“You try it,” he said.

After relaxing her arms for a moment, she lifted them as he’d done. She pulled at the knife within the sheath on her forearm. It would not budge. She tugged harder and the knife slid out smoothly into her hand.

“Aye. Very good.” Keegan grinned and a different expression entered his eyes, darkening them. The way his eyes changed amazed her. Sometimes they were pale and bright as the sky on a clear day. Other times, like now, they resembled the sky at twilight. She wished she knew what he was thinking so she could figure out why his eyes changed so much.

“I’m proud of you,” Keegan said. “Now, return it and draw it again. Often in the Highlands, who lives and who dies is determined by who can draw their knife, dirk or sword the quickest.”

Her stomach knotted with the thought she had to be quicker than an outlaw warrior. She did as he’d suggested and returned the knife to the sheath.

She yanked it out again, faster this time.

Keegan stood back, crossed his arms over his chest and nodded. “Keep going.”

Concentrating on the task instead of Keegan’s intriguingly broad shoulders and muscled arms, she repeated the process several times. She was amazed at how she became much swifter and more proficient each time. She smiled. Of course, she wasn’t yet as fast as he was, but she likely never would be.

“Och, lass, you have a beautiful smile,” Keegan said.

She halted in the midst of returning the knife to its sheath, her hand shaking.

He quickly grabbed her hand. “Careful. Don’t cut yourself.”

She released the knife, her hands trembling. That’s what he did to her… him and his distracting, complimentary words.

He pushed the knife into the sheath and stepped back. He tried to hide his smile but she saw it easily. The heat rushing over her intensified.

He cleared his throat and sobered. “One thing you have in your favor, Lady Seona, is the element of surprise. Most men won’t expect you to be carrying such a stealthy weapon. Likely, an attacker won’t strike you with a blade. His main objective won’t be to kill you immediately.” He frowned, his expression turning lethal. “He’ll probably try to restrain you or capture you. He might grab you from behind, or he might rush you from the front.”

Imagining such things happening to her, she felt the blood drain from her face and a cold chill pass over her.

Keegan halted, eying her. “Did I frighten you?” he asked.

“Nay.” She didn’t want him to think her a complete ninny. While thoughts of being captured by a barbarous stranger did scare her, ’twas not more than she could handle. She had never been one to faint or grow frantic. Besides, she wished to be strong like Isobel. She admired her friend greatly for many reasons. “Go on,” she told Keegan.

“If some knave gets his dirty paws on you, you’ll want to learn how to make him release you so that you can escape. If you injure or kill him in the process, so much the better.”

“Heavens,” she whispered, unable to imagine killing or seriously injuring a tough, depraved outlaw. But mayhap she could if she learned how.

“Keep your weapon a secret until you can successfully draw and wield it for your benefit,” Keegan instructed.

“’Tis a good idea.”

“If a man grabs you from behind, he’ll probably put one hand over your mouth to muffle your screams. Then, he’ll wrap his other arm around you to restrain your arms while lifting you off your feet.”

She nodded, imagining how that could happen.

“If your arms are restrained, you have to make sure your hands remain close together so you can draw your knife. Once he is distracted by looking to see if he’s been spotted, withdraw the knife and grip it like this.” Keegan held one of his own knives in a backward position with the blade pointing toward his elbow. “Once you can move your arm freely, stab back into his groin or gut if possible. You’ll have to put some force behind it and stab deep.”

She nodded again, her face heating a bit with the mention of stabbing a man in the groin. But he seemed not to notice.

“Don’t try to stab through leather armor. ’Tis too tough for the small blade to penetrate,” Keegan said. “Make it count because if the first strike isn’t deep, he won’t be injured and he won’t release you. He’ll only get angry, and that’s when he’ll want to hurt you.” Keegan frowned darkly as if simply imagining the violence angered him. “If you stab him deep, he’ll shove you away from him.”

“Aye,” she said, realizing she’d have to practice stabbing if she was to get it right.

“If he then comes back for you again, unarmed, turn the knife around and slash at him. If he takes out a knife of his own, flee. In fact, running is your best defense. Only use the knife if you have to.”

“I can run,” she said.

“Good.” Keegan gave a slight grin. “You’ve made much progress in a short time. I’ll teach you more tomorrow.”

“Oh.” She was a wee disappointed their lesson was over already, but her aunt would be looking for her soon. “I thank you for the knife and for taking the time to instruct me. You’re very generous.” She glanced toward camp, not wishing to return. She enjoyed talking to Isobel, but her aunt and the maids were tedious and dull, doing naught but complaining. Whereas Keegan was the most fascinating person she’d ever met. Still, she had best bid him good evening lest he think her a wanton.

“Och. Did you see that lovely waterfall across the glen? I just noticed it.” Keegan pointed at a distant granite mountain where a generous waterfall sluiced down over rocks for several hundred yards. The snow at the top of the tall mountain was no doubt melting and feeding the stream.

“’Tis beautiful,” she said. The idea that Keegan wanted to show her something lovely warmed her heart. “I wish we could go closer.”

When Keegan remained silent, she turned back to find his eyes more intense as he stared at her.

“I wish… a lot of things,” he murmured in a low and mysterious tone. His charming grin was gone, replaced by a more serious expression.

“What do you wish for?” she whispered.

His blue gaze, far darker now than usual, slid from her eyes to her mouth and back again.

“Seona?” Isobel said, approaching them between the horses and tent. “Your aunt has noticed your absence.”

Chapter Four

Isobel’s unexpected presence yanked Keegan back from the brink of temptation. Saints! He’d almost told Seona exactly what he wished for—a kiss. He’d hungered to claim her lips for months, but he couldn’t do it now. He wanted to kick himself.

Isobel grinned as she approached. “I hope you can forgive me for the interruption, Keegan, but Lady Patience is looking for Lady Seona. Dirk went to tell her we were taking advantage of the privacy of the bushes for… you know.”

Keegan nodded. “’Tis not a problem.”

When he glanced back at Seona, her face was rose-colored. She was so lovely when she blushed. He wanted to grin but clenched his jaw instead.

“I thank you again for your generosity,” Seona told him as she moved toward Isobel.

Keegan gave a brief bow. “My pleasure.”

Watching the lass walk away, he regretted not making use of the brief amount of private time they’d had together and stealing a kiss.

“’Slud,” he muttered. Nay, he should never kiss her. He turned away to stare at the waterfall in the distance. The natural beauty of it only made him think about Seona and how he wished she was still by his side. He’d treasured watching the wonder and delight on her face as she’d looked at it. She had wished to go closer to it, and he was more than willing to take her. But that was impossible at the moment. Just as impossible as the two of them being together.

Kissing her would only make him yearn for her more. And that would be of no benefit to him.