Chapter 12
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?”
“Well, that’s what makes the Laird a good man, aye?
” Mrs. Murray smiled. “He’s nae forcin’ her to learn all the nonsense about needlepoint and deportment and which fork to use at fancy dinners.
But readin’ and writin’? Those are useful, no matter who ye are.
And he wants her to have every advantage. ”
Ava looked at the books again. “I ken how to read and write. And I’m decent enough with numbers. But Latin? I only learned the basics meself, and that was years ago.”
“Then ye’ll learn together.” Mrs. Murray patted her shoulder. “The Laird has faith in ye, lass. Now, I’ll leave ye to it. Breakfast is served in the great hall at eight, lunch at noon, and supper at six. Daenae be late, the Laird is particular about meals.”
She stepped out, leaving Ava alone with Esther and a huge pile of educational materials.
“Right then.” Ava moved to sit at the table, her mind already working through how to approach this. “Esther? Can ye come here, sweetheart?”
Esther abandoned her wooden horse and climbed into the chair beside Ava, her dark eyes curious.
“We’re goin’ to start yer lessons today,” Ava explained gently. “I ken ye can write, and probably read reasonably, too. But yer uncle wants ye to learn more readin’ and writin’. Does that sound all right?”
Esther nodded, though anxiety flickered across her face.
Ava pulled out the first book, a primer with large letters and simple illustrations. “Let’s start with somethin’ easy. See this word?” She pointed to large letters that spelled ‘lass’ at the top of the page. “Can ye try readin’ that word ?”
Esther stared at the letters, her small hands clenching in her lap.
“There’s no rush, lass,” Ava said softly, recognizing the fear in the child’s eyes. “Take yer time. It’s just ye and me here, and I promise I willnae judge how ye sound. I just want to hear ye try.”
For a long moment, nothing happened. Then, so quietly, Ava almost missed it:
“Lass.”
It was barely a whisper, more breath than sound, but it was there.
“That’s perfect!” Ava kept her voice calm and encouraging, not wanting to overwhelm the child with too much enthusiasm. “Absolutely perfect. Now, let’s try the next one. This is the word ‘ball’. Can ye try?”
“B-ball?”
The stutter was there, but Esther had made the sound. Ava felt a surge of triumph.
“Wonderful! Ye’re doin’ so well, Esther.” She moved her finger down the page. “Let’s keep goin’. This word starts with C...”
They worked through the first ten words, Esther’s confidence growing incrementally with each one.
By the time they reached half of the set of words, she was speaking slightly louder, though still hesitant. When she stumbled over a word, tensing as if expecting punishment, Ava would simply smile and say, “That’s all right. Try again. We have all the time in the world.”
After an hour, Ava closed the book. “That’s enough for today. Ye did brilliantly, Esther. I’m very proud of ye.”
“R-really?” Esther’s voice was small but hopeful.
“Really. Tomorrow we’ll practice those letters again, and then we’ll start puttin’ them together to make words. How does that sound?”
Esther nodded, then surprised Ava by wrapping her thin arms around her in a spontaneous hug. “Thank ye, Ava.”
Ava held her close, her throat tight with emotion. “Ye’re welcome, sweet girl.”
A knock at the door made them both look up. Caitlin poked her head in, her usual cheerful smile in place.
“It’s nearly time for lunch, Miss Harris! The Laird will be expectin’ ye in the great hall.”
Ava’s stomach immediately tied itself into knots.
Lunch. With Noah.
For the past three days, she’d shared every meal with him—breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Always in the great hall, at the high table, with Esther between them and various castle residents at the lower tables. It should have felt routine by now.
Instead, her stomach did that same inconvenient thing it had been doing for three days. She pressed a hand to it briefly, then dropped it.
Just lunch. Same as every other day.
“Ava?” Esther tugged on her sleeve. “Are ye all right? Yer face is all red.”
“I’m fine, sweetheart. Just... warm.” Ava stood, smoothing down her dress—one of the new ones that had appeared in her wardrobe, soft green wool that actually fit properly. “Let’s go eat, aye?”
The great hall was already bustling when they arrived.
Long tables filled the space, with castle residents claiming their usual spots. Servants moved between the tables carrying pitchers of ale and platters of food. At the high table, sitting in his chair like some ancient king surveying his domain, was Noah.
He looked up as they entered, his dark eyes finding Ava immediately.
He’d changed out of his training clothes; she had seen him in the courtyard earlier, working with his men despite his healing arm. Now he wore a clean shirt and vest, his hair tied back, and his jaw freshly shaved.
He looked every inch the Laird MacGregor. Powerful, commanding, and entirely too attractive.
“There ye are.” Noah’s voice carried across the hall. “I was beginnin’ to think ye’d gotten lost.”
“The castle is enormous,” Ava replied, guiding Esther toward the high table. “I’m still learnin’ me way around.”
“Ye’ve been here for three days.”
“And the castle has existed for how long? I think I’m allowed some time to adjust.” She lifted her chin, refusing to be intimidated even as her heart hammered against her ribs.
Something that might have been amusement flickered in Noah’s eyes. “Fair point. Sit. Both of ye.”
Esther scrambled into her usual seat between them, and Ava took her place on Esther’s other side, fully aware of how close she now was to Noah. Close enough that she became immediately, inconveniently aware of the warmth coming off him.
She fixed her eyes on Esther’s plate and kept them there.
“How were yer lessons today?” Noah asked Esther as servants began placing food on the table.
Esther glanced at Ava, seeking permission.
“Go on,” Ava encouraged. “Tell yer uncle what ye learned.”
“I... I learned m-me words,” Esther said softly. “Many new words that I can read on me own now.”
Noah’s expression softened in a way Ava was learning meant he was pleased. “That’s excellent, lass. I’m proud of ye.”
Esther beamed, and Ava felt her chest warm at the sight.
“And how did ye find teaching her?” Noah’s attention shifted to Ava, pinning her with that intense gaze. “Was she cooperative?”
“She was wonderful.” Ava busied herself with filling Esther’s plate, needing something to do with her hands. “Very bright. Quick to learn. With proper encouragement, I think she’ll be readin’ simple sentences words within the month.”
“Good.” Noah reached for his cup, and his arm brushed against Ava’s.
The contact sent sparks racing up her arm. She jerked back so quickly she nearly knocked over her own cup.
“Careful.” Noah’s hand shot out to steady it, his fingers wrapping around hers in the process.
His hand closed over hers, and Ava went completely still.
She waited for him to let go, the way he always did, the way he’d been doing for three days, pulling back the moment anything came too close. But he didn’t. His thumb moved, just slightly, a slow drag across her knuckles that could almost have been accidental.
Almost.
Her breath left her in a quiet, involuntary sound, barely anything, barely audible.
His eyes lifted to her face instantly. Dark. Intentional. Then they dropped to her mouth for only a moment.
Ava’s heart was pounding so hard she was sure he could feel it through her hand. She couldn’t look away. Couldn’t think of a single thing to say that wouldn’t come out completely wrong.
The candlelight made his jaw look sharper, his mouth unreadable, and she suddenly became very aware of how close they were sitting and why her mind had been circling for three days and—
“Uncle Noah, can I have more bread?”
Esther’s innocent request, almost sounding like a whisper, shattered the moment. Noah pulled his hand back as if burned, and Ava quickly busied herself with buttering bread for Esther, her cheeks flaming.
“Here ye go, sweetheart,” she managed, her voice only slightly strangled.
The meal dragged on in a state of delicate awkwardness. Every time Noah moved, Ava was intensely aware of it. When he reached for something, she followed the movement. When he spoke, she caught herself studying his mouth, the same mouth that had claimed hers so completely just a few nights ago.
Stop it, she ordered herself. Ye’re bein’ ridiculous.
But her body wasn’t listening. It remembered the feel of his hands on her waist, the heat of him pressed against her, and how he kissed her like he was drowning and she was air.
“Miss Harris?”
Ava jumped, realizing Noah had asked her something. “I’m sorry, what?”
“I asked if ye needed anythin’ for the lessons.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “Ye seem distracted.”
“I’m nae distracted!” The protest came out too quickly, too defensively. “I’m just... thinkin’. About lesson plans. For Esther.”
“Ye were starin’ at yer plate.”
“I was thinkin’.”
“About yer plate?”
“About… aye. About the pattern on it. It’s very...” She glanced down. There was no pattern. Plain wood. “Plain. I was thinkin’ about how plain it is.”
“Ava.” The way he said her name, quiet, almost careful, made the back of her neck prickle.
She took a large, deliberate bite of whatever was nearest on her plate and chewed with great focus.
“I’m fine,” she said, around the mouthful. “Perfectly fine. Very hungry actually.”
Esther looked between them with the mild curiosity of a child who understood more than she let on.
“Yer ears are red,” Esther observed.
“It’s warm in here,” Ava said immediately.
“It’s nae that warm,” Noah said.
“It is to me.” She reached for her cup and took a long drink, mostly to keep her hands and mouth busy instead of talking.
Over the rim, she caught Noah watching her.
She looked away quickly. Her elbow hit the edge of her spoon, causing it to clatter off the table entirely.
“I’ll get it,” she said, too quickly, and ducked down to retrieve it from the floor, grateful for the single moment where no one could see her face.
“Within the week, I’d like to speak with ye,” Noah said, his voice low enough that only she could hear. “In me study.”
Ava’s heart jumped into her throat. “About what?”
“About Esther’s progress. What else?” But there was something in his tone, something in the way he looked at her, that suggested the conversation might not be entirely about his niece.
“I... aye. Of course. In yer study.” Where they’d be alone. Behind closed doors. With nothing but candlelight and dangerous proximity and—
Stop. It.
“Are ye sure ye’re all right?” Noah asked, genuine concern flickering across his face now. “Ye look flushed. Are ye feelin’ ill?”
“I’m fine!” Ava’s voice came out too high. She cleared her throat. “Perfectly fine. Just adjustin’ to castle life. It’s very different from what I’m used to.”
“Aye, I imagine it is.” Noah’s gaze lingered on her face for another moment, then he turned his attention back to his meal.
But Ava couldn’t shake the feeling that he knew. Knew what she was thinking, what she was remembering, what kept her awake at night when she should have been sleeping.
The rest of the meal passed in a blur.
Ava went through the motions. Eating mechanically, responding when spoken to, and helping Esther with her food, but her mind was elsewhere—focused on the upcoming private conversation with Noah.
As they sat there, his eyes kept finding hers across the table.
She couldn’t shake the memory of his kiss, which refused to fade no matter how hard she tried to forget it.
Finally, mercifully, the meal ended. Esther was yawning, exhausted from her lessons and the excitement of the day.
“Come on, sweetheart,” Ava said, grateful for the excuse to escape. “Let’s get ye ready for a nap.”
“But I want to stay up,” Esther protested sleepily.
“When ye wake up, ye can play outside,” Ava promised. “But for now, ye need yer rest.”
She stood, intentionally avoiding eye contact with Noah, and took Esther’s hand. They were nearly at the door when his voice made her stop.
“Miss Harris. Thank ye. For doing this for Esther.”
Ava’s spine stiffened, but she nodded without turning around. “Aye, me Laird. It’s me pleasure.”
As she led Esther from the hall, she could feel Noah’s gaze burning into her back.