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.

“ ’Twas before the evening meal and they’ve gotten closer together since.”

“ ’Tis hard to say how long you’ll labor with the child,” Keeley said as she rose. “Sometimes ’tis not overlong at all, but other times ’tis as if the child is determined to make the world wait.”

Mairin laughed. “I’ll hope for the former.”

Her laughter died and a groan escaped her lips. She bent forward and gripped her middle as her face creased with pain.