Page 24 of Trapped with the Vicious Highlander
“She writes quite beautifully,” Flora remarked, her eyes scanning the parchment. “Did ye teach this to her?”
“I taught her the words,” Ava replied. “How to write, she came up with that on her own. She’s a very intelligent girl.”
“Aye, that is true. Took after her parents, this one.”
Ava wanted to ask about Margaret’s mother and where she was, but something stopped her, and so she pushed the thought away.
“If ye would like to eat, ye can come to the dining table,” Flora said, turning to her. “Or would ye like the bannocks as well?”
Ava smiled. “No.”
A tense silence fell between them, one that made Ava more uncomfortable than she liked to admit, but at the very last minute, Flora laughed.
“I am merely jokin’ with ye.”
A tentative smile spread across Ava’s lips. “Is it possible for me not to eat at the dining hall today as well?”
Flora nodded. “Of course. I shall have a maid bring ye a tray. Do ye want to eat here or in yer room?”
Ava turned to Margaret, who had a worried look on her face. She knew immediately what her answer was.
“Here, thank you very much.”
Flora nodded and walked away again, but not before giving Margaret a lingering look.
As she watched her go, Ava appreciated greatly the fact that Flora was quickly beginning to warm up to her. She didn’t think she could deal with a difficult sister among other things in this castle.
She looked out the window. Just like her room, Margaret’s room also had quite a view. The only difference was that from here, she could see the outer courtyard. She spotted a few men swinging their swords at each other—training, she assumed. Eventually, her eyes landed on Brodrick, who was standing to the side, watching two men lunge at each other.
His mouth moved, but she couldn’t hear what he said. She studied his appearance as he spoke. He was no longer in his traveling attire. Now, he was wearing a thin white shirt and trousers that were tucked into his boots. From above, she caught a glimpse of his pectorals and the way they heaved up and down as he spoke. She watched him fold his arms and then bark another order at the men. They changed their positions immediately, and she could see a faint smile on his face. He seemed to enjoy this—whatever he was doing.
And then, almost like he could feel her eyes on him, his head snapped up. Ava slipped away from the windowsill before their eyes could meet—or after they did.
Her heart pounded in her chest. Had he seen her? Did he know she was watching him?
A chill ran down her spine at the thought.
“Uh…” she trailed off, needing to do something. To look busy. “Are you enjoying your food, Margie?”
Margaret nodded, a content smile on her face as she chewed.
Ava nodded. “Good.”
Against every ounce of common sense she had left in her, she decided to move towards the window and look again.
What was she doing?
She placed her hand gently on the window sill. One second, two seconds. Then, she leaned forward ever so slightly. The field came into view first, then the courtyard, then the edge of the courtyard, then the men fighting.
She studied the men, all roughed up from rolling in the mud. Her eyes swept over them, trying to find Brodrick.
He was no longer there.
Ave retreated and swallowed. So he had seen her.
Like a demon battling with her spirit, she heard slow, heavy footsteps approach the door. Her heart skipped a beat.
Brodrick?
