Page 65 of Trapped with the Vicious Highlander
Before Ava could say another word, he turned on his heel and hurried back to the castle.
As his boots thudded against the grass, her words echoed in his mind, her voice so loud that he couldn’t help reaching for the pommel of his sword.
“I leave for the orphanage soon.”
* * *
Later that afternoon, a knock on the door to his study drew his attention from the war plans and the scrolls before him. He jerked his head up, a frown creasing his forehead.
“Who is it?”
“Flora.”
A sigh escaped his lips as Flora walked in. Her hair was slightly disheveled, and he could see specks of dirt and horsehair on her dress.
“Ye’re back.”
“’Twas a lovely ride. I didnae ken Ava had such skill with horses. Did ye?”
“Nay.” His response was quick.
He hoped it indicated that he was not exactly in the mood for a conversation, especially one about Ava. But it didn’t. If anything, it only encouraged his sister to probe further.
“Are ye goin’ to tell me what happened?” she started.
“What happened when?”
“Is that how ye want to play it?”
“Play what?”
“Ye ken what I’m talkin’ about, Brodrick. What happened between ye and Ava this morning?”
Brodrick waved his hand, his tone dismissive. “Oh, that? Ach, it was nothing.”
“It wasnae nothing.” Flora’s voice was sharp, indicating that she was not quite ready to drop the matter just yet.
“I dinnae ken what to tell ye.”
“Ye could start by tellin’ me the truth.”
Brodrick placed his hands on his desk and looked squarely at his sister. “How aboutyetellmethe truth for once.”
Flora furrowed her brow. “What are ye talkin’ about?”
“Dinnae play coy with me, Sister. It doesnae suit ye.”
“I would only play coy if I kenned what ye’re talkin’ about in the first place.”
“Darach,” he stated simply.
He immediately noticed the slightest change in her countenance. Something he probably would not have noticed if he had not paid full attention to her.
“How long has something been goin’ on between the two of ye?” he asked.
“What?” Flora spluttered, twin red spots blooming on her cheeks. Which, once again, did not go unnoticed by Brodrick.
“Ye ken I despise lies, Sister. The blush on yer cheeks tells me all I need to ken.”
