Leaving the door open, she crossed the hallway and entered Marian’s room, placing the clothes on the bed before leaving. After a moment’s hesitation she re-entered the small, unused room. The bed was covered with a dust sheet and there was a plain wooden chair in one corner. The room had no fireplace and it was chilly. She slipped past the bed and rubbed a clean spot on the window. It faced into the back yard, and she could see Tristan and Marshall standing at the entrance to the barn.
“This used to be my room you know.”
She turned and smiled at Avery. “Really?”
“Aye.”
“Why did you stay in the servant’s quarters?” Bree asked curiously.
Avery joined her at the window. “Tristan bought both Maya and I from a slave house. Maya was Sophia and Nicky’s nanny and I – well, if I am completely truthful – I was bought only because Sophia wanted me.”
Bree stared flabbergasted at her. “Tristan bought you as slaves?”
Avery laughed softly. “Aye, little one. He did.”
“But – but, you don’t have slaves here. You – “
“We don’t now.” Avery interrupted. “At that time, Tristan did own slaves. He didn’t treat them cruelly but he didn’t pay them. Shortly after Maya and I arrived, he realized his error and started paying the people who worked for him.”
“Did it have something to do with you?”
Avery grinned a little. “Perhaps. I have always felt very strongly on the subject of slavery. I may have helped him to see the light.”
Avery stared around the small room. “I haven’t been in this room for many years.”
“So you and Tristan fell in love?”
“We did.” Avery smiled at her. “We were attracted to each other from the beginning, but it took a while for us to confess our feelings. There were some obstacles in our path.”
“Because you’re a human and he’s a Lycan?” Bree asked softly.
“Well, in a way. It didn’t bother me that Tristan was Lycan, nor did it bother him that I was human. But Vivian did not approve of our love. She wanted Tristan to marry a Lycan, and she believed it would be best if Sophia was raised by a mother who was Lycan.”
“What changed her mind?”
“I saved Sophia’s life.” Avery said softly. She stared out the window for a few moments until Bree touched her arm hesitantly.
“I’d like to stay in this room if I could.”
Avery frowned. “It’s much too cold Bree.”
“With your sister and her family visiting, the guest rooms are full. I’ll just use a lot of blankets.”
Avery hesitated. “Are you not going to stay with James in his room?”
Bree blushed to the roots of her hair, and Avery patted her arm gently. “I’m sorry my love. I did not mean to embarrass you.”
“It’s fine.” Bree mumbled. She looked at the floor. “I – I would prefer to stay in this room.”
Avery stared at her for a long moment and then sighed. “Very well. You can stay here. If you promise that you will not sneak away in the night.”
She tipped Bree’s head up and gave her a searching look. “Do you promise Bree?”
Bree nodded. “Yes.”
“I know you are worried for your brother and I understand that. I could not imagine how I would feel if Maya was in danger and I couldn’t do anything about it. But I promise you, we will come up with a plan to save your brother.”
Bree nodded again and Avery kissed her forehead gently. “I am trusting you to not run away little Bree. I won’t lie – the others won’t trust you and James in particular will not want you to stay in this room by yourself. I’ll support your request and help convince him because I know in my heart you won’t leave again without telling us. But don’t turn me into a liar okay?”
“I won’t. I promise you Avery.” Bree was on the verge of tears again and Avery drew her into a hug.
“I know you won’t my love. Now, if you’re going to sleep in this room you’ll have to ask Laura to show you the rock trick.”
Bree frowned. “Rock trick?”
Avery laughed. “Come little one, let’s find Laura and she can explain.”
* * *
“Please don’t stay in this room Bree.”
James deep voice startled her and she dropped the stack of blankets she was holding, on to the bed. She turned and gave him a weak smile. It was after dinner and she had just finished cleaning the tiny room of the dust and changing the sheets on the bed.
She had not sat with the family for dinner. She had ducked out to the barn as soon as she had finished helping Marian with the food, and helped Ian clean out some of the stalls. If he found it odd that she was there he didn’t mention it. When Marian showed up with plates of food for both of them, Bree had sat on a bale of hay and visited with Ian while they ate. She didn’t know him very well, but he spoke kindly to her and his admiration for Tristan and his family were clear.