Текст книги "My daring highlander"

Автор книги: Vonda Sinclair

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Текущая страница: 11 (всего у книги 20 страниц)

Chapter Sixteen

Keegan rode with the MacKenzies and seven of the MacKay guards through the village and to the edge of the small wood near Loch Long. They dismounted, leaving the horses with three grooms, and moved quietly through the trees. Fraser had told him the stags had been spotted early that morn, halfway up a mountain, above the tree line, gorging on the fresh spring growth.

All was silent in the wood, except for the whispering shuffle of their feet on the wet leaves. Several of them, including Keegan, carried a bow and arrows. Though he was no archer, he was a fairly good shot.

Cyrus and Dermott led the way, Keegan, Fraser and others behind them. Keegan wished Dirk could’ve joined them, but he wasn’t recovered enough yet. Rebbie had stayed behind to keep him company.

Abruptly, Cyrus halted, holding up his hand for silence. Keegan stopped just shy of running into him. Had he seen a deer? Keegan squinted into the dimness of the forest. In the distance, something darted from one tree to another. Plaid? ’Twas not a deer at all, but a man.

“Who the devil is that?” Dermott whispered.

Cyrus pulled his sword from the scabbard at his side. “Let’s go find out.”

Several of the men drew their swords, while others nocked arrows into the bows they carried. Keegan chose his sword since he was far more experienced with it. The lot of them advanced, trying to keep even quieter than before.

Keegan saw naught but tree bark and leaves for several minutes. Abruptly, the man abandoned his hiding place behind a thick tree trunk and sprinted deeper into the wood.

Cyrus and Dermott increased their pace. Keegan and the other men followed suit. Shouts and yells echoed through the trees up ahead.

“What the hell?” Dermott asked. “How many of them are there?”

Realization dawned. “’Slud. That might be Haldane and his band of outlaws,” Keegan said just above a whisper. A couple of days ago, Keegan and Rebbie had given Cyrus and his brothers a detailed accounting of Haldane, his men, and their crimes.

Dermott glanced back briefly, his green eyes gleaming in the strange light of the forest. “How many of them?”

“Around a dozen at last count,” Keegan said. “Unless he’s hired more since that last skirmish.”

“We’re going to find out,” Cyrus said. “Prepare for battle, lads.”

“Their archer is deadly. Watch out for him,” Keegan warned.

None of them carried targes since they’d been headed out for deer stalking, not into battle, and had no way to deflect arrows that might fly at them.

Keegan hadn’t imagined Haldane would follow them here, but he shouldn’t be surprised, really. Haldane was a canny lad and determined to get what he wanted.

Shouts and running erupted up ahead, some of the men on horseback and others on foot. Most fled north, along the loch’s edge, while others scurried up the side of the mountain to the east. The MacKenzies and MacKays pursued those running along the loch’s edge. Easier pickings.

“Capture them,” Cyrus ordered. “I want to question the bastards.”

Keegan was glad to see they were gaining on the stragglers of the group.

One of the scrawny men, red-headed with a stringy beard—but unfortunately not Haldane—glanced back and screamed like a lass. He ran down the bank and into the loch. Fraser took after him, splashing through the shallows, latched a hand onto the plaid at his back and dragged him toward the bank. A struggle ensued, but Fraser, being taller and stronger, quickly disarmed him and shoved him up the bank onto dry ground.

Once Keegan saw Fraser and one of the MacKay guards had the outlaw well under control, he ran ahead to join the MacKenzies. He hoped they could catch several of the knaves.

Dermott threw a rock at another outlaw and hit his mark. With a dull thud, he crumpled to the ground and didn’t move.

Only one more was still within sight. He was taller and broader of shoulder with black hair. When he glanced back, Keegan didn’t recognize him. Picking up the pace, Keegan joined Cyrus in the pursuit.

An arrow jabbed into the ground near Keegan, spraying dirt and leaves. He jumped aside. “Arrows!” he warned Cyrus. Taking cover behind a tree trunk, he glanced up the steep, tree-covered hillside where the arrow had come from, seeing Gil and Haldane.

“Bastards. They’re up there!” Keegan pointed, then sheathed his sword and nocked an arrow. Aiming and drawing back, he let the arrow fly. It sailed through the trees a good distance but then stabbed into a tree trunk. “’Slud,” he muttered.

Taking cover near Keegan, Cyrus yelled back to his guards. “Shoot them!”

Keegan nocked another arrow, but Gil and Haldane disappeared before he could release it. Keegan ground his teeth. He wanted to chase them down like the vermin they were, but he was ill prepared at the moment. No armor, no targe.

The other outlaw they’d been pursuing along the loch had also vanished.

“Bastards,” Cyrus grumbled. “We’ll take these two prisoners to the castle, arm ourselves better, then come back and hunt down the rest of them.”

“Aye.” Keegan was glad Cyrus was also eager for a fight. “I want to hear what these two have to say.”

***

Keegan didn’t recognize the two scraggly-bearded men being shepherded back to Teasairg Castle, their hands bound behind their backs, but they definitely looked like desperate criminals. No doubt Haldane had hired them.

The portcullis was raised and all of them strode into the bailey.

“Go get Chief MacKay,” Cyrus said to one of the male servants. “Tell him we captured two of his brother’s men.”

“Aye, m’laird.” The servant hurried inside.

Keegan was surprised to see Dirk appear at the entrance a moment later. He must have been in the great hall for he couldn’t have had time to negotiate the stairs from the upper floor.

“Aye?” Dirk limped forward on the sturdy cane, his sharp blue gaze cutting to the outlaws. “Are these Haldane’s men?”

“Indeed, cousin,” Keegan said. “I remember that one from the skirmish we had north of Ullapool.” He nodded to the brown-haired one who had been knocked down by the rock. Blood soaked part of his hair and dripped onto his filthy clothing.

“Have they revealed anything as of yet?”

“Nay, I thought I’d let you question them,” Cyrus said.

“Did Haldane MacKay hire you?” Dirk asked the two.

Neither man opened his mouth.

“Did you cut out their tongues?” Dirk asked, pretending to be aghast.

“Nay.” Cyrus gave a dark smile. “But I will if you want me to.”

The men’s eyes widened and their faces paled beneath the layers of dirt. “Um… aye… m’laird,” the redheaded man stammered.

“What are your names?” Dirk asked.

“Eli Carmichael,” the red-haired man said.

The one with brown hair and a bushy beard glared at his companion, then blew out a breath. “Neil MacEldon.”

“Well, Neil and Eli—if those are your real names,” Dirk said. “What job were you hired for?”

Both men appeared twitchy, their gazes darting this way and that. Keegan studied them, determining they were near terrified. How loyal were they to Haldane?

“Has Haldane paid you yet?” Keegan asked.

Eli glared. “’Tis no concern of yours.”

“If he hasn’t paid you yet, he likely never will.”

“He paid us some,” Eli said. “And we ken there’s more where that came from.”

Keegan and Dirk exchanged a glance. The purse of coins that was stolen from Dirk’s tent.

Keegan shrugged. “Just because he has it doesn’t mean he’s going to give you any of it. And yet, he expects you to risk your necks for him. ’Tis not fair, is it?”

“If we do the job, he’ll pay us good,” Neil said. “He’s a man of his word.”

Dirk snorted. “And what job is that?”

“Don’t know yet. He said he’d tell us.”

“He won’t be telling you,” Cyrus said. “Because you two are going to spend the rest of your lives in my dungeon.”

The outlaws paled and exchanged a terrified glance. Were they having second thoughts?

“Any man who attempts to murder my sister and my brother-in-law is going to get what he deserves,” Cyrus said, his voice hard.

“We didn’t do it,” Neil said quickly. “’Twas Gil what shot him with the arrow.” He nodded at Dirk.

Cyrus shrugged, looking unconcerned. “You both were on his side, trying to ambush my family, friends and allies. You put my sister’s life in danger,” Cyrus said, his voice quiet but deadly.

“We didn’t ken y-your sister w-was with them,” Eli stuttered.

“Now you do. So, tell these men anything they want to know.” Cyrus motioned to Dirk and Keegan.

“What are Haldane’s plans?” Dirk asked.

Eli squirmed for a moment, staring at the ground, then at the sky. “We heard him murmuring something to McMurdo about…” He dropped silent.

“Aye? About what?” Dirk demanded.

“A lady. Seona—I’m thinking that was her name. She has brown hair and blue eyes, very beautiful. We’re to grab her but not hurt her. Then, he’ll pay us and head back to Durness with her. ’Twas what he said.”

Fury simmered inside Keegan, tensing all his muscles. He wanted to hunt down Haldane and put him out of his misery. “I’ll tell you one thing. None of you are getting your filthy hands on Lady Seona. The man who tries it will get his throat cut.”

“Aye,” Dirk agreed.

“I’m not touching her,” Eli promised, backing up. The stone wall behind him halted his progress.

“Nay. Me neither!” Neil’s wide gaze darted back and forth among the three men.

Keegan narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Neil. “What did Haldane say about Dirk?”

“Well… uh… what was it?” he asked his friend. “That he might die of fever. If not, McMurdo is tasked with killing him.”

Dirk gave a brief humorless laugh. “’Tis old news. Tell us something we don’t know.”

“Aye. How many men does Haldane have now?” Keegan asked.

“Ten, counting us.”

“We’ll not count you,” Cyrus said. “Because you’re no longer a part of the gang.”

“Aye, well. We’re glad to be out,” Neil said. Clearly he was lying and only trying to appease them. “He said he would hire more men when he moved east.”

“Why east?” Keegan asked.

“’Tis where the lady will be taken… back to her home. Near Inverness.”

Hell. Haldane knew their plans. ’Twas probably obvious to him Seona would have to be returned to her father since she didn’t marry the MacKay chief. And Haldane obviously knew where their branch of the Murrays was from.

They could expect more ambushes and attacks as they escorted Seona home. ’Slud! He couldn’t expose her to that danger.

“Where will Haldane lie in wait?” Keegan asked.

“We know not. We’re not from this area.”

Once they were finished questioning the two men, Cyrus had them taken to the dungeon.

Keegan ground his teeth. “I want to go out and hunt down Haldane. Now,” he told Dirk and the other men. “I don’t want to start east with Seona while Haldane and his men are still a threat to her.”

Dirk nodded. “’Twould be best to take care of him beforehand.”

“I agree with you,” Cyrus said. “I ken these hills and mountains like the back of my hand.” He nodded toward the north. “I ken where all the hidey-holes are. I’ll line up more men and we’ll head out in a quarter hour.”

***

A knock sounded at Seona’s door late that evening. ’Twas almost dark, but she hadn’t left her room after her aunt had threatened to tell her father about her and Keegan…. and how Graham MacSween had died.

Seona had to stay away from Keegan.

She prayed ’twas not him knocking at her door now, for she knew not how to tell him to stay away from her. ’Twould break her heart.

Seona approached the door. “Who is it?”

“Isobel.”

Seona should’ve guessed her friend would wonder why she’d missed supper. Millie had brought her a tray. Even so, Seona had eaten little. She was sick knowing she had to give up Keegan, the only bright spot in her life.

Bracing herself for a multitude of questions, she opened the door.

Her gaze concerned, Isobel entered and closed the door. “Are you ill?”

“Nay. I simply… didn’t feel like being with a lot of people.”

Searching her eyes, Isobel nodded. “Keegan and most of the men went out looking for Haldane and his gang.”

“What? Haldane is here?” Saints! Even now, Keegan could be in danger.

“Aye, when the men were deer stalking, they ran upon the outlaws in the wood. They captured two of them and got information. Haldane is still bent on kidnapping you. So, the men decided to take care of the threat.”

Her throat tightening, Seona shook her head. “Keegan is risking his life for me. And he shouldn’t. He’s such a good and honorable man.” She felt unworthy.

Isobel led her toward the fireplace and they sat on the padded bench before it. “Aye. That’s what a man does when he loves a woman.”

Emotion caught in Seona’s throat and emerged as a sob. Overcome with the sudden and sharp emotions, she covered her face with her hands. “He shouldn’t do it,” she forced the words out past her constricted throat. “He should not risk his life for me.”

“I doubt anyone could stop him.” Isobel rubbed her shoulder in a comforting manner. “What is wrong, Seona? Why were you not at supper?”

Swallowing back the emotion and blotting a handkerchief against her eyes, she shook her head. “My aunt saw Keegan giving me flowers. I must stop seeing him. I fear my father will kill him if he has half a chance. Aunt Patience thinks Keegan has… compromised me, and she’s going to tell my father if I don’t stay away from him.”

“What a meddling battleax,” Isobel muttered.

“Aye. I agree. I care for Keegan too much to put his life in danger.”

“Well, I know he cares for you, too.” Isobel patted her hand.

“Last year, I merely danced with a man named Graham MacSween. My father deemed him ‘not good enough’ and had his men beat him horribly. My aunt just told me today that someone murdered MacSween shortly after. My father probably sent his men to do the horrid deed. They made it look like a thief killed him in Inverness.”

Isobel’s mouth dropped open. “Saints! In truth?”

“I’ve never known my aunt to tell a lie. And she didn’t know for certain my father had it done. But knowing him like I do, I wouldn’t put it past him.”

Isobel shook her head and appeared in deep thought. “I wish there was some way to get you away from your father so you and Keegan could be together. You could come live at Dunnakeil.”

Seona’s heart ached for that would be her fondest wish. “I would love that, but I fear ’tis impossible. I must go home for my sister. I fear Father will beat her if she talks back to him.”

Isobel frowned. “Has he beaten you?”

“Aye.” Seona had never talked to anyone about this, other than her aunt or the people back home who knew about it. “He’s hit me several times. Sometimes for no true reason other than he was angry and I happened to be there.”

“’Slud!” Isobel muttered, her face tightening. “I had no idea he was so brutal. Does Keegan know this?”

“Nay. And you must not tell him. You know he would do something drastic and put his own life in terrible danger.”

Isobel nodded. “Keegan is a lot like Dirk. Neither of them would stand for such injustice and abuse, especially to someone they care about. You must get away from your father.”

“I had hoped to marry a decent man who was not cruel and bring my sister to live with me.”

“’Tis a good plan.”

“It isn’t too much to ask, is it?”

Isobel put an arm around Seona’s shoulders and gave her a comforting hug. “Nay, of course not. Not only do you deserve a good man, but also a man who loves you.”

“That would be a dream come true, of course. But I doubt that I’ll be as lucky as you are.”

If only she could be. The image she had in her mind of being married to Keegan was so beautiful it brought tears to her eyes.

“Indeed, you might be luckier than anyone,” Isobel said. “It can’t hurt to imagine it. And it will give you comfort.”

“I’m not certain of that. ’Tis something I’ll likely never have, so why imagine it might come true? I would only be torturing myself.”

“I disagree. Last year, I thought I would have to marry another man I didn’t care for, but I didn’t. I stopped thinking of Torrin. I could think of naught but Dirk after he rescued me and took me to Dunnakeil. I couldn’t help falling for him or thinking about him all the time.”

“Aye, but your older brother is far more lenient than my father. Besides, Dirk is a chief. Your brother knew he was suitable for you. Keegan is not a chief, but I… that doesn’t matter to me.”

“Of course it doesn’t matter. He isn’t exactly penniless. He’s Dirk’s tanist. ’Tis the highest position within the clan, aside from chief. Keegan will have a good income, and he is welcome to live at Dunnakeil always. As is the woman he marries.”

Seona’s face burned for she truly wished to be the woman he married. But the reality was, each time she talked to Keegan, and especially when she kissed him, she was putting his life more and more in danger. Especially if he was the one who took her home. But she knew not how to convince him to stay here and allow someone else to escort her home.

“You must not reveal to Keegan what I’ve told you,” Seona said. “Promise me.”

“If you will tell him,” Isobel said. “He deserves to know everything you’ve told me.”

Seona shook her head. “If he knows what kind of man my father is, that he is abusive and violent and probably even a murderer, Keegan may not allow me to go back. You ken as well as I do that could have terrible consequences. It could mean a clan war. My sister could be in danger. And Keegan, most of all, would be in danger.”

Chapter Seventeen

Two nights later, Keegan and the other men dragged into the great hall of Teasairg Castle just as supper was ending. They had searched endlessly for Haldane and his outlaws over much of MacKenzie territory for miles around. Keegan was hellishly annoyed none of them could be found.

His gaze scanning the great hall for Lady Seona but not locating her, Keegan strode toward high table, then slumped into a straight wooden chair beside Dirk. Keegan wanted to immediately ask where Seona was, but didn’t want the others to ken how much he thought about her. The servants rushed to bring the newcomers food, which Keegan appreciated greatly for he was near starved.

“Let me guess—you saw neither hide nor hair of Haldane,” Dirk said.

“You have the right of it. We climbed mountains on foot and searched more glens than I can count,” Keegan said. “We took a galley to the end of Loch Duich and searched part of Glen Shiel, while some of the MacKenzies took another galley up Loch Long. The bastards have vanished.”

“Hell,” Dirk muttered. “McMurdo has taught them to be as cunning and illusive as he is. They could be lying in the bracken somewhere and ’twould be easy to walk right past them.”

“Aye.” Keegan sighed. “Or they may have left the area. ’Haps they went east to await us at the edge of Murray’s holdings.”

“That’s a good possibility,” Dirk said. “Damnation, I want to be out there searching with you lads.”

“Not until you’re recovered. How’s your leg?” Keegan asked, digging into the trencher of venison stew the servant placed before him.

“Improving.”

Isobel, sitting on Dirk’s other side, leaned forward. “What he neglected to tell you is that he still has fevers sometimes, especially at night. And look how swollen it is, Keegan.”

“Och. I’m getting better,” Dirk muttered.

“Aye, you are better than you were,” Isobel agreed.

Keegan drank a long swallow of heather ale. “You must take care of yourself, cousin.”

“I am. And I have the best healer in the world.” Dirk put his arm around Isobel and drew her closer.

She smiled and kissed his cheek.

Saints. Keegan missed Seona. He could use a kiss from her right now. Though he’d need a bath and a change of clothes first. And some privacy, away from her aunt, who sat further down the table, talking to MacMillan.

“Where is Lady Seona?” Keegan asked in a low tone, making sure her aunt couldn’t hear. With all the noise in the great hall, ’twas doubtful she would hear him even if he asked in a loud voice, but he didn’t want to take any chances.

Both Dirk and Isobel merely looked at him for a long moment. Finally, Isobel said, “In her bedchamber.”

Alarm rushed through Keegan, not because of Isobel’s words but because of the somber look in her eyes. “Is something wrong?”

“Nay,” Isobel said, glancing away.

She was lying or being evasive. What was she hiding?

“’Tis only that Lady Seona has not been to any meals since the one we had outside,” Dirk said.

What?

Isobel poked Dirk in the ribs and gave him a severe frown.

Dirk caught her hand. “Well, ’tis true.”

“Has anyone seen her?” Keegan demanded, imagining the worst. Had she slipped out and run away?

“Aye, Keegan. Calm yourself,” Isobel said. “I’ve talked to her several times in her chamber.”

“And?” He waited, anticipation near consuming him.

“She is not ill. She simply doesn’t want to be around a lot of people. She is a private person who prefers spending time alone, sometimes.” Isobel shrugged.

Keegan frowned, knowing full well Isobel was behaving strangely. Aye, Seona was a quiet lass who didn’t mind being alone, but he’d never noticed her avoiding meals. Was it simply because he hadn’t been there? Or something else?

Isobel was keeping a secret, and he intended to find out what it was. “Are you saying she hasn’t been out of her room for two days?”

“I don’t know if she has or not,” Isobel said with a neutral expression.

Irritation welled up inside Keegan’s chest. “Is she eating?”

“Aye. The maids take her food.”

“Isobel said she was worried about you going after Haldane.” The look in Dirk’s eyes said he understood the turmoil and worry Keegan felt.

The idea that Seona was worried about him eased Keegan’s mind a bit. Maybe the anxiety had gotten the best of her and that was why she wanted to be alone.

He had to see Seona. Would Isobel help him with that as she’d done in the past? Something had changed, and he didn’t like it.

After the meal, he asked the servants to bring him a bath, then proceeded to his small bedchamber in the same wing as the MacKenzie brothers’. Once Keegan had bathed and put on clean clothing, he proceeded through the castle, trying to think of a place where he and Seona might talk in private. Though it was late, the castle was still abuzz with activity.

He proceeded up the steps to the corridor where Seona’s chamber was. If he ran into anyone, his excuse would be that he was going to talk to Dirk, whose chamber was a couple doors down. But luckily, no one was about in this part of the castle. He hurried to Seona’s door and knocked lightly.

As the silence extended, the foreboding inside him grew darker.

Isobel had told him Seona wasn’t ill. She simply wished to be alone. But he knew something was wrong. Had he offended her in some way? Angered her?

He knocked again, a bit harder.

“Who is it?” Seona asked from the other side of the door.

He released his held breath. The sound of her voice both calmed him and excited him at the same time.

“’Tis me. Keegan,” he said, low, then glanced back along the empty corridor.

Staring at the door again, he waited for her to open it. But it remained closed.

“Seona?” he asked “Are you ill?”

“Nay.”

“Why won’t you leave your bedchamber?” He had not considered it might be that time of the month for her. But surely if this was the case, she would at least pretend to be ill.

“I cannot see you again,” she said, her voice strained and barely audible.

“What?” Surely, he’d misheard, but still… her words sent a shock of confusion and denial through him. “Why would you say such a thing?” he asked, trying to keep his voice down.

“’Tis dangerous, Keegan. My father is a cruel man.”

Hell. She had been crying. He heard it in her voice.

“I do not fear your father,” he said.

The silence on the other side of the door frayed his nerves and sliced at his composure.

He leaned closer to the door. “I want to see you, Seona. I need to see you.” He had thought of naught but her during the past few days. ’Twas why he’d spent two days searching for Haldane… to keep her safe from the knave.

“Seona?” He didn’t want to try the knob and enter without an invitation, but she sore tempted him to do just that. With his luck, she’d barred the door.

What seemed to him a long while later—though it could have been seconds—the door opened. Seona’s tear-filled, dark blue eyes tore at his soul and stirred his protective instincts. He pushed his way inside the door and closed it back.

“Nay,” she whispered, backing away. “You cannot come in here.” Though her words were quiet, they were intense, her eyes wide but reddened from crying. “What if Aunt Patience should see you?”

“Seona, why are you suddenly so distraught? Tell me why you said what you did.” He couldn’t even bring himself to say the words, for he couldn’t imagine never seeing her again. Never touching her. Never kissing her. Nay. Such thoughts were like dagger stabs to his heart.

“I told you,” she said. “My father is a cruel and brutal man. If he finds out we have talked and kissed and… other things, I fear he will kill you.” She closed her eyes and tears ran down her cheeks.

At the moment, he didn’t care if his life was in danger. All he wanted was to see Seona, to touch her, to hold her.

“He is not here,” Keegan said.

“Nay, but his sister is. Aunt Patience will tell him everything. She was spying on us. She saw you give me the bluebells.”

This was all caused by the bluebells? Saints! Lady Patience was a she-devil.

“It doesn’t matter,” he said. “What matters is—”

“Nay. I cannot see you or talk to you,” Seona insisted. “You have to leave.”

Keegan’s chest ached and his possessive urges rose to the surface. Nobody was taking Seona away from him. To do so was the same as ripping out his heart. He couldn’t live without his heart… nor without Seona.

If she was the one rejecting him, that was something altogether different. But he didn’t think that was the case. She was crying because she cared about him.

Seona backed away. “Go, Keegan,” she whispered.

But he didn’t. He watched her retreat. This spurred his instincts to pursue her, to capture her, to make her see he would never abandon her.

He took a step closer. “I fear no man, not even your father.”

“Well, you should.” She retreated behind a chair.

“Why are you so afraid of him?” Keegan’s own father was a loving, jovial man. Of a certainty, Conall MacKay could be vicious in battle, but with his family, he was warm. However, Keegan knew all fathers were not like him. Evidently, Seona’s father was just the opposite.

“He could have his men kill you, Keegan. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

His muscles tensed at the potential threat and the challenge. “Not without a fight. And I wager I’d take a few of them out before they did me in.” He stepped forward again.

“Keegan, please.” She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head.

“The MacKay guards always watch my back.” He hoped that would ease her mind… though he was well-trained in protecting himself.

She looked down, appearing suddenly defeated, her unbound hair shielding most of her face. “I didn’t want to tell you this, but you leave me no choice.”

Warning prickled at the back of his neck. “What?”

“Last year at home, I danced with a man, the youngest brother of the MacSween chief. My father disapproved because he did not see him as suitable. Aunt Patience said there was a rumor started that MacSween kissed me and it grew out of proportion. MacSween was murdered a short time later, in Inverness. My father probably ordered it done. Do you understand what I mean now?”

“Aye, your father is ruthless, and he will not approve of me.” Keegan had already guessed her father would have a negative opinion of him, since he was not a chief or titled. Still, that would not dissuade him from asking for her hand. If her father attempted to kill Keegan for his boldness and his interest in Seona, then he’d best be ready for retaliation.

“When I go home, I want you to stay here,” Seona said.

“What? Are you mad?” Annoyance gored Keegan. “I would never do that. Do you take me for a coward?”

“Nay! I’m trying to protect you.”

“Well, I intend to protect you. And I can’t do that if I’m here and you’re traveling across the country with Haldane on your heels.” His words were low but firm. The last thing on earth he’d do was stay here, safe, while she faced danger. Though her idea irritated him, he understood why she’d suggested it. She worried about his safety because… mayhap she cared about him a great deal. He hoped.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, tears welling in her eyes again. “I should’ve never…”

“What?”

“I didn’t mean to lead you on… and lead you into danger. I should’ve never allowed you to… kiss me.”

“Saints, Seona.” Could she not see that he cared for her? ’Twas not as if he merely wanted beneath her skirts. She had stolen his heart.

She stared at the floor, her blush evident in the candlelight. “I ken I acted very… wantonly. That was wrong of me.”

He ground his teeth. Aye, he knew he shouldn’t have touched her in the most intimate of places but… he ached. Not only his groin, but his chest and his whole body ached for her. He sucked in a deep breath, trying to dispel his need but naught helped.

“I should not have teased and tempted you,” she said.

“You didn’t. I am the one to blame for leading you astray. You’re an innocent and I shouldn’t have touched you.” He forced himself to say the words, to be a gentleman. ’Twas true he shouldn’t have touched her, but he did not regret it. Nay, he wanted to touch her again, more than anything, but he would keep his hands to himself if that was what she wished.

She watched him, her blue eyes darkening in a most tempting manner. Was she thinking of how he’d touched her? He could think of little else, himself. Her skin was so soft and silken his fingers itched to trail over her again. When he tried to sleep at night, he had burning, erotic dreams about stroking, kissing and licking her… everywhere. Imagining being naked with her in bed made him yearn so intensely he could scarce breathe.

“I shouldn’t have… given you pleasure,” he said, remembering how she’d shattered in his arms. He loved how passionate she was.

Her skin turning bright pink, she licked her lips. How he craved another taste of them. He moved closer to her, thankful to see she didn’t move back.

“I was wrong to… slide my hand up your thigh beneath your skirts,” he whispered, feeling like the most debauched rogue, but unable to stop himself. Aye, he wanted to tempt her as much as she tempted him. He wanted her to remember the pleasure he’d given her.