Page 26 of Trapped with the Vicious Highlander
She did not.
Brodrick took a step closer to her, his dark boots clicking loudly on the floor.
“Are ye doing well, lassie?” he asked.
Margaret nodded.
“Good.” He turned to Ava, a quizzical expression on his face. “Do ye have the time for a quick walk around the castle?”
Ava turned to her half-eaten dish and then back to him. “I…”
Brodrick, who caught sight of the food almost immediately, froze for barely a second, before regaining his composure. “I apologize. I didnae ken ye were… busy.”
Ava frowned. “It’s just food.”
Brodrick shrugged. “Aye. Well, they always say that food is the biggest way to enrich the soul.”
Ava scoffed. “And who said that?”
“Some… author.”
Ava swallowed. “What?”
“I said, some author. Of course, I cannae remember his name now, but I—” Brodrick broke off.
Something about Ava’s reaction had caught his attention. Something akin to shock—no, intense surprise was written all over her face, as if his mentioning an author was the last thing she had expected to hear.
“Wait.” He took a step closer to her. “Is the look on yer face some curiosity about the author’s name”—he took another step towards her—“or is it shock at the fact that Iread?”
Ava exhaled. “No… No, I wouldn’t?—”
“Och, lass. It never crossed yer mind, nae even once, that I could be well read? What do ye see when ye look at me? Just some Highlander with brawn but nay brains?”
“Well, you haven’t exactly helped matters by always reaching for your sword at every possible inconvenience.”
“I was tryin’ to protect ye,” Brodrick argued.
“Yes, I know that. But sometimes, matters can be solved in ways other than sword fights.”
“Do ye think I dinnae ken that?”
Ava took a step backward, the heat radiating from his body seeping into her, making her cheeks flush. She prayed he wouldn’t notice.
“Was that why ye were lookin’ down at the courtyard? Waitin’ to see if I’m goin’ to… reach for me sword?” Brodrick asked, his voice lower now, laced with something else. Something other than vindication.
“Perhaps…” Ava whispered. “Perhaps I might have judged you a little too harshly.”
Brodrick leaned forward. “Say that again?”
“You heard me.”
“I dinnae think I heard ye right.”
“That is not my problem.”
“Hmm.” Brodrick smirked. “The Englishwoman admittin’ she was wrong? There is a God, and he still does miracles.”
“My opinion can change anytime, My Laird. I would not advise that you get too comfortable.”
