The Laird stared at her for a long moment. Then, to her absolute shock, he laughed. Actually laughed—a short, sharp bark of a sound that seemed to surprise him as much as it did her.
“Fifty pounds?” He shook his head. “Lass, I pay me stable master more than that.”
Ava’s cheeks burned. “Well, excuse me for nae kennin’ what lairds pay their servants! I’m just a simple tavern maid!”
“Clearly.” But there was no mockery in his tone now, just something that might have been... respect? “Ye’ll get seventy pounds a year. In addition to room and board, of course. And clothin’ appropriate for someone who’ll be seen regularly at the castle.”
Seventy pounds. That was... that was more money than Ava had ever imagined having. It could keep the orphanage running for months, buy new blankets, repair the roof, and stock the larder...
“I...” She swallowed hard, trying to keep her voice steady. “Seventy-five.”
“Ambitious.” Noah’s eyes sparkled with what could have been amusement. “But I like it. Seventy-five it is. Do we have an agreement?”
Say nay, the sensible part of her brain screamed.This is insane. You daenae ken this man. You daenae ken what ye’d be walkin’ into.
But then Esther made a small, hopeful sound, and Ava realized she was already lost.
“I’ll need two days,” she said, hating how her voice wavered slightly. “To settle me affairs here. Tell me, employer, at the tavern, make arrangements for the orphanage, pack me things...”
“Two days.” Noah nodded once. “That’s acceptable.”
“Ava?” Esther’s small voice piped up, uncertain and trembling. “Ye... ye’re c-comin’?”
The stutter made Ava’s heart tighten. She turned and crouched down to meet the little girl’s eye level. “Aye, sweetheart. I’m comin’ with ye. I promise.”
Esther’s face lit up with such pure joy that Ava felt tears prick at her eyes. Then the child launched herself forward, wrapping her thin arms around Ava’s neck with surprising strength.
“Thank ye,” Esther whispered against her shoulder, the words barely audible. “Thank ye, thank ye, thank ye!”
Ava held her carefully, one hand smoothing down the tangled dark hair. “It’s all right, wee one. I’ve got ye. I’m nae goin’ anywhere.”
Over Esther’s head, she caught Noah watching them with an unreadable expression.
“Right then.” He cleared his throat. “We’ll return to collect ye in two days’ time. Be ready at dawn.”
“Dawn?” Ava pulled back from Esther’s embrace, though the girl kept a firm grip on her hand. “That’s a bit too early.”
“Dawn, Miss Harris. I’ve already been away from me lands for a day. I cannae afford to waste more time.” He turned toward the door, clearly considering the matter settled.
“Wait.” Ava stood, gently disentangling herself from Esther’s grip. “If I’m nae ready at dawn exactly? Ye’ll just leave without me?”
Noah paused, his hand on the door frame. When he looked back at her, his expression was serious. “If ye’re nae ready, I’ll throwye over me shoulder and carry ye to the carriage in whatever state of dress ye happen to be in. So I suggest ye be ready.”
“I’ll make it very hard for ye.”
“I’d like to see ye try.”
They stared at each other for a long moment, and Ava realized with growing horror that he truly meant it. This man would follow through on every threat he made, regardless of propriety.
“Fine,” she bit out. “Dawn. I’ll be ready.”
"Right then." Noah crouched down to Esther's level. "Ye're comin' home with me tonight, lass. And in two days, we'll come back for Miss Harris together. Aye?"
The lass nodded rigorously.
“Good.” He pulled himself upright, opened the door, then paused again. “Oh, and Miss Harris? Pack light. Anythin’ ye need will be provided at the castle.”
Then they were gone, the door swinging shut with a decisive thud.
