She was good with horses, but apparently the mare she’d brought with her to Dunnakeil last fall was skittish. If he’d known, he would’ve let her borrow a different one.

Keegan kept pace about twenty feet behind her. He needed to approach without spooking the daft horse further. Seona’s cowl had been blown off her head and her long dark hair whipped out behind her.

“Whoa!” she ordered the horse, which promptly ignored her and continued its panicked run.

Pushing his larger mount harder, Keegan gradually gained on her. “Seona! Come. Get on in front of me,” he called, his words whisked away in the chill, punishing wind.

She turned her head, quickly glancing at him. “I cannot!” Then, she focused her attention on trying to get the animal under control. She truly was a skilled rider.

But who knew how long it would be before the moor turned boggy or… Something up ahead caught his attention—a wide stream near overflowing with spring thaw. Saints! The horses couldn’t jump that. Likely, her horse would stop abruptly and toss her in.

Guiding his horse closer to hers, Keegan placed the reins in one hand and offered his free hand to her. “There’s a wide burn up ahead! You can’t jump it. Give me your arm. I’ll pull you onto my horse.”

When she noticed the swollen stream, her eyes widened and she looked near frantic. Her gaze darting back and forth between him and the burn, she held out her hand toward him.

He grabbed her arm and dragged her from her mare and onto Curry, while her horse kept going. Holding Seona tightly around the waist, he slowed Curry and guided him toward the left and away from the stream. Likely, she wasn’t in the most comfortable position, because of his saddle, but at least she was safe.

“Saints, Seona. You scared the devil out of me,” he grumbled loudly to be heard over the wind.

“’Twas not my fault,” she responded, trying to gather her wildly blowing hair into one hand. Her skin was still pale, but thankfully she hadn’t gone to pieces in terror. He admired her strength.

“Nay. Your mare went mad.” He glanced about for shelter. They were some distance from the rest of their party now, and he couldn’t even see them beyond the hill. Further along, he noticed a rocky outcropping and kneed Curry into a trot, the wind and rain lashing them.

He drew up beside the rocks that appeared stable enough and helped Seona slide to her feet, before he dismounted. He guided her toward the stones which blocked much of the fearsome west wind that pounded them and led Curry behind him. Keegan glanced upward, determining the stone was solid and that nothing would fall on their heads.

Immediately they were out of the wind and rain. He turned back to watch the gale rage across the moor behind them, the grasses, bushes and plants twisting and almost lying flat at times.

“There goes your horse,” he said, pointing. Seona’s mare was a distant black spot, running along the burn. The animal likely wouldn’t calm down until the gale had passed. “We’ll recapture her later.”

Following his gaze, Seona nodded.

“This is a decent shelter.” He was glad to get her out of the wind and rain.

“Aye,” she said, her breathing still elevated. Arms wrapped around herself, she shivered and her teeth chattered, though she tried to hide it.

“Come. I’ll warm you.” He took her into his arms, but he knew it wasn’t only the temperature of the chill wind that made her shiver. ’Twas also the waning of the extreme fear she must have felt taking a wild ride on that daft horse, tearing across the countryside. “’Tis all right, lass,” he murmured in her ear. “You’re safe now.”

Her body still trembled, but she nodded. He would do anything to keep her safe. Did she not know that?

His face against her cool damp hair, Keegan closed his eyes and drew in her sweet scent. She felt perfect against him, but he fought down his need to pull her even closer, to feel her body completely aligned with his.

Finally, her shivers diminished and her breathing returned to normal. Reluctantly, he removed his arms from around her and backed up a step. “Better?”

“Aye. I thank you for helping me. I don’t know what got into Juliana.”

“Juliana?” he asked.

“My mare.”

“’Tis a fancy name for a mare,” he said, unable to hide his amusement. But his main reason for smiling… he was thrilled she had not been injured.

She grinned, her dark blue eyes gleaming with happiness. Saints! He had never seen her look more beautiful.

“Did you know your eyes are the color of bluebells?” he asked.

She glanced away, but her smile widened and her cheeks turned an adorable pink, replacing the earlier paleness. She bit her lip, making him wish he could do the same.

Finally, her eyes met his again. He had the urge to tell her how incredibly beautiful she was, but he feared he might overdo it.

“You are mad to say such things,” she said. He barely heard her above the roar of the wind overhead.

He held up his hands in surrender. “I speak the truth.”

Seona felt her face burning despite the icy wind, but she forced herself to meet Keegan’s gaze. There was so much she wished to tell him, but fear held her back. He was perfect… or he would be perfect for her, at least. Simply gazing into his enchanting sky-blue eyes made her feel happy. And his grin was naught but charm and seduction. Most impressive of all, he was a strong, heroic man who didn’t fear anything.

“You are…” What should she say?

He moved his head closer to hear her better, and turned slightly so one of his ears was near her mouth.

“You are very brave and heroic. You saved my life,” she said, finding it easier to talk to him when he wasn’t looking directly into her eyes. “Twice.”

He pulled back a few inches, his lips twisting into a lopsided grin. “I thank you, m’lady,” he said. “I could never allow you to be injured.” He shook his head. “Over the past few months, I have wanted to talk to you or… dance with you but… you ken your aunt doesn’t like me.”

“Nonsense,” she said to be polite. Truth was Aunt Patience didn’t want her to go near him because she deemed him unacceptable as husband material for Seona.

“Come now, Lady Seona, you ken I speak the truth,” he said in a light tone. “Her glares are like sharp blades.”

She nodded. “My aunt is much like a guard dog.”

“Well, she has a right to be. You’re a beautiful lady and I’m…” He shrugged. “Just a guard.”

She frowned. “You are much more than that.”

’Twas obvious he was trying to maintain his pleasant expression, but a hint of sadness crept into his blue eyes that near broke her heart.

He shook his head. “Nay, I fear when it comes to you, Lady Seona, I’m naught but a knave and a rogue. I’ve hardly been able to concentrate today because of memories of that amazing kiss.” After shoving his fingers through his windblown, damp mane, he backed away and stared out at the blowing rain. “I must behave myself,” he muttered, as if to himself, but she heard it despite the roaring wind.

She could not take her eyes off him and the stunning passion in his gaze. He was right… completely and unequivocally right. He should never touch her again. She should’ve never allowed him to kiss her the night before, but she could not have stopped him any more than she could’ve stopped breathing. Speaking of which, her own breaths were now short and shallow. Her chest ached with the need to be closer to him. To touch him.

His gaze shifted to her. “Hell. Seona, don’t look at me like that.”

She pressed her eyes closed, the moisture gathering there burning. Why did she feel the urge to cry? ’Twas insanity. She was not normally a very emotional person. She should face facts now—she could never have Keegan. Even though he had owned her heart for months.

His warm, rough fingers touched her face. Her eyes popped open and she sucked in a sharp, surprised breath.