“James, if you are my friend, take her from here and let her go. For all the times I covered your arse, let her go.”
“I tried that, but she will not be put out,” James said. “I am having nightmares over her threats of bodily harm if I do not come toyouraid.” He laughed. “Between the two of you, I do not know which to fear most.”
“Lara, you must go. James, please.” He would beg if that’s what it took.
“But Sebastien, she tells such an interesting tale. You should hear it before you send her away.”
“Lara, do not say a word.”
“It is too late, Sebastien. I have told him everything—about my family’s plans, about the information I provided to them, about…you.”
“What about me?” What did she mean?
“Everyone knows you are a man of honor. No one can believe that you would betray the Bruce, a man whom you pledged your word to, a man I know is your brother.”
The light in the cell changed somehow, and he gazed at her across the small distance. She knew? How did she know? Words would not form in his mouth, but from the knowing smirk on James’s face, this came as no surprise to him.
“How did you find out?” he asked. Only Hugh knew, and he would never have betrayed Sebastien’s secret unless Sebastien gave him leave to do so.
“I should have realized it when I saw the two of you together, and I cannot believe that canny James Douglas has missed the resemblance for this long.”
“Lady, you are trying my patience once more,” James growled from his place near the door. “I would have you beaten if you were my wife.”
“Your coloring is different, of course, but you share the same nose.” She laughed then, a sound welcome to his heart, and one he did not think to ever hear again. “And, more importantly, the same father.”
“It means nothing, Lara. If I had wanted the protection of his name I would have sought it out long ago. I have made my own way all of my life and will not hide now behind a name.”
She continued as though she’d heard none of his words. “I found the ring when I took the cross from your trunk, Sebastien. I did not recognize the insignia as the Bruce’s family mark until I saw the documents carried by Munro. I realized then that you were one of them.”
“Munro saw you to safety then?”
She nodded.
Good. His man was in the right place at the time of most serious need, as he’d planned.
“And killed Eachann,” she said, her voice trembling now, and Sebastien fought the urge to go to her side.
He nodded, pleased that Munro understood completely what had to be done and did it, although deep inside a part of him wished he had wielded the weapon causing his enemy’s death. He hoped it was not too swift a death.
“Do not try to distract me, Sebastien. I saw the same seal on the documents he carried to ease his way through the Bruce’s camps.”
“Anyone can have a ring.” He did not know why he fought to keep it a secret still. It truly did not speak to the issue of treason and the evidence against him.
“Aye, but I also read your will.”
“My will? How did you get to these things?” If she’d read his words, then she knew for certain.
“James the Canny sought them out for me.” She gestured to him with her head, and Sebastien held in his laugh. “He did not trust me in the same castle with the Bruce.”
“You know he takes his reputation and his duties very seriously, lass. I would not be insulting him. He will be your safe passage out of here once you both understand what must happen next.”
Lara walked to him and touched his cheek. “I would do anything for you, Sebastien. I will even save you when you will not save yourself.”
“There is no need for you to say anything.”
“I heard my father’s plans. I heard how he—they—used the information I gave them, not just to attack the Bruce’s forces, but to destroy you as well. Even they who have no honor recognized that you would damn yourself before you broke your word to me. And they willingly used me, just as you warned they would do.”
“Lara, please, say no more. James will have no choice but to tell the Bruce, and I will have no way to save you.” He shook his head and tried to step away from her, but she followed him.
