Agnes stared at him, trying to ascertain what had just happened. While she was sure he’d actually been insulting her, much as she searched her mind, she couldn’t figure out what the insult might have been. It had sounded like a compliment. But then why had he walked away?

As she stood, attempting to puzzle it out, a shot rent the air and the sheep bayed out a cry as they scattered. In a moment, Keiran was at her side, his arms around her, as he dropped them both to the ground. Frightened as she was, she couldn’t help but note the strength of his arms, the hardness of his chest as she buried her face against it, or the comfort his presence brought. “Don’t move,” he rasped out, his body covering hers.

She gave a tiny nod against his coat and then lay perfectly still waiting for what came next. But nothing happened.

The stillness was in such stark contrast to all the noise of moments before that it filled her with a different sort of dread. She wasn’t sure when it happened, but at some point she gripped his waist with her hands. “Keiran,” she whispered as softly as she could. She didn’t want to disrupt his concentration, but she was frightened.

One of his hands slid underneath her back, and he held her tight against him, rolling them to the side. “It’s all right,” he murmured back. She looked up to see him scanning the horizon. “In just a moment, we’re going to stand. Stay crouched as low as you can, and we’ll head to the barn. I’ll be right behind ye.”

She searched his face trying to decide why he wouldn’t be with her. “Not next to me?”

His other hand stroked her cheek. “I’ll be right behind ye. It’s the best position to keep ye safe. When we reach the barn, ye go inside and ye hide. Don’t come out until I say it’s clear. Do ye understand?”

“Yes,” she replied, her voice trembling with fear.

Cupping her cheek in his large, callused hand, he tilted her chin up to his. “Ye’re beautiful, Agnes. Smart and kind. Ye bring life and happiness wit’ ye everywhere ye go.”

Agnes blinked up at him, trying to process the words in the situation. Her fear replaced with confusion then warmth. “I don’t know what to—”

She never got the chance to finish. His lips on hers stopped her words cold. He was kissing her. He’d sworn he wouldn’t the last time they’d been alone. She gasped as he drew back but then pressed down on her mouth again. Tendrils of heat sparked all along her skin at the touch, and she gripped his waist harder.

Then he was gone. Agnes blinked, trying to keep up with him, but before she could ask anything or even think a thought, he was pulling her to stand and then pushing her ahead of him. Her legs felt as though lead weights were attached, but she forced her legs to work, running until she reached the barn.

A single glance back showed Keiran right behind her, as he said he would be. “Into the barn,” he called, pointing toward the entrance. She slipped inside and then hid herself in the tack room as Keiran had instructed.

Her heart beat wildly, fear causing her to shiver. But as the minutes passed, the memory of his lips on hers replayed in her mind. Why had he kissed her? She pushed the thought away. It was for later. Right now, she needed to know he was safe.

It seemed she was hidden for an eternity before she heard Keiran call, “You can come out now.”

It was without thought she launched herself from her hiding place, out the door and into his arms. “Is everything all right?”

Catching her up easily, he held her close, his arms wrapping around her, one of his hands tangling up in her hair. “It’s fine. Poacher is all. There was a trail of blood from the field that leads into the woods. I’ll get Ewan and follow as soon as I get you safely tucked back into the house.”

Keiran unwound his arms from around her and she immediately missed his heat. The feel of his hard edges against her softer ones. Now that she knew he was safe, she wanted to ask him why he had kissed her this time, but she didn’t dare.

Then, he was taking her hand, pulling her from the barn and leading her back to the house, never letting go. He burst through the front doors, and bellowed out for Ewan. Agnes started, it was loud, just a touch obnoxious, and for some strange reason, exciting.

The entryway had been empty, void of people, but as Keiran yelled again, it was as though floodgates opened.

Her mother, Ewan, and several servants came bustling to greet them as Keiran pushed her toward her mother. “Poachers in the lower field. We have to hurry if we have a hope of catching them.”

Ewan gave them both a long look before he called for his gun and the two men headed back out the door. Agnes tried not to look guilty but it was as though Ewan had seen into her very mind and knew that they had kissed. A blush heated her cheeks.

“What the devil is going on?” her mother asked as soon as the room had cleared out.

Agnes shrugged, trying to get herself back under control. She couldn’t very well tell her mother she’d gone to ask why Keiran hadn’t kissed her when they’d been alone in an inn. Or that he had kissed just now. Which was a complete mystery to her. “I wanted to stretch my legs a bit. We were trapped in a carriage for days.”

Her mother harrumphed. “Not likely.” She gave her daughter a long stare. “Do you fancy Laird McKenna?”

Agnes’s cheeks heated once again and she mentally cursed them for giving her away. “Of course not. You know I don’t. He’s a rogue with no discernable qualities that I find attractive in the least.” But that wasn’t entirely true. He’d rescued her and then kissed her in a way that made her tingle in the most exciting way.

One of her mother’s eyebrows quirked. “He’s handsome as the devil. He’s successful, with a large share of profitable lands.”

“So?” Agnes sniffed. “He’s not a gentleman. He wouldn’t make a proper husband. After Papa, we need a man who will put our wellbeing first. Did you hear the way he was yelling and carrying on?”

Her mother cleared her throat. “It’s hard to argue with that. Although your father always seemed agreeable, and one might have mistook him for the perfect husband. But you and I know different, Agnes. The happy mask he wore hid his nefarious activities.”

Agnes reached for her mother’s hand. Her father had a penchant for gambling. It gave her a niggle of a doubt because, while it was considered a gentleman’s pursuit, it had left her and her mother impoverished when he’d died. Debt collectors had taken everything. If not for her uncle, Clarissa’s father, who knew what might have happened to them.

Agnes grimaced. She’d have to keep that in mind. It was more than just manners that made a true gentleman. But Keiran had already proven he wouldn’t always take care of her when she was in need. While he’d been there today, there were too many occasions he hadn’t helped her when she’d needed it most. Just like her father. “Remember when our carriage wheel broke? He didn’t help us. We need a man who will make sure we’re safe, provided for.”

“I’m sure you’re right, darling. But then again, there might be a perfectly good explanation. Be careful not to judge too quickly.”

She blinked several times, trying to decide how to respond. Did her mother favor Keiran’s suit? Was he even interested in courting her? She doubted it. He’d been rather explicit about not wanting to marry. But if he did favor her, would she want him to?

“Come on, dear. That’s enough excitement for one day,” her mother ushered her upstairs and Agnes allowed her to do it. It would take her longer than she cared to admit to clear the memory of Keiran’s strong lips pressed against her own. Closing her eyes, she remembered the feel.

In fact, it proved near impossible. She should forget all about it. She needed to marry a man who would care for her, would do the right thing by her. But somehow, the only thing she could think about was Keiran. And so, after an hour in her room, she gave up and made her way down the hall, hoping to find Clarissa.

It didn’t take long as she followed the bustling maids, who led her straight to Clarissa’s door. Knocking softly, Clarissa called, “Come in.”

“Am I disturbing your sleep?” Agnes peeked her head through the door.

Clarissa rolled her eyes and smiled. “Not at all. Ewan wants me to rest in the afternoon so as not to become overset, but it drives me mad. Come keep me company.”

Agnes happily entered the room and closed the door behind her. Clarissa, propped up on the bed, waved her over. “Sit with me. Tell me what happened today. The maids are all atwitter about something.”

“Poachers in the lower field. Or one at least. That’s what Keiran says, anyhow. There was a gunshot while I was walking.” Agnes sighed, crossing the room. As she sank down on the bed, Clarissa winced. “Are you all right?”

“It’s just my back. It twinges terribly.” Clarissa tried to stretch, but with her belly as large as it was, it only made her look more uncomfortable.

“Roll over, I’ll massage it for you while we talk.” Agnes pushed her cousin gently to the side and began to knead the small of Clarissa’s back.

“Oh, that feels marvelous,” Clarissa groaned. “It’s been so tense with the pregnancy, and honestly, I am worried about my parents. They were due to arrive a few days ago. I’m sure it’s nothing, but…”

Agnes bit her lip. She was worried too. Her uncle had been exceptionally kind to them, and she thought of him as a second father. In many ways, he was more of a father figure than her actual father had been, and after her father’s death, her uncle had supported them. “I’m worried too, but I’m sure you’re right. You know your father. He likely got involved with some business that couldn’t wait.”

Clarissa nodded, but Agnes could still see the lines of worry around her face. “Now tell me what you were doing out with Keiran that you were party to poachers.”

Agnes cleared her throat. “I didn’t say I was out with Keiran.”

Clarissa gave her a knowing look over her shoulder. “You can tell me, remember? You were there for my less-than-proper courtship.”

Clarissa stifled a giggle at some of the memories of Clarissa and Ewan. If there was one person she could be honest with, it was Clarissa. “Well, it started at the inn. He wouldn’t sleep in the common room, and we were stuck together.”

She heard Clarissa groan. “I’m sorry I put you in that position.”

“It doesn’t matter now. No one discovered us, and he slept on the floor.”

Clarissa gave a nod. “I’m glad to hear it, though I’m not surprised. Keiran is a good man—”

“If he is so good, then why did he refuse to go to the common room?” Her voice rose with indignation.

Clarissa was quiet for a few moments before answering, “War does strange things to men. Ewan doesn’t like the sound of thunder, not after hearing the cannons.”

“What does that have to do with Keiran?” Agnes knew he’d been with Ewan when he’d served in the Anglo-Indian war.

“I honestly don’t know. I only bring it up because he mentioned something to Ewan, and I overheard it. That he didn’t like sleeping with all those men…”

Agnes pondered that as she continued to rub Clarissa’s back. “Mayhap someday I’ll be able to ask him.” She sighed again. “But it was a tense night, and I went to find him today to clear the air between us. That was when the poacher came and fired nearby.”

“And what did Keiran do?” Clarissa asked, looking over her again, her gaze intent upon Agnes.

“He pulled us to the ground. He protected me, and then he…” She paused her face heating. “He kissed me.”

“Did he?” Clarissa tried to sit up but failed. Agnes gently pushed her back into place, biting her lip to keep from laughing. It helped ease her embarrassment.

“I’m sure it doesn’t mean anything.” Agnes resumed rubbing Clarissa’s back. If there was one thing she knew about Keiran, it was that he did not follow the codes of gentlemanly behavior.

“I don’t know about that. I’ve never see Keiran express interest in any woman since I’ve known him.

That startled her. Clarissa must be wrong. Perhaps Keiran kept his conquests quiet. But she thought back to the inn when she’d practically tossed herself in his lap. Why hadn’t he kissed her then? Was she wrong about him? More likely he was simply worried they’d end up married if he had. She worked silently for a while as she turned over in her mind until she heard the distinct sound of Clarissa’s snore.

Gently, she brushed back Clarissa’s hair, and then she quietly got up from the bed and headed to the door. Slipping out, she clicked it softly closed behind her.