A knock sounded at her door. She jumped, then moved across the floor. Opening the portal, she found Aunt Patience outside, her dark hair styled to perfection.
“Your father sent me to fetch you for supper.”
“I’m eating in my chamber.” Seona motioned toward the tray of food one of the servants had already brought her.
Patience raised a brow and shook her head. “Your father said if you refuse to come to the great hall, he will send one of the guards to carry you.”
Wanting to call her father a vile name, Seona gritted her teeth.
“Very well.” She slammed the door on her way out. “I wonder why he won’t order Talia to supper so everyone can see all the bruises he gave her.”
“You’d best watch your mouth, lassie,” her aunt hissed.
“Why did you tell him that Dirk and Isobel were not betrothed when they arrived in Durness? I was trying to protect them. They are my friends.”
Her aunt’s glare was spiteful. “At least I didn’t tell him about finding you and Keegan kissing in your bedchamber.”
Icy cold washed over Seona. “And I hope you won’t, or we shall both face dire circumstances.”
“I’m keeping my mouth shut about that as long as you keep my secret also.”
Seona nodded. “Agreed.”
They crossed the great hall and several of the men at the high table turned to stare at her. When they drew closer, most of the men stood, Keegan, Rebbie and Wentworth among them. Her aunt rushed forward and claimed one of the chairs. The only vacant seat was between Wentworth and her father.
Blast!She slowed her steps.
“Please, come and sit, daughter,” her father said in a forced pleasant tone that gave her sickened chills. “Have some food.”
Sending Keegan a longing glance, she proceeded to the chair.
∞∞∞
Keegan wanted to crawl down the table and beat Wentworth’s eyes shut. He detested the smug and lustful way the man watched Seona. Keegan would not abandon her to the bastard even if he had to steal her away tonight.
Rebbie, sitting to his right, lightly elbowed Keegan in the arm, then gave him a lifted brow look.
Aye, Keegan knew he probably looked angry enough to kill someone. But who could blame him? Another man was courting the woman he loved. He drew in a deep breath and focused on his food so no one would suspect the level of his fury.
He needed to talk to her again, right away, but couldn’t with her glowering father looking on.
At the end of the meal, the music started and Chief Murray encouraged Seona to dance with Wentworth. How the devil was Keegan supposed to sit and watch this? Murray smirked at him. Battle-lust tore through Keegan’s veins. His hand clenched, craving the solid feel of his sword hilt in it.
After one dance, Chief Murray directed Lady Patience to escort Seona from the great hall. Keegan could only assume she was headed toward her bedchamber. To see her there would be a risky endeavor, especially since Chief Murray watched him closely. Without doubt, he had servants spying on Seona, too, in order to see if she would indeed slip into Rebbie’s chamber. He wouldn’t be there, of course, but Murray didn’t know that yet.
’Slud. Keegan wouldn’t get to see her this night. Tomorrow night, then. A plan was forming in his mind.
It gored him to realize he was either going to have to betrayDirk and the MacKay clan by stealing Seona away. Or leave her here to the mercy of a demon chief and his minion.
Dirk obviously trusted Keegan more than anyone else, and that was why he’d made him the tanist. He depended on Keegan to do what was best for the MacKay clan, but taking Seona away from this place was the worst thing he could do for the clan. Murray would seek vengeance.
Keegan’s job was supposed to be simple—escort Seona home, bring the gift and smooth things over with Murray. Dirk didn’t want conflict. Neither did Keegan. But conflict was exactly what he was going to stir up by protecting Lady Seona. ’Haps even clan war.
∞∞∞
Seona stood in her father’s solar the next morn. He had summoned her again and she was growing exceedingly tired of being treated like his servant. Or his pawn.
“You did not slip into Rebbinglen’s chamber last night as I commanded you to do.” Her father turned from the fireplace and pinned her with a dark glower.
