"Boyd?"she whispered.
His jaw tightened at the sound of her voice then he walked toward her slowly, each step measured, deliberate.Like a predator stalking prey.
Bella couldn't breathe.Couldn't move.Could only watch as Boyd MacKinnon closed the distance between them.He stopped just inches away, so close she could feel the heat radiating from his body, could smell leather and steel and something uniquely him that made her traitorous heart ache with the memory.
He looked down at her with those cold eyes, and a slow, dangerous smile curved his lips.When he spoke, the tone of his voice was a deep and low, it sent shivers down her spine.
"Hello, Bella.Have ye missed me?"
***
THE QUESTION HUNG INthe air between them, loaded with years of pain and anger.
Bella opened her mouth to speak, but no words came.Her mind was screaming at her to run, to back away, to protect herself.But her traitorous body remembered other things.Remembered those strong arms holding her close.Remembered their naked bodies entwined in the moonlight, remembered whispered promises and stolen kisses in the night.Remembered love so fierce it had felt like it could conquer anything.
Before it had been destroyed in a heartbeat.
She forced herself to meet his gaze, to hold her ground.
"Ye're the Monk?"
His smile widened, but there was no warmth in it.He replied, "Aye, and I'm here to claim my reward."
"No, there must be a mistake."
Boyd leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear."There is no mistake.Ye will be my wife."
Bella stepped back, needing to think clearly, but Boyd followed, matching her step for step until her back hit the wall.He braced one hand beside her head, caging her in.This close, she could see the flecks of darker blue in his eyes, could see the way his jaw clenched as if he were fighting some internal battle.
"Ye look different," he said, his gaze traveling over her face.His thumb brushed across her cheekbone in a gesture that might have been tender if not for the coldness in his eyes."What happened to the spirited lass I once knew?"
"Ye happened," Bella replied before she could stop herself.
Something flashed in his expression.His hand fell away from her face as if burned.
"Is that so?"His voice was hard now, all traces of that dangerous softness gone.
They stared at each other, the air between them crackling with tension.Bella's heart was hammering so hard she was certain he could hear it.
They were interrupted when the abbess cleared her throat."Perhaps," she said pointedly, "we should discuss the arrangements for the ceremony?"
Boyd straightened, stepping back from Bella as if remembering for the first time they had an audience.The loss of his proximity should have been a relief.Instead, Bella felt strangely bereft.
"There's nothing to discuss," Boyd replied, his tone cold."We'll wed within the hour.Here, in your chapel.Then we leave for my estate."
"An hour?"Bella's voice rose."That's not enough time."
"Ye've had ten years, Bella," Boyd cut her off, his gaze pinning her in place."I'd say that's time enough."
Abbess Bethóc interjected gently."Perhaps Miss Sutherland could have a short time to prepare herself?This is all quite sudden."
"She has an hour."Boyd's eyes never left Bella's face."Not a moment more."
Then he turned and strode toward the door.But at the threshold, he paused and looked back over his shoulder."Dinnae think to run from me, Bella.Ye will be my wife whether ye wish it or not."
"Then I suppose, it matters not what I feel," Bella whispered.
For just a moment, Boyd's expression looked anguished.But then his face went blank again, cold and remote.He turned to the abbess."I'll see ye in the chapel."
