Page 49 of Confessions of a Highland Assassin

“Thank ye,” Ava whispered as she watched the brew fizz for a few seconds before settling back down again. The ale appeared as normal in the mug as the dark brown liquid settled back down.

“It looked as if ye could use some help,” she said encouragingly. “Let’s go then. I heard one of the servants say Boyd had sent word tae ye that he’s ready in his study.”

* * *

Skye stood back and allowed Ava to enter the study before her as she held the tray of ale, making sure to keep her eye on the one they’d slipped the potion into.

“Good evening, my Laird,” Ava said as she entered the room.

Candles had been lit and placed around the room in silver holders. The flames flickered and cast shadows across the books that lined the shelves along the walls.

“Please, call me Boyd,” he reminded her as he laughed and kissed her cheek. “I thought we might have a private meal in here this evening, as we havenae had too much time together,” he gestured toward a small table between two chairs that had been set up in the corner beside the hearth. “Please, sit.”

She did as she was told and took the seat closest to the corner. It would be easier to drag him out if he was closest to the door, she thought sadly as she looked at him. Her breath was once again taken away when he smiled at her.

“Ye look lovely this evening, Ava. Yer hair is always so beautiful.”

“As do ye,” she smiled at him and examined him from head to toe.

Boyd was wearing cream breaches and a freshly pressed white shirt. His brown leather boots had been polished and his hair was slicked back and shiny as it hung down his back in a ponytail.

Ava thought of the first time she’d seen him lying on the ground in front of her cabin. He was so bloodied and beaten. She would never have thought that she could fall in love with him in a matter of weeks. Her entire life had changed in that moment. She wished she could go back. She would pack whatever belongings they needed and flee the country with Skye and Neil. At least then, Boyd would never have to lose his life by her hand.

“I thought a light supper would be best,” he gestured to the table packed with all kinds of food. Plates of various roasted types of meat such as mutton and venison sat alongside shiny silver platters of plums, cherries, pears, and apples. In addition to meats and fruits, Boyd had ordered freshly baked bread and an assortment of cheese.

“I dinnae ken what ye like, so I ordered a bit of everything,” Boyd admitted sheepishly. “We dinnae have tae eat everything. We can send back whatever ye dinnae fancy.”

“Everything looks great,” Ava smiled to put him more at ease. He seemed almost as nervous as she was.

“And here is our ale,” Boyd said as Skye came walking into the room balancing the tray with two hands. She placed it on the edge of the table and used her knee for support as she placed one in front of Ava and the other in front of Boyd.

Ava watched her every move as she slid the mug of ale into place and shot her a knowing look before leaving the room again.

Her words were loud and clear without her even having to speak. ‘This mug is the one.’

“Is something the matter?” Boyd asked as he picked a few cherries from a plate and popped them into his mouth. “Ye seem distracted. Anything ye wish tae talk about?”

“I’m just worried about the wedding plans, is all,” Ava lied, glancing at his mug.

“Then let me tell ye something that may just set yer mind at ease,” he smiled at her as he reached for her hand across the table. “I was thinking this morning after I saw ye, how much I’ve fallen for ye. I didnae think that was possible after what happened with Cora. Ye light up the room whenever ye walk in, Ava,” he winked at her. “Ye are like the missing piece in my life I never even kent was missing.”

Ava took a deep breath and placed her hand over her stomach.

“Are ye ill?” Boyd asked with concern, furrowing his brows.

“Nae,” she smiled half-heartedly. “It’s just that I dinnae ken what tae say, Boyd. All my life I’ve lived for everyone else, doing things tae care for others. And then ye come along in the space of a week or two, and mak’ me yearn for more. I was content with me life as it was. But then ye came along and showed me I wanted so much more than what I had. That the world was filled with more than just what I’d seen in the past.”

“Ava,” Boyd reached up and stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers. “Ye dinnae ken how glad it makes me tae hear ye say those words. I promised my mother that I would only marry again if a woman came along that I truly loved. For the longest time, I thought that woman was Cora, and that I would nae love again unless I found her. One night with ye showed me that none of that was true. I can love ye even deeper than that.”

Ava felt the tears growing on her eyes. She quickly picked up her ale to slake her thirst and hold her emotions at bay. A decision she quickly regretted, fearing that Boyd would do the same. But he picked another handful of cherries instead and popped one into his mouth before offering her another.

She let out a breath of relief and took the cherry he held out for her.

“The cherries are particularly sweet this year,” he said as he chewed. “A good omen, some would say. I love cherries, how about ye?”

She chewed the cherry and removed the pip, placing it on a clean tray beside the fruit. “I’ve never had tae many. But I do like them,” she smiled at him.

“There’s something I wish tae give ye, Ava,” Boyd said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring.