As quickly as panic and fear rushed through her system leaving her weak and shaky, rage pushed its way through her veins. She relaxed into her chair and unclenched her fists.
She wasn’t the young girl she’d been then. She was a woman full grown and she had the means to defend herself. The laird would find no helpless target now.
“You aren’t alone,” Gannon murmured.
She wouldn’t embarrass either of them by shedding tears, but still she found her gaze a little watery when she glanced up at him.
“Nay, I’m not alone. Not anymore.”
He smiled. “If you are done, I’ll escort you above stairs to your chamber.”
Keeley sighed in relief. It wasn’t as if the laird or even Rionna could run after her to her room without causing a scene, but still, she’d been afraid to draw notice to herself by excusing herself.
“Thank you. ’Twould be nice to retire early to my chamber.”
Mairin, who’d been listening in, leaned forward and touched Keeley on the arm. “Aye, Keeley, why don’t you go on up.”
Keeley pushed herself up as quietly as possible, but despite her effort not to gain notice, the table quieted just then and all eyes cast in her direction.
Rionna, Alaric, and Laird McDonald all stared at her but with varying emotion. Concern brimmed in Alaric’s gaze and it narrowed sharply when Gannon put his arm out to Keeley. Rionna looked at her with something that resembled sorrow, and the laird stared at her with avid interest, his gaze crawling over her until she shuddered visibly.
“Come,” Gannon said in a low voice.
Keeley turned away and Gannon guided her toward the stair. They climbed in silence and when they reached her chamber, Gannon waited politely as she opened her door.
“I’ll be outside should you have need,” he said when she entered.
She turned, a frown on her face, and studied the warrior. “Your duty ’tis to the laird and his brothers.”
“Aye, ’tis true. However, ’tis you who have most need of me at the moment.”
It took a second for Keeley to realize that Gannon must have known of Laird McDonald’s attack. Heat suffused her cheeks and she looked down, no longer able to meet the warrior’s gaze.
“Thank you,” she said in a low voice.
Before he could respond, she closed the door and leaned heavily against it.
’Twas an awful conundrum. She wanted Rionna and the laird gone from McCabe land as soon as possible, but when they’d leave, Alaric would travel with them as Rionna’s new husband.
With a sigh she set about undressing and climbed into her bed. She lay there for a long time, staring into the dying flames in her hearth. Was Alaric thinking of her even now, or was he getting acquainted with his bride to be?
Keeley came awake and bolted upward, her heart pounding so hard ’Twas painful. Her door was open and for a moment her nightmare took over and all she could see was Laird McDonald standing there and leering at her.
“Keeley, ’tis me, Ewan. I need you to hasten. ’Tis Mairin’s time.”
She blinked away the horror and gradually the laird came into view. He stood, framed in her doorway, awaiting her response.
“Aye, of course. I’ll come right away,” she babbled.
She scrambled from the bed and reached for her clothing then clutched them to her bosom while she waited for the laird to withdraw from her room.
She hurriedly dressed, nearly tripping on the hem of her gown in her haste. She was about to run from her chamber when she halted and clapped her hands to her head.
“Think, Keeley, think.”
“Can I help?” Gannon asked as he pushed off the wall outside her room.
She massaged her aching temple, still battling the effects of her dreams. ’Twas ridiculous to have been so afraid when Laird McCabe burst into her chamber. Gannon was outside. He wouldn’t have allowed anyone else to enter.
The reminder soothed her, and she closed her eyes to take a deep breath. “Aye, summon Maddie. And Christina. Have them bring water and fresh linens. I must gather my supplies and then I’ll be to the laird’s chamber.”
Gannon nodded and strode down the hall while Keeley returned to her chamber to collect her forgotten supplies.
A few moments later, she approached the laird’s chamber and knocked. The door swung open and Ewan stood in front of her, his expression fierce.
“Who is it, Ewan?” Mairin called. “Is it Keeley?”
Keeley pushed by Ewan and into Mairin’s view. She smiled encouragingly. “Aye, ’tis me. Are you ready to have this babe?”
Mairin sat up on the bed, her hand clutched over her protruding belly. Her gown was bunched around her knees and her hair was askew. Some of the stress eased from her eyes and her lips turned upward into a smile.
“Aye, ’tis the truth I’m weary of carrying this child. I’m ready to hold him in my arms and not my belly.”
Keeley laughed. “I hear that a lot when a woman’s time comes.”
She carefully set up her skirt full of supplies on the laird’s dressing table and then returned to the bed and sat on the edge in front of Mairin.
“When did your pains start? And are they regular?”
Mairin frowned and glanced up at Ewan, her expression guilty. “They started this morn, but they came and went.”
Ewan scowled and let out a breath. “You should have told me the moment your pains began.”
“I had no desire to spend the entire day abed,” Mairin muttered.
“When did they start to become more forceful and constant?” Keeley asked. She stroked Mairin’s hand as she spoke in an effort to soothe her.