Fraser stepped from the bushes behind Haldane, snatched Seona from the ground, and kicked Haldane forward. He stumbled to his knees but quickly leapt to his feet, looking about wildly. But Fraser had already disappeared back through the bushes with Seona.

Keegan charged forward, ready to kill Haldane in one-on-one combat. ’Twas not what he wanted, but something he had to do in order to protect Seona and to ensure Dirk’s safety.

A glint of fear flashed in Haldane’s eyes and he bolted, fleeing through the gorse.

Nay! Keegan chased him. “Coward!” He shoved through the thorny branches after Haldane, running, dodging in and out of the bushes. But after a few moments, all was quiet and still up ahead. He paused. No movements around him. Only the sounds of swords clashing far behind him.

“Haldane!” Keegan shouted. “Come back and fight like a man.”

Silence met his ears.

“Bastard.” Keeping his sword in hand, he took out his dagger, too, as extra protection should he be ambushed, and proceeded back through the gorse bushes.

Where had Fraser taken Seona?

At the spot where McMurdo had been fighting another man, three scruffy outlaws—he assumed Haldane’s recruits—lay on the ground, apparently dead, given their wounds and the blood surrounding them. Keegan was disappointed McMurdo was not among them. Dermott and Rebbie stood nearby, catching their breaths. Dermott held a cloth against a cut on his upper arm. Seeing they were well, Keegan hastened away in search of Seona and Fraser. He found them in the narrow road by the horses.

Upon reaching Seona, Keegan sheathed his weapons and drew her into his arms, her slight, curvy frame conforming perfectly to his. Thank God she was alive. “Are you well? Did Haldane hurt you?”

She shook her head against his chest. “Only a few bruises from his rough handling, I think.”

“That bastard.” Keegan glanced at Fraser. “I thank you for helping her.”

“My pleasure.” Fraser gave a slight grin.

Seona pulled back but kept her arm around Keegan’s waist. “Indeed, I appreciate the help, both of you. Did you see my sister?” she asked Fraser.

“Aye, the bonny lass was hiding in the brush behind the tavern. She resembled you so much, I knew she had to be your sister.”

“Was she hurt?”

“Nay. After she told me you’d been kidnapped, I asked her to wait there with one of the trusted MacKenzie guards protecting her.”

“Oh, I thank you.”

Rebbie emerged from the bushes, Dermott following. “Did you kill Haldane?” Rebbie asked.

“Nay.” Keegan wanted to kick himself for not accomplishing what he needed to. “He ran like the vile rodent he is.”

“Coward. He always flees.”

“Aye.”

“Next time. McMurdo got away, too. He took off when Dermott and I showed up.” Rebbie strode toward his horse, then hoisted himself into the saddle.

Keegan glanced down at Seona. “Why did fighting break out among Haldane’s men?”

“One of his new recruits decided he… wanted me and attacked Haldane.” Seona’s face reddened. “Haldane shot him, then his friends joined in the fray. I took advantage of the situation and ran, but Haldane caught me and tied my hands and feet.”

Keegan’s stomach knotted when he imagined her in such a precarious situation. “Are you certain he didn’t hurt you?”

“Aye. I thank you,” she said, darting a quick glance from his eyes to his lips and back.

He leaned down and placed a soft, sweet kiss on her mouth, grateful she wasn’t injured.

“Where is my ‘thank you’ kiss?” Fraser teased.

Seona pulled away, smiling and blushing.

“Shut your gob, Fraser,” Keegan muttered, trying to hide his grin.

A multitude of hoof beats approached from the south, drawing Keegan’s attention and darkening his mood. He knew who they were even before he saw them.

A moment later, four of Murray’s guards reined in their mounts and surveyed the scene. “We’ve come to escort Lady Seona back to her father,” their leader said.

Keegan stepped in front of her. “I’m taking her.”

Smirking, the head guard shrugged. “As long as she goes back to her father, I don’t care who takes her.”

Seona tugged at his clothing.

He turned to her. “Aye?”

“You stay here,” she whispered. “I’ll go back with them.”

“Why?” Keegan frowned.

“Is it not obvious? I don’t want my father and his men to kill you.”

“They won’t kill me. They may try, but chances are they’ll get a blade in the gut.”

“Stubborn,” she muttered.

“Indeed, I am.” Keegan lifted her to his horse and climbed on behind her. He wished he could’ve stolen her away, but he knew she would never leave her sister behind.

Even though he would enjoy holding her in his arms for a few minutes, he had to figure out how the devil they were going to retrieve Talia, then escape Murray and his men.

***

Seona didn’t wish to return to the village or the castle, but she had no choice if she wanted to ensure her sister’s safety. And she didn’t want Keegan anywhere near her father now that his men had surely told him they’d found her and Keegan in bed together at the inn. Her father would be in a killing rage. She prayed he hadn’t already punished Talia for running away.

Riding in front of Keegan, his strong arm around her, Seona turned to him. “We must find Talia.”

“Aye, we will,” he whispered against her ear, then kissed it. Delicious shivers slid down her body. She would love naught more than to sink down into the pleasures Keegan knew how to indulge her with, but now was not the time. She had to focus on finding her sister.

Keegan guided his horse toward the back of the tavern, his friends following. But as soon as they rounded the corner, her father, a few of his men, and Wentworth came into view. Nausea rose within her. Saints! Exactly who she didn’t want to see.

As they rode closer, her father’s face grew redder.

“Where is Talia?” Seona asked.

“Where have you been?” Murray growled, his glare shifting to Keegan.

“Haldane MacKay captured me. Then, thanks be to God, Keegan and his friends came to my rescue.” She gave a quick glance at Wentworth’s sullen face, where he stood stiffly by the tavern’s back door. Simply looking at him made her cringe.

Keegan dismounted and helped her down.

“Where is Talia?” she asked again.

“Inside. Holed up in the storeroom,” her father grumbled. “Go in and talk her into coming out.”

“What do you mean holed up in the storeroom?”

“She’s blocked the door, and she has a knife. She stabbed two of my men in the hands already. She’s gone mad!”

“I see.” ’Twas true that Talia was belligerent. Even if her actions got her into worse trouble, she would keep rebelling.

Seona headed toward the tavern’s back door, Keegan and his friends following.

Her father and Wentworth entered the dim room behind, along with five Murray guards. “I want to talk to you over here, Seona,” her father said in a stern tone.

She gave Keegan a quick glance. His firm mouth, hardened jaw, and icy glare said he was ready to stab someone. But none of them had drawn swords yet, thank the saints.

Her father and Wentworth waited twenty feet away, near the tavern’s huge cold fireplace.

When she joined them, her father asked, “Haldane, you say? Is he Griff MacKay’s youngest son?”

“Aye.” The men had already told her father how Haldane had ambushed them several times on the journey here, trying to kidnap her.

“Did he rape you? Seduce you?” her father demanded.

“Nay.”

“I don’t believe her,” Wentworth muttered between his crooked, yellow teeth. “She doesn’t have the look of an innocent to me. She probably already carries another man’s bastard. I withdraw my suit.” He strode from the tavern, slamming the front door on his way out.

Seona’s heart lightened with a moment of happiness. Marrying that man would’ve been hell on earth. But she was surprised to see her father didn’t attempt to stop him.