Page 43 of Confessions of a Highland Assassin

“Nae…” Ava groaned into her pillow after hiding her face again.

Skye dropped the robe and plopped herself on the bed beside her friend, carefully taking the pillow away from her. “What happened? I’m sorry I didnae return. I got held up, but by the looks of things, it’s a good thing I didnae come back. I’d wager ye were nae alone last night,” Skye grinned hopefully.

“Boyd came back tae the room after ye left,” Ava admitted sheepishly, her voice still thick with sleep.

“I kent that he would nae turn ye down!” Skye exclaimed excitedly. “He was probably caught off-guard and needed some time tae clear his thoughts first,” she said matter of factly. “There was nae way he was going tae leave ye like that.

Ava pulled the covers over her breasts as she lifted herself up and hugged her knees. “He’d had some disturbing news about his family yesterday morning. We didnae discuss his behavior. But I ken that he must have been in shock. He was struggling with the news when ye called him tae my room. That’s why he was so abrupt.”

“He came tae ye for comfort then when he returned?” Skye asked hopefully. “That’s a good sign if he wanted tae be around ye. It means he trusts ye.”

“He didnae say why he came back. But we did end up comforting each other ‘afore we…” Ava blushed as she looked away, biting her bottom lip.

Skye raised her hands to her face and covered her mouth in shock. “This is great news, Ava! He will marry ye now. I ken he will. He’s a gentleman after all. Did he stay the whole night?”

Ava sighed and buried her face in her knees. “Aye. He stayed the whole night. We spoke for hours ‘afore we fell asleep. He opened up more about the woman he loved and his family.”

“The woman he loved?” her friend asked with concern.

“He was in love with another laird’s daughter. It was an arranged marriage. She disappeared along with his father and the rest of her family on the evening ‘afore the wedding.”

“That’s a sad story…” Skye admitted. “I wonder what happened?”

“Naebody kens what happened that night. His mother killed hersel’ nae long after that…” Ava rested her chin on her knees as she looked at her friend. “He’s been through so much, Skye… I dinnae ken how I will live with mesel’ if we follow through with the plan…”

“Ava, he’s a good man, I ken this from everything ye’ve told me and how the maids and lads speak of him. But ye cannae back out now. Nae since we’ve come this far with everything.”

Ava pulled her legs even closer to her body. “Ye dinnae ken how gentle he was with me last night, Skye. The way he touched me and…” Her voice trailed off as she thought of the way they’d made love. She’d never imagined that being with a man would be as wonderful as it was with Boyd.

Skye nearly burst with excitement as she bounced on the edge of the bed. “This is the best news ever! He’s gone and fallen for ye just like we wanted, Ava! We must start…” she paused as she looked at Ava’s sad expression when she brought her head up again. “Ava… why are ye nae more excited. I ken that ye think he’s a good man, but…”

Ava pursed her lips as she saw the realization dawning on her friend’s face.

“Ye fell in love with him,” Skye said quietly.

“I fell in love with him,” Ava confessed as she choked back tears.

“Oh, Ava… What are we going tae dae now?” Skye shook her head in disbelief and placed a hand on her cheek.

“I dinnae have a choice Skye, I will have tae go ahead with the plan. Neil’s life depends on it,” she shook her head as if she couldn’t believe what she was saying. “I’ve gone back and forth in my mind, trying tae think of any other way… just nae this. But there is nae other way.” The guilt she felt over her vulnerable brother was heavier than the guilt she felt in thinking about hurting Boyd. Though, not by much.

Skye reached over and squeezed her hand sympathetically with a serious expression on her face. “The fact that ye are willing tae go ahead with the plan even though yer heart is at stake… Speaks volumes of yer character, Ava Rose…” Skye said with tears in her eyes. “I cannae be prouder of ye. Honestly, it takes a strong woman tae do what ye are about tae do, I dinnae deny that.”

“Thank ye, Skye. I just wish that…”

Her words were cut-off by a knock at the door. “Lady Sinclair,” a voice called from the hall.

Skye looked at her friend before lifting herself up and walking to the door. “Who is it?” she said after opening the door just a crack and peering around the edge.

“My Laird requests the presence of Lady Sinclair in his study this morning.”

Ava heard the voice announce the request before Skye replied. “She will be down just as soon as she’s dressed,” she said and shut the door, turning back to the bed. “Duty calls…” she seemed sad as she spoke to her friend. “Let’s get ye dressed and ready for Boyd.”

Ava felt the blood drain from her face as she braced herself for what lay ahead. She would need to face Boyd now with the knowledge that she loved him. She was betraying his trust before she would take his life.

* * *

“Come in,” Boyd called from inside his study after Ava knocked on the door.