Page 33 of Confessions of a Highland Assassin

“Dae ye think ye will be picking the Sinclair lass then?” Rory asked after a while. “Ye were quite hot in defending her in there,” he jerked his head to the open doors. “Did she leave quite an impression on ye, then? I ken that it would probably mak’ the council livid if ye dae marry her.”

“I dinnae ken whom I’m going tae pick yet. But if it be she, it’s nae just tae spite the council. She made quite an impression on me last night. She’s different from any other woman I’ve ever met ‘afore.”

“Even Cora?” Rory asked, searching his face.

Boyd felt jarred at hearing her name again after so long. It was clear that his friend was attempting to evoke some kind of response. Saying her name out loud was different from remembering her. It somehow made the pain more real and brought the problem back to life.

“One of us had tae bring her up, Boyd. Ye have nae said a word about her since talk of the ball started. I ken that we stopped looking for her, but I also ken that that disnae mean ye stopped thinking about her. Ye loved her truly, there’s nae shame in admitting that.” Rory was the only person who could tell what Boyd was thinking, even when he wasn’t showing any emotions. The fact that he knew Boyd had been thinking of Cora, was a testament to their friendship and how close they were.

“Aye, I havenae been thinking of her as much of late, I still have nightmares every night, but me days are filled with other matters…” he admitted quietly, ashamed of the amount of time he’d spent thinking of kissing Ava when he’d awoken after the ball. Her full lips begged to be kissed.

“Is nae wrong tae be moving on, Boyd. It’s been over a year and ye have nae been saucerful in tracking her down. Ye did all that ye could. Ye are about tae choose another wife. Ye are nae betraying her. I’ve been patient with ye until now, but someone had tae say it. She’s more than likely dead, Boyd. Whoever took them didnae have good intentions.”

Boyd gazed out the stone arch that led into the yard at the green meadow in the distance. He fought back the deep sadness he felt after hearing his friend say she was most likely dead. He'd taken Cora there before they were married for a picnic. He could still see the way the sunlight reflected off her golden hair as she laughed at something he'd said. They could talk as friends, which he missed about her. Rory was his only remaining friend on Earth now. Perhaps that was what bothered him the most. He could only hope that his next wife would be both a friend and a lover.

I wonder if Ava Sinclair would like a picnic in a meadow of flowers…

He felt a pang of guilt in his chest, thinking of Ava immediately after he’d been thinking of Cora. It was as if her memory was being replaced in his mind. He hadn’t even known Ava for that long. Deep in his heart, he knew that the time to let go of Cora was near.

“Aye, she is different from Cora,” Boyd relented and finally answered his friend’s question. “She’s nae as well-spoken nor sweet. She has an unpracticed manner that amuses me whenever she says something out of place. There’s something familiar about her eyes. But I dinnae think I’ve met her ‘afore.”

“Just out of interest,” Rory said. “What dae ye think of the other lasses ye asked tae stay? There are two others ye havenae even mentioned.”

Boyd sighed. “I asked Campbell and his daughter tae stay. I ken that he’s annoying, but she seemed soft and gentle. Someone I could grow to love in time, even if her father disnae ken what a real jest is.”

Rory tilted his head back and let out a laugh that rumbled deep within his throat. “Now that one took me by surprise!” Rory clapped him on the back. “I would nae have thought ye would have done that!”

“I’m glad the pain in my life brings ye so much joy,” Boyd said unamused. “If ye dinnae stop and I dinnae pick her, I will be suggesting that ye marry the lass instead and ye can deal with her father.”

Rory bit back his laughter. “I’m sorry, who is the other lucky lass that caught yer fancy?”

Boyd braced himself and let out a deep sigh, knowing exactly how his friend was about to react. “I didnae fancy anyone else. So Hamish suggested I give the girl in the pink dress another chance. Her father’s clan is bigger than Callum’s and an alliance with them would be more than advantageous.”

Rory pursed his lips together as he nodded at Boyd, tears of laughter filling his eyes. “Mm, hmm,” he mumbled without even opening his mouth.

“Isnae funny,” Boyd said defeated. “I dinnae even ken her name. She talked so much that I cannae remember whether she said it or nae. I ken she must have, but I cannae recall…” he complained.

Rory threw his head back once more and burst into laughter, his body shaking uncontrollably with mirth.

“We will see whose laughing when it comes time for ye tae wed,” Boyd said darkly. “Ye think ye can escape this fate forever, but the time will come, and when it does, I will be the last one laughing,” he cracked a smile halfway through his threat.

Rory stopped laughing and used the back of his hand to wipe the tears from his cheeks. “I’m nae laughing at ye. I’m laughing at the situation ye find yersel’ in,” he took a deep breath and straightened his face. “And as for yer threats, it will have tae be a special lass that convinces me tae settle down. I willnae part with my rakish ways for just anyone. She will need tae be a combination of beauty, kindness, and a wild mare in bed.”

“So,” Boyd smirked. “Ye want a princess, a saint, and a wench all wrapped up intae one? Ye dinnae want much, dae ye?”

“Now I would nae put it like that,” Rory protested. “But yes, I dae want a woman who kens her way with a man. I dinnae have the patience or time tae teach a lady what tae dae.”

Boyd shook his head and chuckled.

Rory slapped his arm. “Ye really make me work for that laugh,” he joked. “Now that yer feeling better, let’s get going, the men are ready for the Jacobite meeting,” he paused just as they were about to leave. “Things will work out nae matter who ye choose, Boyd. Ye are a good man and ye will mak’ a fine husband. Tae Ava, Heather, or even miss chatterbox,” he laughed as he walked away.

Or even Cora… but she is nae longer here… Boyd felt confused by his own thoughts. He’d never admitted to himself that she was, in fact, no longer here.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Ava sat on the edge of her padded chair and sighed heavily, leaning her head against the cool wooden surface of her dressing table. Three days had passed since she’d been asked to stay. And she wasn’t any closer to making Boyd fall in love with her. She’d yet to spend any time with him alone, let alone enchant him.

“What’s the matter, Ava?” Skye asked, eyeing her friend who was perched by the windowsill. Ava leaned against the glass watching Boyd and his best friend talking out in the yard. The clouds were grey and heavy, signaling that yet another storm would be on its way. The earth was still damp and muddy from the previous day.