Page 132 of Auctioned to the Cruel Highlander
“Aye,” Ava relented. “But absurd things have never stopped people from believing them.”
Isobel leaned forward again, one elbow on the desk. “He is quiet. That is all.”
“He isnae quiet. He is theSilent Death.”
“That is only a name.”
“It is a dreadful one.”
“It isnae one he chose.”
Ava gave her a long look. “Did he object to it?”
Isobel opened her mouth, then closed it.
“That is what I thought,” Ava said.
Bruce, perhaps bored by the lack of proper attention, wriggled free and hopped down to the floor. He wandered beneath the desk and nosed at Isobel’s hem while the two women kept their focus on the papers between them.
For a little while, they studied the names in silence.
Ava read the evidence of the problem more clearly. Real efforts had been made, and real families had been approached.Real refusals had also arrived.
“He frightens them,” she concluded.
Isobel did not answer at once.
“He does,” Ava insisted. “It is the only explanation.”
“He shouldnae.”
“Perhaps nae.” Ava tapped the page lightly. “But he does.”
“I ken what they say,” Isobel huffed.
Ava softened a little. “And I ken ye daenae like hearing it.”
“Nay. I daresay I daenae.”
“He may be perfectly decent beneath it all.”
“He is.”
Ava lifted her eyes. “Still terrifying.”
Isobel looked ready to argue again, but Ava gave a smile.
“Well, if anyone truly hopes to change matters, they would need a way to show people he is safe to be around.”
Isobel went still. “Safe,” she repeated.
Ava shrugged, still not wary enough. “Or at least nae likely to bite the hand of every woman left alone in a room with him.”
A small spark lit up Isobel’s face. “Oh,” she said softly. Then, with gathering energy, her eyes grew even brighter. “Oh, I ken.”
Ava straightened in her chair.
Nay.
