She imagined for a brief time that the man touching her and holding her hands was the one she would marry. Wouldn’t that be a blissful paradise?

They danced for two more songs, until Seona was out of breath and sweating.

“I think that is all I can take for the moment,” she told Keegan.

As he escorted her back to the table, he leaned over and murmured close to her ear, “Meet me in that alcove just beyond your chamber?”

What? Was he mad?

He pulled out her chair and she sat down. Glancing up at him, she took in his dark blue eyes and intense expression.

He dropped into the chair beside hers and pretended to watch the dancing couples, but she felt his attention on her.

Seona sucked in a sharp breath. Had he meant it? And if so, could she slip from the room without anyone noticing, or suspecting they were meeting? What would he say to her and, more importantly, what would he do in the dark alcove? How did he know where her chamber was? Was his chamber off the same corridor? A shiver of anticipation passed over her skin.

She glanced aside to find Keegan’s gaze steady upon her.

Of course, she would love a stolen moment in private with him, but what would the cost be? What if someone saw them?

“I must speak to the guards. A good evening to you, Lady Seona.” Keegan bowed over her hand, kissed it, and left the table. He then said a few quiet words to the two guards who stood behind Dirk. Seona watched Keegan carefully to see what he was up to. After speaking to Dirk, he moved toward the exit and talked to one of the MacKay guards stationed there. Then, he circled back, his gaze scanning the room, and went up the stairs. Was he going to the alcove he’d mentioned?

Saints! What if her aunt suddenly felt better, left her room and saw them? Seona could get into trouble. On the other hand, she was tired of playing it safe and following everyone’s rules but her own. What about what she wanted with all her heart? Didn’t that matter?

Since most of the people who’d been seated at the high table were dancing, aside from Dirk and three more who were deep in conversation, no one paid her any mind. When Isobel headed back toward the table, catching everyone’s attention, Seona rose and headed up the spiral stone stairs, her moral side warning her to tread carefully. She would simply check on her aunt. Aye, that was it, she decided at the top of the stairs.

She knocked lightly at Aunt Patience’s door.

“Who is it?” The snarl came from inside.

Seona opened the door and stuck her head into the dark room, the low-burning fire in the hearth providing a bit of light. “’Tis only me, aunt. How are you feeling?”

“Same as before. Horrible.”

“Can I get you anything to eat or drink?”

“Nay. I told you before, the thought of food makes me want to retch. Earlier, Isobel brought that healer in here and she practically forced me to drink some sort of bitter concoction.”

“Maybe it will help.” Seona remembered drinking a bitter herbal tea when she was sick as a child, and she had recovered soon after. “Where are the maids?”

“I sent them downstairs. I could no longer abide their fidgeting. I just want quiet.”

“I will leave you to sleep, then.”

“Aye, please do.”

Seona backed into the corridor and softly closed the door. She halted for a moment, holding her breath. Did she dare walk thirty more feet to the alcove? Was Keegan awaiting her there?

She drew in a deep breath for courage, then slowly and silently crept forward, her heart pounding louder with each step. Thankfully, the solid floor boards emitted no sounds.

She stopped and peered around the corner. Keegan stood there, leaning against the wall. Even in the dimness she perceived his charming smile. Though he drew her like a lodestone, fear kept her rooted to the spot. She didn’t know if she had the courage to take life by the horns as if it were a mad bull. What if she wasn’t strong enough to overcome?

Keegan pushed away from the wall and moved toward her. Stopping a few feet away, in the middle of the generous alcove, he held out his hand and waited.

His captivating gaze broke through her paralysis and she approached him. Unable to wait to touch him, she placed her hand into his. He pressed a warm, sweet kiss to it, then drew her back, deeper into the dimness and further from the lantern’s glow down the corridor. The only light outside the window was a torch far below.

“Seona,” he whispered in her ear and embraced her. She sucked in a surprised breath at the sensation of his hard physique pressed to her body. She nestled closer, her breasts flattening against the granite-like muscles of his chest.

“Oh,” she sighed. She had forgotten how delicious he felt.

His hand slid around her waist and pulled her tighter to him. He kissed her temple. Although it was a chaste, friendly kiss, heat seared her. Her hand fisted in the plaid draped across his shoulder and inadvertently drew him closer. He kissed her cheek, his lips hot and firm but also seductively soft. Another kiss, closer to her mouth. Her breath fled as Keegan’s mouth hovered over hers. He had kissed her before, and she recalled everything about those blissful moments, but this was different somehow. A fire burned in her chest…a fire that both terrified her and compelled her to lean into him and take everything he would give her. She trembled with the force of the strange emotions.

“Seona?” He lifted his hand to gently tilt her chin up and caress her cheek. His breath teased her lips and his nose touched hers briefly.

“Aye,” she responded.

His masculine scent and that of spices from the mulled wine stole her thoughts. When his lips touched hers like a light brush of silk, she was ensnared and her breath remained trapped in her chest.

Some instinct within her surged to the surface and she pressed her lips firmly against his, then she shocked herself by flicking out her tongue to taste his lips.

He growled deep in his chest and embraced her more firmly, one of his hands around her waist, the other cradling her face. She opened her mouth to him, wishing he’d devour her completely. And he did… almost. She certainly felt like a feast he might be having, the way he sank his tongue into her mouth and tormented her. Her body melded to his, and she thought she might drop to the floor, for her legs lost all strength. But he held her up.

“Mmm, Seona, you are sweeter than a strawberry comfit.”

What nonsense was he speaking?

She buried her hands in his long, thick hair and wrapped it about her fingers. She wanted to be completely ensnared by him.

Keegan raised his head abruptly as if listening. And then she heard it, voices in the corridor. He moved her deeper into the corner and put her behind him. She recognized the voices… Dirk and Isobel, along with Rebbie, helping his friend to his chamber. Seona held her breath, but it wasn’t long before Rebbie bid them goodnight. The door closed and footsteps receded.

Seona relaxed, thankful they’d not been caught. Even though she knew Isobel would keep the secret. In fact, she’d probably encourage Seona to steal more kisses from Keegan. And Rebbie had already caught them once; she was fairly certain he would say naught.

Keegan slipped forward, peered around the corner, then returned. “One of Dirk’s guards is stationed in the corridor,” he whispered against her ear.

Mo creach!

“I’ll go tell him not to say anything, and you can go into your chamber.”

“Very well,” she whispered, although she truly didn’t want to. She’d much prefer to indulge in several more kisses with Keegan.

He kissed her forehead, his affection warming her heart, then turned and strolled down the corridor. Low murmurs reached her as he talked to the guard.

She peered out and Keegan motioned to her. She rushed down the corridor and the guard pretended not to know she was around. How much would Keegan have to pay the guard for that? She silently opened her bedchamber door and hurried inside. Wanting to feel more secure, she barred the door.