Malcolm would have fought it, but she told him of the fire and that they must leave before it spread. She took their hands and led them down the steps, through the hall and toward the gate. Everyone was so involved with fighting to keep the fire from spreading that no one noticed them. They were through the gate and past the barracks in a short time.
She hurried the children down the path and inside the chapel and pulled the door closed. They did not have much time before someone would be there to take them to their father. She’d followed the instructions, but the heaviness in her heart made it difficult to walk away from her home…and from Sebastien. There would be time for regrets and contemplation later. For now, Lara made certain the door was secure, and then turned.
Sebastien stood before her. Her heart leaped at the sight of him.
“Lara, you must not do this,” he said.
“What do you mean? Do what, my lord?” She clasped her hands to slow their trembling as she stood before the man she was about to betray for the last, and worst, time.
“Wait,” he ordered her. Then he crouched down before Malcolm and Catriona and spoke to them. “Malcolm, you must take your sister back to the keep and wait for me there. It is safe now, the fire is nearly out. Do you understand? Follow the path and none will stop you until you come to the gates and find Sir Hugh.”
“Malcolm, you must stay with me,” Lara argued.
“I have given my word to protect you and your sisters, Malcolm. Do you believe me?” Sebastien waited for her brother’s answer. She held her breath.
“Aye, my lord,” the boy whispered.
“Then go now and follow my instructions.” Malcolm looked at her with sad but resolute eyes. “You have my word, Malcolm,” Sebastien repeated, when the lad would have wavered.
“Malcolm…”
“Lara, they must remain here at Dunstaffnage,” Sebastien explained, in such a calm, rational voice that it made her want to scream. “Malcolm, do you stand by your word?”
“Aye, my lord,” he answered softly, all the while his sad eyes meeting hers. He reached out and took Catriona’s little hand in his and tugged her along to the door. “Farewell, Lara.”
She had to look away or else she feared changing her mind as well. Sebastien led them outside and directed them on their way. Then he came back in and closed the door once more. He stood before her and just stared at her.
“Why, Lara? Why?”
“My father offered me a chance to return to my clan,” she said, but the words rang untrue even as they left her lips. Giving up any attempt to mislead him, she shook her head. “How long have you known?”
“That you are one of the spies in Dunstaffnage? I suspected a connection for several weeks, but I knew for a certain just before Glen Gour. I knew before the battle when Phillippe was killed.”
Ah, the darkest time in her life. The death of a child, his blood on her hands and marked on her heart forever.
“I did not mean for him to die, Sebastien. You must believe me,” she pleaded, but he interrupted before she could offer any excuses.
“Who did you think would die, then? How many of my men, who you sat at table with, have you sent to their deaths? How many of your own clan died because of Eachann’s use of the information you passed to him?” He stepped toward her and grabbed her by the arms. “What did you think would happen?”
“I thought you would leave!” she cried out. “Eachann said that if he…we…made things difficult that the king would give up Dunstaffnage and move on. He always has before. The Bruce does not have a standing army.”
Sebastien’s eyes were filled with disappointment as he watched her. “And now? What do you do now? Where were you taking the children?”
“I must leave.” She said the words with as much conviction as she could. “My father sent word that the king’s men are on their way to arrest me. You are not the only one, it seems, who knows of my treachery. I know that you cannot stand for me to the king, so I must accept my father’s offer of escape.”
“And when did you come to me and ask for my help? When did you come to me and tell me the truth?”
“When I asked you who you were, do you remember what you told me? How you defined yourself?” He frowned at her. “‘First, I am a faithful vassal to my king,’ you said. I could not ask you to forsake your honor for me, not when the charges are true.”
“Lara—” he began.
“Nay, Sebastien, there is no other way for me. My father is regaining—”
“Nothing,” he said, interrupting her. “I swear to you, Lara, that your father will not possess Dunstaffnage again while Robert is king. With the taking of Dunstaffnage and Invercreran, the Comyns, the MacDougalls and their allies have been crushed. Now, with the Earl of Ross pledged to him, the only enemies that remain are Edward’s forces.” Sebastien took her hand in his. “You must stay here, Lara. It will not be safe for you to go if Eachann is there.”
“But you know what I am. You know that I have been spying on you as your enemy. Surely you cannot promise my life or even my safety once your king discovers the truth.”
“I swore to protect you, Lara. That pledge still stands.”
