Page 44 of Confessions of a Highland Assassin

Bracing herself, Ava took a deep breath, pushed her feelings aside, and stepped into the room. “Good morning, my Laird. Ye wanted tae see me?” she said quietly.

Boyd looked up from his desk where he’s been shuffling through papers and smiled at her with a warm greeting. “Good morning,” he said before walking over to her. His eyes were bright and he took both her hands in his and kissed her cheek. “I trust ye slept well?”

“I slept quite well, thank ye, my Laird,” she blushed at the thought of the night they had spent together. Her body tingled.

“I have some good news this morning,” Boyd smiled and brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. “I sent the other families home because I made me choice. We can begin arranging the wedding. I’ve written a letter tae yer father already,” he let go of her hands and walked back to his desk, picking up an envelope. “I said I’ve chosen ye as me bride. The wedding can be held in one week. I’ll send it tae yer family at once.”

“May I send it?” Ava asked quickly, thinking of the ramifications if Boyd sent the letter. It would spell disaster if the real laird got wind that his ‘daughter’ was now betrothed to Boyd Cameron. “I would like tae include a note for my family,” she added quickly. “My father will want tae ken that I’m happy with the choice.”

“Of course, it would be better if ye did. Set his mind at ease,” he walked back over and handed her the envelope.

“Thank ye, I’ll include my note and give it tae my maid.”

“Dinnae tak’ too long. They will need tae be here in a week. The letters go out this afternoon.”

Ava nodded and looked at the note in her hand. One week. That’s all she had left before she had to betray him in the worst way possible, breaking his heart along with hers. He’d handed her the letter without hesitation. Ava was devastated with how much Boyd trusted her without question.

Whoever wanted him dead was going to get exactly what they wanted. He would suffer in so many ways before she took his life. The ultimate betrayal…

“Ava,” Boyd said softly and tilted her chin toward him as he came around the desk again. “This is what ye want… is it nae?” he looked deeply into her eyes with concern.

“Aye. It is what I want,” she faked a smile. “More than anything.” The words were true. But it could not be.

“Good. I want ye tae ken that I will be good tae ye,” he leaned forward, softly brushing his lips against hers. “I want this too. I cannae promise that our love will be greater than anything ye may have experienced ‘afore now. But I can promise that I will try my best tae treat ye right.”

Ava could feel her heart ripping in two as he kissed her tenderly with all his affection.

“I’ve never told anyone about my past,” he held her hands firmly in his as he confessed. “Naebody besides my best friend. The way ye listened tae me last night… I kent that I could trust ye with anything, Ava. I dinnae ken why. But I feel like I’ve met ye ‘afore and that ye belong with me.”

Ava inwardly panicked. She was having a change of heart. How could something feel so right and be so terrible at the same time? She needed to save her brother. But she also needed Boyd. “Boyd, there’s something I have tae tell ye,” Ava began as she felt her conscience was about to burst. The honest way he was opening to her made her feel as though she could no longer go ahead with the plan.

“Just a second,” Boyd said as a knock sounded at the door. He let go of her hands and walked over to the door. “I’ll be right back,” he said to her as he stepped into the hall and spoke to someone she couldn’t see.

Ava stood looking around the room at all the letters laying on the desk. He’d been very busy since he left her room. She looked up at the owl hanging above the hearth with its talons splayed to catch its prey.

I’m that bird… she thought as her stomach turned with sickening feelings of guilt. I’m the predator waiting tae pounce on an unsuspecting man… I cannae go through with this, she thought as she turned away from the owl and stared out the window. With sudden and shocking clarity, Ava remembered why she was there in the first place.

Neil… She couldn’t confess her situation to Boyd. She needed the money to save her brother’s life.

“I’m sorry,” Boyd said as he came back into the room. “Just some clan business. What was it that ye wanted tae say tae me?” he asked and smiled at her.

Ava’s heart began to pound in her chest at the way his eyes lit up with pure honesty when he looked at her. She noticed every detail on his face and the way the corners of his mouth curled when he smiled. “I… just wanted tae say how happy I am that we will be getting married,” she plastered a fake smile on her face as the horrid lie escaped her lips.

Boyd returned her smile and ran his fingers through the loose hair that hung down her back. “Ye dinnae need tae be nervous, Ava. Everything will work out just as it should. Ye will see.”

Her lip began to tremble as she quickly sucked it into her mouth and reminded herself why she was there. “Aye, it will. I best be getting on with my letter then.”

“I have some more letters tae write, notifying people of the good news. Ye better get on with writing tae yer family as well then. Would ye like tae use the desk?” he gestured behind him. “It’s a wee bit messy at present, but I can clear a space for ye.”

“Nae, thank ye,” she said softly. “There is a desk with parchment and ink in my room. I’ll be just fine in there, my Laird.”

“I think it’s time ye started calling me Boyd, Ava,” he laughed.

“Very well, Boyd. Thank ye for ye kind offer. I have all I need in my room.”

“That sounds good. Just ask one of the maids if there’s anything else ye need. I’ve given instructions for everyone tae help ye and mak’ ye feel as welcome as they can,” he kissed her on the cheek again. “I’ll see ye later, once we’ve run all of our errands.”

“Later,” she forced another smile and turned to leave.