Page 31 of Trapped with the Vicious Highlander
“Well, ye wouldnae have to run if ye’d just done what I told ye, would ye?”
Ava opened her mouth to retort when the door swung open. They both turned around at the same time and watched Flora step inside.
Her eyes widened. “Do I come back, or?—”
“Nay. What is it, Flora?” Brodrick asked, the timbre of his voice making the back of Ava’s neck prickle and her entire body break out in goosebumps.
“I just wanted to inform ye that dinner is ready,” Flora replied.
Ava nodded.
Brodrick gave a low grunt. “I shall be down shortly.”
Flora nodded and gave Ava an unfathomable look. “Ye too, Ava.”
With that, she stepped back out of the room and closed the door ever so gently behind her, leaving Ava and Brodrick in the heat of the simmering argument between them.
“Do you want to go first?” Ava asked, turning back to Brodrick, dissatisfaction still etched on her face.
“I dinnae ken. Do ye?”
Ava sighed and rolled her eyes. “Look, I understand that the only reason I’m here is to look after Margaret.”
“At least we can agree on one thing.”
“But I’m not your slave, My Laird. I’m only here to make sure that Margaret settles in well and is safe. Once she does that, I’ll be out of here as fast as the wind. I’m not your problem, and I don’t plan to be for longer than necessary.”
Brodrick nodded.
Another tense moment of silence passed between them. Ava could feel his eyes on her, and for some reason, it made the back of her neck prickle with heat. The way he looked at her brought everything but comfort.
He looked away immediately, clearing his throat.
“Let’s go downstairs for dinner,” he finally said, his voice smooth despite the tension in the air.
Ava nodded and moved first, several thoughts juggling through her head at the same time. What had just happened? Why was he being terribly hard on her just because she had spared the men in the courtyard some conversation? It couldn't possibly be just about that, could it? Or was Brodrick just that kind of man?
* * *
The dining hall was quiet. Margaret had her hands full with a piece of parchment and quill while she watched the maids gently place bowls on the table. On Brodrick’s side of the table, a maid set down a giant roasted venison. His eyes scanned the food for a second before returning to Ava. Something about the flickering light from the nearby candles made her look entirely different to him. She looked pale, almost angelic. He grew fascinated by the intricate features in her face for a second and wanted to study them even more before the clattering sounds brought him back and out of his momentary reverie.
Platters of shortbread, steamed cabbages, and bannocks were placed on the table as well.
Brodrick turned to Margaret, a soft smile on his face. “All the bannocks ye can eat, me sweet.”
Margaret gave him a brief nod.
“I hope ye find the food as tasteful as whatever it is ye eat in…” Flora trailed off, watching Ava carefully.
It must have occurred to her exactly at that moment that she hadn’t asked Ava where she came from.
“Her cottage is on the Scottish border,” Brodrick supplied as Ava opened her mouth to respond.
She shot him a cold glare. “Are you speaking on my behalf now? Is that it?”
Brodrick reached for his knife, not missing a beat. “I didnae ken ye were goin’ to say something?—”
“Of course, I was going to say something. She asked me.Me.”
