"Daft wench," he murmured, but his tone was full of love.
Thamas quietly approached."Donahue and Malcolm are tracking the men from the tavern.They'll send word."
"Good.Once I get Bella home, I'll join them."
He tightened his arm around her and urged his horse into a gentle canter toward home, carrying his wife, his fierce, beautiful wife, back to their bed.
An hour later, the legendary Monk was true to his word.The mercenaries did not stand a chance because no one attacked his wife without consequences.
***
Chapter 20
Bella woke to warmthand the steady rhythm of her husband's heartbeat beneath her ear.
Morning light filtered through the chamber windows, painting everything in amber.She was draped across Boyd's chest, their legs tangled beneath the blankets, his arm wrapped possessively around her waist.They were abed in his bedchamber which was now theirs.She smiled at the thought.
"I can feel ye thinking," Boyd murmured, his voice rough with sleep.
Bella tilted her head back to find him watching her, his blue eyes soft with affection.
"Good morn, husband."
"Good morn, wife."His thumb brushed across her cheekbone."How's yer head?The ale still affecting yer emotions."
Bella felt her cheeks warm."No."
Boyd's lips twitched."I never thought I'd see two grown women weep over a shawl for so long."
"It was a pretty shawl," Bella protested, smiling.
"Aye, love.The bonniest shawl in all of Scotland."Boyd pulled her closer, pressing a kiss to her forehead."Though not as bonnie as the woman who bought it."
They lay in comfortable silence, listening to the Keep come to life around them.
"I have something for ye," Boyd said finally.He reached for a velvet pouch near the bed."I wanted to give it to ye yesterday, but then ye disappeared to the village."
