Alaric’s chest collapsed in relief. He watched as the other women filed by him and ignored the inquiring look that Maddie sent his way. As soon as everyone had left the room, he turned to go in.
At the door he paused and looked back at his brothers. “See that we aren’t disturbed.”
Chapter 23
Keeley opened her eyes to see Alaric standing by the bed, his expression brooding and inquisitive.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Warm. Finally warm.”
But even as she spoke, a shiver rolled over her body, setting off another round of uncontrollable chills.
With a muttered curse, he slid onto the bed next to her and pulled her into his arms.
He was heaven. Like a stone warmed in an oven. She pushed every part of her body into his and absorbed his heat to her bones. It was so exquisite that she moaned.
“Are you in pain?” he asked quickly.
“Nay. ’Tis a wondrous sensation. You are so warm. I may never want to move.”
He kissed her brow and soothed a hand over her face. “If ’twas my choice, you never would.”
“Can I sleep now? Maddie said the injury to my head wasn’t serious. I find myself unable to hold my eyes open.”
“Aye, Keeley, sleep. I’ll remain ever near to watch over you.”
His promise gladdened her heart and spread warmth into areas still numb with the cold. Although she knew he shouldn’t be here, she hadn’t the power—or the desire—to turn him away.
She rubbed her cheek over his broad chest and sighed in contentment. The night was hers, and she’d not spend a single moment lamenting what couldn’t be changed. Instead she’d enjoy whatever she could have, while she could have it, and tomorrow would take care of itself.
During the night, Alaric was awakened by Keeley’s restless movements. It took him a moment in his deep sleep to realize that she was still asleep herself.
Rousing himself, he studied her in the dim light as she twisted fretfully next to him. Fear took hold and he cupped a hand over her forehead.
He cursed as he registered the warmth radiating from her.
“ ’Tis cold,” she said in a small voice. “I can’t get warm. Please, the fire, I need the fire.”
Shivers wracked her body, and as hot as she felt to his touch, she seemed equally freezing on the inside.
“Shh, love. I’ll warm you.”
Even as he said the words, he recalled the knowledge that extra warmth only added to a fever. Was he supposed to strip her of the furs and her clothing and bathe her in cool water, or at least wipe her brow with a cool rag?
Helplessness gripped him. He hadn’t the skills to nurse someone with a fever. Battle was his skill. Killing and defense. Repairing wounds? He had no experience.
Gently he pried her body away from his and rolled from the heat of the furs. He was glad for the slight chill in the room, for Keeley burned with a fever, and where he’d warmed her earlier, she now had heat enough for the both of them.
He bent to brush his lips across her hot brow. “I’ll return in a moment. I promise.”
Her slight whimper tightened his chest, but he turned away and hurried out of the chamber. The hallway was dark and quiet. The keep was asleep. He walked all the way down to where Ewan’s chamber was located.
He knocked, knowing Ewan was a light sleeper, but he didn’t go in, not knowing what he’d interrupt between the laird and his wife if he did.
Only when he heard the gruff summons, did he crack the door and stick his head around.
“ ’Tis I,” Alaric whispered.
Ewan sat up in bed, careful to keep the furs covering Mairin.
“Alaric?” Mairin asked sleepily. “Is anything amiss? Is it Keeley?”
“Go back to sleep,” Ewan said gently. “You have need of your rest. I’ll see to the matter.”
“Nothing is amiss,” Alaric reassured. “I have need to speak with Ewan, ’tis all.”
Ewan hurriedly dressed and joined Alaric in the hallway.
“What is the matter?” Ewan demanded.
“I didn’t want to speak in front of Mairin because I knew she wouldn’t sleep this night. Keeley has taken a fever and I know naught of healing skills.”
“I’ll come have a look,” Ewan said.
The two men returned to Keeley’s chamber. When they entered, Alaric saw that Keeley had managed to kick all the furs from the bed and she tossed back and forth, small sounds of distress escaping her lips.
Ewan frowned and went to the bed. He bent over and placed his hand over her forehead and then down to her cheeks.
“She’s burning up,” he said grimly.
Fear knotted in Alaric’s throat. “How can such a thing be possible? She is unharmed for the most part. Just a small bump on the head. It didn’t even require stitching.”
“She lay in the snow for several hours,” Ewan pointed out. “ ’Tis enough to sicken even the stoutest warrior.”
“So ’tis a minor ailment.”
Ewan sighed. “I won’t offer false reassurance, Alaric. I have no idea how ill she is. Only time will tell. For now we need to try to cool her skin no matter how chilled she might feel. I’ll send down for a basin of water and some rags to bathe her forehead. ’Tis possible you’ll need to submerge her in a bath of water. Our father used to swear by the method, as strange as it may sound, to cure a high fever. I can remember a time when he ordered snow packed into a tub for a warrior who’d raged with fever for four straight days. ’Twas not a comfortable experience for the warrior, but it saved him. He lives to this day.”
“I’ll do whatever it takes to save her.”
Ewan nodded. “Aye, I know it. Stay with her. I’ll go belowstairs to see to the supplies. ’Twill be a long night, Alaric. It could last for days.”
“She nursed me through my worse,” Alaric said quietly. “I can do no less for her. She has no one. We are her family now. ’Tis our duty to see to her needs just as we would any other member of our clan.”
Ewan hesitated only a moment before nodding again. “I owe her a great debt for your life and now for my son. My debt will only grow if she sees Mairin through the delivery of our child. I can do no less than see to her every need.”
Relief coursed through Alaric’s blood. The last thing he wanted was to be in constant conflict with his brother. Keeley was important to him and even if any future between them was doomed, he would still do everything in his power to care for her.