"What do ye mean?"
Cormac told him everything: the king's mission, the interception on the road, all of it.Boyd listened without interrupting, his arms folded, his expression darkening by degrees.
"And were ye going to just hand the lass over to a group of cutthroats?"Boyd asked when he was done.
"No!Of course not.I protected her, and they've all been handed over to the king's enforcer."
"How did ye get caught up in all this anyway?"
"Because King David could not get a hold of ye, ye love-sick fool.The thieves were operating in yer burgh and his messengers were too frightened to deliver a message that might drag ye away from Bella and Quinn."
Boyd smiled despite himself."Aye, 'tis true.I probably would have murdered them."
"Yet here ye are instead of in yer keep with yer family."
"Only because Bella was crying and Quinn was fussing.I hate it when my wife is sad."He uncrossed his arms and let out a long breath."Ye understand what ye've done to that lass's reputation, even without meaning to."
"I do," Cormac replied.
"Then ye'll wed her.Today.Before either of us leaves this inn."Boyd moved to the barrel by the window and sat on it."Here is what we'll do.Ye marry her this morning, make it legal and proper, and then I take her back to MacKinnon Keep with me as a married woman.It will look far better for her that way.Bella and the village will see she is well and safely wed.Ye finish yer work for the king in Edinburgh and when ye're done ye can fetch yer wife from my Keep.It gives ye both time to adjust to yer new situation and it keeps Una close to people who love her."He sat back and considered the matter settled."It will also appease Bella."
Cormac looked at Boyd."No," he said.
"I beg yer pardon?"
"No.Absolutely not."Cormac's voice was firm."I will not be parted from my own damned wife minutes after we're wed."
Boyd stood up from the barrel."Be reasonable.This is the best way forward."
"I heard ye the first time."
"Then why are ye resisting?Una stays with me and Bella until ye come to fetch her.Bella will be glad of the company and Quinn adores her.It is the sensible arrangement."
"Boyd."
"She will be safe and well cared for and ye can concentrate on raiding and whatever the king requires."
"Boyd."Cormac took a step toward him."Una stays with me.That is the end of it.If ye want to be useful, go fetch the priest."
"I am telling ye I will not leave this inn without Una.Bella will have my head otherwise.And if it comes to it, I'll fight ye and every man ye have to take her home."
They stood for a moment, the two of them, measuring each other the way they had measured each other for ten years.
Then Cormac said, "I'm calling in my favor."
"What favor?"
"Remember when ye were a love-sick-prick riding about the countryside trying to avoid yer own wife and I intercepted her daft brother's letters."
Boyd scowled."Aye," he said carefully."How could I forget, ye smug bastard."
"Ye thanked me and said ye owed me.And remember what I told ye?"
"Ye said ye would collect some day and it would not be cheap."Boyd closed his eyes briefly."Bloody hell."
"That day has come, Monk.Stand down.Una remains with me after we're wed.And ye'll make sure Bella does not interfere."
Boyd stared at him, looking seriously unhappy."I'll be kicked out of my own bed over this."
