This time, she seemed to embrace the silence that followed, pulling even further into herself. Finally, she tore her eyes away from his and looked at her folded hands. She hadn’t wanted this either, Liam realized. And she was conceding a fair bit of pride in admitting it.
“I’m his only survivin’ daughter,” she continued, speaking directly to her lap. It was almost as if she was forcing each word from the depths of her soul. “Me mother and sister died from his neglect. Havin’ twins was too much for me mother’s body, and me sister came out sickly. I was lucky enough to be the healthier of the two of us. Because I lived, I became his burden,” she said as she finally met his eyes once more.
He could see her discomfort at sharing something so personal, but there was something else beneath it, too. Something that looked a lot like fear. “I daenae want to go back to him. I willdo anythin’ to prevent it. So I will care for yer daughter as if she were me own. That, at least, I can promise ye.”
Something about her tone, the way she was clearly summoning every bit of bravery she had, softened something in Liam without his permission. It was unfamiliar, and he shifted as he dismissed the discomfort. She knew nothing of the life she was stepping into, regardless of how truthful she was being.
We will see how well she adjusts.
“Then I look forward to seein’ what ye do,” he said, picking up a quill to keep himself from reaching out to her. “But it is best ye remember why ye are here.”
“I willnae let ye down,” Katherine promised, occupied with her hands in her lap again. She was quiet, contemplative.
“Ye have the rest of yer life in front of ye to prove that ye’re up to the task,” he said, writing a singular word on the parchment in front of him even though his mind was anywhere but the work in front of him. “But the next three weeks are the most important. Do ye understand?”
If asked, he wouldn’t be able to articulate why he was giving her this concession. Perhaps, he felt as if it were the least he could do in exchange for her brutal honesty. He liked to consider himself a fair leader.
“Aye.” She looked up at him once more, a soft smile on her face. “When do I get to meet the darlin’ child?”
Despite himself, the corner of his mouth lifted at the mention of Agnes. He put his quill aside slowly and deliberately, schooling his expression back into detachment. His tone reserved, he said, “We can have the first lesson now. She’s in the solar with her maid.”
“N–Now?” she stuttered, sitting up straighter in her seat. “I havenae planned anythin’. I daenae ken where to begin. I?—”
“I’m nae expectin’ ye to give a full, proper lesson today,” Liam said, rising from his chair and watching her expectantly. This test was less about the content of her instruction and more about how she performed under pressure. “I just want to see how ye work with her.”
Her face pale, Katherine nodded and fell into step behind him. As he led her through the corridors, he wondered again if he hadn’t made a terrible mistake. He had already softened his rules for her, and the three weeks of trial were quickly turning into a three-week training period.
This was already out of me control the second I allowed me grandmother to convince me to go to that auction.
Chapter Seven
Katherine kept her eyes on Liam’s back as he led her through the winding corridors of the castle. Her mind raced with all of the possible things she could teach the child. It wasn’t as if she had parchment or any tools to demonstrate her points.
I’m nae a teacher. And I stopped havin’ someone to teach me when I was eleven.
“When we’re finished here, the servants will send ye a meal to yer quarters,” Laird MacDougal said when they reached the door to the solar.
“That would be nice,” she said, putting a smile on her face as the door opened.
It had been a long day, and Katherine was exhausted. She wanted nothing more than a hot meal and to crawl into the plush bed that she was able to call her own. First impressions wereimportant, though. She couldn’t let the child sense any of her discomfort.
“Agnes,” Liam said as they walked inside. “I’ve brought someone for ye to meet.”
At first, Katherine didn’t see anyone within the solar. Then, she spotted a maid standing off to the side. A few feet away from the woman was a child, no older than six, looking out the window with a stillness that seemed unnatural for a child her age.
Slowly, she stepped around Liam, approaching little Agnes slowly. The girl didn’t turn, her gaze fixed on the hills beyond. She had the same distant look that her father had, as if she was harboring something so deep it couldn’t be spoken.
“Agnes?” Katherine said softly, keeping her voice as warm as she could. “Me name is Katherine. It’s such a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Despite her efforts to avoid disturbing the quiet atmosphere, Katherine’s final word seemed to echo through the space. It was enough to make Agnes turn toward her. Her little brows were furrowed, and a severe frown was on her small face.
“Ye are loud,” the girl said finally, the quality of her speech making her seem much older than she actually was.
Katherine nearly laughed, but she managed to stifle it. With a grin on her face, she said, “Ye ken, everyone keeps tellin’ me that.”
Agnes sniffed in response, taking in Katherine’s form slowly. Katherine didn’t think she’d ever been examined with such scrutiny. Finally, her words stilted, Agnes said, “Those braids… They are bonnie.”
It wasn’t much, but Katherine saw the opportunity. She touched one of the plaits, still damp from the downpour outside. Thoughtfully, she asked, “Do ye ken how to braid yer own hair?”
