Gannon grinned. “ ’Tis much quicker this way, lass. Just stay where we put you and there’ll be no trouble.”
She sent him a look of disgust before settling into the saddle for the short journey ahead.
The wind kicked up and Keeley swore she could smell snow coming. The sky was cast in gray and the clouds swelled, puffy and ready to drop their moisture at any moment.
She shivered as they rode steadily forward. Gannon pulled the blanket tighter around her with one hand while he guided his horse with the other. She clutched gratefully at the ends and pushed back against him so she could absorb his warmth.
To the side, Laird McCabe halted his horse and issued an order for Cormac to ride ahead and alert the keep of their return. Around her the cry went up from the group of warriors. They’d entered McCabe land.
“Make sure my wife stays in the keep where she belongs,” the laird ordered Cormac.
Cormac sighed wearily and the other warriors gave him looks of pity as he rode ahead.
Gannon chuckled and Keeley turned, eyeing him curiously.
Gannon shook his head. “ ’Tis an impossible task our laird has charged Cormac with, and he well knows it.”
“Is Lady McCabe not accommodating of the laird’s wishes?”
Around them several men laughed. Even Caelen wore a hint of amusement at her question.
“It would be disloyal of me to answer your question,” Gannon said solemnly.
Keeley shrugged. She knew from experience that when women were heavy with child they tended to be more headstrong. Being trapped inside the keep would probably drive any pregnant woman insane. She couldn’t fault the laird’s wife for wanting a bit of freedom now and again.
An hour later, they topped a rise, and Keeley looked down at the dark waters of a loch spread across the valley and butting into the dramatic hills. Nestled in the bend was a keep in various stages of repair, or disrepair, although it looked as if the men were working hard to rebuild the walls.
The McCabes looked as though they were on hard times. While she herself could hardly be considered wealthy, she was self-sufficient and she never went without food.
As if sensing the direction of her thoughts, the laird turned and fixed her with a steely stare.
“You will be well provided for on McCabe land. As long as you do the tasks we’ve brought you here for, you will be amply rewarded with a place to live and food on your table.”
She almost snorted. He made it sound so civilized, as if they’d hired her services. Snatching her from the warmth of her blankets at dawn could hardly be construed as an invitation.
“Will you work through the winter, Laird?” she asked as they rode down the incline toward the bridge that led over the loch and into the courtyard of the keep.
Ewan didn’t respond. His attention was focused ahead, his sharp eyes taking in every detail. It was as though he was looking for someone.
As they neared the bridge, Keeley could see inside the stone wall. Warriors gathered, concern etched on their faces. Behind them, women and children also gathered, silent and waiting.
When they rode into the courtyard, Ewan frowned, and he let out a great sigh. Keeley followed his gaze to where a visibly pregnant woman hurried past the warriors standing at attention. Another man followed closely on her heels, his expression haggard.
“Ewan!” the woman cried. “What has happened to Alaric?”
Ewan dismounted just as the woman reached the litter. “Mairin, you were instructed to remain inside the keep. Not only is it cold out here, it isn’t safe.”
Mairin raised her gaze to Ewan and frowned just as ferociously as he was scowling at her. “You must bring him inside so we can tend to him. He doesn’t look well!”
“I’ve brought along someone who will care for him,” Ewan soothed.
Mairin turned sharply to survey the riders who were slowly dismounting around Keeley. Then Mairin’s gaze rested on Keeley and her eyebrows went up in surprise. Her eyes narrowed and a thoughtful frown spread across her face.
“Is she qualified to tend to Alaric’s injuries?”
At that, Keeley’s back went up and she struggled to free herself from Gannon’s hold. He lifted her down and as soon as her feet were planted on the ground, she faced Mairin with an indignant huff.
“I’ll have you know I’m sought out regularly for my healing abilities. Furthermore, I had no desire to come with Laird McCabe. I wasn’t given a choice! Am I qualified? Certainly. But the question that should be posed is whether I’m willing to tend to Alaric’s wounds.”
Mairin blinked and her mouth fell open. Her brows drew together in confusion just before she rounded on her husband who was glaring holes through Keeley.
“Ewan? Is this true? You abducted this woman?”
Ewan’s lips twisted in a snarl. He pointed at Keeley and advanced. Keeley clamped her legs together to keep her knees from knocking. She wouldn’t show fear even if she was terrified to her toes.
“You will address Lady McCabe with respect. You have two choices. You can accept your fate or you can die. And if you ever show my wife such blatant disrespect again, you’ll regret it. I have no time for petulance. My brother’s life is hanging in the balance. You will tend to him and you’ll not begrudge your duty. Are we clear?”
Keeley’s lips tightened into a line and she bit her tongue to prevent herself from saying what she really wanted. Instead she issued a short nod.
Mairin glanced between Keeley and her husband, clearly befuddled. “Ewan, you can’t just abduct this woman. What of her home? Her family? Surely there’s another way.”