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.
Her breathing altered but her stare never wavered from his. She swallowed hard.
“I should not have touched you and felt how wet you were… how aroused,” he whispered in an intense tone. “Because now I cannot forget it. ’Tis all I can think about.”
Her eyelids were growing heavy and her gaze more heated by the moment.
“You have no inkling how you make me ache,” he went on. Indeed, at the moment he was so hard he was almost dizzy with arousal. “I want you, Seona. Always.” Knowing it was time for him to be completely honest with her, he drew in a deep breath. “I love you.”
“Keegan. Nay,” she breathed, shaking her head and squeezing her eyes shut. More glistening tears leaked out.
Though her reaction was like a punch to the gut, he shoved the chair out of his way and drew her into his arms. “Don’t cry, lass. I’d hoped… you might like to know how I feel.”
“Aye.” She looked up into his eyes. “I love you, too, but— ”
“That’s all that matters.” Bittersweet joy latched onto him. Aye, if she loved him, he would do anything to have her. He’d move heaven and earth to make her happy, to keep her safe, to keep her by his side always.
She shook her head. Grasping the plaid across his upper body, she buried her face against his chest and sobbed.
God, she ripped his heart out. He pressed his face against the thick softness of her unbound hair. He relished the sleek feel of it. Her hands tugging at his plaid made him want to rip the material from his body and revel in the warmth of her smooth skin against his. Her stomach pressed against his hard shaft. He forced himself not to respond, not to grind into her as his instincts urged.
He kissed her temple. “Please, I beg of you, stop crying and tell me why you’re so upset.”
She sniffed and wiped the tears from her eyes with a handkerchief. “You.”
“Why?”
“You overwhelm me. You make me feel… things I never thought possible.”
“I feel the same way.” Just as overwhelmed in her presence, especially if he touched her, or held her as he was now. He never wanted to let her go. ’Twas almost as if she was a part of him. And to be away from her felt as if a piece of him was missing.
Embracing him tighter, she pushed her lower belly against his erection. Grinding his teeth, he barely quelled a moan. His hands slipped from her waist to her hips and tugged her closer. The feel of her delectable body sent arousal and raw need pouring through him.
He was glad to see she’d stopped crying. He needed to ask her something very important, but she turned her face toward him. So tempting he could not resist. He captured her lips to taste her sweet and salty kisses.
“Mmm.” He wanted to devour her.
An almost imperceptible click sounded behind him, and then a shriek rent the air. He spun.
Lady Patience stood on the threshold, her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide as platters.
Chapter Eighteen
“You beast!” Lady Patience rushed forward with a limping gait, grabbed an embroidered pillow and swung it at Keegan, catching him on the shoulder. “Get your hands off my niece and get out!”
“Calm yourself, m’lady,” he said. “I’ve not harmed her.” ’Slud, why hadn’t he barred the door? Now he’d gotten Seona into trouble.
Her aunt persisted in swatting his arm with the pillow. Daft woman. If she truly wanted to do him harm, she’d have to find a better weapon.
“Get out!” Patience demanded.
“What is happening in here?” Lady Isobel asked from the open doorway.
Thank the saints. Maybe she would be the voice of reason. “I was but talking to Lady Seona,” he said.
“Liar!” Patience yelled, whacking him with the pillow. “You had your mouth on her, you swine!”
“You’re right,” Keegan admitted, seeing the perfect opportunity. “I have compromised the lass. Now, I will have to marry her.”
Lady Patience froze, her mouth hanging agape, eyes wide. Isobel and Seona looked much the same. Speechless.
“I will do the honorable thing,” he said. “I take my responsibilities seriously.”
Their expressions were so comical he almost grinned, but forced himself not to. He was not joking.
With renewed fury, Patience resumed bludgeoning him with the pillow, which he easily fended off with a lifted elbow. Isobel smiled wickedly.
“You are mad,” Seona whispered, blushing bright pink.
“What the dev
il is going on?” Dirk asked from the doorway, his guard beside him.
“Keegan has compromised Lady Seona and now he will be forced to wed her,” Isobel said, grinning.
Dirk’s brows lifted. “Could I have a word with you, Keegan?”
“Get out! Rogue! Barbarian!” Lady Patience landed a blow to his shoulder, but not with the pillow this time. ’Twas a fire poker. He grabbed the weapon and yanked it from her, getting his hand covered in soot in the process.
“Damnation!” He strode into the corridor to speak with Dirk, then deposited the fire poker against the stone wall. He glared at the black smudges on his hand and shirt sleeve.
The door slammed behind him, leaving him alone in the corridor with Dirk.
“Harpy,” he muttered under his breath.
“Come.” Dirk motioned, limping back along the corridor with his cane.
“What are you still doing up?”
“I heard a woman yelling. I couldn’t very well ignore it. Isobel rushed to see what was happening and I followed.” He opened his bedchamber door and motioned Keegan inside. The room was very floral, lacy and feminine.
“Have a seat.” Dirk nodded toward the dainty chairs next to the hearth, then poured whisky in two small stoneware cups. He handed one to Keegan.
“Slàinte,” they said at the same time, then Keegan downed half his shot of whisky.
Dirk sipped leisurely, then eyed Keegan with a bit of devilment. “A word of advice—if you’re going to slip into a lady’s bedchamber, make sure you don’t get caught by her chaperone.”
Not amused, Keegan sent him a mock grin. “I figured she was in her own chamber, or still flirting with MacMillan in the great hall.”
“Well, thank the saints you weren’t naked,” Dirk said.
“Indeed,” Keegan muttered, taking a seat on one of the chairs. “I should’ve barred the door.”
“What was this about her father forcing you to marry her?”
“Mayhap he will. I hope.” Indeed, ’twas Keegan’s fondest wish.
Dirk dropped into the chair opposite. “Years ago, when I was a wee lad, the MacKays and that branch of the Murrays were enemies.”
A cold frisson of dread slithered through Keegan. “In truth?”
“Aye. When Da married my stepmother, that helped smooth it over because, through her mother, she was distantly related to the Murrays.”
Keegan nodded. “Now that you mention it, I remember my da talking about conflict with them many years ago, when he was a young man.”
“Aye. I’m hoping the Murray chief doesn’t get riled up again because of what’s going on with Lady Seona. Not that I fear him or his clan, but his second cousin is the Earl of Tullibardine, leader of all the Murrays. He has a massive army.”
Keegan hadn’t meant to put the whole MacKay clan in danger. But he couldn’t help falling in love with Seona. And he was glad he’d finally told her. He’d loved her for months.
“Peace is important to me,” Dirk said. “I don’t want the MacKay clan crushed because of some minor offense.”
“You mean because I’ve been caught with her?”
“That and the fact she was not able to marry the MacKay chief as her father had arranged.”
Keegan nodded. “Nor do I wish to put our clan in danger. I hope you don’t think me a fool when I say—” Hell, could he tell Dirk that he loved Seona without appearing completely mad? Dirk loved Isobel, and he’d told Keegan as much. Anyway, ’twas obvious to anyone who saw them together.
“Aye?” Dirk prompted.
“I cannot help that I love Seona, and I cannot live without her now. Surely, you of all people understand how I feel.”
“Of course, I do. I would’ve fought twenty men singlehandedly, if I’d had to, in order to keep Isobel.”
“I would do the same for Seona.”
A knock sounded at the door.
“Aye,” Dirk called.
Rebbie stuck his head in. “I thought I heard a woman’s screams.”
Dirk motioned him forward. Rebbie entered and closed the door.
“’Twas this scoundrel who caused it,” Dirk said. “He was discovered in Lady Seona’s chamber.”
“Och.” Rebbie grinned. “You are naught but a stag in rut, aye?”
Keegan’s face burned and he rolled his eyes. “’Tis not the way of it.”
“Watch him blush,” Rebbie said. “’Tis obvious he’s your cousin.”
Dirk frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Remember when you had to spend the night in that wee cottage with Isobel? The next morn you were blushing the same way.”
“You’re daft.”
“Nay. Your face was as red as your hair.” Rebbie dragged another chair forward and sat down.
“Pay him no heed,” Dirk muttered.
“So… are you going to marry the lass?” Rebbie asked.
“Indeed,” Keegan said. “If her father will allow it.”
“Well.” Rebbie sat back and crossed his arms. “I like that. A decisive man.”
Dirk nodded. “’Twould be an ideal match, if only Keegan can gain her father’s permission.”
Rebbie hissed a breath between his teeth. “Ambrose Murray is a wee cantankerous.”
“You know him?” Keegan frowned. This was news to him.
“Not well. When I was a lad, he came to our home to buy a horse from my father. They argued for half the day about the price. Murray got a bit vexed at my father, although in a veiled way. I remember him saying ‘with all due respect, my laird,’ several times. My father was the Earl of Rebbinglen at the time. ’Twas before his father passed and he gained the marquess title. And Murray was newly chief and Baron of Gillenmor.”
Isobel burst into the room. “Keegan, I cannot believe what you did.” She smacked him lightly on the arm as she passed by, like a sister might. “Seona is mortified. Lady Patience is having a fit.”
He caught a glimpse of the smile she was trying to hide, realizing she was halfway teasing. Still, his face burned. “I am sorry. ’Twas not my intent.”
“It never is,” Rebbie muttered.
“I but wished to speak with her. She’d locked herself in her room for two days. I feared she was ill. I ken you said she wasn’t,” he told Isobel. “But I had to see for myself. I also wondered if she was angry with me, or if I had offended her in some way.”
“Considering all the ruckus, I hope you had time to steal at least one kiss,” Rebbie said.
Keegan narrowed his eyes at the devilish earl. Aye, ’twas all a grand jest to him.
“He did,” Dirk said.
Rebbie smiled, then quickly sobered. “How about this? I will go with you to take her home and I’ll put in a good word with her father. I’ll tell him what an exceptional husband you will make for the lass.”
“I like the sound of that,” Keegan said. Indeed, Rebbie enjoyed needling others, but he was a good man who wished to help when he could. “Do you think he will listen?”
Rebbie shrugged. “He is no doubt a stubborn man, but I outrank him. I don’t think he will tell me to go to the devil.”
Keegan relaxed a bit. “I thank you for your offer of help.”
Aye, perhaps the earl could convince her father to see reason.
“And I thank you as well,” Dirk said. “If you two would take the stallion to her father as a gift from me, I would appreciate it.” He glanced down at his swollen calf. “With this injury, I fear traveling that far would be a problem.”
“Aye, send me to soothe Beelzebub himself while you remain here in this floral and lace bower, coddled by this lovely lass.” Rebbie waved a hand toward Isobel.
Dirk grinned. “Not to worry, my friend. One day you will have a sweet wife to see to your wounds.”
“Och. Not a wife. Nay.”
“You will need a wee Rebbinglen heir, will you not?” Keegan asked.
“Aye.” Rebbie grimaced, then shook his head. “I pity the lady they saddle me wi
th. I pity myself as well, for she may be as homely as George.”
Imagining Rebbie’s lanky servant dressed up as a woman, Keegan chuckled.
“Why do you not find your own wife?” Isobel moved to stand behind Dirk and placed her hands on his shoulders.
“Ha. Are you thinking my father would allow that?” Rebbie asked. “He’s been scheming and searching for a bride for me for at least a decade, mayhap longer. ’Tis his favorite pastime. Gushing fathers and mothers with their lasses constantly parade through his great hall, bringing him grand gifts. Why do you think I never go home? He’d find some way to leg-shackle me to one of them.”
“Well, you never know. One of them might be beautiful and sweet,” Isobel said.
Rebbie lifted a brow. “If she is, I’m certain my father would send her away. He will want me to suffer greatly for what I’ve put him through over the years.”
“All the more reason for you to start searching out a bride yourself,” she said.
Rebbie shrugged. “If I find a lady that meets all my requirements, aye.”
“And what are your requirements?” Keegan asked.
“Beautiful, buxom, sweet, accommodating, a lady… but she should also have a wild side, someone who is not too serious or aloof. Of course, my father will demand that she be from a prominent family.”
“’Tis what every man wants,” Dirk said.
“And some of you get it,” Rebbie muttered.
“I am a lucky man.” Dirk grinned, taking Isobel’s hand and kissing the back.
“Forget requirements, Rebbie,” Isobel said. “You need someone to fall in love with, who will love you back.”
“Hmph. Not all of us can live in fairy-land as you do, m’lady.”
“’Tis not fairy-land. What Dirk and I share is real.”
“Aye. I have no doubt of it. But I can count on one hand the people I know who have a marriage based on a love match. For the rest of the kingdom, marriage is a political arrangement. You got lucky. I fear I will not be.”
Keegan feared he would not be as lucky as Dirk either. And that realization was like getting gored in the stomach.
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