Page 40 of Confessions of a Highland Assassin

Lighting struck the ground beside the castle as a blanket of rain poured outside the stable doors.

“If Tavish had those letters from Caitir and Malcolm, there’s every chance that Callum could have kent about the situation as well. It was obviously nae a well-guarded secret, maybe only from ye.”

“I would like tae talk tae someone that kent about the marriages, perhaps someone that could tell me about the dates on the…” Boyd frowned as he searched his pockets for the letter he’d been carrying when he left the study. “Dammit,” he cursed.

“What now?”

“I had one of the letters with me. I must have dropped it in Ava’s room when I was there earlier.”

“What were ye doing in Ava Sinclair’s room?” Rory asked with a suggestive smirk on his face.

“Slow yer role,” Boyd said seriously. “I have nae done anything with the lass. I went tae help her at her maid’s request.”

“Dae ye think she may be the one?”

“Aye. I have nae spent much time with the others. But she does have a special something about her,” he decided it was better not to tell Rory about the intimate kiss he had shared with her. There was something familiar about the kiss, almost as if he had kissed her before. It was impossible, however. “I must go and get the letters ‘afore they fall intae the wrong hands,” he said as he turned to leave. “Dinnae spend too much time out here alone,” he called over his shoulder. “People may think ye are in love with that mare!”

Boyd stepped out into the rain as lightning struck once more in the distance.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Ava cowered in the corner of her room and pulled the blankets over her head as the thunder rumbled in the distance. She could still see the flashes of purple through the covers. Her silk gown parted at the knees as she tried to make herself as small as she could. There had been no time to change since Boyd left her room. The storm had built while she paced her room, waiting for Skye.

They’d spoken of the failed plan when Skye had come to her room after Boyd’s sudden departure. She had to go and have lunch with the rest of the maids but promised to return as soon as she could. The clouds had burst, and Skye was still nowhere to be seen.

Cover yer ears and count tae ten… Ava remembered her mother’s words from when Ava was little. The storm willnae last forever, just keep counting and it will pass soon enough… Ye will be just fine Ava…

Rocking back and forth as she sat on her haunches beside her bed, Ava covered her ears beneath the blanket. It did little to drown out the noise that shook the earth and frightened her soul. She hated storms with a passion and often wondered why God had created them in the first place.

“Ava…” she heard a male voice call to her and she shifted the blanket from covering her head.

Panicking, Ava gripped at the fabric and tried to keep it in place. “Go away!” she yelled in panic. This wasn’t the best of times to defend herself against a strange man, she thought as her heart began to race. She clutched her robe closer to her chest.

“It’s all right,” the voice said more gently as the blanket fell to the ground, revealing Boyd crouching down in front of her. “It’s just me. Why on earth are ye hiding beside yer bed? I didnae mean tae frighten ye. I called yer name but ye didnae respond.”

A sudden purple flash made her cower again and place her hands back over her ears, leaving her gown loose at the edges.

Boyd moved forward and scooped her against his chest as the storm raged on, holding her in his lap with her legs to the side he tried his best to soothe her fears. “It’s all right. It’s just a storm,” he said gently as he brushed her hair back and held her tight. “It will pass soon enough.”

Ava relaxed a little at the feel of his strong arms around her. She felt inexplicably safe, as though the storm could no longer hurt her anymore.

“I thought ye were trapped in yer dressing room again. But then I saw a figure cowering beside the bed. I thought it must be ye,” he said gently, rubbing her shoulder with the palm of his hand.

Ava blushed slightly with her head against his chest. The storm was raging outside as fat raindrops splattered against the glass. She felt foolish that she needed comfort and shelter from a storm but didn’t budge from the safety of his arms. “Ye must think I am a child,” she said with embarrassment, her cheeks growing hotter. “A grown woman afraid of a storm.”

“Nae,” he said honestly without a hint of judgment. “We all have fears. I was afraid of storms as a child, so I ken how scary they can be,” he gently rocked her back and forth in his arms as he spoke and stroked her hair. “I still have things I’m afraid of as a grown man. There’s nae shame in having fears.”

“Things like what?” she asked curiously.

“Death, growing old… things of that nature,” Boyd brushed the question off, not wanting to delve too deeply into his fears.

Ava shifted slightly in his arms. The warmth of his skin and the deep timber of his voice put her at ease as she relaxed. “Those are normal fears that everyone has,” she replied. “It’s nae as embarrassing as being afraid of storms…”

The hard muscles of his chest trembled beneath her ear as he chuckled. “Ye are really going tae make me tell ye something embarrassing about mesel’?”

“Yes, please,” she smiled despite the storm. Ava liked the sound of his voice when he was amused.

“I’m afraid of spiders, have been since I was a lad. If I see one, I mak’ damn sure I walk as fast as I can in the other direction.”