The two slipped silently to Talia’s chamber. When Seona unlatched the door, it opened. She poked her head inside the dim room.

“Talia?” she said in a loud whisper.

“She’s not here, m’lady.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“What?” Talia was not in her chamber? Seona opened the door and urged Abigail into the room. Talia’s maid, Beth, stood near the fireplace, but the bed was made. “Where did she go?”

“She told me she was going to the attic. She used to hide up there sometimes, you ken?”

Blast! ’Twas true. When she was younger, her sister had a habit of hiding in the unused portion of the attic to get away from their father. At times, it would take Seona hours to locate her.

“Will you two help me find her?”

“Aye, m’lady, but…” Abigail whispered into her ear so Beth couldn’t hear. “Laird Rebbinglen said you must hurry down to meet him in the kitchen, otherwise ’twill be too late.”

Seona wanted to use some of the frustrated curses she’d heard Keegan mutter. Instead, she clenched her jaw until it hurt. She couldn’t run away and leave Talia behind. She would meet with Keegan and tell him that.

“Very well. I must… go on an errand, Beth. But please look for Talia in the attic tonight. Tell her I will have important news and to wait for me here or in my chamber.”

“Aye, m’lady.” Beth’s eyes were wide as platters. The young maid was likely terrified of going into the attic alone in the dark.

“Would you help her, Abigail?” Seona asked.

“Aye.”

“’Tis a matter of life and death.”

Both maids nodded, their faces growing even paler.

Seona covered her head with her plaid arisaid, hurried along the corridor and down the back stairs to the kitchen, trying to keep her footsteps silent.

Laird Rebbinglen waited there, holding a long black cloak. “Here, put this on and no one will recognize you.”

“Where is he?” she asked, as he pulled the deep cowl over her head.

“’Tis a secret. Come. We must be quiet but quick.” He offered his arm, then opened the door.

Because she trusted Rebbie almost as much as she trusted Keegan, she took his elbow.

At a near trot, Rebbie escorted her along the side of the castle and across the cobblestone barmkin. The only illumination came from two torches secured to the stone walls. When he didn’t take her to the stables, she truly wondered where Keegan was.

She considered telling Rebbie about her sister, but she’d rather talk to Keegan about it first. Besides, it would take a while for the maids to find Talia.

Where were the Murray guards? Seona glanced around. All the men nearby appeared to be MacKays or MacKenzies.

Rebbie opened the small iron postern gate and rushed her through. Fraser sat on his horse just outside.

Rebbie quickly lifted her up onto the pillion behind Fraser. “Have a care.”

“I thank you,” Seona said.

Fraser kneed the horse forward at a slow and silent pace. Four other men… guards… rode at a distance, two in front and two behind.

“Where are the Murray guards?” she whispered.

“We gifted them with three large jugs of whisky infused with poppy. They are all near passed out with drunkenness in the stables.” The smile was evident in Fraser’s voice. He walked the horse forward, taking his time so as to not create much noise. Less than a quarter hour later, they entered the village.

Fraser stopped in front of the tavern and someone strode from the shadows, their moonlit silhouette familiar.

“Keegan?” she whispered.

“Aye.” He reached up and helped her dismount. “Did you not bring extra clothing?”

“Nay.” She grasped onto the plaid at his chest. “I cannot run away tonight. I must bring my sister.”

“This will be our only opportunity,” he said, his voice urgent. “’Twill be impossible to slip you out again. Why did you not bring her?”

“I wanted to, but I couldn’t find her.”

“Saints,” he hissed.

“We must talk,” she said.

“Come.” Keegan led her toward the tavern door.

“I’ll wait out here,” Fraser said, then dismounted and moved into the shadows.

“I thank you,” Keegan said, opening the door.

Seona had never been into a tavern before, but she supposed it would be a sheltered location where she and Keegan could talk. She had to explain to him why it was so important that she bring her sister.

They entered the dim building, and if anyone was drinking in the tavern at this late hour, she didn’t see or hear them. A lantern or candle burned somewhere off to her right providing a bit of illumination.

They climbed the rickety old steps to the next floor. Keegan opened one of the doors and drew her inside the warm room.

She shoved the cowl off her head while Keegan lit a candle from the glowing hearth coals.

“Have you been staying here?” she asked, glancing around the room. She saw none of his possessions but the room seemed lived in, though the bed was neat and tidy.

“Aye, but not long.” He placed the candle upon the mantel, then added two small pieces of wood to the coals.

“Why?”

“Your father sent word by one of his servants that I was to sleep in the barracks with the guards and Rebbie. ’Tis very crowded and busy there. I needed time to think, so I rented this room.”

Seona was ashamed of how her father treated people. “I’m sorry he has been so rude to you.”

Keegan shrugged. “The important thing is we must leave tonight. We won’t be able to get all the Murray guards drunk again. Your father may punish them if he realizes they allowed you to escape. Everyone will be even more vigilant.” Keegan frowned. “What were you telling me about your sister? You couldn’t find her?”

“For the last several years, she’s had a habit of hiding in the deserted attic when she’s upset.”

“Why is she upset?”

“My father has arranged for her to marry the Comyn chief next week. He is a ruthless man who is much too old for Talia. I know marriages such as this are often arranged, but she’s only eighteen summers. And the Comyn is at least fifty. Just before we arrived, she resisted and Father beat her so badly, half her face was blue.”

“What? That bastard,” Keegan growled. “Has he struck you?”

“Not recently. But in the past, aye.”

“Damn him,” Keegan said through clenched teeth and placed a hand upon his sword hilt. His eyes were so filled with fury, she feared he might storm the castle now and hunt down her father. ’Twas exactly the reason she hadn’t told Keegan before. Not because she was trying to protect her father, but because she feared her father’s guards would slay Keegan.

Though it might be sacrilege, she didn’t care what happened to her father. What occupied her mind most was what would her father do to Talia if he found her first? He might send several of his men to scour the attic, or even the smaller lads to search the nooks and crannies. She couldn’t hide forever.

“How will I find Talia in time and get her out?” Tears burned Seona’s eyes.

“Shh.” Keegan pulled her into a warm embrace. She slipped her arms around him and laid her forehead against his shoulder. His tall, powerful body felt so wonderful and comforting. If only she could draw some of his strength into herself.

Keegan kissed the top of Seona’s head and fisted his hand in her unbound hair.

A battle rage such as Keegan had never felt pounded through his veins. He wanted to kill Chief Ambrose Murray. What was wrong with a man who would beat his beautiful young daughters? He had to be a madman.

Keegan pulled back and stared down at Seona’s hand within his, so much smaller and more delicate than his own. He kissed her slender fingers, unable to imagine how anyone would want to hurt her in any way. Aye, he knew she possessed great inner strength—she must in order to deal with her detestable father all her life. But Keegan had to protect her; ’twas his responsibility and his wish.