Page 71 of Trapped with the Vicious Highlander
“Yes,” Ava responded.
She knew where the question came from, and she wished the situation was different. But it wasn’t. They were both from completely different worlds, and they had been joined together for a brief moment by a common interest. That interest was growing less common by the day, and it only meant they were bound to return to their separate worlds.
“The orphanage means a lot to me, Brodrick,” she added. “It is incredibly important.”
“I understand.”
“I don’t think you do,” Ava said. “Ever since I decided to become a spinster, I have vowed to take care of people in need—people who need my help. I was created to care for those poor children. Margaret was one of them, but there are hundreds more out there. Thousands of girls and women with no place to go, waiting for someone to save them, for someone to take them in without taking advantage of them. That someone might be me, Brodrick.”
Brodrick listened attentively to her, and after she had finished speaking, he merely nodded. There was an unreadable expression on his face as he looked at her. “Very well. Then I shall make certain ye’re happy.”
Ava frowned in puzzlement. What did he mean by that? She opened her mouth, about to ask him, when the door clicked and creaked open.
Flora stood on the other side, her hand lingering on the handle. A slight frown creased her brow as her eyes darted between Ava and Brodrick. Ava could tell she had words, but for some reason, she said nothing.
Her frown disappeared, and she looked at Brodrick. “Laird MacMungo is here.”
Brodrick sighed. “I’ll be out to see him soon.”
Ava’s gaze turned to Brodrick, then to Flora, a curious expression on her face. Flora gave her a nod and closed the door once again, sealing them off from the noise and murmurings outside the room.
Ava looked up at Brodrick. “Who is Laird MacMungo?” she asked.
CHAPTER21
“That is Gavin Lloyd,”Brodrick explained.
Ava narrowed her eyes at him when he did not elaborate.
“He’s Davina’s braither.”
“Oh,” Ava murmured as his revelation sank in.
“Aye,” Brodrick sighed. “I suppose an invite was sent to him as well.”
“I suppose there’s bad blood between you two?” Ava asked.
Brodrick nodded. “He never stopped blamin’ me for Davina’s death. He thinks I had something to do with it. Certainly, I have managed to avoid him over the past few years, but sometimes ye organize a cèilidh and have to face people ye dinnae want to face.”
Ava nodded. “Good luck. It does sound like you’ll need a lot of it.”
Brodrick executed a brief bow and turned around, making his way out the door and towards the Great Hall. He adjusted his tartan once he stepped out of the room, taking a few minutes to take some deep, steadying breaths. He was going to need all the energy he could gather if he was to deal with Gavin Lloyd.
* * *
For most of the next day, Ava did not see Brodrick. He was either too busy studying war plans or discussing with his men. It did make sense that as the cèilidh reached its peak, he would be busy with other things, so she did not bother trying to get his attention. She had more things to focus on anyway. Like in this instant, as Flora and the maids were showing her the dress that had been designed for her.
“I still do not think it is the best idea to attend.”
“’Tis just dinner. Ye have done dinner before, have ye nae?” Flora asked.
Ava shrugged. “I suppose.”
“Plus, Margaret will want ye there. Ye dinnae want to disappoint the wee girl now, do ye?”
Ava swallowed, feeling cornered. “I do not.”
The dress before her was a bright green piece embroidered with gold thread and adorned with intricate lace around the bodice. It looked extraordinarily breathtaking, particularly in the sun.
