Ewan placed his hand on his wife’s shoulder, but Keeley didn’t miss the gentleness in his gesture. Why, his face even softened. He truly did love her.
Keeley wanted to sigh but held it in.
“While we stand here arguing, Alaric worsens. Go and hurry. Have his chamber prepared so my men might carry him in. Keeley will have need of supplies. Make sure the women give her what she needs for Alaric’s care. She’ll also have need of a chamber. Give her the one next to Alaric so that she will be close at all times.”
There was clear exasperation in his voice, but his expression completely belied it.
Mairin tossed one last look Keeley’s way, and her eyes darkened with regret. Keeley could swear there was an unspoken apology in her gaze. Then Mairin turned and hurried into the keep, shouting for Maddie.
As soon as his wife was gone, Ewan rounded on Keeley, his expression black.
“You will obey me without question, and you will do everything in your power to aid both Alaric and my lady wife when her time is here.”
Keeley swallowed and nodded.
Ewan turned his back dismissively on her and motioned for his men to carry Alaric inside the keep. For a moment she stood there dumbly, unsure of what she was supposed to do.
Gannon nudged her elbow and gestured for her to follow the men inside. He remained just a step behind her all the way up the winding, narrow staircase. He pulled her back to stand outside the chamber door until the men who’d carried Alaric filed back out. Then Gannon ushered her forward.
Mairin and another older woman stood by the fire that blazed in the hearth. The room was still chilled so the fire had just been laid. Ewan stood by Alaric’s bed and he motioned impatiently for Keeley.
“Give an accounting of what supplies you need to Maddie. See to his wound and make sure the stitches haven’t torn.”
She bit her tongue again, tempted to snap back at him that she knew well how to do her duty without him instructing her. Instead she gave a crisp nod and shoved past him to where Alaric lay.
She cupped her palm over his forehead, heartened by the fact he didn’t feel quite as hot as he did earlier. Of course being exposed to the much cooler air outside had probably done the deed, and now that he was within the warmer confines of his chamber, she had to concern herself with his fever worsening.
“Will he recover?” Mairin asked fearfully.
Keeley turned to the laird’s wife. “Aye. I’ll not have it any other way.”
The woman beside Mairin raised her brows. “You’re young to be so arrogant, lass.”
“Arrogant?” Keeley was honestly surprised by the other woman’s assessment. “I’ve never considered myself arrogant. Not when other’s lives depend on me. I find what I do very humbling. I fear all the time that I’ll be unable to provide the care that is needed. But I’m stubborn—not arrogant. I refuse to allow someone to suffer if ’tis within my power to prevent it.”
Mairin smiled and closed the distance between them. She grasped Keeley’s hands and squeezed. “Whether ’tis arrogance or confidence, I care naught. I only care that when I look at you, I see such determination in your eyes that I know you’ll not allow Alaric to die. For that I thank you, mistress. You’ll have my undying gratitude if you set Alaric to rights.”
Keeley’s cheeks warmed at the other woman’s praise. “Please. Do call me Keeley.”
“And you must call me Mairin.”
Keeley shook her head. “Oh nay, my lady. It wouldn’t do. And your laird wouldn’t like it one bit.”
Mairin chuckled. “Ewan’s bark is much worse than his bite. He can be gruff and growly, but he truly is a fair man.”
Keeley arched one brow at the other woman.
Mairin flushed. “What he did was reprehensible. I can’t imagine what he was thinking. Perhaps concern for Alaric blinded him to all else.”
“I imagine his concern for you had something to do with it,” Keeley said dryly.
“Me?”
Keeley’s gaze dropped to Mairin’s swollen belly. “He intends that I remain to deliver your babe.”
“Oh dear,” Mairin murmured. “The man is addled. He cannot go about abducting people because he fears for my safety. ’Tis madness.”
Keeley smiled. “ ’Tis a good husband who worries for his wife. I find after meeting you, I don’t have an aversion to remaining for the winter to see your child safely born.”
“You’ve a kind heart, Keeley,” Maddie interjected. “We have need of a good healer. Lorna passed on some weeks ago and the laird, while skilled with a needle, has no knowledge of herbs and poultices. He has no experience with childbirth either.”
Keeley’s eyebrows went up again. “The laird has been acting as your healer?”
“He stitched my wound when an arrow struck me,” Mairin said. “He did a fine job.”
“Tell us what you need,” Maddie urged. “I’ll make sure you have it as soon as possible.”
Keeley thought a moment as she surveyed the sleeping warrior. She’d need a whole host of herbs and roots, but she preferred to find those herself. She didn’t trust others to recognize the plants she used.
Instead she asked Maddie for water and bandages and broth so Alaric would have some sustenance. It was important for him to keep up his strength. A weakened man didn’t fight off illness as well as a strong and fit warrior.
She instructed the older woman on what she wanted done for Alaric in her absence.
“But where are you going?” Mairin asked with a frown.