“Aye, I can see that.” Ava smiled. “But perhaps we should head back inside anyway? Ye could rest a wee bit before supper.”
“Will... will ye stay with me?” There was anxiety in Esther’s voice, that ever-present fear of being left alone.
“I’ll get ye settled in yer room,” Ava promised. “And I’ll be right across the hall if ye need me. I’m nae goin’ anywhere, remember?”
That seemed to satisfy Esther, and they made their way back through the gardens toward the castle.
The late afternoon sun painted everything in shades of gold, and Ava found herself thinking how strange it was that this was her life now. Living in a castle, teaching a laird’s niece, sleeping in rooms finer than anything she’d ever dreamed of.
And thinkin’ far too much about said Laird.
She pushed that thought aside firmly as they entered the castle through a side door.
Esther was practically sleepwalking by the time they reached her chambers, and Ava had to help her out of her boots and into bed.
“Just a short rest,” Esther mumbled, already half-asleep. “Just... just a wee bit...”
“Aye, sweetheart. Just a wee bit.” Ava pulled the blanket up over her, smoothing back the dark hair from Esther’s forehead. “Sweet dreams.”
Esther was asleep before Ava even left the room.
Ava stood in the corridor outside Esther’s door, feeling suddenly uncertain. She’d been so busy these past days—lessons with Esther, meals in the great hall, learning the layout of the castle—that she hadn’t had much time just to... be.
Now, with Esther sleeping and hours until supper, she wasn’t quite sure what to do with herself.
Explore, she decided.
The castle was enormous, and she’d only seen a small part of it. Maybe she’d find the kitchens and introduce herself properly to the cook, or go to the chapel—there had to be one somewhere. Or maybe she’d just wander around until she found something interesting.
She chose a direction at random and started walking. Ava passed servants going about their duties, guards stationed at various points, and even a pair of young boys chasing each other with wooden swords.
Everyone nodded respectfully when they saw her, acknowledging her new position as Esther’s minder.
It still felt strange—being treated with respect instead of dismissal, and being someone important instead of invisible.
She’d been walking for perhaps fifteen minutes when she turned a corner and found herself in front of a set of double doors, slightly ajar. Curiosity got the better of her, and she pushed one open just enough to peek inside.
A library.
Ava’s breath caught. She’d never seen so many books in one place. Shelves lined the walls from floor to ceiling, filled with leather-bound volumes of every size and color. Tables were scattered throughout the room, and tall windows let in the afternoon sunlight.
It was beautiful. Peaceful.
And occupied.
Noah sat at one of the tables near the center of the room, his dark head bent over what looked like a chessboard. But asAva watched, he moved a piece, studied the board, then moved several more pieces quickly. Then he reset them and started again, his brow furrowed in concentration.
She should leave, quietly back out, and let him work in peace. She had no business interrupting the Laird in whatever he was doing, but her feet seemed to have other ideas, carrying her forward into the library before she could stop them.
“Isnae chess supposed to be better played with two people?”
Noah’s head jerked up, surprise flashing across his face. Then something warmer replaced it, something that made Ava’s pulse skip.
“Miss Harris.” His voice was rough, like he hadn’t spoken in a while. “I didnae hear ye come in.”
“I was quiet as a mouse.” Ava moved closer, gesturing to the board. “Are ye playin’ against yerself? That seems like a guaranteed way to always lose.”
A smile tugged at the corner of Noah’s mouth. “I’m nae playin’. I’m simulatin’ battle formations.”
