“Of course I won’t tell. I promise.”
Seona told her of how beautiful Durness was in the spring, but how harsh and cold in the winter, and how she and their aunt had traveled from Tongue to Durness in the bitter cold. She told her of the friendly, fun-loving MacKay clan and how she envied Dirk and Isobel’s love match. She told her of the battles they’d endured on their journey south again and how Haldane MacKay wanted to kidnap her. Seona knew not how long she talked. She could go on for hours about the MacKays and Isobel and how she enjoyed spending time with them.
“What are you not telling me?” Talia asked.
“What do you mean?”
“I can tell you’re keeping a secret.”
Keegan was her secret. A few of the men knew, of course. But dare she tell her sister? She had always kept her secrets. Talia disliked Aunt Patience’s spying as much as Seona did. And how could Seona not tell her sister the most amazing thing that had happened to her—she’d fallen in love with a most remarkable man.
“What is that grin?” Talia asked.
Seona hadn’t realized she was grinning. She immediately tried to control her expression.
“Is it a man? You met someone in Durness and fell in love,” Talia said in an excited tone, her eyes wide.
“Aye,” Seona admitted in a low voice, her face burning.
Talia grabbed Seona’s hands. “Tell me about him! What is his name?”
“You must promise to tell no one. Lives could be in danger.”
“I promise not to tell anyone.” Talia almost bounced upon the bench.
“Very well. His name is Keegan MacKay,” Seona whispered. “He is the cousin of Chief MacKay and the clan’s tanist.”
Talia grinned, her dark eyes alight with excitement. “What is he like? Is he handsome and kind?”
“Aye, indeed. The kindest and most handsome man I have ever laid eyes upon. He protected me during the journey here.”
“What does he look like?”
“He has a beautiful, charming smile, pale blue eyes, and tawny-brown hair. He is tall and strong. A warrior.”
“He sounds a dream! How old is he?”
“Six-and-twenty. He has told me he loves me.”
“Oh, Seona. I’m so happy you found someone.” Talia hugged her.
“He asked me to marry him, but I fear Father will not allow it.”
Talia pulled back, her expression somber. “’Tis unfair. You must find a way to be with him.”
“More than anything, I wish there was a way. Keegan is tanist and next in line to be chief, but you know as well as I that is not enough for Father.”
“He is obsessed with wealthy lairds and chiefs.”
“Aye, and I fear when Keegan asks him for my hand, he will insult Keegan horribly, or try to hurt him.”
∞∞∞
Unable to believe his good fortune, Chief Ambrose Murray showed Laird Rebbinglen into his private meeting room and they took seats near the warm hearth. During supper, he’d learned that Rebbinglen was unmarried. To have one of his daughters marry an earl would be more than he could’ve imagined. He poured two small crystal glasses of whisky and gave one to the dark-haired young man. He remembered seeing the lad when he was around five summers. ’Twas hard to believe he was such a big strong man now and obviously well-liked and respected.
“Slàinte.”Murray swallowed a generous gulp of the fiery liquid, enjoying the burn and trying to think of the most diplomatic way to bring up this most important subject. “Laird Rebbinglen—”
The earl held up his hand. “I’d be pleased if you would call me Rebbie as my friends do.”
