“Where are the Murray guards?” she whispered.
“We gifted them with three large jugs of whisky infused with poppy. They are all near passed out with drunkenness in the stables.” The smile was evident in Fraser’s voice. He walked the horse forward, taking his time so as to not create much noise. Less than a quarter hour later, they entered the village.
Fraser stopped in front of the tavern and someone strode from the shadows, their moonlit silhouette familiar.
“Keegan?” she whispered.
“Aye.” He reached up and helped her dismount. “Did you not bring extra clothing?”
“Nay.” She grasped onto the plaid at his chest. “I cannot run away tonight. I must bring my sister.”
“This will be our only opportunity,” he said, his voice urgent. “’Twill be impossible to slip you out again. Why did you not bring her?”
“I wanted to, but I couldn’t find her.”
“Saints,” he hissed.
“We must talk,” she said.
“Come.” Keegan led her toward the tavern door.
“I’ll wait out here,” Fraser said, then dismounted and moved into the shadows.
“I thank you,” Keegan said, opening the door.
Seona had never been into a tavern before, but she supposed it would be a sheltered location where she and Keegan could talk. She had to explain to him why it was so important that she bring her sister.
They entered the dim building, and if anyone was drinking in the tavern at this late hour, she didn’t see or hear them. A lantern or candle burned somewhere off to her right providing a bit of illumination.
They climbed the rickety old steps to the next floor. Keegan opened one of the doors and drew her inside the warm room.
She shoved the cowl off her head while Keegan lit a candle from the glowing hearth coals.
“Have you been staying here?” she asked, glancing around the room. She saw none of his possessions but the room seemed lived in, though the bed was neat and tidy.
“Aye, but not long.” He placed the candle upon the mantel, then added two small pieces of wood to the coals.
“Why?”
“Your father sent word by one of his servants that I was to sleep in the barracks with the guards and Rebbie. ’Tis very crowded and busy there. I needed time to think, so I rented this room.”
Seona was ashamed of how her father treated people. “I’m sorry he has been so rude to you.”
Keegan shrugged. “The important thing is we must leave tonight. We won’t be able to get all the Murray guards drunk again. Your father may punish them if he realizes they allowed you to escape. Everyone will be even more vigilant.” Keegan frowned. “What were you telling me about your sister? You couldn’t find her?”
“For the last several years, she’s had a habit of hiding in the deserted attic when she’s upset.”
“Why is she upset?”
“My father has arranged for her to marry the Comyn chief next week. He is a ruthless man who is much too old for Talia. I know marriages such as this are often arranged, but she’s only eighteen summers. And the Comyn is at least fifty. Just before we arrived, she resisted and Father beat her so badly, half her face was blue.”
“What? That bastard,” Keegan growled. “Has he struck you?”
“Not recently. But in the past, aye.”
“Damn him,” Keegan said through clenched teeth and placed a hand upon his sword hilt. His eyes were so filled with fury, she feared he might storm the castle now and hunt down her father. ’Twas exactly the reason she hadn’t told Keegan before. Not because she was trying to protect her father, but because she feared her father’s guards would slay Keegan.
Though it might be sacrilege, she didn’t care what happened to her father. What occupied her mind most was what would her father do to Talia if he found her first? He might send several of his men to scour the attic, or even the smaller lads to search the nooks and crannies. She couldn’t hide forever.
“How will I find Talia in time and get her out?” Tears burned Seona’s eyes.
“Shh.” Keegan pulled her into a warm embrace. She slipped her arms around him and laid her forehead against his shoulder. His tall, powerful body felt so wonderful and comforting. If only she could draw some of his strength into herself.
Keegan kissed the top of Seona’s head and fisted his hand in her unbound hair.
A battle rage such as Keegan had never felt pounded through his veins. He wanted to kill Chief Ambrose Murray. What was wrong with a man who would beat his beautiful young daughters? He had to be a madman.
Keegan pulled back and stared down at Seona’s hand within his, so much smaller and more delicate than his own. He kissed her slender fingers, unable to imagine how anyone would want to hurt her in any way. Aye, he knew she possessed great inner strength—she must in order to deal with her detestable father all her life. But Keegan had to protect her; ’twas his responsibility and his wish.
He’d never even seen Lady Talia, and now he knew why. “Did your father lock your sister in her chamber?”
“Aye. How did you know?” Seona gazed up at him, trust and worry in her dark blue eyes.
“I wondered why I hadn’t seen her. If her face has a great bruise on it, he’s not going to want anyone to see that.”
“Indeed. Just before I left the castle, I learned that my father had unlocked her door after supper because the bruise had faded.”
“How will we get her out of the castle?”
Maybe he could ask Rebbie or Fraser to sneak her sister out, but he couldn’t let Seona go back. There was too much of a chance her father would beat her.
“What does your sister look like?” Keegan asked.
“She looks much like me, except she has dark brown eyes.”
Keegan released her hands and stepped back. “Wait here. I’ll go see if Fraser and Rebbie can slip into the castle, find her, and bring her here.”
“’Twould be wonderful, but very dangerous for them should my father discover them.”
“They live for danger.” Keegan sent her a smirk, hoping she would stop worrying so much.
“Very well. Two of the maids, Abigail and Beth, are looking for Talia in the attic right now. I told them to bring her to her chamber or mine when they find her.”
Keegan nodded, then hurried down the stairs and outside. “Fraser?”
“Aye.” He stepped from the shadows of the building.
“I need for you or Rebbie, or both of you if possible, to steal into the castle and find Seona’s younger sister, Talia. Chief Murray beat her recently, leaving her face black and blue. We have to rescue her, too, or he may beat her again. Or worse.”
“Damn the man,” Fraser muttered. “I agree.”
“She has a tendency to hide from her father in the deserted attic. Two maids named Abigail and Beth are searching for her there now. Talia resembles Seona, except Talia has brown eyes.”
“We’ll find her.” Fraser mounted and headed back to the castle.
***
Seona awaited Keegan in the inn’s chamber, praying Rebbie or Fraser could indeed find Talia and bring her here before it was too late. She worried for her sister’s safety more than her own.
Keegan entered the room, closed the door, and locked it with a large key. “He said he would do it.”
“Oh, I hope they can find her. I thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
The candle and the fire burned brightly, the orange glow illuminating Keegan’s striking face and gilding his hair. She drank in the appealing sight of him, wanting so badly to touch him. To kiss him and show him her gratitude.
“When they find her and bring her here, where will we go?” she asked.
Keegan knelt at the hearth and placed another stick of wood on the fire. “We’ll go south with a small group of MacKay guards. The MacKenzies will head back to Teasairg to tell Dirk what’s happened. The remaining MacKays will return to Dunnakeil as quickl
y as possible to prepare the clan and castle for a possible attack from your father. Hopefully, once he knows you’re not there, he’ll leave.”
“This is terrible,” she whispered, her stomach aching. “I never wanted to endanger your clan. I love them like mine own.”
“I ken it. I wish you’d told me earlier about your father beating your sister.”
“I figured if you knew that, you’d also assume—rightly—that my father has beaten me in the past. I feared you might retaliate against him, putting your own life in danger.”
He stood and faced her, frowning. “You were trying to protect me by leaving yourself in danger?”
“I suppose I was.”
“Seona.” He shook his head. “I don’t need protecting. I’m the protector.”
“But you are not immortal,” she said fiercely, tears burning her eyes. “I love you, and I could never live with myself if you were hurt or… killed because of me.”
“Lass.” He moved forward and drew her close. She loved the way his strong arms tightened about her, surrounding her with protection. She felt safer than ever before. He kissed the top of her head, and his affection flowed sweetly through her.
Oh, why could he not be hers?
Sliding her arms around his neck, she rose on tiptoes and kissed his prickly chin. He bent and captured her mouth with his own. All thoughts scattered from her mind. His lips were so warm and firm, yet also silky soft. Gentle, yet forceful. And his tongue was erotic seduction itself. He tasted of virile male, spiced wine and apples.
Desire for him burned through her and passion exploded like a lightning bolt. His hands cupped her derriere, tugging her closer, tight against his hard shaft. He felt so divine, she couldn’t stop herself from rubbing against him. A scorching tingle shot through her, inciting an ache in her lower belly. Somehow, she knew he could relieve the feverish need he always stirred up within her.
“I want you, Keegan,” she whispered against his mouth.
He moaned and gave her another deep kiss.
She drew back an inch. “You must show me what love means between a man and a woman.”
“Saints, Seona,” he hissed. “You drive me mad with your teasing.”
“I am not teasing,” she said most firmly. “I want you to… show me how to please you… in bed. I want you to take me.”
He growled and closed his eyes, his jaw clenching so tightly the muscle in his cheek flexed. After drawing in a deep breath, he opened his eyes. “I need for you to do something first.”
“What?”
His blue gaze burned into hers. “Marry me.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
All the breath left Seona as she stared into the azure flame of Keegan’s eyes for a long, heart-stopping moment. Marry me, he had said.
“Now?” she asked.
“Aye. Right now.” He dug into his sporran and brought out a gold band. “I went to Inverness yesterday and bought this ring for you, for when we marry. I ken we cannot legally wed without a priest or minister and witnesses, but what matters most are the vows between us, even if spoken in secret. To me, that would be real. You would become my wife, in the ancient way.”
She nodded, tears in her eyes, her heart so filled with love and joy she could scarce contain it.
“You agree?” he asked.
“Aye. I want to marry you, Keegan.” Even if it was a marriage her father wouldn’t recognize… to her it would be a true marriage. The only one she would ever have. Keegan as her husband was what she wanted most in the world.
“Good.” Keegan pulled in a deep breath and drew her to stand facing him before the hearth where the firelight was brighter. His face told her many things—that he was suddenly a wee bit nervous, but then, so was she. Terrified, in fact. But it was time to grab hold of what she wanted and never let go. The sincere devotion in his intense gaze made her fall even harder for him.
“Lady Seona Murray,” he murmured, his voice deep and strong. “You are the stars in the sky, the warm and bright sun upon my face, the wine I drink, the air I breathe. And I love you.” Lifting her left hand, he kissed her ring finger then slid the gold band upon it. “With this ring, I thee wed. I vow to protect you and cherish you the whole of my life. I shall always be faithful unto you. I take you for my wife.”
Though she tried to hold back, Seona burst into tears.
He drew her close and kissed her forehead. “Shh.”
“That was so beautiful, Keegan,” she whispered. How on earth could she find words of equal beauty to tell him how she felt?
Forcing her emotions under control, she wiped the tears away and stood back. Gazing up into his eyes, she knew she had to be the luckiest woman in the world. “Keegan MacKay,” she began.
He nodded, a hint of a smile taking away his serious expression.
She swallowed hard. “You are the most honorable and noble of men. Strong and steadfast… the rock I cling to in the storm. I admire you, trust you, and love you more than I could’ve ever dreamed possible. You bring me joy and happiness such as I have never known. And I vow to forever love and cherish you. I shall always be faithful to you only. I take you for my husband.”
His smile broadened, then he kissed her lips. “You have made me the happiest man on earth,” he whispered. “I’m never letting you go, Seona.”
“I don’t want you to.” She slid her hands ’round his neck and into his silky hair. “You are mine.”
***
Seona’s pleading expression told Keegan she needed him in the worst way. In the same way he needed her.
He lowered his head and kissed her lips, her sweet taste and warm breath seducing him instantly. “I could devour every inch of you,” he said, then deepened the kiss.
Her arms clasped him tight around his neck. His hands at her hips, he lifted her, relishing the feel of her slight body and feminine curves plastered to him.
He loved her and wanted her intensely, yet he’d restrained himself during each sensual encounter. But not this time.
She ground herself against his erect shaft, sending jolts of pleasure and yearning through him. When she spread her legs and wrapped them around his waist, he near lost his mind. Next thing he knew, he was laying atop her on the bed, his shaft against her crotch. Layers of clothing separated them.
He dug through her skirts. Finally, he reached the silken skin of her thigh above her stocking. His fingertips traced upward.
Slow… take it slow.
He made a fist, restraining himself. Hell, he’d touched her in more carnal ways before, but this time he knew he couldn’t stop. He didn’t want to hurt her or frighten her.
“Keegan, please,” she gasped, tugging at his belt buckle. He caught her hand, halting her. “Make love to me,” she whispered.
He growled, wishing he had more control. Wishing he did not crave her so powerfully.
“I want to feel your hot, naked skin against mine,” she whispered. “’Tis what I dream of.”
Saints! What an image she put into his head. “’Tis what I dream of, too, lass.”
When she pulled at his kilt, drawing the plaid upward, something in him refused to stop her. Arousal blazed a trail through him, burning away his restraint. And when her soft fingertips brushed up his bare thigh to his shaft, he groaned.
Launching into action, he unclasped his belt and in seconds threw off his plaid, shirt, and weapons, then kicked off his boots. Next, he removed her belt and arisaid. The linen of her smock ripped.
“Damn,” he muttered, struggling to unwrap her from all her clothing. Finally, she was nude, the firelight dancing off her pale curves. His chest constricted, seizing his breath. But then he noticed, on her forearm, she still wore the leather sheath and knife he’d given her. The sight of it only aroused him more, told him she was his.
Lying beside her, he traced his fingers along her warm silken skin. “You are delectable,” he said.
“Nay, you are,” she breathed, her gaze trailing down his chest
and abdomen to his erection. Her eyes wide, she bit her lip.
“You are not afraid, are you?” he asked, knowing some women did fear men’s bodies… and their first time.
Her sincere gaze met his. “Nay. Of course not. I love you and trust you more than anyone.”
His heart near burst from his chest with love for this woman. And when she grazed her fingertips lightly along his rock-hard shaft, showing him how much she wanted him, lust stormed through him.
Moving over her, one of his knees between hers, he brushed his lips over her beaded nipple, then drew the sweet morsel into his mouth. “Mmm.” He couldn’t resist tasting the other one, too, swirling his tongue around it, sucking it into his mouth.
“Keegan,” she whispered. Her hands tangled in his hair, pulling it, holding his head near, her hips lifting toward him. Seeing how much she wanted him, despite her innocence, fired his blood. But he had to take it slow.
“You must relax, Seona.”
“I am. I want you. Please,” she said against his mouth, then licked his lips. Arousal jolted through his shaft.
Between her thighs, he sat back on his knees and skimmed his hands from her ankles, upward along her inner thighs, spreading them more. When he reached the top, he stroked his thumbs gently along her nether lips, incredibly wet and swollen. “So good.”
She gasped and thrust her hips toward him.
With one thumb, he circled that sweet feminine nub that was so inflamed and drenched, it near drove him mad. She cried out his name and words he couldn’t understand. Tears glistened at the corners of her eyes.
Leaning over her, he pressed a kiss to her mouth. “I don’t want to hurt you but I fear I will.”
“Nay. Take me, Keegan… my husband.”
A strange primal urge overcame him. Aye, she was his wife. His woman. He must make her his in every way, even though it would hurt. He would try to ease her pain and make it better.
He had to have her now. No more waiting.
He stroked the tip of his shaft up and down along the moist folds of her sex. Saints, he loved the slick feel of her. The more he stroked, the wilder she became, wriggling, thrashing this way and that.
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