On the trail just beyond the trees, blades clashed and clanged. The silhouettes of two warriors in a sword dual moved this way and that.
“Nay!” a woman yelled. “Cease!”
“Indeed, that is Isobel,” Seona whispered, the sensation of chilled water flowing in her veins.
“Leave him alone, you bastard!” Isobel yelled.
“Go, Isobel! Run!” a man commanded. Though enraged, his voice sounded familiar. Dirk?
Aye, he was one of the men fighting, yelling scathing Gaelic insults and curses at his opponent.
Chapter Six
Quietly, Keegan carried Seona on his back through the trees and closer to the edge of the dark forest. Loud shouts from the two warriors and the clangs of their blades filled the night air.
“’Tis Chief Dirk, fighting with someone,” Seona whispered into Keegan’s ear.
“Aye.” But he couldn’t tell which of the outlaws challenged him. Dirk could take care of himself, but protecting Isobel while fighting would be much harder. “Wait right here, behind this tree,” Keegan whispered, lowering Seona to the ground next to a larger tree. Hopefully, wearing his dark plaid, she would be well-hidden behind the trunk. He wanted her close-by so he could protect her should the outlaw flee Dirk’s wrath. “I’ll get Isobel.”
“Have a care.”
“Aye.”
Keegan rushed to the perimeter of the wood. He didn’t wish to distract Dirk, but he had to be sure Isobel remained safe, especially since she hadn’t run like Dirk had ordered her to. Stubborn woman. She stood thirty feet behind Dirk, well out of range of the two fighters, but still too close for his comfort.
“Isobel. ’Tis me, Keegan,” he said, still hidden in the shadow of the trees, though likely his pale linen shirt could be seen in the moonlight. “Come.”
She gasped and sent a quick glance his way. “Nay. We must help Dirk!”
Keegan crept closer, unable to recognize Dirk’s opponent in the low light. “Who is he fighting?”
“Nolan MacLeod.”
The bastard who had tried to rape Isobel last year? Keegan had never met him, but he’d seen him from a distance.
“Dirk can handle him. Come into the wood where you can hide with Seona.”
In the next instant, Nolan’s sword flew into the air and he fell backward, yelling and grabbing his throat. He sprawled down the embankment, his head almost in the water of the stream. After a few moments, he grew silent and still.
Dirk’s loud breaths were the only sounds in the darkness. Isobel ran to him and he drew her close with one arm.
“Are you injured?” she asked.
“Nay,” Dirk said. “Are you?”
“Nay.”
“Thank the saints. When he snatched you from the tent and took off, I thought my life was over.” Dirk pulled Isobel tighter against him and kissed her.
Keegan moved out of the tree line and closer to the unmoving body of Nolan MacLeod. An ugly dark gash marred his throat.
“Is the bastard dead?” Dirk asked.
Nolan’s eyes gleamed wide and sightless in the moonlight. “Aye. Looks that way.”
“Justice is served,” Dirk said.
“Indeed,” Isobel agreed, staring solemnly at the dead man’s body. “I wanted to kill him myself but… he was too strong for me.”
“Nay, ’twas my duty and responsibility,” Dirk said. “Any other whoreson who hurts you—or even tries to—will meet the same fate.”
Dirk could have lost his beloved wife so easily tonight. He had to be relieved to finally be rid of the MacLeod knave. Keegan could only imagine how he must have felt when Isobel was seized. ’Twas the same gut-wrenching feeling he would have if someone kidnapped Seona. Keegan strode back into the wood and found her where he’d left her, wrapped in his plaid and standing behind the tree.
“All is well now. Nolan MacLeod grabbed Isobel and made off with her, but Dirk killed the blackguard. Neither Dirk nor Isobel is hurt.”
“’Tis good news. I would like to see Isobel,” Seona said, excitement evident in her tone. “What of Haldane?”
“I know not yet. Come.” After sheathing his sword, Keegan lifted Seona into his arms and carried her through the trees. Though he would never tell her, he was enjoying the sensation of carrying her slim, lithe form in his arms. Once he emerged onto the trail, he set Seona onto her feet but stood between her and Nolan’s dead body. She didn’t need the additional scare.
“Och. I see what happened to your plaid, then,” Dirk said in a light tone.
“Aye. I am ever the gentleman.” Keegan gave a mock courtly bow.
“I’m not certain of that, but you are generous.” Dirk grinned. “Where’s your horse?”
“Hidden in the trees. I’ll go retrieve him.”
While Dirk guarded the women, Keegan returned to the forest for Curry.
A few minutes later, they were all mounted and traveling slowly through the dimness, Keegan’s horse behind Dirk’s. The faint light of dawn gleamed over the dark mountains and white morning mist floated from the burn.
Thankfully, the echo of blades had gone silent and Keegan hoped each member of the MacKay party was unhurt. He wanted to ask Dirk if they’d lost any men, but he and Isobel were sharing a kiss up ahead. Far be it from him to interrupt, but their actions made him crave another taste of Seona.
Her innocent kiss had completely seduced him. From the first time he’d seen her last autumn, her full, bow-shaped lips had driven him mad. He’d been fantasizing about kissing her for months, and now that he knew how delicious her kisses were, he yearned for more. So much more.
Those two minutes had been the most stunning of Keegan’s life. He had to find a way to keep her.
Now, he held her slender form with one arm around her midsection. Her curvy arse pressing against his groin was even more tempting than the floral scent emanating from her long, glossy hair. Every aspect of her lured him, but he managed to restrain himself from brushing his lips across her ear. For the moment, simply holding her close and knowing she was safe was enough.
He focused on guiding the horse along the side of the burn toward camp.
Dirk stopped and waited for Keegan to catch up. “I hope the guards have run the rest of the outlaws through,” Dirk said.
“Aye. Do you ken if any in our party was killed?”
“Nay, I don’t.”
A horse nickered nearby. Halting, Keegan snatched his sword from the scabbard and Dirk did the same. Keegan’s gaze searched the vicinity for the rider. He detected no other movements. The animal dropped his head and continued picking grass.
“Nolan’s horse,” Dirk said.
Keegan eyed the animal in the faint light of dawn. The pale gray horse looked familiar, although scrawnier than the last time he’d seen it. “He may have been riding it, cousin, but ’tis one the outlaws stole from Dunnakeil last winter.”
“Indeed?” Dirk asked.
Since his cousin had only just arrived in Durness last November, he was not yet familiar with their horses. “He’s near starved it to death.”
“Aye. Any man who mistreats women and horses deserves what Nolan got,” Dirk muttered.
“Agreed.” Keegan leapt down and took the horse’s bridle, then, after he was mounted again behind Seona, led it back toward camp.
As the light grew brighter, visibility was not improved for the thick haze gleamed white, giving their surroundings a mystical quality. It seemed unreal, just as it had to kiss Seona in the wood. Like a dream. One he never wanted to wake up from.
“Chief!” a man yelled from the depths of the mist. They halted. A guard named Boyce appeared.
“Aye?” Dirk responded.
“Are any of you hurt?” The brawny man’s dark gaze skimmed over them.
“Nay. We’re well,” Dirk said. “Did everyone in our party survive?”
“Aye. Three men have injuries and are being patched up.”
Dirk nodded. “Were any outlaws killed?”
“Aye. One I’ve never seen before. The rest fled.”
“Make that two. I killed Nolan MacLeod.”
“’Tis good news, m’laird. We’re well rid of the outlaw.”
“What of Haldane and McMurdo?” Keegan asked.
“Escaped.” Boyce lowered his bushy dark brows.
“We’ll get them.” Keegan was determined to stop Haldane from attaining either of his goals. To Keegan, Dirk was like a brother, and the clan needed him as the chief. As for Seona, she was growing more precious to Keegan each day. He wished he could’ve found a way to talk to her months ago. But he’d thought there was no hope for anything between them. Now, the time they had left together grew short.
“I only regret we didn’t take them down before we started on this journey with the women,” Dirk said in a low voice.
Keegan nodded, feeling the same intense concern.
“Send three men to bury Nolan MacLeod’s body in the wood and mark the grave with stones. But first, search him and bring his weapons and possessions to me. I’ll make sure his brother gets them,” Dirk told the guard.
“Aye, m’laird.” Boyce bowed and hastened back toward camp.
“I’ll let Torrin MacLeod know where his brother is buried,” Dirk said. “I’d want to know if it was my brother.”
“Aye,” Keegan said. Although he didn’t know the MacLeod chief well, he didn’t think the man would be angered that his outlaw brother was killed at Dirk’s hand. In fact, he should’ve expected it, given what Nolan had tried to do to Isobel.
The four of them rode into camp where the men were packing up the tents and readying everyone to travel. Keegan was disappointed that his ride with Seona was over. Holding her close to him was one of the best feelings on earth. He dismounted, then lifted her down from the horse. Her dark blue gaze met his in the faint dawn light and her lips curved up in a tiny smile that bewitched him. Damn, how he wanted to kiss her again.
Her haggard-looking aunt appeared and dragged Seona away. She glanced back at him once, her expression dejected. He wanted to chase after them, but that would be daft. His chest ached. He led the recovered horse toward one of the two grooms traveling with them and instructed him to give the gaunt animal extra oats and also check it over for injuries.
Glancing down, Keegan realized he was still only half dressed, though he was fully covered. Hopefully, Seona would return his plaid after she put on her own clothing. The men were sure to tease him about losing his plaid.
Behind him, a man roared as if in pain. His hand flying to his sword hilt, Keegan spun around expecting a surprise attack. But no one moved. “What the devil?”
“Rebbie cauterized Marston’s badly bleeding wound,” Dirk said nearby.
Keegan finally noticed the injured guard, lying on the ground beyond several more men who either stood watching or helped hold him down. “I hope he will recover quickly.” Keegan accepted a cold bannock from their cook, Oran, a tall hefty man with a short gray beard and a bald head. “I need another bannock for Lady Seona.”
Oran nodded and handed him one. Keegan headed toward the bushes where most of the women were gathered. Apparently, Seona was behind a bush, dressing, with the help of her maids.
“Halt right there, Master Keegan,” Lady Patience said, her critical glance darting down his shirt-clad body. Aye, he knew very well he was not dressed properly, but at least his private parts were concealed. Besides, it could not be helped. He’d needed to give Seona his plaid for warmth. They were in the wild Highlands and had just survived an ambush. Men often threw off their bulky plaids to fight more easily in battle.
Keegan held up the bannock. “Lady Seona has not yet broken her fast.”
Lady Patience grabbed the oat cake from his hand. “I’ll give it to her.”
Annoyance drove through him. “I thank you.” He gave a mock bow, but waited where he was.
“That will be all,” Patience said, with a flick of her hand.
His annoyance grew into full blown irritation and he crossed his arms over his chest. Obviously, he wasn’t a laird, but neither was he a servant. “Lady Seona was cold, and I allowed her to borrow my plaid. Do you ken if she’s finished with it?”
Lady Patience narrowed her eyes and hastened behind the bush. After a few moments, she returned, holding his plaid between her thumbs and forefingers as if it contained vermin. Grinding his teeth, he snatched it from her and strode away. He wanted to call her a vile name, but somehow restrained himself. The lady had been like a thistle pricking his arse all winter, glaring at him when he merely glanced Seona’s way.
Somehow, he had to catch Seona away from her again and give her another lesson in knife fighting. And ’haps steal another kiss. Anticipation rushing through him, he suppressed a grin.
As he belted his plaid into place, Dirk approached him at a determined pace. “We have a problem.”
Keegan tensed, his attention focused. “What is it?”
“The coins are gone,” Dirk growled in a hushed tone.
Keegan frowned. “Which coins?”
“I told you about the money I was going to pay Lady Seona’s father for breaking the contract he had with my father. ’Twas a large amount.” Dirk lowered his voice further. “Five thousand merks.”
“Hell. One of the outlaws must have stolen it. Was it on Nolan’s body?”
“Nay. I asked the guard who brought his weapons to me. The bag of coins was in my tent, but when I took off after Nolan and Isobel, the money was left unguarded.” Dirk released a long, frustrated breath. “Now what am I going to pay Chief Murray with?”
Keegan thought for a moment, but had no ready answer. They were too far away from Castle Dunnakeil now to return and get more money. Nothing else they carried with them would be as valuable, beyond the horses. “Mayhap you won’t need to pay him,” Keegan suggested.
“Well… nay, I don’t have to pay him. ’Twas only an act of goodwill to keep peace between our clans.”
“’Haps the horse will be enough,” Keegan said, motioning toward the finest horse to ever come from the MacKay stables.
Dirk shrugged, then eyed Keegan. “Or… if you ask for Lady Seona’s hand and he agrees, no payment will be necessary. In fact, you’ll receive her dowry.”
A flash of excitement lit within him. ’Twas what Keegan yearned for more than anything. And he didn’t even care if she came with a dowry. “If only I could be so lucky.”
“Isobel and I will go with you to the Murrays’. ’Haps we can help convince her father.”
“’Twould mean the world to me, cousin.” Keegan smiled and shook Dirk’s hand, a thrill of exhilaration moving through him that he might have a chance with Seona. He didn’t think she would be opposed to marrying him. Of course, he hadn’t asked her. ’Twould have been premature. But after that kiss, and the sweet but sensual way she responded, he was convinced she felt as drawn to him as he was to her.
He had to find out for certain.
***
Haldane MacKay rode north across the moor as if the devil himself chased him. Although Dirk MacKay was not half as fearsome as a devil, he had a large force of men with him. More than Haldane had. That was why he hadn’t succeeded in his mission.
He hungered for revenge so badly he could hardly sleep at night. That bastard, Dirk, had murdered his mother, and then taken the castle and chiefdom from his brother. Aiden no longer wanted to be chief, so Haldane would take the responsibility off his hands. ’Twas what his mother and father would’ve wanted.
He would not rest until Dirk was dead.
Glancing back through the dawn light, Haldane saw only six of his men following. Donald McMurdo was right behind him. Gil and Finlay followed, along with the others. Two were missing. They must have been injured badly or killed.
Haldane paused, allowing the others to catch up.
“Where are MacLeod and Quinn?” he asked McMurdo.
“Nolan MacLeod got into the tent while I was trying to kill D
irk. When he noticed Nolan making off with his woman, he chased after him. That gave me a chance to get the hell out of there.”
“You didn’t kill Dirk. Furthermore, you ran instead of helping MacLeod. I thought you were an assassin.”
McMurdo spat on the ground and narrowed his dark eyes, looking as mean as ever. But Haldane was less than impressed with him at the moment.
“That bastard Dirk is big and a fearsome fighter. I doubt you could take him down, laddie,” McMurdo said with a smirk. “I’d wager Nolan MacLeod is a dead man about now. Dirk didn’t want his woman messed with. If you think I’m risking my life for that MacLeod whoreson, you’re wrong.”
“Never mind him,” Haldane snapped. He was no closer to achieving his objective than he had been yesterday, and now he was minus two men. “What about Dirk? ’Tis your job to kill him if you want payment.”
“Aye. I’ll kill him.” McMurdo nodded confidently. “We’ll catch up to them afore long. They’ll be out in the open and exposed for many more miles now.”
“I don’t want to follow too closely,” Haldane muttered, still annoyed that McMurdo hadn’t done what he’d promised. But Haldane couldn’t kick McMurdo out of the group. He was more experienced than any of them. He’d taught them things over the past few months. And he was the one who could most easily kill Dirk, given his experience. “I’ve lost two more men. Only seven of us left now. Dirk has almost two dozen.”
“Aye, but we ken well how to be canny and wily. Nobody said we had to fight fair.”
Haldane nodded. “I like it.” He couldn’t wait to see what kind of crafty ideas McMurdo had in mind. The old highwayman had lived this long somehow, despite a life of crime. Haldane wanted to be like him, wanted to learn everything he could from him.
“I say we head south again,” McMurdo said. “Once the sun burns off the fog, one of the lads can climb the hill just north of their camp to see if the MacKay party has packed up and left. I’m thinking they’ll head out with all haste because of the ladies.”
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