When they entered the hall, the places were being set and Mairin was already at the table. Her face lit up when she set eyes on Ewan and she started to rise.

“Nay, sweeting, don’t get up,” he said, placing a hand on her shoulder as he walked past her. He paused and dropped a kiss on her temple and gifted her with a smile that made Keeley wistful to her toes.

As he sat, he motioned for Keeley to sit on his other side across from Mairin.

“Good morning, Keeley,” Mairin said, offering a smile in her direction.

“Good morning, Mairin,” Keeley returned.

“How is Alaric?” Mairin asked.

Keeley gave her a reassuring smile. “He is much better this morning. His fever has abated and I’ve instructed him to rest for the next few days.”

“ ’Tis wonderful to hear, and we owe it all to you,” Mairin said.

Ewan cleared his throat and glanced up at Keeley as the serving women came in with trenchers of food. “While the circumstances of your coming here were less than desirable, ’tis my wish that you stay on with us, at least until Mairin has safely delivered our child. She means everything to me. I want the best care I can give her.”

“Your regard is admirable, Laird. Your lady wife is fortunate to have a husband so concerned with her welfare.”

“I sense a but in your statement,” Ewan said dryly.

“I want your guarantee of my status here,” Keeley returned. “I want the freedom to come and go as I please.”

Ewan sat back and studied her for a long moment. “If I give you these freedoms, do I have your word that you won’t leave my lands?”

Keeley sucked air through her nose. Once given, her word would not be broken. Which meant she would stay the winter with the McCabes. She’d been in constant proximity to Alaric and temptation like she’d never known.

She glanced at Mairin who looked both delicate and tired, and she looked at the love and concern in the laird’s eyes. He truly loved his wife and feared for her welfare. If Keeley could alleviate that worry and see Mairin through the birth of her child, it would please her.

“Aye. You have my word.”

Ewan nodded. “ ’Tis important for you to know that your freedoms come with conditions. You aren’t ever to leave the keep unescorted. We have enemies who would use whatever means necessary to strike at us.”

“I can live with those conditions.”