‘If you do not care for him, child, then I urge you to leave. Do you have anyone you can go to for refuge?’
‘A half-sister. She will resent the burden of me, but I could go to her.’
‘I can get you to the abbey and, from there, arrange safe passage south. But tell me, do you want to go? Do you want to leave, Lyall?’
‘No.’ The word came out in a strangled sob.
‘Well then child, I must tell you something.' He shuffled down onto the hay next to her. ‘Two men live in Lyall Buchanan. One is honourable, the caring brother, the brave soldier, fighting for his country, the charming seducer who woos women with his winning smile and his good humour.’
Giselle’s eyes grew wide.
‘The other is the ruthless killer, who sacks castles and burns them to the ground, who executes enemy soldiers without flinching, and carries out orders, however brutal, at his master’s command, all for the good of Scotland.’
The Abbot took her hand and patted it. ‘Lyall Buchanan will always be conflicted in his soul. He is at war with himself as much as with England. I have counselled him about this tear in his heart in the past. If you give him your love Giselle, you should know this part of him. And you must realise, young as you are, that this war will not end any time soon. So that is the choice before you, lass. Go home to a measure of safety with your resentful sister. Or stay with Lyall, and face the danger that brings.’
‘I am not afraid of the dangers of war, I have seen them with my own eyes.’
‘I meant the danger to your heart. Women always love Lyall. One only has to look at him to see why, but they never stick in his heart. Lyall is weary of this world and finds no happiness in it. Giselle, you are risking yours if you seek to make a life with him. Take him, and you must take the whole man and his uncertain future.’ He sighed. ‘That is the choice God has placed before you.’
‘There is no choice. I love Lyall, but I am not sure he wants me.’
‘I cannot tell you the answer to that. But I would guess that you hold the poor fool’s heart in the palm of your hand. Be sure you don’t break it, Giselle.’
‘How could you know that?’
‘Because I watched Lyall’s face when I told him about your lie. If he didn’t care about you, why would it make him so desolate?’
‘The ransom?’
‘I think the last reason he took you was for the ransom, my dear.’