“I do not like this, my lord,” she insisted. “I do not!” She clasped her hands together and laid them in her lap. He could see that they were shaking.
“Your expression looks remarkably like the one Philippe was just wearing. Mayhap he learned it from you?” He watched her face for a sign that his attempt at levity was working. If anything, her visage became grimmer.
“Upon my death, the lands given to me as your dowry will be returned to you to use or sell as you wish. Malcolm’s guardianship, with the king’s approval, will be granted to you and Hugh together, as will that of Catriona. Hugh will serve as royal warden of Dunstaffnage until the time when Malcolm can pledge himself, or not, to Robert. There are a few other personal bequests—” he smiled at Lara “—but those are the clauses you need to know about in the presence of each other.”
“If you are through, I would like to be excused,” she said without meeting his gaze.
He knew this was a thorny matter, but he had never before had lands, and a wife, to worry about. She was scared. Part of him, that part within his heart that loved her, was thrilled that she cared so much. Part of him, again the part that loved her, was terrified that he might not return to her. His emotions, since the day she’d pledged herself to him, were a jumbled mess.
“I will finish with Hugh and Etienne in a short time.” He held out his hand to her and she took it. He kissed her fingers as she stood, then released her.
They waited for her to leave the hall, then he invited Hugh and Etienne to sit. There were other things that needed to be spoken of before he left. Lara thought he would depart in the morning, but he preferred the cover of night to aid their movements north.
“I would have you both follow her orders as if they were mine.”
“What do you mean, Sebastien? You leaveherin charge?” Hugh asked.
“Aye, I do. She has the knowledge and the experience to protect the place. Even more importantly, as my wife, she has the right.”
“She is a MacDougall. How can you trust her?”
“We cannot choose the blood that runs in our veins, Hugh, but we can choose those whom we trust. I trust her in this.”
“’Tis not your arse in danger if she changes sides again,” Hugh said, swearing under his breath.
“If any other man had uttered those words, he would be dead. ’Ware your words about the lady,” Sebastien whispered.
Hugh realized how close he’d come to trouble then, and he nodded his acceptance of the rebuke.
“The only time this castle has been taken, it was done by deceit and trickery. With you at her side, there will be no way for that to happen again. Keep her and the children inside the walls during the day and within the keep at night. Let no one in if neither you nor Etienne know them personally. I will handle any problems when I return.”
“Does the lady know of these instructions?”
“Not yet. But I will speak to her about them and about your power to overrule her if you think she makes a dangerous or foolhardy decision.”
“And if she does not accept my ruling?” Hugh seemed to be thinking of all the potential rough spots in the road ahead.
“Lock her and the children in the north tower. Tie her up if need be, just do not allow her on the battlements or out to the chapel.” They had yet to discover the secret entrance there that he knew must exist.
“I understand about the church, but the battlements?”
“She can, I suspect, climb as well as James Douglas. I do not think you need worry, but I thought you should know.”
Hugh whistled. “Is there no end to the lady’s skills?”
“Etienne, carry on only the resupplying that you can with the limitations I have placed on visitors inside the castle. If we must make someone wait a day or two at most for supplies, so be it. I will answer to the king.
“Now, if you have no questions, I am to bed for a short rest before we leave.” He handed the box back to Etienne for safekeeping.
Neither man said anything, so he nodded to each of them and walked to the tower stairs. Everything was ready for his departure—the men, the boats, the weapons. Everything but himself. But that would be handled when he spoke to his wife.
Well, the sooner started, the sooner finished, he thought as he climbed the last few steps. Of all the duties he’d carried out in his life, he’d faced none to prepare him for what waited inside his chamber. He opened the door quietly and found the room dark, save for one candle by the bed.
Lara sat in the chair, wrapped in a blanket. At first he thought her asleep, but she whispered a greeting to him. He walked to where she sat, and asked her to stand. When she did, he sat down and pulled her onto his lap.
“I do not know how you can sit for so long in this chair. It is the most uncomfortable piece of furniture I have ever used.”
“It was my father’s chair,” she said softly.
