Page 10 of Kilts and Kisses at Highland Hall (Kilts and Kisses #1)
Bex wanted to think she had misheard the woman.
After all, she had barely recovered from the static shock spark thing, but she knew she hadn’t, just like she knew there was only one person the woman could have been talking about.
Once again, her throat felt strangely tight, and she struggled to get out any sound.
‘Duncan?’ she managed finally. ‘Duncan’s your brother?’
The woman’s smile was wide and mischievous. ‘Stepbrother. Which I believe gives me extra right to stick my nose in, even when he definitely doesn’t want me to.’
‘Oh, well, he and I only just met this morning. Not that there’s anything going on with us.
At all. Like I said, we just met. Well, not just then, but sort of just then.
I mean, we obviously just saw each other then.
’ Bex wanted to scream at herself. Why the hell had she lost all ability to speak?
She was the person the bosses brought out when they needed someone to nail a presentation.
Someone who could talk with absolute clarity and conviction regardless of the situation.
Maybe the air was just thinner up here. Maybe that was why her thoughts were so confused.
‘Okay…’ The woman spoke slowly, as if she was needing time to process what Bex had just said.
Not that Bex could even make any sense of it herself.
‘Right, well, regardless of when you met, I’m gonna need to lay some ground rules.
I know he might come across as all charming and like he’s up for a good time, but that’s not the type of guy he is.
He’s dealing with a serious broken heart. ’
‘Oh,’ Bex said. She wasn’t sure what else she was meant to say, although the woman didn’t seem too bothered by her minimal answers. Instead, she picked up a jug of milk and went over to the coffee machine, where she carried on talking.
‘Yup. Bad broken heart. And I’m guessing from the accent that you’re not from around here.’
‘No, I’m from London.’
The girl gave a little laugh. ‘Of course you are. Trust me, there is no way Duncan can deal with some rebound fling with a high-flying businesswoman who’s here for a holiday. So can you do me a favour and just steer clear of him? Please?’
As she placed the cup of coffee down in front of Bex, the woman’s eyes, filled with pain and worry for her stepbrother, met hers.
Bex felt a sudden warmth towards the young woman.
She got what it was like to be protective of the people you loved, and this woman clearly thought the world of her stepbrother.
It took guts to stand up for people like that – even though Bex suspected Duncan would hate to know she was doing it.
Still, there was one thing that Bex needed to correct her on.
‘I’m actually here for work, rather than a holiday,’ she said. ‘But don’t worry, I have no intention of getting involved with anyone while I’m here.’
‘Work?’ The woman sprinkled chocolate onto the top of Bex’s drink. ‘That sounds interesting. We don’t get many people from London working here. What is it you’re doing?’
Bex wasn’t sure how much she was meant to share about her role up at the castle, but in a small village like this, she suspected that news travelled fast enough.
‘I’m working at the castle,’ she said.
The woman’s eyes widened. ‘With Fergus?’
‘Yes.’
With the jug still in her hand, the young woman pressed her lips together as if she was suppressing a grin. ‘Well, that must be an experience. And speaking of the devil…’
Bex turned her head towards the door, which had just opened. Fergus stalked in, surrounded by his five dogs, one of which made a beeline straight for Bex.
It was no wonder that she’d mistaken him for a homeless man, she thought.
It was early morning, but he looked no better now than he had last night.
His shirt was a different colour, but it was completely creased, while his pockets bulged with dog treats that peeked out of the top.
For a split second, he looked as though he was about to smile when his eyes landed on Bex.
His mouth dropped, and a deep scowl creased his forehead.
‘What are you doing here?’ he said. ‘I thought you’d be at work already. I’m not paying you to sit around and drink coffee all day.’