One of the lead horses reared, drawing Keegan’s attention to the herd of red deer that tore out and fled by the cliffs.
Within moments, the deer had disappeared from sight. Keegan turned his attention back to Seona, but her black mare had become unruly, tossing her head about, then she bolted off the trail and across the moor.
“Saints,” Keegan hissed, kicking his horse into a gallop and following her over the uneven terrain. He prayed she would hold on. After a shouted command at the horse, she hadn’t uttered another sound that he could hear above the brutal wind. He was proud to see she leaned low over the horse’s neck and held the reins tight.
She was good with horses, but apparently the mare she’d brought with her to Dunnakeil last fall was skittish. If he’d known, he would’ve let her borrow a different one.
Keegan kept pace about twenty feet behind her. He needed to approach without spooking the daft horse further. Seona’s cowl had been blown off her head and her long dark hair whipped out behind her.
“Whoa!” she ordered the horse, which promptly ignored her and continued its panicked run.
Pushing his larger mount harder, Keegan gradually gained on her. “Seona! Come. Get on in front of me,” he called, his words whisked away in the chill, punishing wind.
She turned her head, quickly glancing at him. “I cannot!” Then, she focused her attention on trying to get the animal under control. She truly was a skilled rider.
But who knew how long it would be before the moor turned boggy or… Something up ahead caught his attention—a wide stream near overflowing with spring thaw.Saints!The horses couldn’t jump that. Likely, her horse would stop abruptly and toss her in.
Guiding his horse closer to hers, Keegan placed the reins in one hand and offered his free hand to her. “There’s a wide burn up ahead! You can’t jump it. Give me your arm. I’ll pull you onto my horse.”
When she noticed the swollen stream, her eyes widened andshe looked near frantic. Her gaze darting back and forth between him and the burn, she held out her hand toward him.
He grabbed her arm and dragged her from her mare and onto Curry, while her horse kept going. Holding Seona tightly around the waist, he slowed Curry and guided him toward the left and away from the stream. Likely, she wasn’t in the most comfortable position, because of his saddle, but at least she was safe.
“Saints, Seona. You scared the devil out of me,” he grumbled loudly to be heard over the wind.
“’Twas not my fault,” she responded, trying to gather her wildly blowing hair into one hand. Her skin was still pale, but thankfully she hadn’t gone to pieces in terror. He admired her strength.
“Nay. Your mare went mad.” He glanced about for shelter. They were some distance from the rest of their party now, and he couldn’t even see them beyond the hill. Farther along, he noticed a rocky outcropping and kneed Curry into a trot, the wind and rain lashing them.
He drew up beside the rocks that appeared stable enough and helped Seona slide to her feet, before he dismounted. He guided her toward the stones which blocked much of the fearsome west wind that pounded them and led Curry behind him. Keegan glanced upward, determining the stone was solid and that nothing would fall on their heads.
Immediately they were out of the wind and rain. He turned back to watch the gale rage across the moor behind them, the grasses, bushes and plants twisting and almost lying flat at times.
“There goes your horse,” he said, pointing. Seona’s mare was a distant black spot, running along the burn. The animal likely wouldn’t calm down until the gale had passed. “We’ll recapture her later.”
Following his gaze, Seona nodded.
“This is a decent shelter.” He was glad to get her out of the wind and rain.
“Aye,” she said, her breathing still elevated. Arms wrapped around herself, she shivered and her teeth chattered, though she tried to hide it.
“Come. I’ll warm you.” He took her into his arms, but he knew it wasn’t only the temperature of the chill wind that made her shiver. ’Twas also the waning of the extreme fear she must havefelt taking a wild ride on that daft horse, tearing across the countryside. “’Tis all right, lass,” he murmured in her ear. “You’re safe now.”
Her body still trembled, but she nodded. He would do anything to keep her safe. Did she not know that?
His face against her cool damp hair, Keegan closed his eyes and drew in her sweet scent. She felt perfect against him, but he fought down his need to pull her even closer, to feel her body completely aligned with his.
Finally, her shivers diminished and her breathing returned to normal. Reluctantly, he removed his arms from around her and backed up a step. “Better?”
“Aye. I thank you for helping me. I don’t know what got into Juliana.”
“Juliana?” he asked.
“My mare.”
“’Tis a fancy name for a mare,” he said, unable to hide his amusement. But his main reason for smiling… he was thrilled she had not been injured.
She grinned, her dark blue eyes gleaming with happiness.Saints!He had never seen her look more beautiful.
