Page 19 of Saved By the Highland Beast
“Cheese?” he asked with a slight smirk.
“Big, fat, yellow wheels of cheese with holes in them.”
He began to laugh at the serious expression on her face. “I thought ye were goin’ to say somethin’ very ladylike, such as tea cakes or scones.”
“No.” She shook her head and pursed her lips. “It’s cheese. I absolutely love the stuff. Always have ever since I was a little girl.”
“In that case,” he said with one eyebrow raised, then stood. Walking back over to the stove, he removed the saucepan from the bright red stovetop just as it was about to boil over. He walked back over to the table and then poured the steaming milk into their cups before placing the pot into the sink.
He glanced back at her with a mischievous smile on his face before reaching up to the top shelf and carefully removing a parcel that had been wrapped in brown paper and twine.
Sophia watched him curiously as he placed the parcel on the table in front of her.
“Here ye are, milady,” he said triumphantly. “One, albeit not so big, fat, lump of yellow cheese with holes in it.”
Sophia squeaked with delight and clapped softly before unwrapping the parcel.
“Enjoy,” he said as he reached for another bannock and took a bite.
He watched as she broke off tiny pieces of the cheese and threw them into her mouth like an eager child. He loved the way her braided curls fell over her shoulder as she ate.
“Do you come down here every night?”
“Most nights, but only when I cannae sleep.”
She nodded as if she understood exactly what he was saying.
“How are ye findin’ things with Cillian?” he asked, taking his chance to broach the subject. He knew things weren’t working and a change was needed. He just couldn’t bring himself to admit that his approach had been wrong.
“It’s a bit difficult,” Sophia admitted as she popped another piece of cheese into her mouth. “I can’t break through to him with the tools that I currently have.”
“I’ve been thinkin’ about ways we could possibly help him become more interested in his studies.”
“Oh?” She perked up slightly as she took a sip of her milk.
“I think it may help if we place a guard at the door,” he suggested. “Just listen,” he said when she rolled her eyes at him. He loved the way she wasn’t afraid to show her displeasure at anything he said. Everyone else at the castle was always too afraid to speak their minds. “I ken that ye dinnae fancy the idea, but a stricter environment would help the boy focus an’ teach him more discipline.”
“Tell me, my laird, were any of the other tutors you hired strict with him?”
“Aye, two of them were very strict. I went to London to choose them meself.”
“And how did that work out for you at the end of the day?”
Dean took a deep breath to hide his amusement at her words. She was more forthcoming with her opinions than any other woman he had ever met. “What would ye have me do then? Let him run around the castle stabbin’ people with a sword?”
“Obviously not.” She paused to consider for a second. “Well, not a real one at least. Just a wooden one.”
He shook his head as a smile crept over her lips.
“On a more serious note, you don’t have to agree to letting him learn how to fight, but please consider letting me use a few props to gain his interest.” She searched his face for a reaction before deciding to take her shot. “Or allow him to train with Anthony using a wooden sword for one hour a day if he agrees to do five hours of schooling in the mornings.”
The laird sat back in his chair and sipped his milk. The sheer look of determination on her face made him want to give her whatever she wanted. He didn’t know why he found her so beguiling. He hadn’t even felt this way about his late wife. Granted, it had been an arranged marriage, but there had at least been a semblance of mutual respect.
“Fine,” he said as he stared at her.
“Fine?”
He watched as her bright green eyes lit up. “Ye can have yer props, an’ I’ll talk to Anthony about trainin’ with the lad for an hour every afternoon if he finishes five hours of schoolin’ every mornin’.”
