“Very well. Two of the maids, Abigail and Beth, are looking for Talia in the attic right now. I told them to bring her to her chamber or mine when they find her.”
Keegan nodded, then hurried down the stairs and outside. “Fraser?”
“Aye.” He stepped from the shadows of the building.
“I need for you or Rebbie, or both of you if possible, to steal into the castle and find Seona’s younger sister, Talia. Chief Murray beat her recently, leaving her face black and blue. We have to rescue her, too, or he may beat her again. Or worse.”
“Damn the man,” Fraser muttered. “I agree.”
“She has a tendency to hide from her father in the deserted attic. Two maids named Abigail and Beth are searching for her there now. Talia resembles Seona, except Talia has brown eyes.”
“We’ll find her.” Fraser mounted and headed back to the castle.
∞∞∞
Seona awaited Keegan in the inn’s chamber, praying Rebbie orFraser could indeed find Talia and bring her here before it was too late. She worried for her sister’s safety more than her own.
Keegan entered the room, closed the door, and locked it with a large key. “He said he would do it.”
“Oh, I hope they can find her. I thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
The candle and the fire burned brightly, the orange glow illuminating Keegan’s striking face and gilding his hair. She drank in the appealing sight of him, wanting so badly to touch him. To kiss him and show him her gratitude.
“When they find her and bring her here, where will we go?” she asked.
Keegan knelt at the hearth and placed another stick of wood on the fire. “We’ll go south with a small group of MacKay guards. The MacKenzies will head back to Teasairg to tell Dirk what’s happened. The remaining MacKays will return to Dunnakeil as quickly as possible to prepare the clan and castle for a possible attack from your father. Hopefully, once he knows you’re not there, he’ll leave.”
“This is terrible,” she whispered, her stomach aching. “I never wanted to endanger your clan. I love them like mine own.”
“I ken it. I wish you’d told me earlier about your father beating your sister.”
“I figured if you knew that, you’d also assume—rightly—that my father has beaten me in the past. I feared you might retaliate against him, putting your own life in danger.”
He stood and faced her, frowning. “You were trying to protect me by leaving yourself in danger?”
“I suppose I was.”
“Seona.” He shook his head. “I don’t need protecting.I’mthe protector.”
“But you are not immortal,” she said fiercely, tears burning her eyes. “I love you, and I could never live with myself if you were hurt or… killed because of me.”
“Lass.” He moved forward and drew her close. She loved the way his strong arms tightened about her, surrounding her with protection. She felt safer than ever before. He kissed the top of her head, and his affection flowed sweetly through her.
Oh, why could he not be hers?
Sliding her arms around his neck, she rose on tiptoes andkissed his prickly chin. He bent and captured her mouth with his own. All thoughts scattered from her mind. His lips were so warm and firm, yet also silky soft. Gentle, yet forceful. And his tongue was erotic seduction itself. He tasted of virile male, spiced wine and apples.
Desire for him burned through her and passion exploded like a lightning bolt. His hands cupped her derriere, tugging her closer, tight against his hard shaft. He felt so divine, she couldn’t stop herself from rubbing against him. A scorching tingle shot through her, inciting an ache in her lower belly. Somehow, she knew he could relieve the feverish need he always stirred up within her.
“I want you, Keegan,” she whispered against his mouth.
He moaned and gave her another deep kiss.
She drew back an inch. “You must show me what love means between a man and a woman.”
“Saints, Seona,” he hissed. “You drive me mad with your teasing.”
