Текст книги "My daring highlander"

Автор книги: Vonda Sinclair

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Текущая страница: 10 (всего у книги 20 страниц)

Chapter Fifteen

After being startled awake by the loud knocking on her door, Seona rushed across the room, unbarred the door and opened it a crack.

“Is something wrong?” Aunt Patience asked, her hand propped against the doorframe, her dark hair coiled into a perfect style.

Seona’s face heated as she tried to smooth down her disheveled hair. “What do you mean?”

“Millie said she knocked on your door twice before breakfast but there was no response. When she tried to open your door, it was barred.”

“I didn’t hear her. I must have been sleeping soundly.”

Aunt Patience’s dark blue eyes narrowed and inspected her. “I’ll send one of the maids in to help you get dressed. ’Tis almost time for midday meal, and Isobel is all in a tizzy about having the meal outside in the garden. ’Tis silly if you ask me. Did we not eat enough meals outside during our travels here?”

Seona shrugged. Judging by the sunlight beaming through her window, it appeared to be a nice, warm day. “It could be fun.”

“I suppose,” she said, sounding like a snob.

Seona noticed her aunt was without her cane today. “How is your ankle?”

“A bit better.” She limped away, then called back, “I’ll send the maid for you.”

An hour later, the MacKays and MacKenzies gathered around three long tables in the stone paved center of the garden. Red and pink roses climbed the gray stone walls surrounding it, filling the air with a wonderful scent. Standing at the edge of the activity, Seona glanced up at the clear blue sky, with only a few wisps of white clouds, and relished the warm sunlight on her face. ’Twas indeed a rare and spectacular day.

A familiar deep voice reached her. Keegan. She turned her head to find him standing near the castle’s rear exit talking to the other men. The memory of last night flashed into her mind, bringing scorching heat to her face.

Heavens! She had been shamefully wanton, hadn’t she? The way she’d allowed Keegan to touch her in shockingly intimate places. What would he think of her today? She was not certain now that she could face him. She tore her gaze away, turned her back and pretended to be studying the roses against the wall. Maybe he wouldn’t notice her and she could slip back inside.

What was wrong with her? She drew in a deep breath, trying to calm her pounding heartbeat. She was no longer a child who could run and hide when she didn’t want to face a stranger or deal with a difficult situation. Of course, Keegan was no stranger. But talking to him and looking into his eyes after what they’d shared in the dark… surely she would melt into a puddle of mortification on the stones beneath her feet.

“Lady Seona, ’tis a lovely day, aye?” Keegan said behind her.

She sucked in a surprised breath, praying she wouldn’t pass out or do something equally daft, then turned to face him.

“Aye, lovely,” she repeated, darting a glance up into his eyes, bright blue, like the sky.

“But not as lovely as you,” he murmured in a lower tone, a wee grin lifting his lips.

Her face burned as if she’d stood too long in the sun. “I thank you.” Unable to hold his gaze, she stared at the ground. ’Twas too much, too intense. Her heart thumped so loudly she could hardly hear anything beyond it.

He turned aside and offered his elbow. By habit, she slid her hand around his arm and he led her to one of the tables, all of which were already crowded. Each bench was only long enough for two people, or three if they were small. But none were completely empty. He seated her beside Aunt Patience, then proceeded to one of the other tables to sit with a few of the men.

Blast. Much as she’d wanted to hide from him minutes ago, now she missed sitting beside him. Of course, with Aunt Patience there, that might not be possible.

The meal dragged by, but the food was delicious. She was saved from total boredom because Isobel and Dirk sat at the same table. He had better color today and was grinning more. The way he and Isobel interacted with such affection, humor, and care made Seona’s heart yearn for something she might never have. What would it be like to be married to the person who made your heart sing? It seemed pure fantasy.

After the meal was over, Dirk limped away to talk with the men at another table.

“Come, Seona,” Isobel said, rising to her feet. “I want to show you something.”

Seona followed her to a small doorway cut into the stone wall, then up a narrow dark stairway. They emerged outside on a roof or small terrace of some sort. More plants and flowers grew here and a bench sat toward the back.

“’Tis amazingly beautiful up here.” Seona took in the view toward the west, over Loch Alsh, with jagged mountains and islands in the distance. Spectacular. Turning, she glanced southeast over Loch Duich. The surface of the water was so still and glassy it mirrored the blue sky and the vivid green mountains.

“Aye,” Isobel said. “My mother loved gazing out over the lochs so much my father had this terrace built for her. Down in the garden, ’tis impossible to see over the high defensive walls. Then, she planted a few wildflowers up here. I would often find my mother and father up here on nice summer days.”

Bittersweet tears burned Seona’s eyes for she knew Isobel’s parents had both passed a few years ago, but they’d shared a great love. ’Twas what had inspired Isobel to find her own true love. Seona’s parents had been the opposite. Her father had cared naught for her mother. She, in turn, had lived a miserable life, having been forced to marry Chief Murray at a young age. At all costs, Seona did not want to share her mother’s fate. But how could she prevent it?

“Did you and Keegan talk in the kitchen last night?” Isobel whispered, sending Seona an impish grin.

Seona hated the way her cheeks burned. How could she stop blushing whenever Keegan was mentioned? “Aye, we talked for a few minutes.”

“Well, I hope he was a gentleman.”

“Indeed. When is he not?” Seona was unsure if his actions had been gentlemanly or not, but he hadn’t taken her virtue. Was that what Isobel had meant? However, the things he had done with his wandering hands, and his wicked mouth, had not been proper behavior at all. But she had reveled in it.

“Speak of the devil,” Isobel murmured with a grin.

“What?” Seona turned to find Keegan emerging from the small doorway leading from the stairwell.

“I have to go see what trouble Dirk is getting into.” Isobel strode toward the doorway as Keegan approached Seona, one hand behind his back. Was he hiding something?

“What are you about?” she asked, eying him suspiciously.

He grinned and brought his hand from behind his back. In it, he held a small bundle of bluebells.

She drew in a sharp breath and glanced up into his eyes, his expression filled with happiness.

“These bluebells match your eyes so perfectly, I had to bring them to you.” He held the flowers out to her.

“I thank you,” she said just above a whisper and accepted them. The two dozen or so stems were bound together by a strip of plaid material. Had he ripped this from his own clothing? She pressed her nose into the bluebells and sniffed, catching a faint sweet fragrance. “Where did you find these?”

“By the loch shore.” He nodded toward the south.

No one had ever given her flowers before. Emotion grabbed at her throat but she pushed it back. She refused to let Keegan see any tears from her in such a public place. “You are too kind.”

“I think not. You deserve far more, Lady Seona.” He lowered his voice. “I wish I could give you the world.”

“I don’t want the world. This is all I want.” Glancing up into his eyes, she sniffed the flowers again. Him. He was what she wanted.

His gaze penetrated her for a long moment, then abruptly he glanced around them, toward the castle and the garden below.

Would he have kissed her if they’d had more privacy?

He motioned toward the bench. “Would you like to sit?”

“Aye.”

He dropped down beside her on the stone slab and turned to her. “I hope you’re not angry with me because of last night,” he said, just above a whisper.

“Nay. Why would I be?” It had been the best experience of her life so far.

“Well… I took liberties, shall we say.” His brow furrowed. “I probably shouldn’t have touched you the way I did, but—”

“Surely, you ken ’twas what I wished as well,” she whispered.

He observed her, his eyes darkening, then he blew out a sharp breath—in relief or growing desire, she was not certain.

“But I worry now that you think me a wanton or a harlot,” she confessed, her face feeling scalded again.

He frowned. “Nay. Never, m’lady.”

“Master Keegan?” the male voice came from the doorway that led to the terrace. A second later Hugh MacMillan appeared.

“Aye, what is it?” Keegan asked.

The guard’s face appeared flushed. He stared at his feet for a moment. “Lady Patience sent me.”

Keegan’s annoyed gaze darted to Seona, then back to MacMillan. “And what is her message?”

“She wishes to see Lady Seona.”

How had her aunt seen them? Seona’s stomach ached and frustration near overwhelmed her. Why could she not have any time alone with Keegan without someone cutting it short?

“Where is she?” Seona asked.

“I took her upstairs. She was tired.”

Seona stood. “I thank you again for the lovely flowers, Keegan.”

“You’re most welcome.” He stood, took her hand and kissed it. “I’m going deer stalking with the MacKenzies. I will see you at supper.”

“Very well. Have a care,” she said, wishing she could spend the afternoon with him instead.

The bundle of flowers in one hand, Seona descended the stairs and went in search of her aunt. If she had seen Keegan within three yards of her, Seona would likely get another scolding.

Taking her time, she climbed the stairs within the castle, then proceeded to her own bedchamber. She placed the lovely little bouquet of bluebells in a pottery vase of water on the windowsill. Her eyes misted because Keegan had been so thoughtful and romantic in picking them for her. He was a treasure. She remembered the first time he’d told her that her eyes were the color of bluebells, during the gale when they’d taken shelter against the rocks. She took a moment to savor how charming and sweet he was.

She truly believed he cared for her.

Unable to delay the inevitable any longer, she strode down the corridor and knocked at her aunt’s bedchamber door.

“Enter,” she called, though the word was more like a command.

Seona slowly opened the door, went in and closed it behind her. “How are you feeling?”

“Tired.” Still fully dressed except for her shoes, Aunt Patience reclined in bed, her swollen ankle elevated on two pillows.

Seona could not miss her aunt’s ominous glare or her lowered brows. Had Fraser told someone he’d discovered her and Keegan last night? Had gossip spread? She braced herself for the worst. “You wished to see me?”

“Indeed. I will tell it to you straight, lassie. Your father will beat you if you are carrying Keegan MacKay’s bastard.”

A slap could not have surprised Seona more. She gasped. “What? I am not!”

“You’d best hope not. I saw the two of you all cozy and romantic on that terrace.” She motioned toward her window.

Saints! Seona had not realized the window looked out over the terrace and gardens. Nor had she known her aunt was up here, spying. She’d left her at a table in the garden. MacMillan must have carried her up here while Seona was talking to Isobel and enjoying the views.

“I saw the flowers he brought you,” Patience said, her lip lifting as if in disgust.

How dare she think what Seona and Keegan shared was disgusting? To Seona, ’twas the most beautiful and deeply meaningful thing on earth. Mayhap her aunt was jealous because MacMillan hadn’t brought her flowers.

“If he hasn’t seduced you yet, I’m sure ’tis not for lack of trying. I told you he was a rogue.”

“He has not seduced me.” ’Twas the truth, and Seona had no problem saying it. “Nor is he a rogue.” She had not seen Keegan so much as look at another woman during the months she had known him. That realization riveted her. Every time she had seen him, his attention had been on her or on his duties. Could he be that devoted to her? Her eyes burned.

“He is not good enough for you,” her aunt said. “What kind of life would you have?”

A happy one. Moisture welled in her eyes.

“The only home he could provide would be a small cottage,” Patience muttered.

That wouldn’t be so bad, if Seona could be with Keegan. And if she could bring her sister with her.

Seona blinked hard, fighting back the tears. “A fine castle isn’t always the most important thing.”

“Indeed?” Her aunt’s gaze grew sharper. “Do you not need warm shelter, food and drink? Do you not need the safety of a castle and walls in the event of an attack?”

“Of course.” Seona had not considered where they might live if she married Keegan. Dunnakeil was a huge castle. ’Haps Dirk and Isobel would not mind if they lived there, too. After all, Keegan and Dirk were close family, and Keegan was tanist.

“There is no way in hades your father will allow you to marry him, so don’t even imagine it.”

“I’m well aware.” Seona ground her teeth and stared at the ceiling, for none of this was news to her. Besides, her aunt didn’t need to know Seona was imagining what it would be like to marry Keegan. But he had not made it known whether he wished to marry her. Mayhap he thought it just as impossible as she did.

“Stay away from him,” her aunt warned. “He is naught but a guard.”

Fury built within Seona’s chest, but she drew in a deep breath to dispel it. “He is Chief Dirk’s tanist.”

“Do you think that will matter to your father?”

Seona shrugged. Of course it wouldn’t. Her father was like a stone monolith when it came to sentiment. “What about the guard you have been spending so much time with?” Seona asked, her heart rate speeding up with her bold words.

Her aunt narrowed her eyes until they were like sharp blades. “My ankle is near broken and he is but helping me get about. Besides, how dare you question me and my actions?”

“You are a lady, just as I am,” Seona pointed out innocently. “What about your reputation?”

“I am a widow,” her aunt snapped. “Not a virgin. There is a vast difference.”

“I doubt my father would approve, either way.”

“Are you threatening me?” her aunt demanded through clenched teeth.

“Nay,” Seona said mildly, lifting her brows into what she hoped was a pleasant expression. She was tired of obeying her grouchy, snobbish, hypocritical aunt and ready to give her a taste of her own bitter medicine. Seona’s father provided financial support to her aunt. That was why she’d agreed to be Seona’s companion and chaperone during this journey. What would her father do if he knew his sister was interested in a guard, someone he would see as far beneath her? Would he cut off her funds?

“You’d best watch yourself, lassie.” Patience pointed a finger straight at Seona. “I will tell your father everything. You ken how he is when angered.”

Indeed, she did. She well remembered his red-faced tirades, his arms flying about, his big hands hurling objects. And worst of all, those same meaty hands slapping her face so hard the imprint of his fingers left a red mark for two days. Seona had to get her sister away from him. Was Talia well? Had he abused her already? Seona’s heart thudded with sudden concern.

“Are you listening to me?” Patience asked.

“Aye. You would enjoy watching him strike me again, would you not?”

“Of course not! I don’t enjoy it. But it would be nothing less than you deserve in this case. Dallying with a bodyguard.”

“I am not dallying.” At least she hoped that wasn’t what it was called. ’Twas true Keegan had touched her in scandalous ways, but he had not taken her virtue. She was immensely grateful for that now. Although at the time, she hadn’t been. She’d wanted something she couldn’t name. She’d craved for Keegan to claim her in every way and make her a woman. His woman and his wife.

“The way he always watches you with lust in his eyes tells me loud and clear that he wishes to bed you,” Patience said.

Seona’s face burned, but she ignored it. Aye, she hoped Keegan did wish to bed her. ’Twas her fondest desire.

“Your father will find the man he wishes you to marry, and it won’t be Keegan.”

Clearly her aunt loved naught more than rubbing salt into her wound. She was a woman too; how could she not understand Seona’s feelings? If only Patience could visualize how much better Seona’s life would be if she could marry Keegan instead of some old barbarous ogre mayhap she wouldn’t be so harsh. Her aunt was a widow, aye, but Seona knew naught about her marriage, for her husband had died when Seona was a small child. “What was your marriage like?”

Patience sent her a severe frown. “My marriage is none of your concern. That was fifteen years ago. We are talking about you.”

“I was merely curious,” Seona said in a benign tone. “Although your marriage was brief, I wondered if it was a pleasant experience.”

“Nay. ’Twas not. But I know not any woman who has had an enjoyable marriage. ’Tis a part of life. You must grow accustomed to it.”

There was something very wrong with that. People in her society married for money, property, alliances and prestige. Not for love. Never for love. But if love could enter into it, wouldn’t the marriages be more happy and enjoyable? Wouldn’t life be worth living?

Isobel had told her that her parents had loved one another, despite their arranged marriage. And ’twas abundantly clear that Isobel and Dirk loved one another. She often caught them whispering and giving each other affectionate smiles at dinner. A few times at Dunnakeil, she’d accidentally seen them kissing passionately in a stairwell or an out of the way place.

“’Tis obvious Lady Isobel has a happy marriage,” Seona pointed out.

“Hmph.” Patience glowered. “The way that marriage came about was highly unusual and bordering on scandalous. Dirk stole her from the MacLeod.”

Seona shrugged. “Everyone is happy with the outcome. And the MacLeod did not seem to mind so much.”

“Well, it matters not. Don’t expect the same thing yourself. You should be angry that Isobel stole Dirk from you.”

Seona frowned. Was her aunt insane? “She didn’t steal Dirk from me. I was never betrothed to Dirk.”

“You were betrothed to the next MacKay chief, and who is that? Dirk.”

Seona shook her head. “I was betrothed to Aiden. He was chief for a brief time before Dirk arrived.”

“’Tis a tangled mess, and your father will not be happy about it. The MacKays broke the contract.”

Seona was glad, for she’d never wanted to marry Aiden or Dirk. And especially not Haldane. The way the dirty little knave used to stare at her all the time made her skin crawl. Nay, their cousin, Keegan was the only MacKay to catch her attention and steal her heart.

“If Keegan has taken your virginity, your father will kill him. You ken this is true,” Patience said. “I’m certain you remember what happened to the unsuitable young man you danced with last year—MacSween’s youngest brother. Your father had him beaten.”

“I remember.” And she’d felt horribly guilty for agreeing to the dance.

“What you may not know is that young MacSween met an unfortunate end not long after that,” her aunt said.

“What?” The sensation of ice cold water washed over Seona. “Someone killed him?”

“Aye. It happened in Inverness. He was stabbed and robbed.”

Waves of horror and disbelief crashing over her, Seona could scarce breathe. “Did Father order this done?” She forced the words out.

“No one would say for certain, but there was a rumor among the men that MacSween had kissed you and tried to force himself on you.”

Outrage burned through her. “That is not true! We danced and that was all.”

“Well, you know how men are; they like to boast. Once a story gets started, it becomes exaggerated.”

Seona paced, tears stinging her eyes. What in heaven’s name? Had her father really done this? She’d never known her aunt to lie. In truth, her father was violent and brutal, and more than capable of ordering someone killed.

“Keegan is tasked with taking us home, once I’m well enough to travel,” Patience said. “You ken your father has far more men than the MacKay guards who are traveling with us. He could easily have Keegan killed.”

The image of the bruised and battered MacSween man appeared in her mind and blended with Keegan’s handsome and precious face. If her father killed Keegan, she would not want to live. She loved Keegan more than life itself. She would gladly endure a lifetime of unhappiness and beatings if that meant Keegan lived a full life, too, even if he was far away from her.

She imagined what might happen—when Keegan saw he was being attacked, he would draw his sword. But he would be outnumbered by her father’s men, and they’d all have swords and dirks, too. He wouldn’t be able to fight them all.

They’d kill him.

Her throat closed up and tears flooded her eyes. She had to stop spending time with Keegan and make it clear to him any connection they’d shared was now over.