Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 36641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“This is Fay, Olivia,” Tiernan said, catching her attention. “She will show you to your room and bring you a cup of tea and some of her delicious scones to enjoy.”
“Your sweet-talking tongue will not be gaining you any favors, my lord,” Fay said with a playful nudge at Tiernan’s arm.
Olivia could tell that the two were more friends than laird and servant by the way they teased each other with smiles, and damn if it didn’t make Tiernan even more appealing.
“If you don’t mind, could I possibly have tea in the library. I’d like to get started right away on my research and see what books you have that may help me with it.”
“Not at all,” Tiernan said. “You are welcome to peruse the library and enjoy your tea there. I will see you at supper.” With a nod to her, he left.
“Come with me and I’ll show you to your room and give you time to freshen up if you’d like, then I’ll return and show you to the library,” Fay said and reached for Olivia’s suitcase and tote.
“I’ll take them,” Olivia said, but Fay had already snatched the two up.
“I’ll not be doing your job and you’ll not be doing mine,” Fay said with a friendly smile.
Olivia smiled as well and followed her out of the kitchen. Fay was of average height, plus-sized with a pleasant energy about her, a pretty face and blazing red hair she wore piled on top of her head. She looked to be in her forties, though it was difficult to tell, she had such beautiful skin and few wrinkles.
Olivia was of average height herself but that was where any similarity ended. She was slim with an athletic body born from her love of running that she had done since she was young. She was a brunette with natural red highlights sprinkled throughout her long hair that she often drew back into a ponytail so it wouldn’t get in her way. Men often commented on how pretty she was, though she’d never been called beautiful, but she always believed that compliment was meant for a rare few. She had a fine-lined scar on her right cheek, gotten during play with the malamute puppy she received one Christmas when she was young. Samson had soon stolen her heart, and she mourned his loss to this day.
“We have broadband service here, but it’s spotty at times, especially in the winter,” Fay said, drawing Olivia out of her musings as the woman wound her way easily through the castle.
Olivia felt she should have been paying closer attention, realizing the place was a maze and wondering if she would ever find her way through it.
Two floors up and Fay finally came to a stop halfway down a long corridor in front of a door. She entered and deposited Oliva’s suitcase on a luggage rack, along with her tote, and pointed to a partially open door. “You have your own bathroom, and I will have my hubby, Henry, set a fire in the fireplace so it will be toasty warm in here for you tonight since a chill often runs through the castle in the winter. I will leave you for a bit. Take your time and settle in and I will return for you.”
“Not necessary,” Olivia said, giving the lovely room a quick glance and looking forward to taking her time to explore it later. She rushed out of her jacket and grabbed her tote, slipping the softly worn leather strap over her shoulder. “I’m ready now.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to rest a bit, maybe catch a nap.”
“I don’t nap, and I am eager to start my work and have that cup of tea. I am a tea lover.”
“A woman after my own heart,” Fay said as she led Olivia to the library, she tried to offer directions so she wouldn’t get lost. Fay laughed when Olivia shook her head looking completely confused. Fay chuckled when they entered the library. “You’ll get the hang of it by the end of the week. I will be back right quick with your pot of tea and scones.”
Olivia smiled realizing the woman was teasing her, knowing she was only here for a week, though it probably would take her that long to find her way somewhat around the castle. She slipped her work tote off her shoulder and placed it on a forest green couch that faced a fireplace, logs burning strongly in it. Glass-paned doors enclosed floor-to-ceiling bookcases that flanked the fireplace and contained a variety of items and books. Most of the books occupied the floor-to-ceiling bookcases on the other walls as well as the few waist-height bookcases placed strategically around the room along with comfortable chairs and end tables where needed. Lamps were plentiful, providing sufficient light for reading. Two high, narrow windows divided bookcases on one wall with heavy deep green, damask drapes that sat open.