began walking toward the stairway.
