Not in front of them or off to either side, apprehension gripping him as he treaded water and spun around in place, searching for her.
“Deirdre?”
His shout went unanswered, Darragh still swimming toward the opposite shore and clearly oblivious to Deirdre’s plight, the man was so intent upon winning.
“God help me find her,” Liam murmured fiercely as he spun around again.
His dread only mounting until he saw a slim arm break the surface some twenty feet away and then Deirdre’s head as she surfaced, choking and spitting out water.
Liam’s sole thought to reach her before she sank back into the lough, for he could see that she was drowning.
His heartbeat thundered in his ears as he swam harder than he had ever done before, only to see her head disappear beneath the surface, Liam drawing in a huge breath and diving into the murky depths after her.
His arms flailing to find her, desperation seizing him as he went deeper, though his lungs felt ready to burst—until suddenly he caught her by the hair and yanked her upward with him.
Liam breaking above the surface and hauling her against him to find her body limp and her head lolling back—dear God, tell him he wasn’t too late!
He kicked furiously with all of his might to propel them back toward where the race had begun, Conor plunging into the water and swimming out to help the rest of the way, his face stricken with alarm.
Together they lifted Deirdre onto the bank and laid her down on her stomach, Liam pounding upon her back only to hear a weak protest—such relief swamping him that tears burned his eyes.
“She’s alive!” Conor cried out hoarsely as stunned onlookers rushed forward to surround them, Liam sinking onto the ground to cradle Deirdre against him as she spit out water and began to cough.
“Easy, Deirdre, you’re safe,” he murmured against her ear, stroking her wet hair and holding her close.
She shivered now, violently, which made Conor roar for someone to bring Liam’s horse.
It seemed only an instant and Liam was astride his steed with Deirdre lifted up into his arms, and now she clung to him though he sensed she wasn’t yet fully conscious.
He didn’t wait for Conor or anyone else but kicked his stallion into a hard gallop back toward the stronghold.
His heart pounding while still Deirdre shivered and moaned and coughed up more water, Liam praying fiercely that she would survive—aye, someone else’s babe growing within her or not, he didn’t care!
Yet if she was with child, might she already love a clansman that her father didn’t approve of…and that was another reason to marry her off so swiftly?
His agonized thoughts cutting him to the quick, Liam hugged Deirdre closer for he didn’t want to lose her.
Not to the grave.
Not to Darragh O’Sullivan or some other man.
Especially now that Liam knew just how deeply he had fallen in love with her.
CHAPTER 9
“Deirdre, can you hear me? It’s Nora.”
“Aye, and Eva, we’re here with you, dear sister. If you would only open your eyes…”
Deirdre rolled her head upon the pillow from side to side as familiar voices seemed to hover just above her…and she wanted to heed them, but her eyelids felt so heavy…
“Give her another few moments—ah, God, I blame myself for what has happened. Daughter, can you hear us?”
Deirdre moaned softly at the sound of Ronan’s voice…and there were others nearby who spoke in hushed tones, aye, Conor and Niall.
“Ah, this is good. She’s rousing, can you see?” came a raspy voice she had known since childhood, their aged healer, Odhran. His encouraging words had elicited an outburst of relief from everyone who surrounded her, Deirdre fluttering open her eyes to familiar faces etched with concern and muted elation.
“There’s our girl,” Nora said as she laid a soothing hand on Deirdre’s brow, Eva’s eyes swimming with grateful tears.
