Page 26 of Trapped By the Wicked Highlander
Before Cassandra could protest further, Jessica was already leading her down the corridor with determined steps. Cassandra sighed, resigning herself to whatever mischief Jessica had in mind.
“I thought we were goin’ to the kitchens?” Cassandra asked, arching a brow as they turned down a different corridor.
Jessica laughed, shaking her head. “Och, nay, I keep the good whisky in me rooms. The swill they serve in the kitchens is fit for old men with nay taste left in their tongues.”
Cassandra smirked despite herself as they entered Jessica’s chambers. The room was warm and inviting, with a roaring fire crackling in the hearth. A plush settee sat near the window, and a sturdy wooden table bore a decanter and two glasses.
Jessica strode confidently to the table, pouring them both a generous measure of amber liquid.
Jessica handed Cassandra a glass and grinned. “To leavin’ behind faithless men and drinkin’ good whisky.”
Cassandra chuckled, clinking her glass against Jessica’s before taking a sip. The whisky burned on the way down, but warmth spread through her chest, loosening the tension she hadn’t realized she was holding. She sighed, settling into the chair across from Jessica, allowing herself a rare moment of ease.
Jessica leaned back, swirling the whisky in her glass. “Tell me true, Cassandra. Do ye miss him at all?”
Cassandra scoffed, shaking her head. “Nae in the slightest. I only regret that I ever trusted him in the first place.”
Jessica nodded knowingly. “Aye, men can be faithless creatures. But nae all of them, ye ken. There are some good ones out there.”
Cassandra raised a brow. “Ye sound like a woman who speaks from experience. Do ye have a lad tucked away somewhere, then?”
Jessica laughed, taking another sip of her drink. “Och, I’ve had me fair share of suitors. But none who’ve made me want to tie meself to one man forever.”
Cassandra tilted her head, intrigued. “So ye daenae trust men either, then?”
Jessica smirked. “Nay, I trust them to be what they are—trouble. But that doesnae mean I cannae enjoy their company while it lasts.”
Cassandra chuckled, feeling the whisky warming her from the inside out. “Aye, well, I think I’ll keep me distance from them altogether.”
Jessica eyed her over the rim of her glass. “Even from a certain broodin’ laird?”
Cassandra nearly choked on her whisky, coughing as Jessica burst into laughter. “Och, daenae look at me like that,” Jessica teased. “I’ve seen the way he watches ye. And the way yeavoidlookin’ at him.”
Cassandra groaned, rubbing a hand over her face. “It’s nae like that.”
Jessica leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with amusement. “Then what is it like, hmm? Because from where I stand, it seems like ye’ve been runnin’ scared.”
Cassandra hesitated, staring down into her glass. The truth was, Jessica wasn’t entirely wrong. Hunter was unlike any man she’d ever met—strong, fierce, and infuriatingly impossible to ignore.
Jessica grinned as if she’d already won the argument. “Aye, I thought as much.”
Cassandra scowled at her, finishing the last of her drink in one quick swallow. “I daenae want to talk about him.”
Jessica snorted. “Then why are yer cheeks pink, lass?”
Cassandra widened her eyes, but she couldn’t stop the heat rising to her face. The whisky was surely to blame for that. She stood, swaying slightly, and pointed a finger at Jessica.
“I think ye just enjoy teasin’ me.”
Jessica grinned wickedly. “Aye, I do. And ye make it so easy.”
Cassandra shook her head, laughing despite herself. "Maybe another drink is a good idea."
"Aye, agree," Jessica said as both women annoyed another round of talking and drinking.
Jessica, still grinning at Cassandra’s flustered state, rose from her chair and moved toward the door. “If we’re to keep drinkin’, we best have somethin’ to eat. I'll have the kitchen send up a proper supper for us.”
"Thank ye," Cassandra said.
