“Och.” With the sound, Keegan released some of the pressure in his chest. “Naught is going to happen to you, cousin!”
“If it does. Promise me.” Dirk’s gaze remained piercing.
“Aye, of course. You ken I would protect both you and Isobel with mine own life.”
“I thank you. That means more than I can say.” He relaxed back a bit.
“I’m certain you will be well in a matter of days. As you said, you’ve been injured many times before.”
Dirk nodded and sipped the whisky again. “Haldane is a menace. I had no inkling he would come back with such a vengeance this spring. I thought… hoped… he’d escaped to the Lowlands where he’d stop his outlaw ways and start a new life. But I doubt he will ever change. He has too much of his devious mother in him.”
“Aye, that he does.”
Dirk inhaled a deep breath and let it out slow. “You’re not only my cousin, but also a good friend, as you’ve been the whole of my life.”
“Aye,” Keegan said hesitantly, wondering what was on Dirk’s mind now. Had the whisky loosed his tongue?
“I’ve been meaning to speak with you about something,” Dirk said. “I’ve thought long and hard on it. I want you to be my tanist until I have an heir who is of age.”
“What?” Keegan frowned. Why would Dirk name him heir apparent to the chiefdom? “Nay. Aiden is tanist, as he should be. He’s your brother.”
Dirk shook his head. “He doesn’t want the position. If something should happen to me before I sire an heir, Aiden might be baron but he could never lead the clan. You saw the kind of chief he was before I came back. He’s not a leader. He’s a minstrel and a piper, a very talented one. He’s more than happy to simply play music. He told me you would make a better tanist, and I agree.”
Shocked to the core, Keegan swallowed hard. This was something he’d never expected. “Well…I thank you. I’m honored you chose me. I’d be more than happy to fill the role, until you have a son, although I’m your cousin, not your brother.”
“You’re like a brother to me,” Dirk assured him.
“And you’re like a brother to me as well.” Even though Keegan had three younger brothers, he actually felt closer to Dirk. Maybe because the two of them were alike in many ways and near the same age.
“You’re a fearsome warrior. A strong leader,” Dirk said. “You’ve been head of the guards for a long while now.”
“Aye.” Four years, in fact.
“You ken what is expected of a chief. You watched my father lead the clan for years, even while I was away.”
Keegan nodded. “He was a great chief, as you are.”
“I can only aspire to be as good a leader as he was,” Dirk said. “Anyway, I want the clan and Isobel to be safe and protected should Haldane or his men hit their mark next time.”
Chapter Ten
Keegan left Dirk’s chamber feeling gloomy and disturbed, despite being named tanist. Of course, ’twas a great honor and a high position within the clan, just beneath the chief, and he was grateful for it. But he would never wish for anything bad to happen to Dirk.
Keegan met Isobel in the narrow corridor, carrying a tray of food. Her face was still pale and concerned.
He paused. “I hope you’ll pardon me for asking, Lady Isobel, but I need to see Lady Seona for a few minutes. Could you ask her to meet me here without her aunt knowing?”
“Aye. Just a moment.” Isobel took the tray into Dirk’s chamber, then returned.
“’Tis not for frivolous purposes,” Keegan said. “I’m teaching her how to use a blade to defend herself. I don’t want her aunt to know. She wouldn’t approve.”
“Aye. ’Tis very kind of you, Keegan. There’s a private parlor at the end of this corridor you can use for practice if you wish.” She motioned toward a distant closed door. “Also, the cooks prepared food and left it in the dining room below for everyone—you and all the men.”
“I thank you. I’ll let them know.”
She proceeded to one of the other bedchambers. A couple of minutes later, Seona and Isobel moved along the corridor, whispering. Seona looked beautiful, but he knew she had to be exhausted after all the travel.
“I thank you.” Keegan bowed when they paused before him.
“I’m glad to help.” Isobel went into the chamber with Dirk and closed the door.
Seona glanced back at the door leading to the room where her aunt remained, unable to believe she would have some precious time alone with Keegan. She faced him again, taking in his serious expression in the dim light of gloaming. She knew he was concerned about Dirk.
“I had hoped to teach you more about defending yourself,” Keegan whispered. “Things have turned dangerous. Our chief is injured, and it near kills me to imagine you attacked or captured and unable to fight off the outlaws.”
Seona nodded, a cold shiver traveling through her when she imagined Haldane kidnapping her. “I thank you for the help. Aunt Patience is asleep, so we have some time.”
“I hadn’t considered… we’ve been traveling a long time. You may be too tired.”
“Nay.” No matter how tired she was, she’d rather spend time with Keegan than sleep. Besides, being near him suffused her with giddy energy.
“Isobel said there’s a parlor at the end of the corridor we can use.” He motioned.
“Very well.” She proceeded in the direction he’d indicated and he followed.
Once they were inside, he closed the door.
A bright fire burned in the hearth, and Keegan lit a few more thick candles. ’Twas a beautiful room with several chairs and settees here and there in groupings. A fine Turkish carpet lay in the center of the polished wood floor.
“How is Chief Dirk feeling?” she asked.
“He’s in pain.” Keegan frowned. “I pray he recovers.”
“As do I.” She could not imagine the level of intense fear and worry Isobel must feel right now. She and Dirk had only been married six months. They were near inseparable and so in love.
“He has always been like a brother to me instead of a cousin,” Keegan said.
“I can tell. The two of you are close.” And she admired this about them. She was also close to her cousins, Genevieve and Malcolm.
Keegan stood at the fireplace, staring into the flames for a long moment. A casual observer would think he was relaxing; yet, to Seona he seemed profoundly tense, as if his thoughts were in turmoil.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
He faced her, a troubled frown upon his handsome face. “I’ll tell you something if you promise not to tell anyone as of yet. It hasn’t been announced.”
“Of course.” Praying his news wasn’t bad, she moved forward to stand beside him in front of the hearth. The fire warmed her as did Keegan’s close presence.
“Dirk has just named me his tanist until he has an heir.” Keegan’s expression remained dark and foreboding.
“In truth? That is a high honor.” She was happy for him, but concerned that he didn’t appear pleased.
“Aye. He realizes Haldane and his band of outlaws could kill him at any moment. That’s why he asked me. He said he’d been considering it for a while, but the injury… the threat to his life made him realize his own mortality.” Keegan shook his head. “That’s what feels like a knife to the gut.” He looked tormented as he stared into the flames. He turned toward her. “Och. Pray pardon, Lady Seona. I should not have said that aloud.”
“Nay. I’m glad you told me,” she said quickly. “I’m glad… you trust me.” It meant more to her than she could express.
“’Tis true. I do trust you, Seona.” In the firelight, his blue eyes were sincere, yet a hint of his natural charm also slipped through, as if he might smile at any moment. But he didn’t.
“God forbid that something should happen to Dirk, but if it did, I know with certainty you would do the clan proud as their chief,” she said.