He kissed her temple. “Please, I beg of you, stop crying and tell me why you’re so upset.”
She sniffed and wiped the tears from her eyes with a handkerchief. “You.”
“Why?”
“You overwhelm me. You make me feel… things I never thought possible.”
“I feel the same way.” Just as overwhelmed in her presence, especially if he touched her, or held her as he was now. He never wanted to let her go. ’Twas almost as if she was a part of him. And to be away from her felt as if a piece of him was missing.
Embracing him tighter, she pushed her lower belly against his erection. Grinding his teeth, he barely quelled a moan. His hands slipped from her waist to her hips and tugged her closer. The feel of her delectable body sent arousal and raw need pouring through him.
He was glad to see she’d stopped crying. He needed to ask her something very important, but she turned her face toward him. So tempting he could not resist. He captured her lips to taste her sweet and salty kisses.
“Mmm.” He wanted to devour her.
An almost imperceptible click sounded behind him, and then a shriek rent the air. He spun.
Lady Patience stood on the threshold, her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide as platters.
Chapter Eighteen
“You beast!” Lady Patience rushed forward with a limping gait, grabbed an embroidered pillow and swung it at Keegan, catching him on the shoulder. “Get your hands off my niece and get out!”
“Calm yourself, m’lady,” he said. “I’ve not harmed her.” ’Slud, why hadn’t he barred the door? Now he’d gotten Seona into trouble.
Her aunt persisted in swatting his arm with the pillow. Daft woman. If she truly wanted to do him harm, she’d have to find a better weapon.
“Get out!” Patience demanded.
“What is happening in here?” Lady Isobel asked from the open doorway.
Thank the saints. Maybe she would be the voice of reason. “I was but talking to Lady Seona,” he said.
“Liar!” Patience yelled, whacking him with the pillow. “You had your mouth on her, you swine!”
“You’re right,” Keegan admitted, seeing the perfect opportunity. “I have compromised the lass. Now, I will have to marry her.”
Lady Patience froze, her mouth hanging agape, eyes wide. Isobel and Seona looked much the same. Speechless.
“I will do the honorable thing,” he said. “I take my responsibilities seriously.”
Their expressions were so comical he almost grinned, but forced himself not to. He was not joking.
With renewed fury, Patience resumed bludgeoning him with the pillow, which he easily fended off with a lifted elbow. Isobel smiled wickedly.
“You are mad,” Seona whispered, blushing bright pink.
“What the devil is going on?” Dirk asked from the doorway, his guard beside him.
“Keegan has compromised Lady Seona and now he will be forced to wed her,” Isobel said, grinning.
Dirk’s brows lifted. “Could I have a word with you, Keegan?”
“Get out! Rogue! Barbarian!” Lady Patience landed a blow to his shoulder, but not with the pillow this time. ’Twas a fire poker. He grabbed the weapon and yanked it from her, getting his hand covered in soot in the process.
“Damnation!” He strode into the corridor to speak with Dirk, then deposited the fire poker against the stone wall. He glared at the black smudges on his hand and shirt sleeve.
The door slammed behind him, leaving him alone in the corridor with Dirk.
“Harpy,” he muttered under his breath.
“Come.” Dirk motioned, limping back along the corridor with his cane.
“What are you still doing up?”
“I heard a woman yelling. I couldn’t very well ignore it. Isobel rushed to see what was happening and I followed.” He opened his bedchamber door and motioned Keegan inside. The room was very floral, lacy and feminine.
“Have a seat.” Dirk nodded toward the dainty chairs next to the hearth, then poured whisky in two small stoneware cups. He handed one to Keegan.
“Slàinte,” they said at the same time, then Keegan downed half his shot of whisky.
Dirk sipped leisurely, then eyed Keegan with a bit of devilment. “A word of advice—if you’re going to slip into a lady’s bedchamber, make sure you don’t get caught by her chaperone.”
Not amused, Keegan sent him a mock grin. “I figured she was in her own chamber, or still flirting with MacMillan in the great hall.”
“Well, thank the saints you weren’t naked,” Dirk said.
“Indeed,” Keegan muttered, taking a seat on one of the chairs. “I should’ve barred the door.”
“What was this about her father forcing you to marry her?”
“Mayhap he will. I hope.” Indeed, ’twas Keegan’s fondest wish.
Dirk dropped into the chair opposite. “Years ago, when I was a wee lad, the MacKays and that branch of the Murrays were enemies.”
A cold frisson of dread slithered through Keegan. “In truth?”
“Aye. When Da married my stepmother, that helped smooth it over because, through her mother, she was distantly related to the Murrays.”
Keegan nodded. “Now that you mention it, I remember my da talking about conflict with them many years ago, when he was a young man.”
“Aye. I’m hoping the Murray chief doesn’t get riled up again because of what’s going on with Lady Seona. Not that I fear him or his clan, but his second cousin is the Earl of Tullibardine, leader of all the Murrays. He has a massive army.”
Keegan hadn’t meant to put the whole MacKay clan in danger. But he couldn’t help falling in love with Seona. And he was glad he’d finally told her. He’d loved her for months.
“Peace is important to me,” Dirk said. “I don’t want the MacKay clan crushed because of some minor offense.”
“You mean because I’ve been caught with her?”
“That and the fact she was not able to marry the MacKay chief as her father had arranged.”
Keegan nodded. “Nor do I wish to put our clan in danger. I hope you don’t think me a fool when I say—” Hell, could he tell Dirk that he loved Seona without appearing completely mad? Dirk loved Isobel, and he’d told Keegan as much. Anyway, ’twas obvious to anyone who saw them together.
“Aye?” Dirk prompted.
“I cannot help that I love Seona, and I cannot live without her now. Surely, you of all people understand how I feel.”
“Of course, I do. I would’ve fought twenty men singlehandedly, if I’d had to, in order to keep Isobel.”
“I would do the same for Seona.”
A knock sounded at the door.
“Aye,” Dirk called.
Rebbie stuck his head in. “I thought I heard a woman’s screams.”
Dirk motioned him forward. Rebbie entered and closed the door.
“’Twas this scoundrel who caused it,” Dirk said. “He was discovered in Lady Seona’s chamber.”
“Och.” Rebbie grinned. “You are naught but a stag in rut, aye?”
Keegan’s face burned and he rolled his eyes. “’Tis not the way of it.”
“Watch him blush,” Rebbie said. “’Tis obvious he’s your cousin.”
Dirk frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Remember when you had to spend the night in that wee cottage with Isobel? The next morn you were blushing the same way.”
“You’re daft.”
“Nay. Your face was as red as your hair.” Rebbie dragged another chair forward and sat down.
“Pay him no heed,” Dirk muttered.
“So… are you going to marry the lass?” Rebbie asked.
“Indeed,” Keegan said. “If her father will allow it.”