“By the loch shore.” He nodded toward the south.
No one had ever given her flowers before. Emotion grabbed at her throat but she pushed it back. She refused to let Keegan see any tears from her in such a public place. “You are too kind.”
“I think not. You deserve far more, Lady Seona.” He lowered his voice. “I wish I could give you the world.”
“I don’t want the world. This is all I want.” Glancing up into his eyes, she sniffed the flowers again. Him. He was what she wanted.
His gaze penetrated her for a long moment, then abruptly he glanced around them, toward the castle and the garden below.
Would he have kissed her if they’d had more privacy?
He motioned toward the bench. “Would you like to sit?”
“Aye.”
He dropped down beside her on the stone slab and turned to her. “I hope you’re not angry with me because of last night,” he said, just above a whisper.
“Nay. Why would I be?” It had been the best experience of her life so far.
“Well… I took liberties, shall we say.” His brow furrowed. “I probably shouldn’t have touched you the way I did, but—”
“Surely, you ken ’twas what I wished as well,” she whispered.
He observed her, his eyes darkening, then he blew out a sharp breath—in relief or growing desire, she was not certain.
“But I worry now that you think me a wanton or a harlot,” she confessed, her face feeling scalded again.
He frowned. “Nay. Never, m’lady.”
“Master Keegan?” the male voice came from the doorway that led to the terrace. A second later Hugh MacMillan appeared.
“Aye, what is it?” Keegan asked.
The guard’s face appeared flushed. He stared at his feet for a moment. “Lady Patience sent me.”
Keegan’s annoyed gaze darted to Seona, then back to MacMillan. “And what is her message?”
“She wishes to see Lady Seona.”
How had her aunt seen them? Seona’s stomach ached and frustration near overwhelmed her. Why could she not have any time alone with Keegan without someone cutting it short?
“Where is she?” Seona asked.
“I took her upstairs. She was tired.”
Seona stood. “I thank you again for the lovely flowers, Keegan.”
“You’re most welcome.” He stood, took her hand and kissed it. “I’m going deer stalking with the MacKenzies. I will see you at supper.”
“Very well. Have a care,” she said, wishing she could spend the afternoon with him instead.
The bundle of flowers in one hand, Seona descended the stairs and went in search of her aunt. If she had seen Keegan within three yards of her, Seona would likely get another scolding.
Taking her time, she climbed the stairs within the castle, then proceeded to her own bedchamber. She placed the lovely little bouquet of bluebells in a pottery vase of water on the windowsill. Her eyes misted because Keegan had been so thoughtful and romantic in picking them for her. He was a treasure. She remembered the first time he’d told her that her eyes were the color of bluebells, during the gale when they’d taken shelter against the rocks. She took a moment to savor how charming and sweet he was.
She truly believed he cared for her.
Unable to delay the inevitable any longer, she strode down the corridor and knocked at her aunt’s bedchamber door.
“Enter,” she called, though the word was more like a command.
Seona slowly opened the door, went in and closed it behind her. “How are you feeling?”
“Tired.” Still fully dressed except for her shoes, Aunt Patience reclined in bed, her swollen ankle elevated on two pillows.
Seona could not miss her aunt’s ominous glare or her lowered brows. Had Fraser told someone he’d discovered her and Keegan last night? Had gossip spread? She braced herself for the worst. “You wished to see me?”
“Indeed. I will tell it to you straight, lassie. Your father will beat you if you are carrying Keegan MacKay’s bastard.”
A slap could not have surprised Seona more. She gasped. “What? I am not!”
“You’d best hope not. I saw the two of you all cozy and romantic on that terrace.” She motioned toward her window.
Saints! Seona had not realized the window looked out over the terrace and gardens. Nor had she known her aunt was up here, spying. She’d left her at a table in the garden. MacMillan must have carried her up here while Seona was talking to Isobel and enjoying the views.
“I saw the flowers he brought you,” Patience said, her lip lifting as if in disgust.
How dare she think what Seona and Keegan shared was disgusting? To Seona, ’twas the most beautiful and deeply meaningful thing on earth. Mayhap her aunt was jealous because MacMillan hadn’t brought her flowers.
“If he hasn’t seduced you yet, I’m sure ’tis not for lack of trying. I told you he was a rogue.”
“He has not seduced me.” ’Twas the truth, and Seona had no problem saying it. “Nor is he a rogue.” She had not seen Keegan so much as look at another woman during the months she had known him. That realization riveted her. Every time she had seen him, his attention had been on her or on his duties. Could he be that devoted to her? Her eyes burned.
“He is not good enough for you,” her aunt said. “What kind of life would you have?”
A happy one. Moisture welled in her eyes.
“The only home he could provide would be a small cottage,” Patience muttered.
That wouldn’t be so bad, if Seona could be with Keegan. And if she could bring her sister with her.
Seona blinked hard, fighting back the tears. “A fine castle isn’t always the most important thing.”
“Indeed?” Her aunt’s gaze grew sharper. “Do you not need warm shelter, food and drink? Do you not need the safety of a castle and walls in the event of an attack?”
“Of course.” Seona had not considered where they might live if she married Keegan. Dunnakeil was a huge castle. ’Haps Dirk and Isobel would not mind if they lived there, too. After all, Keegan and Dirk were close family, and Keegan was tanist.
“There is no way in hades your father will allow you to marry him, so don’t even imagine it.”
“I’m well aware.” Seona ground her teeth and stared at the ceiling, for none of this was news to her. Besides, her aunt didn’t need to know Seona was imagining what it would be like to marry Keegan. But he had not made it known whether he wished to marry her. Mayhap he thought it just as impossible as she did.
“Stay away from him,” her aunt warned. “He is naught but a guard.”
Fury built within Seona’s chest, but she drew in a deep breath to dispel it. “He is Chief Dirk’s tanist.”
“Do you think that will matter to your father?”
Seona shrugged. Of course it wouldn’t. Her father was like a stone monolith when it came to sentiment. “What about the guard you have been spending so much time with?” Seona asked, her heart rate speeding up with her bold words.
Her aunt narrowed her eyes until they were like sharp blades. “My ankle is near broken and he is but helping me get about. Besides, how dare you question me and my actions?”
“You are a lady, just as I am,” Seona pointed out innocently. “What about your reputation?”
“I am a widow,” her aunt snapped. “Not a virgin. There is a vast difference.”
“I doubt my father would approve, either way.”
“Are you threatening me?” her aunt demanded through clenched teeth.
“Nay,” Seona said mildly, lifting her brows into what she hoped was a pleasant expression. She was tired of obeying her grouchy, snobbish, hypocritical aunt and ready to give her a taste of her own bitter medicine. Seona’s father provided financial support to her aunt. That was why she’d agreed to be Seona’s companion and chaperone during this journey. What would her father do if he knew his sister was interested in a guard, someone he would see as far beneath her? Would he cut off her funds?