She dared to glance up at him and found that his light and playful gaze had changed to midnight blue.
“Aye. I would like to dance,” she said to cover her true feelings, which were far grander than simply wanting a dance. She did not understand the enormity of the emotions and yearningsthat came over her. She had never experienced anything of the like before.
Keegan led her to the dance floor where they joined the two dozen other couples, most of whom belonged to the MacKenzie clan. She felt more comfortable dancing among strangers. She could be herself and not worry about anyone telling her aunt or her father she was doing something they wouldn’t approve of.
She imagined for a brief time that the man touching her and holding her hands was the one she would marry. Wouldn’t that be a blissful paradise?
They danced for two more songs, until Seona was out of breath and sweating.
“I think that is all I can take for the moment,” she told Keegan.
As he escorted her back to the table, he leaned over and murmured close to her ear, “Meet me in that alcove just beyond your chamber?”
What?Was he mad?
He pulled out her chair and she sat down. Glancing up at him, she took in his dark blue eyes and intense expression.
He dropped into the chair beside hers and pretended to watch the dancing couples, but she felt his attention on her.
Seona sucked in a sharp breath. Had he meant it? And if so, could she slip from the room without anyone noticing, or suspecting they were meeting? What would he say to her and, more importantly, what would he do in the dark alcove? How did he know where her chamber was? Was his chamber off the same corridor? A shiver of anticipation passed over her skin.
She glanced aside to find Keegan’s gaze steady upon her.
Of course, she would love a stolen moment in private with him, but what would the cost be? What if someone saw them?
“I must speak to the guards. A good evening to you, Lady Seona.” Keegan bowed over her hand, kissed it, and left the table. He then said a few quiet words to the two guards who stood behind Dirk. Seona watched Keegan carefully to see what he was up to. After speaking to Dirk, he moved toward the exit and talked to one of the MacKay guards stationed there. Then, he circled back, his gaze scanning the room, and went up the stairs. Was he going to the alcove he’d mentioned?
Saints!What if her aunt suddenly felt better, left her room andsaw them? Seona could get into trouble. On the other hand, she was tired of playing it safe and following everyone’s rules but her own. What about what she wanted with all her heart? Didn’t that matter?
Since most of the people who’d been seated at the high table were dancing, aside from Dirk and three more who were deep in conversation, no one paid her any mind. When Isobel headed back toward the table, catching everyone’s attention, Seona rose and headed up the spiral stone stairs, her moral side warning her to tread carefully. She would simply check on her aunt. Aye, that was it, she decided at the top of the stairs.
She knocked lightly at Aunt Patience’s door.
“Who is it?” The snarl came from inside.
Seona opened the door and stuck her head into the dark room, the low-burning fire in the hearth providing a bit of light. “’Tis only me, aunt. How are you feeling?”
“Same as before. Horrible.”
“Can I get you anything to eat or drink?”
“Nay. I told you before, the thought of food makes me want to retch. Earlier, Isobel brought that healer in here and she practically forced me to drink some sort of bitter concoction.”
“Maybe it will help.” Seona remembered drinking a bitter herbal tea when she was sick as a child, and she had recovered soon after. “Where are the maids?”
“I sent them downstairs. I could no longer abide their fidgeting. I just want quiet.”
“I will leave you to sleep, then.”
“Aye, please do.”
Seona backed into the corridor and softly closed the door. She halted for a moment, holding her breath. Did she dare walk thirty more feet to the alcove? Was Keegan awaiting her there?
She drew in a deep breath for courage, then slowly and silently crept forward, her heart pounding louder with each step. Thankfully, the solid floor boards emitted no sounds.
She stopped and peered around the corner. Keegan stood there, leaning against the wall. Even in the dimness she perceived his charming smile. Though he drew her like a lodestone, fear kept her rooted to the spot. She didn’t know if she had the courage to take life by the horns as if it were a mad bull. What if she wasn’t strong enough to overcome?
Keegan pushed away from the wall and moved toward her. Stopping a few feet away, in the middle of the generous alcove, he held out his hand and waited.
