“Hell,” Keegan muttered.
Rebbie, Fraser and Dermott launched into action, each of them engaging one of the guards, while two charged Keegan. Dodging out of the way, he grabbed a stoneware jug from a nearby table and knocked one on the head. He collapsed to the floor. When the other switched direction and came back for him, Keegan ran him through with his sword. Then shoved him down onto Murray. Keegan kicked the dying guard’s sword away, then grabbed his dirk. Glancing around to see who else might be on the attack, he found the other three either knocked out or dead on the floor. None of them moved.
“You lads are lethal,” Keegan said, battle rage still coursing through his veins.
Murray struggled from underneath the dead guard and surveyed the scene. His eyes grew wide and his mouth hung open when he looked up at Keegan. Was the man ready to beg for his life? He appeared on the verge. Never had Keegan felt such a sense of victory. But he wouldn’t kill Seona’s father while she watched, unless he had to. It might prove too much for her to handle.
“Anyone have rope? We’ll tie him up,” Keegan said. “Them, too.” He motioned to the three guards who still showed signs of life. “They’ll awaken eventually.”
Keegan turned to Seona. “Tell your sister to come out of the storeroom. We’re leaving.”
Seona banged on the door with renewed vigor. “Talia, come out. Keegan and his friends are taking us. We’re running away.”
“You damned blackguard,” Murray seethed as Fraser tied his hands behind his back. “I will see you dead! All of you!”
“Do you remember who my father is?” Rebbie asked.
Murray merely glowered up at him.
“In case you’ve forgotten, he’s the Marquess of Kilverntay. And, trust me, he has the king’s ear. I would hate for you to lose this glorious estate.”
“Dare you threaten me, you—?”
Fraser forced a gag into Murray’s mouth, then tied it behind his head.
“I’m glad you shut him up,” Rebbie muttered.
Keegan turned to see Seona and a dark-haired lass who resembled her a great deal standing with their arms around each other. “Are you both ready to leave this place?”
“Aye.” They nodded, eyes wide with eagerness.
Happiness replacing his battle rage, Keegan smiled.
After the four of them dragged Murray and his men into the storeroom, then pilfered some supplies, they headed out the back door and mounted. Seona rode behind Keegan and Talia behind Fraser.
The MacKay and MacKenzie guards awaiting them outside joined them. Keegan could only assume the rest of Murray’s men were either still passed out from the whisky or suffering headaches and sickness from overindulging. Of course, the ones who’d sustained injuries during their earlier sword fights had likely gone back to the castle for the healer’s assistance.
“Murray and his men will give chase once the tavern keeper discovers them tied up,” Dermott said, riding beside him.
“Aye,” Keegan said. “We’ll ride north for a while to throw them off our trail.”
“’Tis a good plan,” Rebbie said.
“But we do need to turn west again soon and head back to Teasairg,” Dermott said. “Cyrus has a large force of men and the MacKenzies will be glad to help.”
“I appreciate it, Dermott,” Keegan said.
If they could’ve slipped away during the night, they would’ve split up and gone three different directions as planned, but now Keegan thought it best they all stick together because they didn’t have much lead time.
During the morning, they stopped once to rest the horses and to eat the tough brown bread and hard yellow cheese they’d lifted from the storeroom. But they didn’t tarry too long. They wanted to make good time. Since they were circling around, it would take longer to reach Dornie.
Mid-afternoon, as they rode along a ridge with wide views all around, one of the guards spied a group of riders following in the distance about a half mile back.
“Damnation! They’ve caught up,” Rebbie said.
“Aye, but they’ll not get the ladies back.” Keegan glanced around, spying a crofter’s whitewashed cottage down a short incline and hidden from the view of those approaching. He dismounted and helped Seona to the ground. “Come. Bring Lady Talia.” Keegan motioned to Fraser. “MacMillan and Boyce, come with us.” The two most trusted MacKay guards and Fraser would protect the women should any of the Murrays get past them. He hastened toward the cottage with Seona and knocked on the rough wood door.
A crofter’s wife opened the door, her eyes wide.
“These two ladies, my wife and her sister, need to hide within your cottage, with these three men acting as guards. You will be rewarded for your help. Do you agree?”
“Aye.” She stepped back and Keegan entered first. The only other person in the cottage was a young lass.
“Fraser, Boyce, MacMillan, protect them with your lives.”
“Aye. You ken we will,” Fraser assured him.
“Keegan?” Seona tugged at his plaid sash, and stared up at him with concern.
“You’ll be safe in here. Don’t fash yourself,” he told her.
“I’m not worried about me. ’Tis you that concerns me.”
“I’ll be fine, of course. Do you not ken I’m a warrior?” Forcing a grin for her sake, he kissed her lips quickly and headed toward the door. “Bar the door when I leave.”
“Aye,” Fraser agreed. “Come back in one piece.”
***
Oh heavens! Seona prayed Keegan would be safe as he faced her father and his men.
“I’ll stand outside the door and alert you if anyone approaches,” Boyce said.
“Aye,” Fraser said. Once the cottage door closed behind the guard, Fraser turned to them. “Have a seat, ladies, and try to remain calm. All will be well, I’m certain.”
Seona led Talia to a bench by the fire.
“What was this about you being married?” Talia whispered. “I heard Father shout married just before the clamorous noise in the tavern.”
“Aye.” Seona held out her left hand, the gold band gleaming in the firelight. “We said secret and private vows. Though Father may not recognize it as a legal marriage, Keegan and I do. And as soon as we can, we will marry in a church.”
“Oh, Seona.” Talia embraced her tightly. “I’m so glad you rebelled and followed your heart.”
“Aye, well, I couldn’t give him up. I love Keegan more than I ever thought possible.”
“He is a handsome man,” Talia said, then glanced at Fraser, pacing before the door.
“Are you talking about Keegan or Fraser?”
“What? Keegan, of course,” she hissed.
“Come now, sister,” Seona whispered in a teasing tone. “You must admit Fraser is a handsome man.”
“Well, of course he is, but… what of it? I’ve seen many handsome men before.”
“Oh, you have? I didn’t realize you were so worldly.”
“Cousin Genevieve had feasts and dances. I met a few handsome men.”
“Do tell.”
“There is naught worth telling.”
When Talia’s gaze wandered back to Fraser, Seona knew precisely what her sister was experiencing. Obviously, she was intrigued by Fraser, his tall, lean, muscular body. A blue-eyed, black-haired devil with a quick, charming smile. Any lass with eyes would be drawn to him.
Seona simply prayed her own blue-eyed charming husband would be safe.
***
Keegan joined the MacKays and MacKenzie’s at the top of the hill, all of them on foot. Rebbie’s pistol glinted in the sunlight. Holding targes before them, all the men formed a line, awaiting the approaching Murrays. Keegan fully expected bloodshed.
“Archers, ready yourselves,” Keegan yelled. “They could have pistols.”
As the riders drew closer, Keegan recognized Chief Murray, traveling at the front and center of twenty other men. Their numbers were about even. Besides, each of the MacKays and
MacKenzies could easily take out two men.
The Murrays halted a hundred feet away.
“What have you done with my daughters, you knave?” Murray shouted.
“They are safe from you,” Keegan yelled back. “You should be ashamed of yourself, abusing the young ladies, leaving their faces black and blue.”
“They are my daughters and I will deal with them as I see fit! ’Tis none of your concern.”
“I made it my concern.”
“We all have,” Rebbie said. “I’ll be reporting you to higher authorities for violently punishing your daughters for no reason. You will find yourself in the tolbooth.”
Murray’s face reddened but he held his tongue. Rebbie was the only man here Murray respected and feared. Could he talk him into backing away? Murray slowly ran his gaze over each one. Abruptly, he drew his sword and brandished it overhead. “Kill them!” he commanded his men.
Keegan tensed, hoping the chief would challenge him personally.
A few of Murray’s clansmen hesitated, appearing startled by his words. Others pulled out their swords.
The MacKays and MacKenzies did the same, the swishing of metal blades against leather scabbards sounded ominous in the Highland breeze.
Two pistol shots exploded. Arrows whizzed through the air and thunked against targes. Metal clanged and horses neighed.
One of Murray’s personal bodyguards charged Keegan on foot, slashing his blade this way and that. A surge of battle-lust pounded through his veins, making him relish the challenge. Glad to see he was taller and outweighed his opponent by a couple of stone, Keegan easily deflected his blade and launched a counterattack. After a few more parries and thrusts, Keegan’s blade stabbed through the man’s leather armor and into his chest. He fell to the ground, screaming.
Saints! Keegan turned and noticed that three other enemies had already been felled.
“Retreat!” commanded a younger man who sat on a horse beside Murray.
Some of the Murray clansmen turned tail and ran, while others kept fighting.
“Are you mad, Malcolm?” Murray yelled at him. “Why are you not fighting?”
“Why are you not, uncle?”
Chief Murray charged into the fray on horseback. Malcolm simply shook his head and remained where he was. He was Murray’s nephew? Why was he not helping his clansmen?
Chief Murray struck two ineffectual blows at one of the MacKay guards, then directed his horse toward Keegan, attempting to trample him into the ground. Keegan leapt out of the way, then slashed his sword across Murray’s leg. The man yelled out. Blood saturated his trews.
“Bastard!” He turned around, his horse rearing and pawing the air. The more Murray tried to draw the animal under control and head it back toward Keegan, the more unruly it became.
Clearly, the horse was not a trained warhorse, but some fancy expensive breed intended for pleasure riding or racing.
The horse screamed and bolted.
Murray shouted, yanking on the reins. The animal bucked, tossing him into the air. Murray turned a flip and crashed to the ground.
“Saints,” Rebbie muttered. “That must have hurt.”
The old man didn’t move.
Malcolm rode to where he’d landed and swung down. Murray’s other clansmen ran toward him, a few of them falling to their knees around him. Others shouted. One headed back toward the MacKays.
“Halt!” Malcolm yelled, and the man obeyed. ’Twas a good thing or he would’ve been a dead man. All was silent. Still, the old man didn’t move.
Malcolm stood, muttered something to his clansmen, then strode toward Keegan.
“Ready yourselves,” Keegan told those closest to him and gripped his sword tighter.
The man stopped ten paces away. “Chief Murray is dead.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chief Murray is dead. Malcolm, around thirty summers with dark hair and dark eyes, had uttered the words calmly. Keegan had expected a mad attack, but nothing about this man appeared threatening. He had not drawn his sword or any weapon.
Speechless, Keegan eyed him for a few moments. “I’m sorry to hear it,” he finally said, though ’twas a lie.
“I’m not. The man was a monstrous bastard.”
What the devil? Keegan frowned and sent Rebbie an inquiring glance. Had they both heard the same thing? “Are you Chief Murray’s nephew?” Keegan asked.
“Aye. And his heir. I’m Malcolm Murray.” He approached and offered his hand.
Keegan hesitated, wondering if this was a trick. Watching Malcolm closely, he sheathed his broadsword but kept his dirk and targe in his left hand, ready for use.
Keegan shook his hand.
“Are you the one who married Seona?” Malcolm asked, stepping back.
“Aye.”
“I admire you for standing up to him and rescuing Seona. Talia, too. For years, I feared that he would kill them before they ever married and escaped him. We all believe he killed their mother, though there is no proof. I tried to help the girls, but he wouldn’t allow me to live at the castle nor even visit very often. Needless to say, we didn’t get along. Where are the ladies, by the way?” Malcolm asked, glancing around.
Going on gut instinct, he believed Malcolm was telling the truth. “In the cottage.” Keegan motioned with his head.
“I’d like to have a word with them before they go.”
Keegan was again stunned. “You don’t mind if we take them?”
He shook his head. “Whatever they want. They’ve endured years of torture from that brute. They deserve some happiness. If they wish to stay at Gillenmor, they are welcome. Or they can go with you. Since you’ve married Seona, you will be glad to know she has a generous dowry, including land.”
Land? Saints! Keegan was almost afraid to believe ’twas true. Not that the land mattered; all he wanted was Seona. But he had never imagined being a landowner.
“Let’s go talk to them.” He and Malcolm moved toward the cottage. Keegan intended to stay close at hand in the event this was a trick and Malcolm meant the ladies harm. But he didn’t think that was the case.
Boyce stood outside. He banged at the door before Keegan arrived.
Fraser opened it and stepped out, eying Keegan and the newcomer. “Is the fighting over?”
“Aye,” Keegan said. “This is the ladies’ cousin, Malcolm Murray. He wishes to speak to them for a minute.”
Fraser frowned. “Is he trustworthy?”
“I believe he is.”
“Do you think I’m mad enough to try something with all of you so close at hand?” Malcolm raised a brow, appearing almost amused.
Fraser disappeared back inside, then brought Seona and Talia out.
“Malcolm! You are here? I thought you were away in Edinburgh,” Seona said.
“I was, but I returned a week ago.” He took each of their hands, his face solemn. “Pray pardon, ladies, but I have sad news. Your da is dead. His horse bolted and threw him. His head hit a rock.”
Their mouths dropped open. Keegan took Seona’s other hand, hoping to comfort her. But no tears welled in either lady’s eyes. And he could certainly understand that.
“You are chief now,” Talia said to Malcolm.
“Aye.”
“What do you intend to do with us?” Seona watched him warily.
He shrugged. “Allow you to do whatever you wish. You ken I never liked the way your da treated you.”
“In truth?” Seona asked.
“Aye. I understand you’ve already eloped with this unruly MacKay lad.” Malcolm grinned.
“I did.” Seona smiled at Keegan, her face turning pink. And his heart did a wee somersault.
“Well, then, congratulations.” Malcolm kissed both her cheeks.
“And you won’t make me marry that old Comyn chief?” Talia asked, her eyes wide with hope.
Malcolm scowled. “Of course not. I have a better way to deal with that cattle thief than giving him my cousin to abuse.”
>
Talia threw herself into his arms and hugged him, tears streaming from her eyes. “I thank you, cousin.”
Seona also hugged him. “Aye. Thank you, Malcolm.”
He stood back, grinning. “You are both welcome.”
Although Keegan would have preferred to take Seona toward Dornie immediately, he knew ’twould be best if she said her goodbyes to her clan and they waited until after her father’s funeral. That way, her clan and kin would not question her honor.
After giving the crofter woman all the silver coins he possessed as a reward for her help, Keegan led Seona several feet away to talk in private. “I think we should go back to Gillenmor until after your father’s funeral.”
She nodded, staring down at their linked hands.
“I’m sorry about your father,” he said.
“In one way I am, but in another, I’m not. I’m sad that he never loved us and that he but wanted to use us as pawns to appease his enemies. I’m also sad that he never regretted any of the horrible things he did. But I am glad now that I no longer need his permission to be with you.” Happiness shone in her dark blue eyes.
Keegan grinned. “We can marry in a church now, legal.”
“Aye.”
He leaned forward and kissed her lips. He couldn’t help himself. Several of his clansmen on the hill above yelled out ribald comments.
He pulled back and chuckled at Seona’s red face. “You will have to get used to those rogues.”
***
Two days after Chief Murray’s funeral, Keegan, Seona, Talia, Malcolm, Rebbie, Fraser, Dermott and a couple more slipped off to a small kirk near a neighboring village a few miles away.
In her heart, she was already Keegan’s wife, but ’twas best to also be married by a member of the clergy. She and Keegan wanted their marriage to be legally recognized without question.
The whole Murray clan was not invited. There was unrest among the clansmen because of the former chief’s death, and Malcolm was still reining in the more unruly ones.
But he’d made it clear to her that he wished to see her legally wed before she departed. Her dowry was eight-thousand merks in gold and silver coins, four horses, since Malcolm said he didn’t need all the expensive horses her father had collected. He planned to sell most of them anyway. And a hundred acres of farm land, here, bordering Malcolm’s holdings. There was no castle on it, only a few cottages, but the crops would provide some income.
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