Her anger toward him grew.
“Well, none of us speaks with him, except Master Nathan’s nursemaid. That is to say, the Laird doesnae like to be disturbed, me Lady.” Mary clenched her hands, as if to stop them from shaking.
Ava remembered her father always telling her to befriend the staff. He had always said that the servants should never be treated as less than family. They were all crucial to ensuring the smooth running of the castle, the grounds, and the village. Everyone had their part to play.
She would make sure to carry on that tradition at MacCabe Castle, if it was the last thing she did.
“Mary, I want ye to listen to me, and listen well. I’m yer mistress now, and ye arenae to be afraid of the Laird or me. If he gives ye any trouble, ye tell him it was me who sent ye, understood?” She made sure to look the maid in the eye.
“Aye, me Lady.” Mary gave her a small smile. “Is there anything else I can do for ye?”
“Nay, that will be all, thank ye, Mary.” Ava flashed her brightest smile.
Mary nodded her head once before scurrying away.
Something needs to be done about that blasted man.
Why is she nae looking at me?
Caden was grumpy about the previous day’s revelry. It had nothing to do with the fact that his wife was ignoring him and talking to his brother. Nothing at all. He was definitely just hungover. That was it.
She hasnae even said good morning to me.She was so angry at him yesterday, and now they’re back to being best friends? This woman is giving me a headache.
They were sitting in the dining room with large windows overlooking the misty grounds. A fire crackled in the great stonehearth next to the large table. There were eggs, sausages, beans, and tomatoes on each plate. Caden’s plate was untouched.
Ava had sat at the head of the table, which set his teeth on edge.Heshould be sitting at the head of the table, but he would not speak to her until she spoke to him first.
Finlay sat on her right, teasing and laughing with her as if he had not betrayed her the day before. Caden sat on her left, sulking like a child, but he could not help it.
Her maid had knocked on his door and told him that his wife wished to speak with him at breakfast, so why was she nae speaking to him now? He wanted to smack that happy, smug smile off Finlay’s stupid face.
“I’m so happy ye’re in a better mood today. I must say… Ye should have seen the look on yer face when ye saw Caden instead of me, Ava!” Finlay laughed. “It was iconic!”
Caden crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back in his seat, watching them. He had also balled his fists, just in case.
“Iconic?” Ava punched Finlay in the arm. “Ye abandoned me, ye oaf!”
Caden followed the movement with his eyes.
“Come on, now, let’s be serious. We would have killed each other!”
“I’ll kill ye now!” Ava punched Finlay again, both laughing jovially.
The door creaked open, and all three turned their heads to see the little boy and his nursemaid step inside.
“Ay, Nathan, me boy!” Finlay stood and scooped his nephew into a bear hug. “Did ye sleep well, lad?”
The boy nodded and look around. When he spotted Ava, he smiled shyly, before burying his face in his uncle’s neck.
Ava smiled back at him.
“Ye ken, I would love to go out for a ride, but it’s far too cold!” Ava eyed Finlay conspiratorially.
What is she talking about?
“Aye, Ava, ye’re right!” Finlay winked at her. “It might even snow!”
He glanced down at the boy for a reaction. Nathan tilted his little head up, intrigued.
