Page 68 of Trapped with the Vicious Highlander
As if the sound of her name had triggered something within her, Margaret caught a stone mid-air and moved closer to them, her wide eyes fixed on the dress as well. Ava raised it and let her admire it. She could see the excitement in the little girl’s eyes no matter how hard she tried to hide it.
“You are going to look quite beautiful in this dress, Margie.”
“Like the daughter of a laird,” Flora added proudly.
Margaret laughed.
“I had something made for ye as well,” Flora said suddenly, shifting her gaze to Ava.
“Flora, that was not necessary. I do not think?—”
“I willnae hear one more word. Ye’re takin’ care of Margaret. Ye’re just as much family as Brodrick. The dress is on its way as we speak.”
“Flora—”
“Dinnae worry. I have asked that they make it well and proper for someone with yer figure. I am certain ye’ll look breathtaking in it. Especially when ye’re ready to dance.”
Ava swallowed, her cheeks heating up. “Dance?”
“Ye ken, at a cèilidh, ‘tis quite proper for lasses like ye to have a dance or two with some of the lairds.”
As they all settled on the floor, Ava could feel the briefest wave of red swim up her face. It had been a long time since anyone asked her to dance. She was almost certain that she was rusty at it—at least at the ones she even knew.
“I…” Ava trailed off, feeling shame creep up her face. “I don’t know how to dance.”
It was hard for her not to notice the look of utter shock on Flora’s face. “What?”
“I have lived most of my life on the border. I know I try to mention as often as I can that my mother was, in fact, Scottish. But the truth of the matter is… I never learned.”
“So ye dinnae ken any Scottish dances?” Flora asked incredulously, almost like Ava had told her she had grown two heads.
Ava shrugged. “It’s not like I know a whole lot of English dances either. I’ll probably stumble or step hard on someone’s feet in there. The last thing you want is for me to embarrass myself.”
Flora shook her head. “So ye dinnae ken any Scottish dance or any English dance?”
“I’m afraid I’m as clueless as a rock. I know almost nothing when it comes to dances,” Ava sighed.
“Why?” Margaret’s voice rang out, piercing the awkwardness in the air.
Ava shared a glance with Flora, who was about to cover her mouth with her hands in pure excitement. This was probably the first time Floraheard Margaret speak. Ava shook her head almost immediately, a subtle warning in her eyes. The last thing they wanted was to scare the little girl by making her voice a bigger deal.
“Why, you ask?” Ava continued, a bitter smile on her face. “I mean, it’s not like I had men lined up in front of my door, eager to dance with me. Few wanted a woman like me as their partner.”
“A woman so beautiful?” Margaret commented.
Ava laughed, part of her glad at how pure Margaret was. A child who didn’t judge her based on her appearance.
“A woman so opinionated.”
“I hear ye there,” Flora offered. “The last thing those men need is a woman who will continue to say aye to them for the rest of their lives.”
Ava laughed. “I am certain Darach wouldn’t be that kind of man, though.”
Flora swallowed. Ava noticed it immediately. It confirmed her suspicions.
“What are ye talkin’ about?”
“I saw the way he looked at you at the stables,” Ava admitted. “Do not worry, my lips are completely sealed. I truly understand how it feels. New love.”
