“And another thing,” Ava continued, stepping forward as Margaret stepped back. “When ye lost her, what did ye do? Did ye stay and search? Did ye make sure every stone was turned until she was found? Nae! Ye gave up after an hour and came runnin’ back here to save yerself!”
“We thought she was headin’ home!” Margaret protested weakly.
Ava’s chest was heaving now, her color high. “Ye’re the one who should be apologizin’! Ye’re the one who failed her! So daenae ye dare stand there and scold this child for yer own incompetence!”
The courtyard fell completely silent. Everyone was watching. Servants, guards, even the stable master had paused their tasks to watch this slip of a village lass tear strips off Esther’s former nanny.
Ava was standing in the middle of his courtyard, chest heaving, cheeks flushed, ripping strips off a woman twice her age with the absolute certainty of someone who knew they were right.
Every word precise. Every word for Esther.
That’s what it looks like.Someone who actually gives a damn.
It wasn’t desire.
It was something closer to recognition, the same feeling he got watching a good warrior find his footing in a fight.
Clean admiration, nothing more.
He told himself that firmly and turned his attention back to Margaret.
Margaret’s face was purple now, her hands shaking with rage. “Who do ye think ye are to speak to me like this? I’ve been carin’ for that child for two years! I’ve given up me time, me energy?—”
“And clearly done a piss-poor job of it,” Noah interjected, deciding it was time to end this. His voice cut across thecourtyard with the weight of absolute authority. “Since the lass ended up lost on yer watch.”
Margaret spun to face him, and whatever she saw in his expression made her go pale. “Me Laird, I... I didnae mean to sound rude.”
“Ye’ve had yer say, Margaret. Now I’ll have mine.” Noah moved to stand beside Ava, presenting a united front. “This is Ava Harris. She’s Esther’s new minder.”
“New? But I’m still her minder, me Laird. Ye cannae just replace me.”
“I can, and I have.” Noah’s voice was flat, final. “Ye’ve proven yerself incapable of keepin’ track of an eight-year-old lass. Miss Harris, on the other hand, found Esther when she was lost, cared for her, and has shown more concern for her wellbein’ in a few days than ye have in two years.”
“That’s nae fair! I’ve done everythin’ ye asked.”
“Everythin’ except keep her safe.” Noah took a step forward, using his height to his advantage.
Margaret’s mouth opened and closed like a landed fish. “Me Laird, please. I need this position. I have nowhere else to go.”
“Ye should have thought of that before ye lost me niece.” Noah’s voice could have frozen fire. “I want ye gone from the castle by tomorrow mornin’. Pack yer things and leave.”
“But, me Laird…”
“If ye’re still here by dawn, ye’ll spend another time in the dungeons. And this time, it’ll be a week.” Noah let the threat hang in the air. “Do we understand each other?”
Margaret’s face crumpled. She opened her mouth one more time, looked at Noah’s unyielding expression, then at Ava’s fierce protective stance, and seemed to deflate completely.
“Aye, me Laird,” she whispered. “I understand.”
“Good. Now get out of me sight.”
Margaret fled, her shoulders shaking with what might have been tears. Noah watched her go with zero sympathy.
The woman had lost Esther, had failed in her duty, and then had the audacity to blame the child herself. As far as he was concerned, she was fortunate he was only dismissing her.
He turned to see Ava staring at him with wide eyes, her anger seeming to have dissipated now that the confrontation was over. Behind her, Esther was peeking out from behind her skirts, looking between them with a sense of awe.
“I...” Ava started, then seemed to realize the entire courtyard was still watching them. Her cheeks flushed pink. “I’m sorry. I shouldnae have... That wasnae me place.”
