Keegan glanced back, then dragged Seona behind a thick yew bush where he promptly kissed her senseless.

***

A week later, relief flowed through Keegan when they topped a very tall hill and spied Teasairg Castle in the distance. The sun hung low in the sky, casting vivid yellow, orange and pink across the horizon and the loch.

“What a beautiful sunset,” Seona said, riding pillion. Although she had her own horse, he wanted her as close as possible in the event Haldane attacked again. And he was simply addicted to the feel of her body against his.

“Aye,” he agreed. “But not as beautiful as you.”

“You are naught but a charmer,” she chided, playfully smacking his arm.

He grinned and twisted around for a kiss. He savored her sweet lips, wanting to drag her onto his lap.

“We’ll arrive at Teasairg soon enough and you two can take a private room,” Fraser said.

Talia, riding a separate horse behind his, blushed.

“Do you think your brother will allow us to honeymoon there?” Keegan asked.

Fraser snorted. “’Haps. So long as you don’t flaunt your marital bliss too much.”

MacMillan rode by, Lady Patience behind him. They had secretly married just a few hours after Seona and Keegan. And he was glad to see the lady no longer glared at him. In fact, she had taken on the unusual habit of smiling at everyone. He supposed MacMillan deserved the credit for that. Keegan still didn’t trust her, but he hoped she’d truly changed.

He guided his horse forward, wanting to arrive and see how Dirk fared, not to mention eating and taking Seona to bed. Not that he preferred eating food to bedding her, but he would need his strength. He grinned, imagining all the delicious, naughty things he would do to her. They’d had very little private time over the past week and he looked forward to much more.

An hour later, they neared the castle gates. Once the guards recognized Dermott and Fraser at the forefront of their party, they raised the portcullis.

Horses’ hooves clomped across the thick wooden boards of the long bridge that led out to the small island where the castle sat.

Guards and groomsmen greeted them in the walled courtyard. Keegan dismounted and lifted Seona down. The smile she gifted him with inspired him to give her another quick kiss.

“What the devil is going on here?”

Keegan turned at the familiar voice and watched Dirk approaching with a grin, hardly a limp in his step.

“Cousin.” Keegan took Dirk’s forearm in a warrior handshake. “Are you well?”

“Aye. My leg is mended and only a wee bit of soreness remains.”

“Thanks be to God,” Seona said.

“Chief, I’d like you to meet my wife,” Keegan said proudly, his arm around Seona’s shoulders.

Dirk’s smile grew wider and he bowed. “I’m more than happy to welcome you to the clan, m’lady.” He shook Keegan’s hand again and gave him a back-slapping embrace. “’Twas what I was hoping to hear. But how could it be anything else since you brought her back, aye? Isobel will be happy to hear this news as well.”

“I’ll go find her.” Seona rushed up the steps and inside, Talia following.

Rebbie strode forward and greeted Dirk.

“What of Chief Murray?” Dirk asked.

“Dead,” Rebbie said.

Dirk’s eyes widened and darted to Keegan. “What happened?”

“’Tis a long story,” Keegan said. “Come. I’ll tell you. But first, I will say there is naught to worry over. I signed a peace treaty with Malcolm Murray, the new chief.”

“In truth? You did well, Keegan.”

“The only bad thing is that Haldane and McMurdo are still roaming free.”

Dirk frowned. “Well, they are wily. And I always feel torn about Haldane. On the one hand, he is my brother and I hate to see him dead. On the other, he keeps trying to kill me, so we have to take him out if we can.”

Keegan nodded. “I feel the same way. I suspect he and his men have hastened to Durness to ambush us when we arrive back there.”

“Saints! ’Tis a good thing I left plenty of men guarding Dunnakeil, including my sword-bearer. I ken Jessie couldn’t handle it alone,” Dirk said.

“Nay.” ’Twas true Dirk’s sister was tough, but she was not a fearsome warrior.

“We’ll need to return as soon as possible.”

***

That night after supper, Seona and Keegan were escorted to one of the nicest bedchambers at Teasairg. Seona had noticed Isobel whispering with the maids during supper. Now, she and Keegan stood just inside the closed door of the chamber. A huge tub of steaming water sat before the hearth, where a roaring fire burned. The covers were turned back on the bed, the clean white sheets glowing in the candlelight. A bottle of wine and two silver goblets sat on a small table along with a vase of bluebells.

“’Tis amazing,” Seona whispered, her throat tight. Tears burned her eyes.

“Och.” Keegan took her into his arms, his warmth and strength seeping into her. “Why are you crying?”

“Because I’m so happy. I never truly thought ’twould be possible to have you for my own.”

He grinned and kissed her forehead. “Well, maybe I believed it enough for both of us.”

She stared up into his blue eyes, turned darker in the night. There was naught she enjoyed more… well, except for kissing him… and making love to him.

He leaned down, claiming her lips with slow sweet kisses that grew hotter and more urgent with each moment that passed. He tasted of spiced wine and she could not get enough.

He groaned and pulled back an inch. “’Tis time for us to indulge in something we haven’t yet.”

“What?” Seona wondered what else she needed to know about lovemaking. Since they’d only gotten to spend two nights together since that first time, because of crowded sleeping arrangements and various other problems, she was certain she had a lot more to learn about marital relations.

“Bathing each other.” He unclasped the brooch holding his plaid together at his shoulder, then unbuttoned his doublet.

She watched, fascinated, as he quickly stripped off each article of clothing—his boots, his belt, his plaid, his shirt. And then he was bare. She held her breath, taking in all his delicious golden skin and sculpted muscles. His chest, his rippled abdomen and the trail of gilded hair that led down to… Heavens! He was fully aroused.

And now, so was she.

“What are you doing?” he asked, moving toward her.

She swallowed hard. “Naught.”

“Aye, exactly. You were supposed to be undressing.” He unbelted her arisaid and let it drop to the floor, then quickly divested her of the rest of her clothing.

When she stood before him naked, she shivered. Not because of cold, but because his gaze was so hot, like blue flame touched to kindling. He lifted her and stood her in the tub, then sat down on the opposite end.

“Come.” He motioned her toward him.

When she lowered herself between his muscular thighs and leaned back against his hard chest and hard… other things, she felt almost sinful. But he was her husband, and there was no need for shame or embarrassment.

Taking the soap, he lathered his hands, then glided his palms up her wet arms and over her shoulders, massaging deeply. She sighed in delight. After bathing her neck, he trailed his hands down to her breasts, gently cupped and caressed them. He uttered a breathy moan in her ear.

Once he’d soaped his hands again, he trailed them down to her hips. He drew her onto his lap, turned her slightly toward him and kissed her lips, delicious sinful tongue kisses. The next thing she knew, his hand was between her thighs, stroking over her most sensitive parts. She gasped and widened her legs, craving more of his intoxicating touch.

He groaned. “Aye.”

“I want you,” she whispered, the ache inside her growing more intense.

“You must bathe me first, m’lady.” He grinned and handed her the soap.

What? She could scarce form a coherent thought. But she made an effort.