She looked beyond Caelen to see Ewan standing a foot behind his brother. She wrenched her hand from Caelen’s grasp and took a step backward.
“I think you’ve said enough, Laird.”
“Nay, I don’t think so. Come inside. We’ll speak in the hall while I break my fast. Have you eaten yet? It’s my practice to eat with my wife. She sleeps longer now that she’s heavy with child.”
Keeley issued a short nod and waited for the laird to precede her into the keep. Caelen backed away and with a last glance in Keeley’s direction returned to where the men were training.
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.”
“Aye, Keeley. You will have a respected and revered position in our clan. Though I brought you here to tend to Alaric and to deliver my child, ’tis the truth we have no healer and the members of my clan will have need of your services between now and the time Mairin delivers. I would hope that you see fit to help them. If you give your allegiance willingly, you will be treated as a McCabe, which means you never have to want for whatever we can provide.”
His speech was earnest and sincere. He didn’t look to be a man who offered deceit. Nay, he was a man of honor. She’d wager all she owned on it.
“I will do as you wish, Laird,” she murmured.
Mairin clapped her hands together in delight. “ ’Tis wonderful news! ’Twill be nice to have another woman in the keep. Perhaps you can teach me some of your skills, Keeley.”
“As if we don’t have enough women,” Ewan grumbled. “You already shamelessly run over the men of the keep.”
Mairin covered her mouth with her hand, but her eyes twinkled merrily in Keeley’s direction.
“After the meal, Maddie and I will show you the clothes we’ve gathered for you. Then I’ll show you around the keep and introduce you to the clan. Everyone is excited to learn we have a new healer,” Mairin said.
Keeley smiled at the other woman. “Thank you. I’d like that.”
After a light repast, Ewan pushed away from the table and leaned down to kiss Mairin’s cheek. “I must return to the men. Make sure you keep Gannon and Cormac with you while you give Keeley the tour.”
Mairin rolled her eyes as Ewan walked away.
“I saw that, Mairin,” Ewan growled.