Laird Grant and her father were departing, heading for the doors with purpose in their stride, determined to go hunting.
“Hunting in this weather?” Lyla asked from Ava’s side. “Ava, dinnae ye think that’s mad?”
“Hmm?” Ava was barely paying attention. She was staring at the door, waiting for the arrival of Kai. Today, she would be the victor of their little game from the day before. Kai would be her servant for the day.
Her distraction hadn’t helped by being woken that morning with thoughts of Kai being in her bedchamber, doing her bidding there and acquiescing to every request she made, even when she told him to take off her gown and her chemise.
“Mad,” Thora muttered in agreement. “It will be a wonder if they find anything in this snow.” Her eyes trailed on Laird Grant’s back. “Something tells me he’ll go a long way tae impress yer family though, Ava.”
“What was that?” Ava jerked her head around, staring at Thora. Thora, however, brushed it off and shrugged, returning her attention to her plate.
“Naething. I just see him as a man eager tae make his mark on the world.”
Ava considered what a curious choice of words these were. As far as she was concerned, there was a difference between a man trying to impress a lady he was courting and making a lasting memory on the world. Could it be that Thora had glimpsed something in Laird Grant’s future that Ava was unable to see?
She too tried to glimpse Laird Grant’s back as he disappeared out of the door, but he was gone very quickly, alongside her father. It left the three of them alone, though not for long. Ava’s wishes were soon answered as Kai walked into the room. Well, he practically skipped into the room, looking incredibly happy for a man who was about to be made servant for the day.
“What are ye so happy about?” Thora asked, looking up from her place.
“It’s a beautiful day. That is all.”
In unison, Thora and Lyla looked to the windows and the drifting snow, but Kai didn’t appear to notice. He sat down opposite Ava instead and looked at her with such expectation that Ava couldn’t help but smile.
She had plans for what to make him do today, ways to tease him and make him regret he’d ever made such a bet the day before.
“How about a day of reading and study instead, Thora?” Lyla asked, standing from her seat. “It will be much better than braving this cold.”
“Aye, aye, I think it a good thing.” Thora stood to follow her. She hesitated a little at Kai’s side, looking as if she wanted to say something, but she must have thought the better of it, for she turned and walked away without adding anything.
“Well?” Kai drank from his goblet set on the table and hurried to take a bite of manchet bread, then looked at Ava. “Consider me rested and well fed ahead of me day. What would ye have me dae fer ye, Ava?”
“Just so I understand… ye have tae dae everything I ask?” she whispered, leaning forward onto the table, well aware that he matched her movements.
“Aye, everything,” he assured her.
His leg bumped hers under the table. Distracted, she didn’t pull away. She was thinking of the last time they had kissed and theintensity of the feeling, not to mention the press of his hands against her body. She turned her leg instead, so his foot could slip between her own, moving it so it was on the inside of hers, brushing up to her knee.
“Something distracting ye, Ava?” he whispered.
“Nothing,” she declared with complete innocence.
“Nay? Because I can feel a wave of excitement rolling off ye.”
Angered that he had read her so well, she sat back and pulled away her leg, taking the napkin from her lap and throwing it in his face. He laughed as it dropped to his lap.
“Because of that, ye will have some particularly joyous tasks today.”
“Ah, I thought ye’d give me fun tasks, such as more sparring with ye.”
“Nay, in fact,” she paused and sat forward, smiling as she was so pleased with her own thought, “ye can start by washing me weaponry.”
Kai’s smile fell.
“That’s the ask of a steward.”
“After that, ye can prepare me horse as I’d like tae go fer a ride. Ye can accompany me of course.”
“That’s the job of a groom, but of course, if ye wish me tae. Anything else?”
