Seona headed to the small alcove at the back.
Only a little limp left in her step, Patience followed. “What is it?”
When they were out of view and earshot of everyone, Seona said, “I ask that you not mention to my father that I’ve been talking to Keegan MacKay.”
Patience put her hands upon her hips. “You were doing far more than talking to him.” Her voice was low but irate. “You were kissing him in your bedchamber. You’ve been disgraceful.”
“He is going to ask Father for my hand in marriage.”
Patience snorted. “A lot of good it will do him. He is far beneath you.”
Fury burned through Seona. “He is not beneath me. As you well know, he is second in line to the MacKay chiefdom.”
“Nevertheless, your father will not allow you to marry him, and he will be most displeased about your association with MacKay. Especially the kissing.”
“That’s why I ask that you not tell him.”
“Your father is my brother and I always tell him the truth.”
Her aunt’s self-righteous tone made Seona grind her teeth. How could the woman pretend to be a perfect angel when ’twas obvious to everyone she was doing the same things with MacMillan? Probably more, if the truth was known. If Patience told Seona’s father that Keegan had been kissing her in the bedchamber, he might fly into a rage and have Keegan killed. She couldn’t risk that. She would use the only leverage she had and pray it worked.
“If you tell him about Keegan, then I shall have to tell him about your tryst with Hugh MacMillan, a man Father will see as far beneath you.”
Patience’s mouth dropped open. Her eyes grew wide. “Why, you little tattle.” Though her words were low, they were sharp. When her aunt’s hand raised and flew toward her face, Seona lifted her hand just in time to stop the strike. She then locked her aunt’s wrist in a firm grip.
“Do not ever do that again,” Seona said through clenched teeth, surprising herself. She didn’t know she could be so fierce when it came to protecting Keegan. But he was the most important person in her life now.
“How dare you?” her aunt sneered, yanking her hand back. “Your father will hear about this.”
“Very well. He will also hear about how you are sleeping with one of the guards.”
“You can’t prove that.”
“I ken the truth of it and so does Keegan. Hugh is always honest with Keegan, his direct commander.”
Her aunt’s mouth opened and closed as if she would say something, but didn’t for a long moment. “You wouldn’t,” she whispered.
So, ’twas true. Her aunt really had slept with the guard. Seona was relieved. This might be the only way to keep Keegan safe. “Say anything against me or Keegan to my father and find out. He will no longer allow you to stay at Gillenmor and he will withdraw your funds. Where will your food and fancy clothing come from then?”
“You little strumpet!” her aunt hissed.
“No more than you are.”
Her aunt stood glaring daggers at her. “You are not the sweet innocent lady I thought you were.”
“I cannot say the same about you. I always knew you had a malicious streak.”Just like Father.
Her aunt’s eyes merely narrowed further.
“Do we have a deal?”
“Aye,” her aunt said through clenched teeth, then limped away as fast as her sore ankle would take her.
Hoping she’d done the right thing, Seona released a breath and stepped away from the alcove. Her gaze scanned the great hall and locked with Keegan’s. Immediately, he headed toward her.
Her heart rate spiked as it always did when he was near. She had hardly been able to sleep last night after the amazing things he’d done to her.
“Are you well?” he asked. “You appeared upset.”
