My Daring Highlander (17 page)

Saints!
What if her aunt suddenly felt better, left her
room and saw them? Seona could get into trouble. On the other hand,
she was tired of playing it safe and following everyone’s rules but
her own. What about what she wanted with all her heart? Didn’t that
matter?

Since most of the people who’d been
seated at the high table were dancing, aside from Dirk and three
more who were deep in conversation, no one paid her any mind. When
Isobel headed back toward the table, catching everyone’s attention,
Seona rose and headed up the spiral stone stairs, her moral side
warning her to tread carefully. She would simply check on her aunt.
Aye, that was it, she decided at the top of the stairs.

She knocked lightly at Aunt Patience’s
door.

“Who is it?” The snarl came from
inside.

Seona opened the door and stuck her
head into the dark room, the low-burning fire in the hearth
providing a bit of light. “’Tis only me, aunt. How are you
feeling?”

“Same as before. Horrible.”

“Can I get you anything to eat or
drink?”

“Nay. I told you before, the thought
of food makes me want to retch. Earlier, Isobel brought that healer
in here and she practically forced me to drink some sort of bitter
concoction.”

“Maybe it will help.” Seona remembered
drinking a bitter herbal tea when she was sick as a child, and she
had recovered soon after. “Where are the maids?”

“I sent them downstairs. I could no
longer abide their fidgeting. I just want quiet.”

“I will leave you to sleep,
then.”

“Aye, please do.”

Seona backed into the corridor and
softly closed the door. She halted for a moment, holding her
breath. Did she dare walk thirty more feet to the alcove? Was
Keegan awaiting her there?

She drew in a deep breath for courage,
then slowly and silently crept forward, her heart pounding louder
with each step. Thankfully, the solid floor boards emitted no
sounds.

She stopped and peered around the
corner. Keegan stood there, leaning against the wall. Even in the
dimness she perceived his charming smile. Though he drew her like a
lodestone, fear kept her rooted to the spot. She didn’t know if she
had the courage to take life by the horns as if it were a mad bull.
What if she wasn’t strong enough to overcome?

Keegan pushed away from the wall and
moved toward her. Stopping a few feet away, in the middle of the
generous alcove, he held out his hand and waited.

His captivating gaze broke through her
paralysis and she approached him. Unable to wait to touch him, she
placed her hand into his. He pressed a warm, sweet kiss to it, then
drew her back, deeper into the dimness and further from the
lantern’s glow down the corridor. The only light outside the window
was a torch far below.

“Seona,” he whispered in her ear and
embraced her. She sucked in a surprised breath at the sensation of
his hard physique pressed to her body. She nestled closer, her
breasts flattening against the granite-like muscles of his
chest.

“Oh,” she sighed. She had forgotten
how delicious he felt.

His hand slid around her waist and
pulled her tighter to him. He kissed her temple. Although it was a
chaste, friendly kiss, heat seared her. Her hand fisted in the
plaid draped across his shoulder and inadvertently drew him closer.
He kissed her cheek, his lips hot and firm but also seductively
soft. Another kiss, closer to her mouth. Her breath fled as
Keegan’s mouth hovered over hers. He had kissed her before, and she
recalled everything about those blissful moments, but this was
different somehow. A fire burned in her chest…a fire that both
terrified her and compelled her to lean into him and take
everything he would give her. She trembled with the force of the
strange emotions.

“Seona?” He lifted his hand to gently
tilt her chin up and caress her cheek. His breath teased her lips
and his nose touched hers briefly.

“Aye,” she responded.

His masculine scent and that of spices
from the mulled wine stole her thoughts. When his lips touched hers
like a light brush of silk, she was ensnared and her breath
remained trapped in her chest.

Some instinct within her surged to the
surface and she pressed her lips firmly against his, then she
shocked herself by flicking out her tongue to taste his
lips.

He growled deep in his chest and
embraced her more firmly, one of his hands around her waist, the
other cradling her face. She opened her mouth to him, wishing he’d
devour her completely. And he did… almost. She certainly felt like
a feast he might be having, the way he sank his tongue into her
mouth and tormented her. Her body melded to his, and she thought
she might drop to the floor, for her legs lost all strength. But he
held her up.

“Mmm, Seona, you are sweeter than a
strawberry comfit.”

What nonsense was he
speaking?

She buried her hands in his long,
thick hair and wrapped it about her fingers. She wanted to be
completely ensnared by him.

Keegan raised his head abruptly as if
listening. And then she heard it, voices in the corridor. He moved
her deeper into the corner and put her behind him. She recognized
the voices… Dirk and Isobel, along with Rebbie, helping his friend
to his chamber. Seona held her breath, but it wasn’t long before
Rebbie bid them goodnight. The door closed and footsteps
receded.

Seona relaxed, thankful they’d not
been caught. Even though she knew Isobel would keep the secret. In
fact, she’d probably encourage Seona to steal more kisses from
Keegan. And Rebbie had already caught them once; she was fairly
certain he would say naught.

Keegan slipped forward, peered around
the corner, then returned. “One of Dirk’s guards is stationed in
the corridor,” he whispered against her ear.

Mo creach!

“I’ll go tell him not to say anything,
and you can go into your chamber.”

“Very well,” she whispered, although
she truly didn’t want to. She’d much prefer to indulge in several
more kisses with Keegan.

He kissed her forehead, his affection
warming her heart, then turned and strolled down the corridor. Low
murmurs reached her as he talked to the guard.

She peered out and Keegan motioned to
her. She rushed down the corridor and the guard pretended not to
know she was around. How much would Keegan have to pay the guard
for that? She silently opened her bedchamber door and hurried
inside. Wanting to feel more secure, she barred the
door.

Well… that was close. But she smiled
at the excitement rushing through her veins. She would’ve never
guessed she’d enjoy taking such risks. Was she mad?

Nay. Keegan was worth any
risk.

Seona struggled out of her clothing
without a maid’s help and crawled into the high, comfortable bed.
After lying awake more than two hours it seemed, she realized she
would never be able to sleep after Keegan’s seductive kiss. Most
likely, she would have disturbing, sensual dreams of him all night,
and those would keep her half awake.

She craved another of his
kisses.

Daft lass.
She knew she was foolish and wanton for responding
to him. She could never be with him. Her father wouldn’t allow it.
Her aunt had sent him a missive months ago about Seona being unable
to marry the MacKay chief. Even now, her father probably had
another chief waiting for her to marry. She prayed he wasn’t some
ancient laird with rotted teeth. If that was the case, how could
she endure it? ’Twould be like torture to receive his attentions in
the bedchamber. She cringed just imagining it. An abusive younger
man would be just as bad.

A knock sounded at Seona’s
door, making her jump.
Heavens!
Who could that be? She got up and cracked open the
door. Millie stood in the corridor holding a candle, the wide-eyed
Edwina beside her.

“What is it? Is Aunt Patience worse?”
Seona asked, apprehension slithering through her.

“Nay, m’lady. She is much improved and
asked for some food,” Millie said.

Seona sighed with relief. “I’m glad
she is feeling better.”

“Aye. We need to go to the kitchen and
find her something to eat, but Edwina refuses to go unless someone
comes with us. She’s afraid of the dark in this unfamiliar
castle.”

“Very well. I’ll go with
you. Let me put on my
arisaid.
” Seona quickly belted the
wool plaid around her waist, secured the brooch at her chest and
joined the two maids in the corridor.

“I’m sorry to bother you, m’lady. I
simply didn’t know what else to do.”

“’
Tis no bother. Do you ken
where the kitchen is?”

“Aye, we were there earlier, but ’tis
a long trek.”

The door where the guard was stationed
opened and Isobel stuck her head out. “Is something wrong?” she
whispered. “I heard noises out here.”

“Nay. Aunt Patience is hungry,” Seona
said.

“Good. She is improving,
then. Wait just a moment.” Isobel returned a minute later, also
wearing her
arisaid
. “I will show you where the kitchen is. I’m certain there
must be some leftover bread and cheese. I need to go down there
anyway.” Carrying a lantern and a small flask, Isobel led the
way.

Seona knew Isobel hated whisky, but
maybe Dirk needed more.

“Is Laird Dirk feeling
well?”

“Aye, he is sleeping now but when he
wakes up he may want more wine or whisky for pain.”

The four descended the spiral
stairwell, took two turns along a corridor, then descended another
stairwell. Finally, they entered the stone-vaulted kitchen. The
fires burned low but the room was still cozy. Seona had always
enjoyed visiting kitchens because of the warmth and scent of fresh
baked bread or savory stew.

Isobel placed a wooden tray on the
high cook’s table, then moved about the kitchen gathering food
items—a wooden bowl of venison broth, bread, hard yellow cheese,
and mulled wine.

“Is something wrong,
ladies?”

Seona turned to find Keegan behind
them, holding a thick candle. Heated excitement rushed over her.
“Nay,” she said. “’Tis only that Aunt Patience is finally
hungry.”

His brows lifted. “Ah, ’tis good news,
then. Her seasickness must have passed.”

“How did you know we were down here?”
Isobel asked.

“MacMillan is on guard duty, and he
saw the four of you sneak by his post at the bottom of the steps.
He told me immediately.”

“Where was he? I didn’t see him,”
Isobel said.

“Come now, ladies. Surely you pay more
attention than that to what is around you.”

“Nay, we depend on you men to do that
for us.” Isobel smirked.

“Aye, treat us all no better than
guard dogs, then.”

Seona snickered, and Keegan grinned in
response.

“There now,” Isobel told Millie. “Take
that tray to Lady Patience. If she needs more, feel free to come
down here and get it. There is naught to fear, Edwina. This castle
is safe. As a child, I used to wander all over it, even at night.
Indeed, sometimes I would wake up and find myself here, in the
kitchen.”

The timid maid nodded, but didn’t
appear convinced.

“I thank you, m’lady,” Millie said.
“Come, Edwina. Carry the candle.”

The two proceeded up the
steps.

“What are you doing up this late,
Keegan?” Isobel asked.

“I was playing cards with three of
your brothers.”

“I hope you beat them.”

“Aye, I won a few. I’ll be glad when
Dirk is recovered enough to play a few hands.”

“He feels better, but his leg still
pains him greatly. That reminds me… I need to get a bottle of
mulled wine and fill up the whisky flask.” Taking the small
lantern, she disappeared down a short corridor and into the
storeroom off the side of the kitchen.

Seona could not stop her gaze from
wandering back to Keegan. He was already watching her, his normally
light blue eyes much darker in the dim room, lit only by the
low-burning kitchen fire and the candle he had brought with him and
set on the scarred table.

The kiss they’d shared in
the alcove upstairs burned through her mind.
Saints!
He had made her weak with
powerful yearnings and emotions she didn’t understand.

“I’m glad your aunt is much improved,”
Keegan said. “Likely, she will be kicking up her heels
tomorrow.”

Seona held back a grin. “I don’t know
about that, but at least she is craving food again.”

“You will escort Seona back to her
room when you are done talking, will you not, Keegan?” Isobel
asked, startling Seona.

What?

“Aye, of course.”

Chapter Thirteen

Seona stared after Isobel as she
disappeared up the steps, a bottle of wine and flask of whisky in
one hand and the lantern in the other. What was she up to, leaving
Seona alone with Keegan in the kitchen?