“Is there anything I can do, aunt?” Seona asked.
“Nay, I just want to rest.”
“M’lady,” one of the MacKenzie’s maids addressed Seona from the doorway. “Would you like me to show you to your chamber?”
“Aye,” she told her, happy to see she would have her own room and some privacy. “I will return soon,” she told Aunt Patience.
Her aunt waved her off as if she didn’t want to be bothered with anything. Seona followed the maid down the corridor to the next room.
“Will this suit you?” she asked.
“Aye, ’tis a lovely chamber.” Seona surveyed the blue velvet counterpane and curtains on the bed, and the finely made blue, gold and green Turkish carpet underfoot.
The maid lit a fire in the wood and peat that was already laid in the hearth. “Lady Isobel said you might want a bath.” The maid stood and faced her.
“That would be wonderful.” Seona almost sighed at the thought of sinking into a tub of hot water and scrubbing herself with a nicely scented soap.
“I will have it sent up. Supper will be ready in about an hour.” The maid curtsied and left.
Seona moved toward the small window which offered a splendid view out over Loch Alsh. The orange and gold sunset and the blue-gray mountains reflecting in the water was one of the loveliest sights she’d ever seen. She wished she could share it with Keegan. He seemed to enjoy beautiful scenery as much as she did.But of course, he could not enter her bedchamber. Although she would like him to.
What would it be like if they were married and allowed to sleep in the same bed?
She shook her head, trying to dislodge the spellbinding but impure thoughts.
One of the MacKenzies’ manservants arrived, carrying her large sack of clothing which a pack horse had carried from Durness to Ullapool. Poor animal. Well, the bag weighed no more than a hundred pounds, so ’haps it hadn’t hurt the animal overmuch.
“I thank you,” she told the servant. When he left, she closed the door.
An hour later, she was bathed and dressed in clean clothing, wondering if she should’ve asked for a tray to be sent to her room instead of going to the great hall.
Nay, she wished to see Keegan again. ’Haps he would escort her to the high table and she would get to touch him for a few moments. ’Twas one of the few joys in life.
A maid arrived to tell her supper was being served. Her heart rate sped up with excitement. But she would not get to talk to Keegan if her aunt joined them. She knocked at Aunt Patience’s door. Getting no answer, she poked her head in.
“How are you feeling, aunt?”
“Awful. Just awful!” she griped from the large four-poster bed. “I thought this blasted seasickness would cease once I got off the water.”
“I’m sure it will go away soon. Can I bring you something to eat?”
She groaned. “Nay, the very mention of food turns my stomach. I only wish to sleep.”
“Very well.” Seona exited, and closed the door. She was truly sorry her aunt was so miserable, but maybe she would get some time to talk with Keegan.
In the great hall, everyone was gathering for the meal. She paused, glancing over the crowded room, and Keegan appeared at her side, as he often had at Dunnakeil.
“A good eve to you, Lady Seona.” He offered his arm.
“Good eve.” She savored the familiar and comforting motion of sliding her hand around his arm and feeling his hard muscles.
“You look lovely,” he murmured.
She noticed his hair was still damp from a recent bath and that he’d changed into his finer clothing—a newer blue and green plaid, a clean white linen shirt, and a green doublet. “I thank you. And so do you.”
He grinned. “I look lovely, do I?”
“Indeed.” She smiled. “Astonishingly handsome, too.”
