“ ’Tis the least I can do after all you’ve done for my clan,” he said quietly. “ ’Tis the truth I had little liking for you in the beginning. I thought no good could come of Alaric’s infatuation with you. But ’tis the truth he is a most fortunate man. Even now when ’twould be easy to wreck his impending marriage to Rionna, you think only of the clan. You’re a hell of a woman, Keeley McCabe.”

Her eyes watered again. “Oh, you must stop. ’Tis the truth I tear up whenever I’m called by McCabe.”

Caelen tucked his finger under her chin and forced it upward. “Are you all right? Did he hurt you badly?”

“I did more damage to him than he did to me. He struck me once on the jaw and it aches fiercely, but ’tis all he managed.”

“Good. Now would you like me to fetch one of the women for you?”

He looked so hopeful that she had to hide her smile. “Nay. I’ll be fine. You did a woman’s job very skillfully.”

He scowled, which amused her all the more.

“I’m jesting, but in all seriousness, thank you. It means much that you would come to my aid.”

Caelen’s expression darkened. “It displeases me that you would think I wouldn’t.”

She rose from her seat on the bed and swayed as her knees bobbled. Caelen caught her arm to steady her and frowned fiercely at her.

“You should remain on the bed. You’ve suffered a terrible fright.”

“I must go tend to Mairin’s needs and see how the babe fares. I need to go about my duties, or I’ll sit here and cry.”

“As soon as you’ve tended to Mairin, you’re to return to your chamber and rest,” he said sternly. “If you don’t, I’ll tell Alaric what occurred.”

Her scowl was every bit as ferocious as his. “All right. I’ll retire after I’ve seen to Mairin.”

Caelen watched her walk from the room, noting her unsteady gait. She was daft if she thought he’d tell no one what happened. Ewan needed to be aware of the viper in his keep. He’d do as she wished and not tell Alaric only because she was right. There would be no calming his brother’s rage if he knew of Gregor’s attack on Keeley. War would be declared and everything the McCabes had worked for over the last years would be for naught.

For the first time he felt sadness for the position his brother was in. ’Twas obvious Alaric cared deeply for Keeley, and the lass cared for him in return. The fact that she didn’t leap on the opportunity to ruin his match with Rionna earned her his deep respect.