Page 16 of Trapped with the Vicious Highlander
“And can attest to that fact. All we have are the colors of your eyes and birthmarks to go on,” Ava argued.
A part of her was enjoying this a little more than she liked to admit. Something about keeping him on his toes brought her joy.
“Must ye require the strongest forms of evidence for everythin’? I dinnae ken what else to tell ye, woman. That is me daughter.”
Ava opened her mouth to give another saucy remark when they both heard footsteps approach from behind. They both turned around at once.
Sarah approached them, holding a tiny box in one hand and Margaret’s hand in the other.
Brodrick hurried towards her, much to Ava’s surprise.
“Allow me,” he said, reaching for the box.
Sarah nodded and relinquished it to him. Ava watched him give her a slight smile before walking back to the carriage. He deposited the box into the carriage and returned to where he had stood moments ago.
Sarah stopped before Ava, who reached for Margaret.
“Greetings, young one,” Ava greeted.
Margaret let go of Sarah and wrapped her arms around Ava’s waist. Brodrick watched them silently, an unreadable expression on his face.
Ava crouched down before the girl. “Are you ready?”
Margaret nodded, but Ava could see the hesitation on her innocent face.
“Do not worry. I shall be with you the entire time. And if anyone tries to take you away, I shall kill them.”
Margaret smiled.
“Greetings, bairn.” It was Brodrick’s turn to crouch down. Margaret’s smile disappeared almost instantly, but it did not seem to deter him. “Do ye remember me? From yesterday?”
Margaret only stared at him, her lips pursed.
Brodrick smiled anyway and pushed himself back to his feet.
“It is a process,” Ava explained, noting the mild hurt that flashed in his hazel eyes. “It took her a while to warm up to me as well.”
Brodrick nodded. “Let us hope it doesnae take her that long to warm up to her own faither.”
Ava smiled, grateful for his optimism if anything.
Brodrick grabbed her box as well and helped her deposit it into the carriage.
“How chivalrous,” she scoffed. He only threw her a loaded look as she reached for Margaret one more time. “Come along, child.”
They both walked, their feet shuffling across the dirt, towards the carriage. Brodrick helped Margaret in first.
Ava noted the footman that accompanied him today. Just like Brodrick, the man looked rather sharp in his shirt and tartan. It was the same pattern at Brodrick’s and he barely acknowledged Ava or even gave her a glance. His eyes remained fully rested on the horses before him and the horses alone.
Before climbing in, Ava turned back to Sarah and Elizabeth, who were now standing close, watching her expectantly. “I shall write as soon as I can.”
“We shall try not to miss ye too much.”
Ava smiled again, before Brodrick helped her into the carriage. She settled in her seat, directly opposite Margaret, who continued to look hesitant about the whole thing.
Brodrick walked to the other side and climbed in beside her, drawing a rather surprised look from her.
“I thought you would follow with your horse?” Ava asked, her eyebrow raised.
