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.”

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.”