Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
Noah watched Ava emerge an hour later, her cheeks flushed and her braid even messier than before. She looked exhausted but victorious, and he found himself strangely pleased to see the fire still burning in her eyes despite Malcolm’s earlier attempt to put it out.
“All settled?” he asked as she approached where he and Esther had been browsing the market stalls.
“Aye.” Ava held up a small pouch that clinked with coins. “Malcolm paid me everythin’ he owed, plus the extra week ye demanded. And apologized. Three times.” She shook her head. “I’ve worked for that man for three years and never once heard him apologize to anyone.”
“Good.” Noah shifted the basket he’d been carrying—he’d bought some bread and cheese for Esther, who was currently nibbling on a piece while watching the other market-goers with wide eyes. “Then ye’re free to accompany us for the rest of the day.”
“Actually, I still have business to attend to.” Ava tucked the coin purse into her skirt pocket. “I need to go to the orphanage, say me proper goodbyes. And I have to tell the owner of me cottage that I’m leavin’.”
“We’ll come with ye.”
Ava’s eyebrows rose. “To the orphanage?”
“Esther might enjoy playin’ with the other children.” It wasn’t entirely why he wanted to go, but it was reason enough.
Truth was, Noah didn’t quite understand this protective urge that kept rising in his chest whenever he looked at Ava. It made no sense. She was perfectly capable of handling herself; she’d proven that multiple times already.
But something about her drew out his protective instincts in a way he couldn’t quite explain.
It’s because she’s rescued Esther, he told himself firmly. Because she cared for me niece when she was lost and frightened. Simple gratitude, nothin’ more.
“Fine,” Ava sighed, but there was a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. “But try nae to terrify the children with all yer scowlin’.”
“I daenae scowl.”
“Ye’re scowlin’ right now.”
Noah realized his brows were indeed drawn together and consciously smoothed his expression. Esther giggled, and the sound was so unexpected and delightful that Noah forgot to be annoyed at Ava’s teasing.
They made their way through the village streets, Esther walking between them and occasionally reaching out to touch Ava’s skirt, as if reassuring herself that the woman was still there.
Noah noticed the looks they were receiving—curious glances and whispered conversations behind hands. Word of the incident at the tavern had clearly spread.
Let them talk. Gossip was normal for the villagers. But a Laird's business was his own.
.
The orphanage appeared even more run-down in the bright daylight than it did the day before.
The stone walls were chipped and crumbling in spots, the roof had noticeable gaps, and the small yard was muddy and empty.
Still, the sound of children’s laughter coming from inside somehow made it seem less abandoned.
“Mrs. Crawford!” Ava called as they entered. “It’s me!”
The elderly woman emerged from what appeared to be a storage room, her face lighting up when she saw them. “Ava, dear! And ye’ve brought the wee lass back. And the Laird,” she added, dropping into a hasty curtsy that made her knees crack audibly.
“Please, daenae—” Noah started, but Mrs. Crawford was already straightening with a wince.
“Can I get ye anythin’, me Laird? We’ve nae much, but—”
“We’re fine, Mrs. Crawford,” Ava interjected gently. “I just came to say me goodbyes. And to talk about the future of the orphanage.”
Mrs. Crawford’s expression fell. “Oh, aye. With ye leavin’, I daenae ken how we’ll manage. Ye’ve been keepin’ us afloat these past years with yer donations.”
Noah’s attention sharpened. “Donations?”
Ava’s cheeks flushed. “It’s nothin’. I just give what I can spare from me wages.”
“What she can spare is near everythin’ she earns,” Mrs. Crawford corrected, shaking her head fondly. “Half her wages, every week, without fail. And she volunteers here three days a week besides. I daenae ken what we’ll do without her.”
Noah looked at Ava with new eyes.
Seventy-five pounds a year had seemed more than a modest request; now he understood why. She wasn’t asking for wealth, but for just enough to get by while still having money left over to help others.
The salary she’d demanded wasn’t for herself at all.
“The orphanage willnae suffer,” he heard himself say.
Both women turned to stare at him. “I’ll make arrangements to have funds allocated from the castle, as soon as I ken how much is required.
Be assured, it will be sufficient to repair the roof, stock the larder, and provide regular income for operations. ”
Mrs. Crawford’s hand flew to her mouth. “Me Laird, that’s... We couldnae possibly—”
“Ye can, and ye will.” Noah used his Laird voice, the one that didn’t brook argument. “Consider it an investment in the clan’s future. These children are of the MacGregor clan, even without families to claim them.”
Ava was staring at him with such open amazement that Noah felt uncharacteristically self-conscious.
“Ye dinnae have to do that.”
“I ken I dinnae have to. I wanted to.” He met her gaze steadily. “Ye shouldnae have to bankrupt yerself to keep children fed and sheltered. That’s the clan’s responsibility.”
For a moment, Ava looked like she might cry. Then she blinked rapidly and turned away. “I... Thank ye. That’s... Thank ye.”
“Can I go play?” Esther tugged on Noah’s sleeve, her eyes fixed on the doorway where several small faces had appeared, peeking curiously at the visitors.
“Aye, lass. Go on.”
Esther didn’t need to be told twice. She ran toward the other children, and within moments, they had dragged her into a game involving a ball and lots of shrieking laughter.
Noah watched his niece and felt something loosen in his chest. She was running, laughing, and playing with other children without fear or hesitation. When was the last time he’d seen her like this?
Never, he realized. Not in the two years she’d been with him.
“She’s a different child when she’s happy,” Ava said softly, coming to stand beside him. She’d composed herself, though her eyes were still suspiciously bright. “Ye can barely tell she’s the same frightened wee thing from a few days ago.”
“I’ve never seen her this way.” Noah couldn’t look away from Esther’s smiling face. “Even before she went missin’, she was always so quiet. So... careful.”
“That’s what fear does to children. It makes them small and silent.” Ava’s voice carried a hint of personal experience. “But give them safety and love, and they bloom like flowers in spring.”
Noah glanced at her. “Ye speak as if ye ken it well.”
“I do.” She didn’t elaborate, and Noah didn’t push.
But he filed the information away, adding it to the growing picture of who Ava really was.
They spent the next hour at the orphanage while Ava made her rounds—saying goodbye to the children, organizing her volunteer schedule with Agnes (a capable-looking woman in her thirties who seemed excited about taking on more responsibility), and showing Mrs. Crawford how to keep the account books Ava had apparently been maintaining.
Through it all, Noah watched the children cling to Ava, trust her, and see that she knew each of their names, their favorite foods, and their fears.
Watched how she knelt in the dirt to tie a little boy’s shoe, how she braided a girl’s hair with practiced ease, and how she settled a dispute over a toy with the wisdom of Solomon.
This woman would be good for Esther. More than good. She’d be exactly what his niece needed. And if Noah felt a strange pull toward Ava himself, well... that was just gratitude. Nothing more.
“I need to go speak with me landlord,” Ava announced finally, brushing dirt from her skirts. “Let him ken I’m leavin’.”
“Where does he live?” Noah asked.
“Just on the edge of the village. Why?”
“I’ll take care of it.” Noah made the decision quickly. “Ye need to give Esther a bath. She’s covered in mud.”
He wasn’t wrong. Esther looked like she’d been rolling in a pig sty, her dress filthy and her hair matted with what appeared to be a mixture of dirt and something sticky.
“I can talk to me landlord meself,” Ava protested. “I’ve been dealin’ with him for years.”
“And how does he treat ye?”
Ava’s hesitation told him everything he needed to know.
“That’s what I thought.” Noah crossed his arms. “Just point me in the right direction. I’ll handle it.”
“He’s goin’ to try to charge me for leavin’ early. The lease runs another two months, and he’ll want it.”
“I’ll pay whatever’s owed and nae a penny more.” Noah’s voice was firm. “Now go. Take Esther back to yer cottage and get her cleaned up. I’ll meet ye there.”
Ava looked like she wanted to argue, but Esther chose that moment to run up to them, breathless and beaming. “Ava! Did ye see me playin’? I was... I was the fastest!”
“I saw, sweetheart. Ye were brilliant.” Ava’s expression softened completely. “But look at ye, ye’re absolutely filthy. We need to get ye home and into a bath.”
“Do I have to?” Esther’s face fell.
“Aye, ye do. But I’ll tell ye a story while ye bathe. How does that sound?”
Esther’s smile returned. “A good story?”
“The best story.” Ava held out her hand, and Esther took it without hesitation. “Say goodbye to yer uncle. He has some business to attend to.”
“Bye, Uncle Noah!” Esther waved enthusiastically.
“Bye, lass.” Noah watched them head toward the door, then called out, “Miss Harris?”
Ava turned back, one eyebrow raised in question.
“The landlord’s name and direction?”
She sighed, recognizing defeat. “Gordon MacTavish. Big stone house on the north edge, has a green door. And Noah?” She paused. “Try nae to terrify him too much. I will still live in this village... for another day at least.”
“I’ll be the picture of courtesy,” Noah promised.
Ava snorted. “Somehow I doubt that.”
But she was smiling as she left, and Noah found himself smiling back.
Finding Gordon MacTavish’s house was easy enough—it was exactly where Ava had mentioned, a well-kept stone building that looked much nicer than most of the village homes. The man clearly had wealth.
Which made Noah wonder why Ava’s cottage was in such poor repair.
He knocked on the green door, and a portly man with thinning hair answered, his expression changing from annoyed to alarmed when he saw who was standing on his doorstep.
“Me Laird! I... What can I... Is there a problem?”
“That depends.” Noah didn’t wait for an invitation and just stepped inside. MacTavish scrambled backward. “I’m here about Ava Harris.”
“Ava? What about her? If she’s caused some trouble—”
“She’s caused no trouble. She’s leavin’ yer property, and I’m here to settle her accounts.”
MacTavish’s eyes lit with avarice. “Ah. Well, her lease runs another two months, so she owes—”
“She owes ye nothin’.” Noah’s voice was cold. “She’ll pay this month’s rent. Any amount beyond that would be ye tryin’ to extort money from her.”
“It’s in the contract! Early termination requires—”
“Show me this contract.”
MacTavish hesitated before rushing to a desk and grabbing a crumpled piece of parchment. Noah quickly scanned it, his jaw tightening with every line he read.
The terms were exploitative. The rent was excessively high for such a small cottage.
Penalties for everything from late payments to “excessive wear” that seemed clearly designed to extract more money.
Hidden in the middle was a clause stating that any early termination required payment of the full remaining lease.
“This contract is shite,” Noah said flatly.
“It’s perfectly legal!”
“Legal, perhaps. But also designed to trap a young woman with limited means into payin’ ye far more than she should.
” Noah pulled out his coin purse. “Here’s what’s goin’ to happen.
I’m goin’ to pay ye what Miss Harris actually owes, rent through the end of this month.
Ye’re goin’ to accept it with gratitude.
And ye’re goin’ to tear up this contract and never attempt to collect another penny from her. Understood?”
“But the lease clearly states—”
“I daenae care what the lease states.” Noah took a step closer, using his considerable height to his advantage.
“Ye’ve been overchargin’ that lass for years.
Chargin’ her for repairs that were never made, if the state of that cottage is anythin’ to judge by.
So ye’ll take what I’m offerin’ and be grateful I’m nae reportin’ ye to the magistrate for fraud. ”
MacTavish’s face went from red to white. “Me Laird, I never... I would never do that.”
“Take the money, MacTavish.”
The landlord’s hand shook as he accepted the coins Noah counted out.
“Aye, me Laird. Thank ye, me Laird.”
Noah left the house feeling oddly satisfied. Ava would probably scold him for interfering again, but he didn’t care. The look on MacTavish’s face when he realized he couldn’t cheat his way into more money had been worth it.