Ava stepped inside and felt her breath catch.
The room was... beautiful. Far nicer than anything she’d ever had.
A large bed covered in soft furs and blankets dominated one wall. A fireplace was ready to be lit, with a comfortable chair beside it. Windows overlooked what Caitlin had promised would be gardens, but in the fading evening light, Ava could only see shadows.
“It’s too much,” Ava breathed. “I’m just a minder. I daenae need something this grand.”
I don’t deserve it.
“The Laird insisted,” Caitlin said firmly. “These rooms have been empty for years, and he specifically said ye were to have them. Said ye needed to be close to Esther.” She gestured to another door on the far wall. “That connects to Esther’s chambers. And if ye go out into the corridor and turn left, the Laird’s rooms are right there.”
Very close indeed.The thought made Ava’s cheeks warm.
“Now, is there anythin’ ye need? I can have hot water brought up for a bath, or food if ye’re hungry, or some clothes.”
“I’m fine, truly. Thank ye, Caitlin.”
“Well, if ye need anythin’ at all, just ask for me! I’m usually in the kitchens or... och!” She stumbled again, this time actually going down on one knee before catching herself. “Och, these stones are so uneven!”
“Are ye sure ye’re all right?” Ava moved to help her up. “Maybe ye should see a healer about yer balance?”
Caitlin laughed it off as she stood, brushing down her skirts. “Nay, nay, I’m just clumsy. Always have been, always will be. Now, I’ll leave ye to get settled. But remember, anythin’ ye need!”
She hurried out, still talking, and Ava was left alone in her new chambers. She moved to the window, gazing out at the darkening landscape. Somewhere out there was the village she’d left behind, the orphanage, the tiny cottage that had been hers.
This was her life now.
This castle, this child, this complicated Laird who looked at her like she mattered even as he barked orders and threatened to throw people into the dungeons.
A soft knock at the connecting door made her turn.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“Ava?” Esther’s small voice came through. “Are... are ye there?”
Ava opened the door to find Esther standing in her own room, which was decorated in soft blues and whites. The child looked small and uncertain in the large space.
“I’m here, sweetheart. Did ye need somethin’?”
“Can I...” Esther twisted her hands together. “Can I stay with ye? Just for tonight? Me room is so big and quiet, and I... I...”
“Of course ye can.” Ava held out her hand, and Esther took it immediately, relief flooding her small face. “Come on. We’ll sleep together, just like at the cottage.”
They climbed into the big bed together, with Esther immediately curling up against Ava’s side. Within minutes, the child’s breathing had evened out into sleep.
But Ava lay awake, staring at the ceiling, thinking about everything that had changed in just a few days.
And wondering what tomorrow would bring.
“So if I’m understandin’ correctly, I’m supposed to teach Esther Latin?”
Ava looked at the stack of books Mrs. Murray had just set on the table in the small study.
Three days into her new life at Castle MacGregor, and she was still figuring out exactly what her responsibilities were.
“Aye, that’s right.” Mrs. Murray, a formidable woman in her fifties with steel-gray hair and kind eyes, nodded firmly. “The Laird was very specific. Readin’, writin’, numbers, and Latin. Says a proper lady should ken these things.”
“But I thought...” Ava lowered her voice, glancing toward where Esther was playing with a wooden horse by the window. “I hope all the learning will nae be too strenuous for her. Surely, she still needs to ... be a child?”
