Alaric scowled at his younger brother. “This cut won’t prevent me from giving you a sound beating.”

Caelen rolled his eyes and Ewan scowled at them both. “You act like a bunch of children.”

“So says the old married man,” Alaric retorted.

Caelen snickered and nodded his agreement. Behind Ewan’s back, he made a gesture that signaled Mairin had Ewan by the cock. Alaric choked back his laughter and then groaned at the flash of pain that soared through his midsection.

“ ’Tis obvious you’ll need to spend the next days in bed,” Ewan said grimly. “Caelen is right. If we have to tie you down, we’ll do it. Don’t test me on this, brother.”

Alaric blew out his breath. “I’ve no need of your coddling. Leave off. I’ll get out of the bed when I’m good and bloody ready. As it happens, I’m in no hurry. I intend to allow Keeley to wait on me hand and foot.”

Caelen shook his head. “I’ve no idea what you see in that prickly lass. She has the appeal of a hedgehog.”

“Then I won’t have to warn you off her, will I?” Alaric said with a grin.

“Remember your duty and your forthcoming marriage,” Ewan said quietly.

Alaric sobered. “ ’Tis all I can think of, Ewan. I’m not likely to forget.”

Ewan rose. “We’ll leave you to rest now. Keeley should be back up with your meal in a moment’s time. Then perhaps you should allow the lass to go to her chamber and rest. She has attended you for the last days without sleep.”

Alaric nodded, but he had no intention of allowing her to sleep alone in her chamber. She would remain with him. In his arms.

As his brothers went to exit, Keeley came in bearing a trencher in one hand and a goblet in the other. Alaric stared at her flushed face. Aye, she looked tired. Worn through. She’d been diligent in her care of him.

He was still ailing. He wasn’t even close to feeling himself no matter what he’d told his brothers, but from this moment on, he was going to take care of Keeley and make sure she had the rest she needed.

Keeley eyed his brothers with irritation, which amused Alaric. She stepped around them and didn’t spare them another glance as she walked over to Alaric’s bedside.

“I have broth and some ale. I wanted water, but Gertie insisted that a braw man should drink ale if he wants to regain his strength.”

“Gertie has the right of it. Good stout ale will cure damn near anything.”

Keeley wrinkled her nose but didn’t argue. “Can you sit up?”

Alaric glanced down, then gingerly planted his elbow in the mattress to give himself a shove upward.