Chapter 16
Ava’s blood thrummed with excitement. She was not entirely sure when it had happened, but Caden had straightened and backed away, looking for all the world as if he had been there the whole time.
He had the audacity to act as if nothing had happened.
She tore her gaze away from the eyes behind the mask and saw Nathan standing in her cloak by the door. The fabric pooled around his feet, making him seem so much smaller than he was.
A bright smile spread across her face. “Did ye just call for me?”
She tried not to get too excited, so as not to scare the boy from speaking again.
He nodded his shaggy head. “Ava, ice?”
He held up the pair of small skates that Caden had offered yesterday. Her heart melted.
He said me name.
“I’m afraid we cannae go out in this snowstorm, lad. We’re snowed in.” The corner of her mouth quirked down.
Nathan’s lower lip began to tremble in a pout. Then, the tiny mouth pulled into a frown, lip quivering in earnest. His eyes went wide and welled with tears that immediately spilled over.
“Oh, dear.” Ava quickly ran over to him, brushing past her brooding husband.
She scooped Nathan up and wrapped him in a hug, stroking the back of his head. Her cloak enveloped them, and she pulled the hood up over his head.
She wedged her face right in front of the hood. “I promise, we’ll go when it’s safe, but we cannae today.”
The boy began to wail.
Ava rocked him slowly and made soft shushing noises in his ear. Little arms wrapped around her neck, and small fingers tangled into her hair. His tears pooled on her neck, and her stomach tightened, unsure how to help.
Think, Ava. Think.
The silliness of her giant cloak around him made her smile. A distant memory flashed through her mind, and an idea began to form.
“Nathan, I have an idea,” she whispered.
The boy’s wails turned into snuffles, and the hood shifted slightly against her shoulder.
“Me family has a tradition for snow days. Would ye like to hear about it?”
The boy nodded, but did not lift his head, so she could look at him.
She continued nonetheless. “When I was little, sometimes it would snow so hard that we couldnae go outside either, just like today. So, we would put on crazy clothes and sit next to the fire, all cozied up, and tell each other crazy stories all day. We’d have delicious food and drinks, too.”
Finally, the boy leaned back and lifted his head. His tear-stained, swollen face looked back at her expectantly.
“Those were some of me best memories as a child—being with me maither, faither, and sisters. We would see who could put on the wildest and silliest clothes, and that person would get to tell their story first.”
She smiled down at Nathan, who had finally stopped crying and seemed genuinely interested.
“Now, I ken it’s nae ice skating, but I promise we will go as soon as we can. Still, would ye like to have a crazy clothes and story day with the boys and me?”
She smiled warmly and stroked the back of his head, waiting for an answer.
Caden made a choking sound in the corner, which she chose to ignore.
“Crazy day!” Nathan grinned.
Ava’s heart took wings. She could soar into the sky and shout with joy to hear his voice.
“Why, thank ye.” She grinned back. “Would ye mind accompanyin’ me upstairs, little master? I need yer help pickin’ out something crazy to wear.”
He nodded and smiled shyly as she carried him out of the room. She could feel Caden’s gaze boring holes into the back of her skull.
Right at the threshold, she shouted over her shoulder, “I expect ye to join us, me Laird!”
Caden swallowed back a retort as his wife and nephew left the dining room. He did not want a repeat of the previous day and all the anger that came with it. Most of all, he did not want Nathan to stop speaking. It killed him every time the boy retreated into himself.
That was why it was so earth-shattering to see him flourish with Ava. Had it been only a few days? He had already started to speak! Caden would not have believed it if he nothad not heard it with his own ears.
He could not deny that he envied Ava’s bond with Nathan. The boy never seemed comfortable around him, even though Caden did try to be warm and friendly in his own way.
Why does the boy have such a hard time trusting me? I’m his uncle. She’s been here for a few days, and he’s already speaking with her?
A maid came to clear away the dishes while he was still standing there, staring at the door that Ava had just carried Nathan through.
“Is everything all right, me Laird?” She paused at the threshold, waiting nervously with a tray in hand.
“Aye… Och… I’m sorry, what’s yer name again?” He squinted at her, trying to remember, unaware that he looked very frightening in his mask and ever-fixed glower.
“Um, I’m Teresa, me Laird.” The maid bobbed a quick curtsey, the tray in her hand shaking.
“Teresa.” He nodded his head. “Gather blankets, chairs from the study, and snacks for Her Ladyship, Master Nathan, Finlay, and meself, and bring them to the Great Hall. We’re going to have a wild and silly day, I suppose.” He turned to leave, but then faced her again. “Uh, please.”
The maid looked at him like he had grown two spare arms.
“Teresa?”
What is wrong with this lass? Is she having an episode?
“Oh! Aye, me Laird.” She curtseyed again and scurried away.
Caden walked to the Great Hall, contemplating whether he should go change, but then decided against it. He was not in the mood to change.
I’ll play yer little game, wife, but I’ll do it me way.
Plopping down into the seat by the fire, he rubbed a hand over his eyes, fingers running over fabric and skin. He was tempted to remove the mask and scratch the burn, but did not dare not, in case anyone entered.
It still itched and hurt occasionally, even after all these years. No one had seen his face since that day, not even Finlay.
His brother’s whistling preceded his entrance into the Great Hall. Caden choked on his own spit at the sight of his man-at-arms wearing the stable boy’s uniform; it was far too small to fit him.
“Ye look ridiculous,” he scoffed.
“That’s the point!” Finlay grinned and spread his arms wide to show off his outfit.
Caden felt the sudden urge to slap his brother upside the head, but he was too tired to get out of his chair.
Finlay’s face twisted into a frown when he saw his usual attire. “Are ye nae going to change?”
“Nay, of course nae.” Caden reeled back as if his brother had asked him to lick the bottom of his horse’s hoof.
At that moment, Ava and Nathan entered the hall. The little boy wore a giant tartan blanket, with holes cut into it for his head and arms. Other than that, he was covered from head to toe. If Ava notwere not carrying him, he would have definitely tripped on the overflowing fabric.
Caden resisted the urge to smile. He had to admit the boy looked endearing.
Then he turned to look at Ava, and had to do a double-take.
His throat closed up. He could not breathe at the sight of her wearing one of his own tartans and his puff-sleeve white shirt.
She had eschewed her corset, and the tartan only covered one half of her torso, leaving the other half covered by the thin white fabric of his shirt.
Possessiveness surged through him when he saw her wearing his clothes.
Finlay leaned over and whispered in his ear, “Breathe, Braither.”
Caden shot him a glare and raised his fist to punch him in the face.