Page 60 of Trapped with the Vicious Highlander
“Dinnae do that.”
Ava laughed.
“I am not jestin’ with ye, Governess. I dinnae like it when ye make jokes at yer own expense.”
“I’ll try to rein it in, My Laird.”
Brodrick nodded.
Ava sighed. “He said I was too free and wild. That I had no qualities of a respectable lady of the ton, and that I was not the kind of woman he wanted to carry his children—or the kind of woman he wanted to be seen with at social functions.”
“I am certain ye dinnae need anyone to tell ye this, but ye’re as perfect as a lilac in the sun,” Brodrick whispered.
“Yes. That is quite easy for you to say.”
“Since when has giving ye a compliment ever been easy for me, Ava?”
Ava shrugged. “Fair enough.”
“And what did yer faither say? Or did ye nae tell him?”
Ava laughed. “My father? He was way too ashamed to listen to me. To him, I had completely disgraced him. I had ruined the entire reputation of the family, and my mother would roll in her grave if she learned of what atrocity I had managed to pull after her death.”
Brodrick swallowed. He wondered what his encounter with Ava’s father would look like if the opportunity ever presented itself. Would it end in blood and bruises or handshakes and smiles? He let the question linger in his mind.
Ava, who seemed to have finally taken notice of where they were, how long they had been standing there, and how long Brodrick had been listening to her, clapped her hand over her mouth in shock.
“I deeply apologize, Brodrick. I suppose the time must have gotten away from me. It was not my intention to?—”
“I am standin’ here of me own free will, Ava. Ye dinnae need to apologize. I would listen to ye recite the names of fruits all day.”
A flush rose to her face. “Still, I deeply apologize. It was never my intent to keep you up at this hour. I am certain you have… other things to do.”
Brodrick frowned. “Things like what?”
Ava shrugged. “I am certain there is a sword somewhere that needs polishing. Or a knife you have to sharpen.”
Brodrick smirked. “Is that all ye think I do? Polish swords and sharpen knives?”
“Do not blame me. You appeared in my kitchen like the angel of death himself. I used to think you were some bloody Highlander who knew nothing except the power of his fists.”
“Aye. That seems so long ago now, does it nae?”
“Yes. My month here is drawing to an end, and soon I will be back in the orphanage. It is a good thing Margaret is making so much progress.”
“Aye,” Brodrick responded, his voice faltering slightly. “’Tis a good thing.”
Ava stretched out her hands, a brief yawn escaping her lips. “Would you look at that. Sleep. Finally. I suppose this shall be goodnight.”
Brodrick executed a brief bow. “Goodnight.”
Ava nodded and pushed her door open. Brodrick watched her enter her room, the brief moonlight lighting her path to her bed. He shut the door behind her after nodding at her again and then made his way down to his room.
His steps were light and brisk, and he prayed he wouldn’t wake anyone. Several thoughts raced through his mind as he walked. The things she had to face, the people she had to confront. He felt a new respect for her. But his thoughts lingered on the inevitable.
Her time at the castle was running out faster than he thought. Soon, the month would end, and soon, Ava would leave the castle.
Possibly forever.
