Seona sat beside her and rubbed her back. “Shh. We must think.”
Heavens! If only Seona could marry Keegan, she could take Talia with her to Durness and keep her safe. Away from old, beastly chiefs who wanted to marry young girls. Talia would love staying with the MacKays. They were a lively and considerate group. The man Seona loved and her best friend were among them. To think of never seeing them again broke her heart. They were her true family.
Keegan had said he was going to ask her father for her hand. Would he still do this after having met her father? Keegan was a strong, brave man and Seona couldn’t see him being intimidated by her father. Although perhaps he should be, given her father’s ruthlessness.
If only Laird Rebbinglen could convince her father to see Keegan’s merits. Tanist was no small position within a clan. But more importantly, Keegan was an honorable, protective, and responsible man. Unfortunately, these admirable qualities were not of utmost importance to her father.
Her stomach knotted when she imagined Keegan standing before her father, asking for her hand. She feared her father would fly into an instant rage and try to hurt Keegan.
“I’m tired of thinking about all this,” Talia said. “Tell me of your adventures in the north and why you didn’t marry the MacKay chief.”
There was so much. How could Seona possibly tell her sister of everything she’d seen and experienced since last autumn? “You must promise not to tell anyone.”
“Of course I won’t tell. I promise.”
Seona told her of how beautiful Durness was in the spring, but how harsh and cold in the winter, and how she and their aunt had traveled from Tongue to Durness in the bitter cold. She told her of the friendly, fun-loving MacKay clan and how she envied Dirk and Isobel’s love match. She told her of the battles they’d endured on their journey south again and how Haldane MacKay wanted to kidnap her. Seona knew not how long she talked. She could go on for hours about the MacKays and Isobel and how she enjoyed spending time with them.
“What are you not telling me?” Talia asked.
“What do you mean?”
“I can tell you’re keeping a secret.”
Keegan was her secret. A few of the men knew, of course. But dare she tell her sister? She had always kept her secrets. Talia disliked Aunt Patience’s spying as much as Seona did. And how could Seona not tell her sister the most amazing thing that had happened to her—she’d fallen in love with a most remarkable man.
“What is that grin?” Talia asked.
Seona hadn’t realized she was grinning. She immediately tried to control her expression.
“Is it a man? You met someone in Durness and fell in love,” Talia said in an excited tone, her eyes wide.
“Aye,” Seona admitted in a low voice, her face burning.
Talia grabbed Seona’s hands. “Tell me about him! What is his name?”
“You must promise to tell no one. Lives could be in danger.”
“I promise not to tell anyone.” Talia almost bounced upon the bench.
“Very well. His name is Keegan MacKay,” Seona whispered. “He is the cousin of Chief MacKay and the clan’s tanist.”
Talia grinned, her dark eyes alight with excitement. “What is he like? Is he handsome and kind?”
“Aye, indeed. The kindest and most handsome man I have ever laid eyes upon. He protected me during the journey here.”
“What does he look like?”
“He has a beautiful, charming smile, pale blue eyes, and tawny-brown hair. He is tall and strong. A warrior.”
“He sounds a dream! How old is he?”
“Six-and-twenty. He has told me he loves me.”
“Oh, Seona. I’m so happy you found someone.” Talia hugged her.
“He asked me to marry him, but I fear Father will not allow it.”
Talia pulled back, her expression somber. “’Tis unfair. You must find a way to be with him.”
“More than anything, I wish there was a way. Keegan is tanist and next in line to be chief, but you know as well as I that is not enough for Father.”
“He is obsessed with wealthy lairds and chiefs.”
“Aye, and I fear when Keegan asks him for my hand, he will insult Keegan horribly, or try to hurt him.”
***
Unable to believe his good fortune, Chief Ambrose Murray showed Laird Rebbinglen into his private meeting room and they took seats near the warm hearth. During supper, he’d learned that Rebbinglen was unmarried. To have one of his daughters marry an earl would be more than he could’ve imagined. He poured two small crystal glasses of whisky and gave one to the dark-haired young man. He remembered seeing the lad when he was around five summers. ’Twas hard to believe he was such a big strong man now and obviously well-liked and respected.
“Slàinte.” Murray swallowed a generous gulp of the fiery liquid, enjoying the burn and trying to think of the most diplomatic way to bring up this most important subject. “Laird Rebbinglen—”
The earl held up his hand. “I’d be pleased if you would call me Rebbie as my friends do.”
Murray smiled. ’Twas almost as if they were family already. “I would be honored. Everyone calls me Murray, friends and enemies alike.”
“Murray.” Rebbie lifted his glass again.
“Rebbie,” he began again, though he felt awkward not calling the esteemed man a more formal name. “I thank you for bringing my daughter home and keeping her safe.”
“Well, I—”
“Nay. I ken you will deny it, being the good man that you are. But I’m certain my daughter felt much safer with you than the rest of those men.”
Rebbie shrugged. “In truth, I wasn’t the one guarding her. ’Twas Keegan MacKay who kept her safe during the entire journey. He is the best of men, highly honorable like his cousin, the chief. They were practically cut from the same cloth.”
Murray waved off his humility. Besides that, he didn’t want to hear any more about the detestable MacKays—men who couldn’t keep their word.
“’Haps you would like Keegan MacKay to join us,” Rebbie suggested. “He was the one Chief Dirk MacKay sent with a gift for you.”
“What gift?” Murray did remember a gift being mentioned earlier. So, this Dirk MacKay sought to mollify him for breaking the contract of his father.
“A fine stallion,” Rebbie said with enthusiasm.
“Aye? Very good.” If the earl thought the horse was fine, then indeed it must be. “I will look him over on the morrow. Please send Chief MacKay my thanks.”
Rebbie gave a sincere nod. “I will do that.”
“You were very generous to travel with the MacKays to bring my daughter home. I’m certain you have far more important things to do.”
Rebbie shrugged. “’Twas no trouble at all.”
“Are you related to the MacKays, then?” Murray had to figure out their connection.
“Chief Dirk MacKay has been a very good friend of mine for a decade. We attended university together and traveled on the continent.”
“Ah. I see. Well, the MacKay party was lucky to have you leading them in the absence of their chief. I’m certain they listened to your decisions. If not, they were daft.”
Rebbie gave an enigmatic grin. “Well… I thank you for your confidence in me but Keegan—”
“How could I not have? You’re an experienced soldier, an earl, and a future marquess.” Murray near had heart palpitations at the thought that one day his daughter could be the wife of a marquess. And his grandson, one day a marquess, too. But first, he must convince Rebbinglen he needed Seona… or Talia… as his wife.
Murray gulped the last of his whisky. “One day soon, you will want fine sons—an heir—to follow in your exalted footsteps.”
Rebbie quirked a brow, his dark brown eyes taking on a displeased look.
“I have two beautiful, sweet daughters. You have met Seona and, on the morrow… or the day after, you will meet Talia. She is eighteen summers, and just as lovely as Seona. I am providing them both with generous dowries, including land… not that you have need of it, of course, but ’tis always good to have a few more acres.”