“Ten, counting us.”
“We’ll not count you,” Cyrus said. “Because you’re no longer a part of the gang.”
“Aye, well. We’re glad to be out,” Neil said. Clearly he was lying and only trying to appease them. “He said he would hire more men when he moved east.”
“Why east?” Keegan asked.
“’Tis where the lady will be taken… back to her home. Near Inverness.”
Hell. Haldane knew their plans. ’Twas probably obvious to him Seona would have to be returned to her father since she didn’t marry the MacKay chief. And Haldane obviously knew where their branch of the Murrays was from.
They could expect more ambushes and attacks as they escorted Seona home. ’Slud! He couldn’t expose her to that danger.
“Where will Haldane lie in wait?” Keegan asked.
“We know not. We’re not from this area.”
Once they were finished questioning the two men, Cyrus had them taken to the dungeon.
Keegan ground his teeth. “I want to go out and hunt down Haldane. Now,” he told Dirk and the other men. “I don’t want to start east with Seona while Haldane and his men are still a threat to her.”
Dirk nodded. “’Twould be best to take care of him beforehand.”
“I agree with you,” Cyrus said. “I ken these hills and mountains like the back of my hand.” He nodded toward the north. “I ken where all the hidey-holes are. I’ll line up more men and we’ll head out in a quarter hour.”
***
A knock sounded at Seona’s door late that evening. ’Twas almost dark, but she hadn’t left her room after her aunt had threatened to tell her father about her and Keegan…. and how Graham MacSween had died.
Seona had to stay away from Keegan.
She prayed ’twas not him knocking at her door now, for she knew not how to tell him to stay away from her. ’Twould break her heart.
Seona approached the door. “Who is it?”
“Isobel.”
Seona should’ve guessed her friend would wonder why she’d missed supper. Millie had brought her a tray. Even so, Seona had eaten little. She was sick knowing she had to give up Keegan, the only bright spot in her life.
Bracing herself for a multitude of questions, she opened the door.
Her gaze concerned, Isobel entered and closed the door. “Are you ill?”
“Nay. I simply… didn’t feel like being with a lot of people.”
Searching her eyes, Isobel nodded. “Keegan and most of the men went out looking for Haldane and his gang.”
“What? Haldane is here?” Saints! Even now, Keegan could be in danger.
“Aye, when the men were deer stalking, they ran upon the outlaws in the wood. They captured two of them and got information. Haldane is still bent on kidnapping you. So, the men decided to take care of the threat.”
Her throat tightening, Seona shook her head. “Keegan is risking his life for me. And he shouldn’t. He’s such a good and honorable man.” She felt unworthy.
Isobel led her toward the fireplace and they sat on the padded bench before it. “Aye. That’s what a man does when he loves a woman.”
Emotion caught in Seona’s throat and emerged as a sob. Overcome with the sudden and sharp emotions, she covered her face with her hands. “He shouldn’t do it,” she forced the words out past her constricted throat. “He should not risk his life for me.”
“I doubt anyone could stop him.” Isobel rubbed her shoulder in a comforting manner. “What is wrong, Seona? Why were you not at supper?”
Swallowing back the emotion and blotting a handkerchief against her eyes, she shook her head. “My aunt saw Keegan giving me flowers. I must stop seeing him. I fear my father will kill him if he has half a chance. Aunt Patience thinks Keegan has… compromised me, and she’s going to tell my father if I don’t stay away from him.”
“What a meddling battleax,” Isobel muttered.
“Aye. I agree. I care for Keegan too much to put his life in danger.”
“Well, I know he cares for you, too.” Isobel patted her hand.
“Last year, I merely danced with a man named Graham MacSween. My father deemed him ‘not good enough’ and had his men beat him horribly. My aunt just told me today that someone murdered MacSween shortly after. My father probably sent his men to do the horrid deed. They made it look like a thief killed him in Inverness.”
Isobel’s mouth dropped open. “Saints! In truth?”
“I’ve never known my aunt to tell a lie. And she didn’t know for certain my father had it done. But knowing him like I do, I wouldn’t put it past him.”
Isobel shook her head and appeared in deep thought. “I wish there was some way to get you away from your father so you and Keegan could be together. You could come live at Dunnakeil.”
Seona’s heart ached for that would be her fondest wish. “I would love that, but I fear ’tis impossible. I must go home for my sister. I fear Father will beat her if she talks back to him.”
Isobel frowned. “Has he beaten you?”
“Aye.” Seona had never talked to anyone about this, other than her aunt or the people back home who knew about it. “He’s hit me several times. Sometimes for no true reason other than he was angry and I happened to be there.”
“’Slud!” Isobel muttered, her face tightening. “I had no idea he was so brutal. Does Keegan know this?”
“Nay. And you must not tell him. You know he would do something drastic and put his own life in terrible danger.”
Isobel nodded. “Keegan is a lot like Dirk. Neither of them would stand for such injustice and abuse, especially to someone they care about. You must get away from your father.”
“I had hoped to marry a decent man who was not cruel and bring my sister to live with me.”
“’Tis a good plan.”
“It isn’t too much to ask, is it?”
Isobel put an arm around Seona’s shoulders and gave her a comforting hug. “Nay, of course not. Not only do you deserve a good man, but also a man who loves you.”
“That would be a dream come true, of course. But I doubt that I’ll be as lucky as you are.”
If only she could be. The image she had in her mind of being married to Keegan was so beautiful it brought tears to her eyes.
“Indeed, you might be luckier than anyone,” Isobel said. “It can’t hurt to imagine it. And it will give you comfort.”
“I’m not certain of that. ’Tis something I’ll likely never have, so why imagine it might come true? I would only be torturing myself.”
“I disagree. Last year, I thought I would have to marry another man I didn’t care for, but I didn’t. I stopped thinking of Torrin. I could think of naught but Dirk after he rescued me and took me to Dunnakeil. I couldn’t help falling for him or thinking about him all the time.”
“Aye, but your older brother is far more lenient than my father. Besides, Dirk is a chief. Your brother knew he was suitable for you. Keegan is not a chief, but I… that doesn’t matter to me.”
“Of course it doesn’t matter. He isn’t exactly penniless. He’s Dirk’s tanist. ’Tis the highest position within the clan, aside from chief. Keegan will have a good income, and he is welcome to live at Dunnakeil always. As is the woman he marries.”
Seona’s face burned for she truly wished to be the woman he married. But the reality was, each time she talked to Keegan, and especially when she kissed him, she was putting his life more and more in danger. Especially if he was the one who took her home. But she knew not how to convince him to stay here and allow someone else to escort her home.
“You must not reveal to Keegan what I’ve told you,” Seona said. “Promise me.”
“If you will tell him,” Isobel said. “He deserves to know everything you’ve told me.”
Seona shook her head. “If he knows what kind of man my father is, that he is abusive and violent and probably even a murderer, Keegan may not allow me to go back. You ken as well as I do that could have terrib
le consequences. It could mean a clan war. My sister could be in danger. And Keegan, most of all, would be in danger.”
Chapter Seventeen
Two nights later, Keegan and the other men dragged into the great hall of Teasairg Castle just as supper was ending. They had searched endlessly for Haldane and his outlaws over much of MacKenzie territory for miles around. Keegan was hellishly annoyed none of them could be found.
His gaze scanning the great hall for Lady Seona but not locating her, Keegan strode toward high table, then slumped into a straight wooden chair beside Dirk. Keegan wanted to immediately ask where Seona was, but didn’t want the others to ken how much he thought about her. The servants rushed to bring the newcomers food, which Keegan appreciated greatly for he was near starved.
“Let me guess—you saw neither hide nor hair of Haldane,” Dirk said.
“You have the right of it. We climbed mountains on foot and searched more glens than I can count,” Keegan said. “We took a galley to the end of Loch Duich and searched part of Glen Shiel, while some of the MacKenzies took another galley up Loch Long. The bastards have vanished.”
“Hell,” Dirk muttered. “McMurdo has taught them to be as cunning and illusive as he is. They could be lying in the bracken somewhere and ’twould be easy to walk right past them.”
“Aye.” Keegan sighed. “Or they may have left the area. ’Haps they went east to await us at the edge of Murray’s holdings.”
“That’s a good possibility,” Dirk said. “Damnation, I want to be out there searching with you lads.”
“Not until you’re recovered. How’s your leg?” Keegan asked, digging into the trencher of venison stew the servant placed before him.
“Improving.”
Isobel, sitting on Dirk’s other side, leaned forward. “What he neglected to tell you is that he still has fevers sometimes, especially at night. And look how swollen it is, Keegan.”
“Och. I’m getting better,” Dirk muttered.
“Aye, you are better than you were,” Isobel agreed.
Keegan drank a long swallow of heather ale. “You must take care of yourself, cousin.”
“I am. And I have the best healer in the world.” Dirk put his arm around Isobel and drew her closer.
She smiled and kissed his cheek.
Saints. Keegan missed Seona. He could use a kiss from her right now. Though he’d need a bath and a change of clothes first. And some privacy, away from her aunt, who sat further down the table, talking to MacMillan.
“Where is Lady Seona?” Keegan asked in a low tone, making sure her aunt couldn’t hear. With all the noise in the great hall, ’twas doubtful she would hear him even if he asked in a loud voice, but he didn’t want to take any chances.
Both Dirk and Isobel merely looked at him for a long moment. Finally, Isobel said, “In her bedchamber.”
Alarm rushed through Keegan, not because of Isobel’s words but because of the somber look in her eyes. “Is something wrong?”
“Nay,” Isobel said, glancing away.
She was lying or being evasive. What was she hiding?
“’Tis only that Lady Seona has not been to any meals since the one we had outside,” Dirk said.
What?
Isobel poked Dirk in the ribs and gave him a severe frown.
Dirk caught her hand. “Well, ’tis true.”
“Has anyone seen her?” Keegan demanded, imagining the worst. Had she slipped out and run away?
“Aye, Keegan. Calm yourself,” Isobel said. “I’ve talked to her several times in her chamber.”
“And?” He waited, anticipation near consuming him.
“She is not ill. She simply doesn’t want to be around a lot of people. She is a private person who prefers spending time alone, sometimes.” Isobel shrugged.
Keegan frowned, knowing full well Isobel was behaving strangely. Aye, Seona was a quiet lass who didn’t mind being alone, but he’d never noticed her avoiding meals. Was it simply because he hadn’t been there? Or something else?
Isobel was keeping a secret, and he intended to find out what it was. “Are you saying she hasn’t been out of her room for two days?”
“I don’t know if she has or not,” Isobel said with a neutral expression.
Irritation welled up inside Keegan’s chest. “Is she eating?”
“Aye. The maids take her food.”
“Isobel said she was worried about you going after Haldane.” The look in Dirk’s eyes said he understood the turmoil and worry Keegan felt.
The idea that Seona was worried about him eased Keegan’s mind a bit. Maybe the anxiety had gotten the best of her and that was why she wanted to be alone.
He had to see Seona. Would Isobel help him with that as she’d done in the past? Something had changed, and he didn’t like it.
After the meal, he asked the servants to bring him a bath, then proceeded to his small bedchamber in the same wing as the MacKenzie brothers’. Once Keegan had bathed and put on clean clothing, he proceeded through the castle, trying to think of a place where he and Seona might talk in private. Though it was late, the castle was still abuzz with activity.
He proceeded up the steps to the corridor where Seona’s chamber was. If he ran into anyone, his excuse would be that he was going to talk to Dirk, whose chamber was a couple doors down. But luckily, no one was about in this part of the castle. He hurried to Seona’s door and knocked lightly.
As the silence extended, the foreboding inside him grew darker.
Isobel had told him Seona wasn’t ill. She simply wished to be alone. But he knew something was wrong. Had he offended her in some way? Angered her?
He knocked again, a bit harder.
“Who is it?” Seona asked from the other side of the door.
He released his held breath. The sound of her voice both calmed him and excited him at the same time.
“’Tis me. Keegan,” he said, low, then glanced back along the empty corridor.
Staring at the door again, he waited for her to open it. But it remained closed.
“Seona?” he asked “Are you ill?”
“Nay.”
“Why won’t you leave your bedchamber?” He had not considered it might be that time of the month for her. But surely if this was the case, she would at least pretend to be ill.
“I cannot see you again,” she said, her voice strained and barely audible.
“What?” Surely, he’d misheard, but still… her words sent a shock of confusion and denial through him. “Why would you say such a thing?” he asked, trying to keep his voice down.
“’Tis dangerous, Keegan. My father is a cruel man.”
Hell. She had been crying. He heard it in her voice.
“I do not fear your father,” he said.
The silence on the other side of the door frayed his nerves and sliced at his composure.
He leaned closer to the door. “I want to see you, Seona. I need to see you.” He had thought of naught but her during the past few days. ’Twas why he’d spent two days searching for Haldane… to keep her safe from the knave.
“Seona?” He didn’t want to try the knob and enter without an invitation, but she sore tempted him to do just that. With his luck, she’d barred the door.
What seemed to him a long while later—though it could have been seconds—the door opened. Seona’s tear-filled, dark blue eyes tore at his soul and stirred his protective instincts. He pushed his way inside the door and closed it back.
“Nay,” she whispered, backing away. “You cannot come in here.” Though her words were quiet, they were intense, her eyes wide but reddened from crying. “What if Aunt Patience should see you?”
“Seona, why are you suddenly so distraught? Tell me why you said what you did.” He couldn’t even bring himself to say the words, for he couldn’t imagine never seeing her again. Never touching her. Never kissing her. Nay. Such thoughts were like dagger stabs to his heart.
“I told you,” she said. “My father i
s a cruel and brutal man. If he finds out we have talked and kissed and… other things, I fear he will kill you.” She closed her eyes and tears ran down her cheeks.
At the moment, he didn’t care if his life was in danger. All he wanted was to see Seona, to touch her, to hold her.
“He is not here,” Keegan said.
“Nay, but his sister is. Aunt Patience will tell him everything. She was spying on us. She saw you give me the bluebells.”
This was all caused by the bluebells? Saints! Lady Patience was a she-devil.
“It doesn’t matter,” he said. “What matters is—”
“Nay. I cannot see you or talk to you,” Seona insisted. “You have to leave.”
Keegan’s chest ached and his possessive urges rose to the surface. Nobody was taking Seona away from him. To do so was the same as ripping out his heart. He couldn’t live without his heart… nor without Seona.
If she was the one rejecting him, that was something altogether different. But he didn’t think that was the case. She was crying because she cared about him.
Seona backed away. “Go, Keegan,” she whispered.
But he didn’t. He watched her retreat. This spurred his instincts to pursue her, to capture her, to make her see he would never abandon her.
He took a step closer. “I fear no man, not even your father.”
“Well, you should.” She retreated behind a chair.
“Why are you so afraid of him?” Keegan’s own father was a loving, jovial man. Of a certainty, Conall MacKay could be vicious in battle, but with his family, he was warm. However, Keegan knew all fathers were not like him. Evidently, Seona’s father was just the opposite.
“He could have his men kill you, Keegan. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
His muscles tensed at the potential threat and the challenge. “Not without a fight. And I wager I’d take a few of them out before they did me in.” He stepped forward again.
“Keegan, please.” She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head.
“The MacKay guards always watch my back.” He hoped that would ease her mind… though he was well-trained in protecting himself.
She looked down, appearing suddenly defeated, her unbound hair shielding most of her face. “I didn’t want to tell you this, but you leave me no choice.”
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