Chapter Twelve
Keegan glared at Fraser where he sat at the end of the high table. Aye, Keegan was most definitely interested in becoming Seona’s husband, but he couldn’t announce it at a meal.
“Any man who marries Lady Seona will be fortunate indeed,” Keegan said.
“Don’t be such a beastie, Fraser, teasing Seona in such a way,” Isobel scolded. She looked as if she’d box his ears if he were closer. “Why don’t we talk about who you’re going to marry?”
“No one,” Fraser said, sobering. “And I meant no harm. Pray pardon, Lady Seona. I agree with Keegan. Any man who snares you will be lucky.”
Seona’s blush was still bright enough to light a dim room and Keegan felt bad for her discomfort.
Saints, he wished he could declare his intentions now in front of everyone, but first, he wanted to ask Seona to marry him.
Regardless of what her father said when Keegan asked for her hand, he wanted to know if Seona was interested in marrying him.
To Keegan, that was the most important thing.
When should he ask her?
∞∞∞
The next evening, Dirk was well enough to join the others in the great hall for supper, and Keegan was glad of it.
He’d hated Dirk’s talk of if something happens to me.
Dirk was one of the strongest men Keegan knew and he didn’t want to even imagine him dying.
Life was precious and precarious and Keegan preferred to savor each good moment, as his father had taught him.
Life was especially grand at the moment, for he again found an empty seat at the high table right beside Lady Seona.
“Good evening, m’lady.”
“Good evening, Keegan.” The shy, intimate smile that he relished peeked out. He loved it because ’twas a smile she only bestowed on him. Sure, she smiled at the others, the ladies mostly, but it was not the same smile. And the way she said his name heated him from the inside out.
“How is Lady Patience feeling today?”
“She is not yet fully recovered from the seasickness, although ’tis not as severe as yesterday. Her ankle is still sore. This whole journey has worn her out.”
“I’m sorry to hear it.” He truly was, but he was glad Lady Patience’s hawkish glare was not pinned on him this evening. He and Seona might actually get some time alone to talk or…’haps he might steal another kiss.
He had been reliving the kisses they’d shared and was yearning for another. He was a rogue, he knew, but he could not stop thinking about her and imagining what it might be like to touch her in ways he shouldn’t.
He also had to ask her if she would marry him… if he could get her father to agree. ’Haps he should speak to Dirk about it first to get advice on what to do if Chief Murray refused his suit. The last thing Dirk or Keegan wanted was a clan war. And yet, Keegan could not accept a nay from her father.
After Fraser had embarrassed her the night before, she’d soon excused herself, pleading exhaustion, and retreated to her room. He was certain it wasn’t simply an excuse. She had to be tired from all the traveling. He was glad to see she was in fine spirits this evening.
After the meal, the music and dancing started.
Seona could not believe her good fortune in being allowed to sit by Keegan again this evening.
Although she was not happy about her aunt’s illness, she was glad to have a bit of freedom.
In fact, she liked it so much she was determined to get out from under her aunt’s thumb permanently.
But how would she ever escape her father’s heavy hand?
Beside her, Keegan leaned in. “Would you like to dance, Lady Seona?”
She flushed, feeling as if she’d been drenched in hot bathwater, but an icy chill quickly followed.
Indeed, she would love to dance with him, but she recalled the last time she’d danced with a man.
Her father had ordered him tossed out and severely beaten.
She remembered the horror of seeing him the next day, his face covered in bruises, his lip split.
“Oh… nay, Keegan. I don’t think I should. ”
“And why not?” He sent her the devil’s own grin, full of mischief and daring. She had to force her gaze away so she wouldn’t get pulled into his charm.
Indeed, half the men who’d been sitting at the high table were now on the floor. Even Isobel was dancing with one of her brothers, since Dirk was unable. He had encouraged it since he knew how much she enjoyed dancing.
Seona could not think of a good reason to avoid the dance floor. Her father was not here and her aunt wasn’t watching. Likely no one present would care if she danced with Keegan. But what if one of them told her aunt, or what if the servants gossiped?
Her father, and therefore by extension, his sister, Aunt Patience, would only allow her to associate with certain types of men—those who were titled and wealthy, and who would make husbands they’d approve of.
All others were off limits. To their way of thinking, there was no reason to dance with a man if she couldn’t eventually marry him.
But… she glanced back at Keegan. He lifted a brow and held out his hand.
She could not resist taking it and delighting in his warm skin, roughened from handling a sword and being out in the cold wind so much.
He lowered their hands, his thumb stroking her sensitive palm and sending shivers up her arm to her breasts.
Heavens! What a sinful sensation he sent through her body with no more than a light touch to her hand.
She bit her lip and forced herself not to look at him.
“Seona?” he whispered, her name more intimate without the formal title of Lady attached to it.
She dared to glance up at him and found that his light and playful gaze had changed to midnight blue.
“Aye. I would like to dance,” she said to cover her true feelings, which were far grander than simply wanting a dance. She did not understand the enormity of the emotions and yearnings that came over her. She had never experienced anything of the like before.
Keegan led her to the dance floor where they joined the two dozen other couples, most of whom belonged to the MacKenzie clan.
She felt more comfortable dancing among strangers.
She could be herself and not worry about anyone telling her aunt or her father she was doing something they wouldn’t approve of.
She imagined for a brief time that the man touching her and holding her hands was the one she would marry. Wouldn’t that be a blissful paradise?
They danced for two more songs, until Seona was out of breath and sweating.
“I think that is all I can take for the moment,” she told Keegan.
As he escorted her back to the table, he leaned over and murmured close to her ear, “Meet me in that alcove just beyond your chamber?”
What? Was he mad?
He pulled out her chair and she sat down. Glancing up at him, she took in his dark blue eyes and intense expression.
He dropped into the chair beside hers and pretended to watch the dancing couples, but she felt his attention on her.
Seona sucked in a sharp breath. Had he meant it?
And if so, could she slip from the room without anyone noticing, or suspecting they were meeting?
What would he say to her and, more importantly, what would he do in the dark alcove?
How did he know where her chamber was? Was his chamber off the same corridor?
A shiver of anticipation passed over her skin.
She glanced aside to find Keegan’s gaze steady upon her.
Of course, she would love a stolen moment in private with him, but what would the cost be? What if someone saw them?
“I must speak to the guards. A good evening to you, Lady Seona.” Keegan bowed over her hand, kissed it, and left the table.
He then said a few quiet words to the two guards who stood behind Dirk.
Seona watched Keegan carefully to see what he was up to.
After speaking to Dirk, he moved toward the exit and talked to one of the MacKay guards stationed there.
Then, he circled back, his gaze scanning the room, and went up the stairs.
Was he going to the alcove he’d mentioned?
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.