Ava stared at the closed door, her mind spinning. What had she just agreed to? Moving to a castle, caring for a child she hardlyknew, working for a man who was clearly used to getting exactly what he wanted through pure force of will...
Mrs. Crawford emerged from wherever she’d been hiding and fussed over Ava, alternating between excitement about Ava’s good fortune and worry about what they’d do without her. The other children had to be told, which resulted in a chorus of protests and tears that made Ava’s heart ache.
But through it all, thoughts of Esther stayed glued to her mind, as if afraid Ava might disappear if she looked away.
By evening, there was a knock at the orphanage door.
“I’ll get it,” Mrs. Crawford called, but Ava was already moving, some instinct telling her who it would be.
She was right.
Noah stood in the doorway, looking slightly less intimidating than he had earlier.
“What are ye doin’ here?” Ava asked, blocking the entrance with her body. “Ye gave me two days.”
“And ye’ll have them.” He stepped to one side, where Esther looked longingly up at her. “But Esther will nae stop askin’ me to see ye, so we.”
It wasn’t really a question. Ava looked at Esther’s hopeful expression, and a small smile broke across her lips.
“She’s... attached,” Ava admitted carefully. “After havin’ me carin’ for her, she’s a bit nervous about bein’ far.”
“Aye. About bein’ separated from ye. I cannae deny that, so I brought her back tae ye.” Noah’s jaw tightened. “Which means if Esther stays here with ye for two days, then I’m stayin’ as well.”
“Ye’re... What?” Ava’s voice climbed an octave. “Ye cannae be serious!”
“Do I look like I’m jestin’, lass?”
He didn’t. He looked completely, maddeningly serious.
“That’s... Ye cannae just... It’s naeappropriate.Is everything ye do inappropriate because ye are the Laird?” Ava sputtered, very aware of Mrs. Crawford’s shocked gasp behind her. “A man and a woman, livin’ together unchaperoned for two days? The scandal alone!”
“Who exactly is goin’ to challenge their Laird about his livin’ arrangements?” Noah asked, one dark eyebrow rising. “Who’s goin’ to dare suggest I’m actin’ improperly when I’m simply ensurin’ me niece’s safety and wellbein’?”
“But—”
“Do ye have somewhere I can stable me horse?” he continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “And I’ll need to ken where I’ll be sleepin’. I assume ye have a spare room?”
“I daenae haveanyrooms!” Ava exploded. “I live in a wee cottage with one bedroom, a sittin’ room, and a kitchen! There’s barely space for me, let alone a... a...” She gestured helplessly at his considerable frame. “Whatever ye are!”
“A laird?” he supplied helpfully.
“A mountain of a man who takes up the entire bloody doorway!”
Something flickered in his eyes. Amusement, maybe? “So yehavenoticed how I’m built.”
Ava’s face flamed. “That’s nae... I didnae mean it that way. Ye’re impossible!”
“So I’ve been told.” He leaned forward until he was the same height as the little lass. “Esther?”
Esther stepped forward, clearly wary, but not terrified to be near her uncle.
“We’re goin’ to stay with Miss Harris for the next two days,” Noah told his niece, his voice gentling in a way Ava wouldn’t have thought possible. “Would ye like that, lass?”
Esther’s face split into the widest smile Ava had seen yet, and she nodded enthusiastically.
“Right then.” Noah looked back at Ava. “Where do I sleep in this wee cottage of yers?”
Ava wanted to argue. She wanted to tell him this was insane, inappropriate, and definitely not going to happen. But Esther was looking at her with such hopeful happiness, and she’d already agreed to uproot her entire life for this child.
