Mary’s lips twitched. “Aye, of course, me Lady. But late for what?”
“I’m meeting with Finlay to discuss… well, never mind. I’m just late! Please help!”
Mary shook her head as a laugh escaped her lips. “Ye just need to stay still and stop hoppin’ like a jack rabbit, and I’ll undo yer laces.”
She helped Ava undress and then laced her into a fresh gown embroidered with gold and silver thread. It glittered in the sunlight. Ava loved it. Without meaning to, she found herself wondering if her husband would like it too.
Blast him. She. Did. Not. Care.
She should focus on something else.
“Mary, I’m starved. I’m afraid I’ll waste away if I daenae eat,” she whined.
Food was more than just food to Ava; sheadoredit. notShe was known for becoming a right holy terror when she missed even one meal.
“Well, it’s a good thing I brought ye breakfast, me Lady.” Mary winked as she smoothed down Ava’s skirts. “If ye sit here and eat at yer vanity, I’ll style yer hair.”
“Mary, ye’re a lifesaver! Thank ye, thank ye, thank ye!” Ava pulled her into a hug and then promptly did as she was told—perhaps for the first time in her life. “Also, stop calling me by me title. Ye cannae be much older than me. Please, call me Ava,” she added around a mouthful of eggs.
“I am sorry, me Lady, I am afraid I cannae do that. But thank ye for being so warm, I appreciate it.” Mary gave her a small smile through the mirror.
“Ye’re nae denying just because ye’re afraid of the Laird, are ye?”
Mary looked away. “Of course nae, me Lady. It just would have nae been proper.”
“I see,” Ava said chewing slowly. “Well, thank ye for yer help anyway. I daenae usually behave like this,” Ava said while chomping on a sausage.
“Of course, me Lady.”
All right, she’d have to work a bit harder than that to make the servants comfortable around her then.
A few minutes later, she was thoroughly stuffed while Mary proudly eyed her dainty half-updo.
“However did ye manage that?” Ava asked, examining the delicate braids that crowned her head.
“I have little sisters,” Mary explained. “We often have fun braiding each other’s hair.”
“Sisters are the best.” Ava smiled sadly. She desperately missed her sisters, but in a way, she was here to protect Thalia, so it would have to do.
Shaking her head to clear it, she thanked Mary and then made her way out of her room to meet Finlay. She found him leaning against the wall opposite the door, waiting for her.
“Ye’re late,” he chided, his arms crossed over his chest.
“Ye sound like yer braither,” Ava muttered.
“Still, when ye agree to something, the least ye can do is show up on time.”
His long hair hung around his shoulders, and a few errant strands brushed his square jaw. He was a handsome man; she could not deny it. But seeing him did not spark something inside her the way seeing Caden did.
She felt herself blush.
“Ye didnae show up to our wedding at all, Finlay. I daenae want to hear a peep!” She crossed her arms and rolled her eyes at him.
He put his hands up in surrender. “All right, ye win. Can I take ye on a turn about the castle, me Lady?”
He offered her his arm, and she took it. They slowly walked through the halls, their footsteps quietly echoing off the walls.
They spent the first few minutes in an awkward but companionable silence. She could sense him gathering his thoughts, so she kept silent.
