Embracing him tighter, she pushed her lower belly against his erection. Grinding his teeth, he barely quelled a moan. His hands slipped from her waist to her hips and tugged her closer. The feel of her delectable body sent arousal and raw need pouring through him.
He was glad to see she’d stopped crying. He needed to ask her something very important, but she turned her face toward him. So tempting he could not resist. He captured her lips to taste her sweet and salty kisses.
“Mmm.” He wanted to devour her.
An almost imperceptible click sounded behind him, and thena shriek rent the air. He spun.
Lady Patience stood on the threshold, her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide as platters.
Chapter Eighteen
“You beast!” Lady Patience rushed forward with a limping gait, grabbed an embroidered pillow and swung it at Keegan, catching him on the shoulder. “Get your hands off my niece and get out!”
“Calm yourself, m’lady,” he said. “I’ve not harmed her.” ’Slud, why hadn’t he barred the door? Now he’d gotten Seona into trouble.
Her aunt persisted in swatting his arm with the pillow. Daft woman. If she truly wanted to do him harm, she’d have to find a better weapon.
“Get out!” Patience demanded.
“What is happening in here?” Lady Isobel asked from the open doorway.
Thank the saints. Maybe she would be the voice of reason. “I was but talking to Lady Seona,” he said.
“Liar!” Patience yelled, whacking him with the pillow. “You had your mouth on her, you swine!”
“You’re right,” Keegan admitted, seeing the perfect opportunity. “I have compromised the lass. Now, I will have to marry her.”
Lady Patience froze, her mouth hanging agape, eyes wide. Isobel and Seona looked much the same. Speechless.
“I will do the honorable thing,” he said. “I take my responsibilities seriously.”
Their expressions were so comical he almost grinned, but forced himself not to. He was not joking.
With renewed fury, Patience resumed bludgeoning him with the pillow, which he easily fended off with a lifted elbow. Isobel smiled wickedly.
“You are mad,” Seona whispered, blushing bright pink.
“What the devil is going on?” Dirk asked from the doorway, his guard beside him.
“Keegan has compromised Lady Seona and now he will be forced to wed her,” Isobel said, grinning.
Dirk’s brows lifted. “Could I have a word with you, Keegan?”
“Get out! Rogue! Barbarian!” Lady Patience landed a blow to his shoulder, but not with the pillow this time. ’Twas a fire poker. He grabbed the weapon and yanked it from her, getting his hand covered in soot in the process.
“Damnation!” He strode into the corridor to speak with Dirk, then deposited the fire poker against the stone wall. He glared at the black smudges on his hand and shirt sleeve.
The door slammed behind him, leaving him alone in the corridor with Dirk.
“Harpy,” he muttered under his breath.
“Come.” Dirk motioned, limping back along the corridor with his cane.
“What are you still doing up?”
“I heard a woman yelling. I couldn’t very well ignore it. Isobel rushed to see what was happening and I followed.” He opened his bedchamber door and motioned Keegan inside. The room was very floral, lacy and feminine.
“Have a seat.” Dirk nodded toward the dainty chairs next to the hearth, then poured whisky in two small stoneware cups. He handed one to Keegan.
