The ladies. Aye. Haldane pictured Lady Seona and her lovely dark blue eyes. If only he could’ve lopped off Keegan’s head, he would’ve had Seona. She’d make a fine wife and lady of Dunnakeil.
Nolan had told him ’twas a long way to Teasairg Castle, where the MacKay party was likely headed. Lady Isobel had grown up there. Haldane and his men would have plenty of opportunities to attack them again. Next time, they’d use a different, more successful strategy.
“I agree. We head south.” Haldane glanced at the six men waiting around him, then kicked his horse into a trot.
Something jangled behind him as it fell to the ground. Sounded like a purse of coins. He stopped and turned to see McMurdo dismounting. He grabbed a leather purse from the ground and shoved it into his ragged doublet.
“What is that?” Haldane demanded, riding back.
McMurdo’s eyes narrowed and, for a second, he looked ready to run Haldane through. The man was intimidating, but Haldane held the upper hand; he possessed the thing McMurdo wanted most, including gold. The burial tomb in the church.
“Is that gold coins?” Haldane asked.
McMurdo let out a resigned breath. “Gold and silver,” he admitted grudgingly.
“Where did you get it?”
“I found it in Dirk MacKay’s tent after he followed MacLeod.”
“Let me see.” Haldane held out his hand. “Any MacKay money is my money, in truth, for I’m the rightful heir to the chiefdom and barony.”
McMurdo glared, his lip twitching in a near snarl, but he handed over the leather pouch. ’Twas heavy and it filled Haldane’s palm. He pulled open the drawstring to find it full of gold and silver coins. “Saints! ’Tis a fortune.”
McMurdo nodded. “Just a little more than I paid for my burial place in the church.”
“Since you turned this over to me, you will still have your beloved tomb. We can use this to hire mercenaries. With more men, we’ll be able to take down Dirk and anyone else who gets in our way.”
“’Tis a brilliant plan. If you can find skilled mercenaries. Not too many of them in the wilds of the Highlands,” McMurdo muttered.
“I’ll find men desperate for work. Have no worries.”
McMurdo shrugged and mounted.
Haldane was well aware McMurdo would’ve kept the money a secret, but he had to admit the old man was incredibly lucky and canny to have found it. Now, they but had to catch up to Dirk and his party again. A new plan was forming in his mind.
Chapter Seven
The MacKay party moved south as quickly as they could without overtiring the horses. Although Keegan was tired and his arse numb, Seona had to be feeling a hundred times worse from the effects of their long journey. They needed to put a lot of ground between themselves and the outlaws and arrive at Teasairg Castle as soon as possible. The only problem was few castles existed in the many miles between Munrick and Teasairg. The MacLeods and the MacKenzies each held substantial amounts of land.
Midafternoon, ominous black clouds crept over the mountains from the west and the breeze picked up.
Dirk glanced back at Keegan. “The sky is looking a wee unfriendly, cousin.”
“Aye. ’Haps we can make it to those cliffs ahead before the worst of it hits. That might block most of the wind.”
Dirk nodded and called out, “Quicken your pace! Gale storm coming.”
The riders kicked their horses into faster trots and gallops. The cliffs looked deceptively close because of their massive size. By the time they neared the cliffs, the sky overhead was black. The fierce wind flung a few raindrops sideways and almost pushed their mounts off the narrow trail. Thankfully, the horses were accustomed to unexpected gales and didn’t get overly spooked by the storm.
The drops stung Keegan’s face but he ignored them, trying to ride closer to Seona where she was hunched in the saddle, the wind whipping her plaid wool arisaid. He’d noticed before ’twas a high quality tight weave that would keep most of the moisture out.
One of the lead horses reared, drawing Keegan’s attention to the herd of red deer that tore out and fled by the cliffs.
Within moments, the deer had disappeared from sight. Keegan turned his attention back to Seona, but her black mare had become unruly, tossing her head about, then she bolted off the trail and across the moor.
“Saints,” Keegan hissed, kicking his horse into a gallop and following her over the uneven terrain. He prayed she would hold on. After a shouted command at the horse, she hadn’t uttered another sound that he could hear above the brutal wind. He was proud to see she leaned low over the horse’s neck and held the reins tight.
She was good with horses, but apparently the mare she’d brought with her to Dunnakeil last fall was skittish. If he’d known, he would’ve let her borrow a different one.
Keegan kept pace about twenty feet behind her. He needed to approach without spooking the daft horse further. Seona’s cowl had been blown off her head and her long dark hair whipped out behind her.
“Whoa!” she ordered the horse, which promptly ignored her and continued its panicked run.
Pushing his larger mount harder, Keegan gradually gained on her. “Seona! Come. Get on in front of me,” he called, his words whisked away in the chill, punishing wind.
She turned her head, quickly glancing at him. “I cannot!” Then, she focused her attention on trying to get the animal under control. She truly was a skilled rider.
But who knew how long it would be before the moor turned boggy or… Something up ahead caught his attention—a wide stream near overflowing with spring thaw. Saints! The horses couldn’t jump that. Likely, her horse would stop abruptly and toss her in.
Guiding his horse closer to hers, Keegan placed the reins in one hand and offered his free hand to her. “There’s a wide burn up ahead! You can’t jump it. Give me your arm. I’ll pull you onto my horse.”
When she noticed the swollen stream, her eyes widened and she looked near frantic. Her gaze darting back and forth between him and the burn, she held out her hand toward him.
He grabbed her arm and dragged her from her mare and onto Curry, while her horse kept going. Holding Seona tightly around the waist, he slowed Curry and guided him toward the left and away from the stream. Likely, she wasn’t in the most comfortable position, because of his saddle, but at least she was safe.
“Saints, Seona. You scared the devil out of me,” he grumbled loudly to be heard over the wind.
“’Twas not my fault,” she responded, trying to gather her wildly blowing hair into one hand. Her skin was still pale, but thankfully she hadn’t gone to pieces in terror. He admired her strength.
“Nay. Your mare went mad.” He glanced about for shelter. They were some distance from the rest of their party now, and he couldn’t even see them beyond the hill. Further along, he noticed a rocky outcropping and kneed Curry into a trot, the wind and rain lashing them.
He drew up beside the rocks that appeared stable enough and helped Seona slide to her feet, before he dismounted. He guided her toward the stones which blocked much of the fearsome west wind that pounded them and led Curry behind him. Keegan glanced upward, determining the stone was solid and that nothing would fall on their heads.
Immediately they were out of the wind and rain. He turned back to watch the gale rage across the moor behind them, the grasses, bushes and plants twisting and almost lying flat at times.
“There goes your horse,” he said, pointing. Seona’s mare was a distant black spot, running along the burn. The animal likely wouldn’t calm down until the gale had passed. “We’ll recapture her later.”
Following his gaze, Seona nodded.
“This is a decent shelter.” He was glad to get her out of the wind and rain.
“Aye,” she said, her breathing still elevated. Arms wrapped around herself, she shivered and her teeth chattered, though she tried to hide it.
“Come. I’ll warm you.” He took her into his arms, but he knew it wasn’t only the
temperature of the chill wind that made her shiver. ’Twas also the waning of the extreme fear she must have felt taking a wild ride on that daft horse, tearing across the countryside. “’Tis all right, lass,” he murmured in her ear. “You’re safe now.”
Her body still trembled, but she nodded. He would do anything to keep her safe. Did she not know that?
His face against her cool damp hair, Keegan closed his eyes and drew in her sweet scent. She felt perfect against him, but he fought down his need to pull her even closer, to feel her body completely aligned with his.
Finally, her shivers diminished and her breathing returned to normal. Reluctantly, he removed his arms from around her and backed up a step. “Better?”
“Aye. I thank you for helping me. I don’t know what got into Juliana.”
“Juliana?” he asked.
“My mare.”
“’Tis a fancy name for a mare,” he said, unable to hide his amusement. But his main reason for smiling… he was thrilled she had not been injured.
She grinned, her dark blue eyes gleaming with happiness. Saints! He had never seen her look more beautiful.
“Did you know your eyes are the color of bluebells?” he asked.
She glanced away, but her smile widened and her cheeks turned an adorable pink, replacing the earlier paleness. She bit her lip, making him wish he could do the same.
Finally, her eyes met his again. He had the urge to tell her how incredibly beautiful she was, but he feared he might overdo it.
“You are mad to say such things,” she said. He barely heard her above the roar of the wind overhead.
He held up his hands in surrender. “I speak the truth.”
Seona felt her face burning despite the icy wind, but she forced herself to meet Keegan’s gaze. There was so much she wished to tell him, but fear held her back. He was perfect… or he would be perfect for her, at least. Simply gazing into his enchanting sky-blue eyes made her feel happy. And his grin was naught but charm and seduction. Most impressive of all, he was a strong, heroic man who didn’t fear anything.
“You are…” What should she say?
He moved his head closer to hear her better, and turned slightly so one of his ears was near her mouth.
“You are very brave and heroic. You saved my life,” she said, finding it easier to talk to him when he wasn’t looking directly into her eyes. “Twice.”
He pulled back a few inches, his lips twisting into a lopsided grin. “I thank you, m’lady,” he said. “I could never allow you to be injured.” He shook his head. “Over the past few months, I have wanted to talk to you or… dance with you but… you ken your aunt doesn’t like me.”
“Nonsense,” she said to be polite. Truth was Aunt Patience didn’t want her to go near him because she deemed him unacceptable as husband material for Seona.
“Come now, Lady Seona, you ken I speak the truth,” he said in a light tone. “Her glares are like sharp blades.”
She nodded. “My aunt is much like a guard dog.”
“Well, she has a right to be. You’re a beautiful lady and I’m…” He shrugged. “Just a guard.”
She frowned. “You are much more than that.”
’Twas obvious he was trying to maintain his pleasant expression, but a hint of sadness crept into his blue eyes that near broke her heart.
He shook his head. “Nay, I fear when it comes to you, Lady Seona, I’m naught but a knave and a rogue. I’ve hardly been able to concentrate today because of memories of that amazing kiss.” After shoving his fingers through his windblown, damp mane, he backed away and stared out at the blowing rain. “I must behave myself,” he muttered, as if to himself, but she heard it despite the roaring wind.
She could not take her eyes off him and the stunning passion in his gaze. He was right… completely and unequivocally right. He should never touch her again. She should’ve never allowed him to kiss her the night before, but she could not have stopped him any more than she could’ve stopped breathing. Speaking of which, her own breaths were now short and shallow. Her chest ached with the need to be closer to him. To touch him.
His gaze shifted to her. “Hell. Seona, don’t look at me like that.”
She pressed her eyes closed, the moisture gathering there burning. Why did she feel the urge to cry? ’Twas insanity. She was not normally a very emotional person. She should face facts now—she could never have Keegan. Even though he had owned her heart for months.
His warm, rough fingers touched her face. Her eyes popped open and she sucked in a sharp, surprised breath.
Standing an inch in front of her, Keegan frowned down at her. “Don’t you dare cry.”
She shook her head. “I’m not,” she said just above a whisper, her throat tight. ’Twas a lie, she knew, even as more tears formed in her eyes. She didn’t want to cry and didn’t understand why she was. She simply felt overwhelmed and confused by her own surging emotions, added to her earlier fear of the bolting horse. And Keegan’s close proximity only made everything more powerful.
When tears spilled from the corners of her eyes, she was mortified and tried to avert her face. Surely, he would think her a bairn.
He held her still and brushed his thumb beneath her eyes, catching her tears.
“Shh.” He kissed her forehead, his lips and breath warm and soft on her skin.
Feeling both comfort and excitement, she slipped her hands around his lean torso, her palms pressing against his sides. Moving closer to him and pushing her hands around to his back, she found most of the aching pressure leaving her chest. She could not believe how much she needed him and wanted him.
He held her close, pressing kisses to the top of her head. She laid her head against his chest and listened to his heart pounding in her ear. The appealing scent of him—male, spice and leather was like a bewitching potion to her senses.
’Twas perfection.
Shortly, a bit of her sanity returned. Heavens! What must he think of her, embracing him in such a way? She drew back and glanced up at him.
His heavy-lidded eyes searched hers. She was glad he didn’t ask why she’d been crying for she couldn’t have answered. Merely that her rampant emotions had gotten the better of her, which almost never happened, and she couldn’t let him know the depth of her feelings for him. At the same time, his gaze was so spellbinding, she could think of naught but touching him.
Before she knew what she was about, she lifted her hand and stroked her fingers along his square jaw, delighting in the prickly golden-brown stubble. She had wondered what it felt like—very masculine and harsh, so unlike her own skin.
She raised her gaze and found his eyes darker than before, the color of the sky near gloaming. She dropped her hand, but he caught it and kissed her palm. His lips and warm breath on her sensitive skin fragmented her thoughts. His gaze held hers with that intense, magnetic force she didn’t understand. It compelled her to draw closer to him, and she did.
He leaned forward and placed a sweet kiss on her lips. It surprised her and served as a potent temptation.
Unable to quell her enthusiasm, she lifted herself onto her tiptoes and tilted her chin up, hungering for another kiss like the one they’d shared the night before.
“Saints,” Keegan growled then took her mouth. His wicked tongue flicked at her lips and she opened for him, completely ready to devour him. But he did not seem in a hurry as he tempted and taunted her. Barely touching his tongue to hers, then retreating.
A sound escaped her and she was shocked to realize it was halfway between a moan and a needy whine. He gave an answering groan and stroked his tongue inside her mouth. It darted around hers, then swirled.
He hummed a soft sound. “So sweet,” he whispered.
Whatever magic possessed her increased with each kiss he placed upon her mouth.
She became aware of strands of his soft hair between her fingers. When had she buried her hands in his hair to hold his head?
He pulled her tightly aga
inst his hard body, and she had never felt anything so exquisite. This, combined with his kisses, consumed her thoughts with a fiery, carnal sensation. Oh saints. She craved his bare skin against hers. She wanted him to touch and kiss every inch of her.
What was wrong with her?
Keegan was thankful his sporran disguised his body’s fierce response to her. He was mad to indulge in such luscious kisses with her, but he could not stop himself. Especially when she made it abundantly clear she wanted more.
She shyly flicked the tip of her tongue against his, stirring his lusts into a boiling caldron. Mo creach! She was too innocent for him to kiss this way. He was indeed a rogue, as he’d told her. Yet, he could not get enough of her. He feared he was hooked.
“Thank the saints!” someone said behind him. Keegan spun around to find Rebbie behind them, grinning like a devil. “We thought you’d both perished in the storm.”
Keegan stepped away from Seona and glanced beyond Rebbie. The gale had passed and the sun was peeking through the clouds. When had that happened? He knew gales could vanish as quickly as they appeared. But had he been so wrapped up in kissing Seona, he’d ignored their surroundings completely?
’Slud! He was daft.
“Nay,” Keegan muttered. “We are well.”
“I can see that.” Rebbie’s dark eyes gleamed with amusement. “Where is Lady Seona’s mare?”
“I know not. Last time I saw the mad animal, she was running along the burn.” Keegan pointed.
Rebbie nodded and hoisted himself back into his saddle. “We’ll find her.” He rode down toward the burn and three guards joined him.
“Come. I’ll help you mount.” Keegan glanced at Seona, not expecting her to look so… arousing. Indeed, she was always beautiful, but now her cheeks were pink, her pupils dilated, and her bow-shaped lips red and moist from his kisses. She looked well-loved but… like she needed more. Aye, he could easily imagine her in his bed, looking just like this, her dark hair mussed, her heavy-lidded gaze silently asking him for more.
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