“That cannot be the only reason. I’m thinking he’s greatly smitten with you.”
She was not flattered. Haldane was like a half-grown feral mongrel. She had always hated the way he’d leered at her at the high table or across the great hall. That was before he’d left the clan. Now that he’d turned outlaw, she was certain he’d be a hundred times worse.
“I thought he was trying to kill his brother,” she said.
“Aye, that as well. Two birds with one arrow.” Keegan leapt down, then helped her dismount. He tied the horse’s reins to a small tree. “I want to move you away from the horse in case he makes a noise and alerts the outlaws.”
“Very well,” she whispered.
Keegan lifted Seona, one arm beneath her knees and one at her back. She gasped in surprise, but he ignored her and carried her a few yards away. His warmth felt wonderful against her in the chill night air. When he stopped, he continued to hold her close, as if shielding her with his body.
His fierce protectiveness made her chest ache with tenderness. “I thank you for keeping me safe,” she whispered.
“You’re welcome.”
She wanted to say more, but could think of naught that didn’t sound daft. She would have to keep her thoughts to herself and focus on the danger of the situation. The leaves of the trees provided darkness and cover.
“Is Chief Dirk safe?” she asked, distracting herself from how Keegan’s powerful body affected her in a strangely exciting way.
“I know not, but I’m certain he can take care of himself and Isobel.” He turned his head this way and that, on high alert, listening for any enemy who might approach.
The silence stretched out and, with each moment that passed, she became more and more aware of Keegan’s fiery body supporting her.
“I can stand on my own two feet, you know,” she whispered.
“I thought you were barefoot.”
“I am, but what of it? You certainly cannot hold me the entire time.”
“I don’t mind.” His deep whisper in her ear was sensual and seductive.
Her rebellious body responded to his in shocking ways. Tingles moved from her breasts downward. The only time she’d ever felt like this was when she thought of Keegan in scandalous ways, such as when she imagined him kissing her.
“I insist,” she said, fighting down her disturbing reaction to him. “You cannot wield a sword while holding me.”
“Och. Very well, then.”
When he lowered her to the ground and released her, she missed his warmth. His body had obviously been overheated from the exertion of battle. She tried to ignore the pine needles prickling her feet and the spongy wet ground beneath them.
They stood in silence for a few minutes. An owl hooted in the distance. How far were they from camp?
Seona shivered, her teeth chattering, and she realized she wore naught but an ivory linen smock. Though the material was somewhat thick, the night air was cool. She’d not had time to belt herarisaidabout her before Keegan dragged her from the tent. Besides, some of the maids had been sitting on it, and she’d had to leave it behind.
“Och, Lady Seona, you’re cold.”
In the near darkness, the rattle of Keegan’s belt startled her. What was he about? A moment later, a warm wool plaid surrounded her like a blanket. He pulled it around her and attached it beneath her chin with the brooch that had been fastened at his shoulder.
He had disrobed for her? Her face heated. “I cannot take your plaid.”
“Aye, you can and you will. I’ll not have you freezing to deathon my watch.” He belted his weapons about his waist again.
“I wouldn’t freeze this time of year.” Though it was May, late spring in the far north of Scotland was much cooler than it was farther south, where she’d grown up.
Keegan still wore a long linen shirt that reached almost to his knees, but to have taken his plaid… she couldn’t be so stingy.
“We could share this plaid,” she suggested.
She could only see an outline of him and the dim glow of his shirt in the night, but somehow she knew he was observing her, or trying to.
