Lara opened her eyes and struggled to sit up on the small cot where she lay. Then she realized she was not alone and almost screamed. His hand over her mouth prevented her, and he whispered for her to be silent. She nodded her acceptance and he dropped his hand.
“Who are you? What do you want?” she whispered as she moved as far as she could from this stranger.
“My name is Munro, my lady. I am your husband’s cousin.”
“How did you find me?”
“I have been working for your father for weeks, keeping a watch on him for Sebastien.”
“You are a spy?” she asked.
“Hush now, my lady. I would not want someone to hear you. I have come to get you out of here, but you must hurry and do as I say.”
Sebastien had directed him to find her? “My husband sent you?”
“Nay, but I am under orders to do what I must, and this seemed the right thing to do.” He handed her a sack. “There are clothes in there—change quickly and bring your own cloak as well.”
It took her only a few minutes to dress in a man’s garments. She handed him her clothes and he stuffed them under the blanket to appear as though someone slept there still.
“Are you ready? We must move quickly and not look back. Do not look back.”
Catching sight of the bloodied dagger in his hand, she nodded, though not sure at all. But something in his gaze told her that her life depended on getting away from here, and that he was the way to do that. And with what she knew, she needed to return to Dunstaffnage before they executed Sebastien.
James Douglas leaned back and let his laughter roar out. Then he shook his head as he looked once more at the pair of scraggly men standing before him. Well, one man and one woman. Her displeasure at his mirth was clear.
“James, this is a serious matter. You know he is not a traitor.”
“Aye, my lady. Just as I know that you are,” he said with a nod of his head.
“Touché,” Lara answered. He had to admit that her voice did wonderful things with French words. Her tongue curled in the just the correct manner to soften the sounds…and heat a man’s blood. Even filthy and dressed as a man, she was appealing.
“I must see the king on Sebastien’s behalf.”
“I fear not, my lady. I do not trust you enough to allow you access to the king.”
“So, then, you would allow the king to execute his own brother and not tell him so?”
“My lady, you try my patience!” Then he heard the last words she’d said. He searched her face for some indication of whether she spoke the truth or not.
“Aye, James Douglas, you heard me. Sebastien of Cleish is Robert’s own brother.”
“You have proof of such a claim?” He crossed his arms and waited for her reply. The defeated expression on her face told him the answer.
“But thereisproof. If you let me into Dunstaffnage, I can get it and bring it to the king.”
He laughed again, but she stopped him with a poke in his chest. “If you are his true friend, you will at least see the proof and do what you can to help him.”
He stopped laughing then and accepted the inevitable. “Tell me what I must find, lady, and be quick about it.”
The news reached even the most isolated place in the castle—the Bruce had arrived. Sebastien heard one of the servants tell the guard when they brought him food. He’d thought about his dilemma and still saw no way out of it that did not damn her or the children or his honor. He knew that Robert would most likely seek a private word with him before reviewing the matter in public, so he waited.
James had not been back to talk with him, nor Hugh, but Sebastien suspected that was to avoid any challenges to their authority. He wondered what his men must think of this. Well, there was not much to do now. He was not sure that Robert would understand the choices he’d made, but he would comprehend the need for his word to stand.
The guard came to the door and announced a visitor, and Sebastien stood and waited for Robert to enter. Instead, a much smaller man entered and stood before him. Surprise turned to shock as he gazed at his wife’s face. Before he could respond, James Douglas pushed her forward and entered the cell behind her.
“’Twould seem all your good efforts are for naught, Sebastien. Look who returned to Dunstaffnage this morn.”
He could not look at her or he would waver. She must get away or everything would be in danger.Shewould be in danger.
