Page 31 of A Fearless Rebel

“What is yer mother like?”

At the question, he had to consider how Lady Fraser came across. “Mother is spirited and at the same time calm. She manages to make time for whatever requires her attention. As much as she comes and goes, I often wonder how she ensures the house is run so well. Our staff respects and likes her. Through the years, she somehow was able to keep Esme and me from killing each other.”

Ava studied him for a long moment. “Does she hold influence over yer father?”

It was a strange question. But then he considered that her father was ruthless and perhaps Lady Mackenzie was as well. “She does, in a way. They balance each other well.”

When she frowned and turned away, he knew Ava’s mind was in all probability going over what her life would be like.

“Ye should rest now. I will return later.”

Chapter Ten

Her first meal at Fraser Keep went exactly as Ava expected. When people thought the laird’s family didn’t notice, they glared at her. Occasionally, she caught women looking from her to Keithen with obvious contempt.

Admittedly, her husband was quite handsome, which made her wonder how many of the women in the room had hoped for marriage. She slid a look to him as trays laden with freshly sliced meat were placed on the table.

“I expect it will get better over time.” Although he kept his gaze forward, he’d caught her looking at him. “Ye will have to be patient.”

Patience was the one thing she was exhausted of. For years, she’d been ignored by her family and late husband. At last meals, she’d grown accustomed to eating quickly and leaving since it was rare that anyone deemed it necessary for her to be part of any conversation.

Now again, this time, she had to wait and allow the people in the room, that would sooner see her dead, to not hate her. Ava almost laughed at the thought. “My life has been a study in patience,” she replied.

Without asking, Keithen served her. Taking time to choose the best cuts, he placed two pieces of meat on her plate. Then he once again took great pains to choose pieces of chopped turnip and did the same.

Ava wasn’t sure what to think of the practice. She’d not noticed any of the other husbands doing the same for their wives. Then again, she’d been much too busy trying to avoid eye contact while keeping her head up.

Instinctively, she knew it was imperative not to show weakness.

Seeming oblivious to the lukewarm reception by the others in the room, her aunt and Lady Fraser acted as if they were long-lost friends. Their conversation continuing about gardening and managing a large household. Lady Fraser, who sat on the other side of the laird, leaned forward to speak over the woman’s husband, until he finally ceded his seat to her.

When the meal was over, Ava allowed Keithen to help her to her feet, unsure what she’d do next.

He guided her to a table where two women sat, one that she immediately recognized as Catriona, the other a pleasant woman who smiled up at her warmly.

“Please sit,” Catriona invited. “I hope yer first meal here was not too unpleasant.” The woman looked to Keithen and a kind of unspoken exchange happened between them.

As the people in the room dispersed, most to find their way home, the room became almost empty. She noted that a few people lingered, almost reluctant to leave, some chatting amiably with guards, others with the laird and his wife.

The difference between life in this keep and her own was astounding. Unless putting up a front for visiting lairds, people from the surrounding villages were never invited to share last meal. And when they did come, there was a strained atmosphere as most were afraid to do anything that would annoy her late father.

When laughter sounded, Ava started, unused to hearing it inside. Two men bent at the waist laughing so hard, they wiped tears from their faces. Keithen neared and they tried to tell him what they spoke of but had a hard time as they could not contain their mirth. Finally, Keithen joined in the laughter, producing a deep rich sound.

“It is quite different here than what I am used to,” Ava admitted when she noticed Catriona and the other woman studying her. “There was never laughter in my home.”

“I cannot imagine life without the sound of it,” the woman said. “I am Flora, Miss Catriona’s companion.”

Ava met the woman’s gaze and understood the silent message. Catriona remained fragile and she should proceed with caution when discussing anything to do with her home or clan.

Thankfully, Catriona didn’t seem to notice. She gave Ava’s hand a soft squeeze. “How do ye feel?”

After what the woman had been through, tossed to guards by her father to do with as they saw fit, which they did, Ava was struck by her kindness.

“As if in a dream. Not a good dream at that,” Ava confided. “I am not sure how to feel actually.”

Catriona’s gaze moved from her to where Keithen stood. “He is a good and honorable man who will stand by ye. Believe me when I tell ye that it was not easy for him to send ye away.”

A familiar tightness in her chest formed at the reminder of one of the most humiliating days of her life.