“Justice is served,” Dirk said.
“Indeed,” Isobel agreed, staring solemnly at the dead man’s body. “I wanted to kill him myself but… he was too strong for me.”
“Nay, ’twas my duty and responsibility,” Dirk said. “Any other whoreson who hurts you—or even tries to—will meet the same fate.”
Dirk could have lost his beloved wife so easily tonight. He had to be relieved to finally be rid of the MacLeod knave. Keegan could only imagine how he must have felt when Isobel was seized. ’Twas the same gut-wrenching feeling he would have if someone kidnapped Seona. Keegan strode back into the wood and found her where he’d left her, wrapped in his plaid and standing behind the tree.
“All is well now. Nolan MacLeod grabbed Isobel and made off with her, but Dirk killed the blackguard. Neither Dirk nor Isobel is hurt.”
“’Tis good news. I would like to see Isobel,” Seona said, excitement evident in her tone. “What of Haldane?”
“I know not yet. Come.” After sheathing his sword, Keegan lifted Seona into his arms and carried her through the trees. Though he would never tell her, he was enjoying the sensation of carrying her slim, lithe form in his arms. Once he emerged onto the trail, he set Seona onto her feet but stood between her and Nolan’s dead body. She didn’t need the additional scare.
“Och. I see what happened to your plaid, then,” Dirk said in a light tone.
“Aye. I am ever the gentleman.” Keegan gave a mock courtly bow.
“I’m not certain of that, but you are generous.” Dirk grinned. “Where’s your horse?”
“Hidden in the trees. I’ll go retrieve him.”
While Dirk guarded the women, Keegan returned to the forest for Curry.
A few minutes later, they were all mounted and traveling slowly through the dimness, Keegan’s horse behind Dirk’s. The faint light of dawn gleamed over the dark mountains and white morning mist floated from the burn.
Thankfully, the echo of blades had gone silent and Keegan hoped each member of the MacKay party was unhurt. He wanted to ask Dirk if they’d lost any men, but he and Isobel were sharing a kiss up ahead. Far be it from him to interrupt, but their actions made him crave another taste of Seona.
Her innocent kiss had completely seduced him. From the first time he’d seen her last autumn, her full, bow-shaped lips had driven him mad. He’d been fantasizing about kissing her for months, and now that he knew how delicious her kisses were, he yearned for more.So much more.
Those two minutes had been the most stunning of Keegan’s life. He had to find a way to keep her.
Now, he held her slender form with one arm around her midsection. Her curvy arse pressing against his groin was even more tempting than the floral scent emanating from her long, glossy hair. Every aspect of her lured him, but he managed to restrain himself from brushing his lips across her ear. For the moment, simply holding her close and knowing she was safe was enough.
He focused on guiding the horse along the side of the burn toward camp.
Dirk stopped and waited for Keegan to catch up. “I hope the guards have run the rest of the outlaws through,” Dirk said.
“Aye. Do you ken if any in our party was killed?”
“Nay, I don’t.”
A horse nickered nearby. Halting, Keegan snatched his sword from the scabbard and Dirk did the same. Keegan’s gaze searched the vicinity for the rider. He detected no other movements. The animal dropped his head and continued picking grass.
“Nolan’s horse,” Dirk said.
Keegan eyed the animal in the faint light of dawn. The pale gray horse looked familiar, although scrawnier than the last time he’d seen it. “He may have been riding it, cousin, but ’tis one the outlaws stole from Dunnakeil last winter.”
“Indeed?” Dirk asked.
Since his cousin had only just arrived in Durness last November, he was not yet familiar with their horses. “He’s near starved it to death.”
“Aye. Any man who mistreats women and horses deserves what Nolan got,” Dirk muttered.
“Agreed.” Keegan leapt down and took the horse’s bridle, then, after he was mounted again behind Seona, led it back toward camp.
As the light grew brighter, visibility was not improved for the thick haze gleamed white, giving their surroundings a mystical quality. It seemed unreal, just as it had to kiss Seona in the wood. Like a dream. One he never wanted to wake up from.
“Chief!” a man yelled from the depths of the mist. They halted. A guard named Boyce appeared.
