Wicked Laird: Brethren of Stone Book 2 Read online

  He did manage to sleep for a few hours but as the sun peeked through the window, she stirred in his arms.

  He woke immediately, pulling her closer.

  Her arms tightened around his middle. “Blair?”

  “Aye, love?” he softly asked, kissing the top of her head.

  “Am I really your love?” She propped her herself up on his chest then, her hands sliding under her chin.

  “More than ye could possibly know, Elle.” He leaned forward to claim her lips with in a kiss. “I love ye with all my heart.”

  When he lay back down, she gave him a glowing smile. “I love you, too. I promise to do my best to make ye happy.”

  “Ye already have,” he brushed her hair again and then pulled her more fully on top of him. “Listen tae me. You and Ailean, ye’re my family now. It’s my job tae make ye happy. Both of ye.”

  She rested her hands on either side of his face as she nibbled her lip. “Blair. Ye are keeping me safe. Yer doing all that a woman could ever want from a husband. But me…” her voice tapered off.

  “Elle,” he rumbled, giving her another kiss. “I don’t need anything more. Yer more than I ever hoped for.”

  She gave him a nod but her eyebrows pushed together as she nibbled on her lip. “If you really think so.”

  “I do.” He rolled them onto their sides. “I’m staying on the beach with ye today. We’ll find more men together or we’ll make do with what we’ve got.”

  That lifted the frown lines in her face. “I’m so glad,” she said as she wrapped her arms about his neck. “Today will surely be a better day.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Elle stood and watched as another post was placed into the ground. It was back-breaking work but the men seemed happy to have work and pay. It felt like the beginning and it filled her with joy to know that not only was her life getting better but the people in her village would all prosper too.

  Shading her eyes, she smiled into the sun. Perhaps the break in the grey spring weather was the cause of her newfound optimism. As she looked, however, she noticed riders up on the dunes. Was it the cavalry men from the base?

  She squinted to see. A strand of apprehension moved through her. Perhaps it was their hats or the way they sat in the saddle but she didn’t think they were the men from the fort. “Blair,” she called turning to where her husband stood checking the level of a giant log they’d just stood.

  “Aye?” he grunted, not looking up.

  “Men,” she shouted.

  “Sinclair,” a man’s voice echoed down toward them. Shivering she wrapped her arms about her waist. She’d know that voice anywhere. It was the stuff of her nightmares.

  “Aye,” Blair called again, much louder and stepped away from the log, striding toward her.

  “It’s time we had another chat,” McKenzie yelled down again. “This time, however, it isn’t going to be so friendly.”

  Blair had reached her side and his arm slid around her. “Why not?”

  McKenzie kicked his horse, riding down toward them. At least ten men followed behind him. “Ye’ve several things that belong to me.”

  “I’ve nothing that belongs to ye.” Blair’s arm tightened about her waist. “Will,” he called. “Take Elle back to the boat. Hurry.”

  “No,” Elle said, then put her arm around him. She was afraid of McKenzie, there was no doubt but she wouldn’t leave Blair to face him alone. Determination bolted through her. “We’re in this together.”

  Blair’s gaze swung back to her. “Elle, I’ll not argue this one.”

  It was a mistake. That was her only thought as her peripheral vision caught sight of McKenzie riding toward them. His hand rose up and she saw the pistol. He couldn’t actually think he could just shoot a man did he? In front of all these witnesses?

  And Blair. He was trying to protect her. She’d distracted him.

  “Stop,” she yelled and without thought, threw herself in front of her husband.

  She felt rather than saw his arm rise up, brushing against her side and then she heard the deafening blast that rent the air. Was that Blair or McKenzie?

  Her arm rose and curled about his neck and then a ripping, searing pain lanced through her arm.

  She yanked it down and looked at Blair. He held her tight to his chest but his eyes were scanning the dunes. Glancing behind him, she watched as several of their men filed in like the ranks of an army, ready to defend against the onslaught.

  A scream ripped through the air. She blinked, trying to discern if that had been her or someone else. Her head swam and she gave it a little shake to clear it.

  She looked down Blair and gasped. “Ye’re covered in blood,” she wailed.

  “Elle?” he asked, his voice rising higher.

  Was he hurt? She blinked again wanting to ask but her lips wouldn’t work. Leaning her head on his chest, she closed her eyes. Then the world went black.

  An understanding of the reality of the situation hit Blair in slow degrees. McKenzie had attempted to shoot him in broad daylight in front of thirty witnesses. He’d fired back because that was what a man did when someone attempted to kill him.

  McKenzie had clearly been hit because he’d fallen in the sand where he lay motionless. Blair had one moment of triumph. It could be over. Right here, right now.

  Then he’d looked down. Blood covered his crisp white shirt. Elle had given him a foggy, unfocused glance before she’d leaned her head on his chest and went limp.

  His wife had been shot.

  Wrapping his other arm about her body, he lifted her and rushed backward, not wanting her in any more danger. “Move to the front,” he yelled at Will even as he plunked down in the sand, checking over Elle. There was blood on her dress but no immediately visible rip.

  Growing frantic, he lay her completely in the sand. Rolling her to first one side and then the other, he checked her back. As he moved her, he saw a gush of blood come from her side. Lifting her arm, he saw it. A bloody tear on the fleshy underpart of her upper arm.

  Ripping away the fabric, he then used it to tightly bind the wound. His heart was pumping wildly in his chest, filling his ears with its beat. Not Elle. He needed his wife. Which meant he needed to stop the bleeding. It was only a flesh wound, as near as he could tell. It was just loss of blood that they needed to be concerned about.

  “Ye’re under arrest,” Constable McCleary called.

  “Fer what?” Will yelled back.

  “Murder,” McCleary shouted even louder, his voice pitching high.

  “Unlikely,” someone called from a distance, but Blair didn’t bother to look up. His eyes were on Elle’s pale visage. She was still breathing in shallow, slow breaths but she had yet to open her eyes.

  “Ye’ll have to kill me before I’ll let you take me away,” he called, gathering Elle closer.

  “That can be arranged,” McCleary growled out.

  Blair didn’t look as he gathered Elle close but another shot rang out. He threw his body over hers, holding her to his chest. “Will?” he barked. Had is brother been shot too.

  “I’m all right,” Will returned. “It’s McCleary who’s been shot.”

  “What?” Blair called back, keeping Elle covered. “By who?”

  “Soldiers headed our way.”

  The sound of more horses thundered in his ears as he partially lifted up to look down at Elle once again. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open. “Blair?”

  Cupping her cheek in his hand, he gently kissed her forehead. “I’m here love.”

  “Blair,” she whispered. “I love you.” Then her body started. “Are ye hurt?”

  “Ye’re worried about me?” He might have laughed if he wasn’t so frightened for her. “Elle, love. Are ye in any pain?”

  She blinked again. “My arm hurts.” She tried to move it and cried out.

  He tightened his grip. “Don’t move. Anywhere else that hurts?”

  “No, just my arm.”

  He let out a long
breath. “That’s good.”

  “Was anyone hurt?” A long shadow cast over Blair and he looked up to find a calvary man seated on his horse above him.

  “My wife’s been shot.” His throat tightened at the words.

  “Fetch the doctor,” the man called.

  Will leaned down next to Blair, his hand resting on Blair’s shoulder. “They are both dead. McCleary and McKenzie.” Will paused. “Elle?”

  “I think it’s just a flesh wound.” Blair grimaced. Hell and damnation let that be true.

  “Don’t talk about me like I’m not here,” Elle mumbled. That made Blair grin. Just a little. If she were well enough to give him a hard time then she’d survive for sure.

  “I need ye to be strong, lass. I ken ye are.” He kissed her head again. “But I don’t want tae do any of this without ye.”

  She quirked her lip. “Really?”

  “Elle.” He placed tiny kisses on her cheeks, her chin, her nose. “Yer the woman for me. I love ye with all my heart.”

  “I love you, too.” Her eyes closed again and for a moment he was afraid that she was slipping back away from him. But then they opened. “Blair?”

  “Yes, love?” He stroked her hair back.

  “I’m so glad ye weren’t hurt.” Her good hand reached up and touched his neck. “Whatever happens to me, promise ye’ll take care of Ailean.”

  “Nothing is happening tae ye.” He meant it. Hell would freeze before he’d let her go.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Elle had been in and out of sleep for the past few days. Thankfully, no fever had set in. Blair gave her a gentle shake to wake her. It was time for her to eat.

  Much as sleep was important for her recovery, food was equally so and he wanted to give her some broth.

  Will was overseeing the construction of the pier. Now that McKenzie was dead, the rush was off but Blair had made promises to the men about regular work and he’d keep them.

  McKenzie’s land holdings were substantial, they bolstered what little local economy was left. If work didn’t keep happening, these people would flounder.

  Elle’s eyes fluttered open. “Blair?”

  “Yes, love?” He smoothed her hair and then helped her to sit up.

  “Was I asleep for long?” She rubbed her eyes with her good hand.

  “All afternoon,” he gave her a soft grin as he gently brought the hot broth to her lips.

  She took a sip and then sighed. “You haven’t been here this whole time have you?”

  “Of course I have,” he rumbled taking her hand. “Elle,” he swallowed, emotion clogging his throat. “Ye threw yerself in front of me when a bullet was coming my way.”

  She gave a tiny laugh and then her features tightened as she gingerly rubbed her arm. “Who knew besides a wife you’d be getting a human shield?”

  Blair sat back. “A shield? Ye’re a goddess. I could spend my entire life trying to be worthy of ye and never do enough to deserve a woman like ye.”

  Tears welled in her eyes. A tear first slipped down her cheek, and he gently brushed it away. “It’s me who isn’t worthy of you. Look at what I brought to yer door. A man who tried to shoot you.”

  “I’ve told ye a hundred times if I’ve told ye once, he was coming at me no matter what. Besides, he’s gone now.”

  “Gone?” Using her good arm, she straightened. “As in dead?”

  “Aye, though I didn’t mean to shoot him. I just returned fire without thought.”

  “But constable McCleary, he’ll—”

  “Also dead.” Blair grimaced. “One of the lieutenants shot him when he tried to shoot me.”

  “So that’s it? We’re just free?” She blinked several times. “What of his lands? While he barely paid for labor, he did provide a good many people with jobs.”

  “Interesting question.” Blair gave her a smile. She wouldn’t remember of course, but Will had also spent the past two evenings sitting by Elle’s bed and discussing the future. “His holdings will be sold off. Will is going to use his inheritance to buy them. He can grow the crops and what he needs to sell, I will ship.”

  “Will’s moving to the Highlands with us?” She covered her mouth with her hand then slowly lowered it. “How wonderful.”

  He chuckled. “I think so too, though I’d appreciate it if ye didn’t tell him that.”

  She gave a tiny giggle and then winced as she clutched at her arm. “I’ve spent a great deal of our time together, recovering in bed.”

  Will leaned down and placed a lingering kiss on her lips. “That’s true. I have to confess that I’ve rather enjoyed it. You being in my bed that is.”

  “You are wicked.” She reached behind his head to thread her fingers into his hair and pulled his mouth down to hers again. “I like it.”

  Epilogue

  A crisp fall wind swept over the land but the sun shone brightly in the sky, illuminating all the fall foliage. Elle took a deep breath of air, basking in the invigorating crispness. Then she smoothed her skirts and began walking toward the beach.

  Eliza fell in step next to her. “It’s the perfect day for a wedding.”

  “So it is,” she answered as she locked hands with her sister-in-law.

  “Are ye nervous?” Eliza gave her a cheeky eyebrow waggle.

  Elle covered her mouth so that a giggle wouldn’t escape. “No, that’s the funny thing about marrying the same man twice.”

  Eliza laughed too as she gave Elle’s hand a hard squeeze. “I’m glad ye decided to have a real wedding with all of us here, even if ye’re already married.”

  “Me too,” Elle answered as she brushed her hand down her still-flat stomach. When she’d told Blair she was expecting, he’d insisted they have another wedding. She’d tried to tell him they were busy enough. The pier was complete, but another was being built and the house as well. But he had insisted that they do this again. Secretly, it had filled her with a joy she couldn’t describe to know that this was important to him.

  As she approached, Blair’s sister, Delia, joined her and Eliza. In front of her the Sinclair brothers stretched out in a line, only broken by her brother, Ailean. Stone would officiate and he stood on Blair’s other side watching their approach. Most of the village was also in attendance. As she passed by them, they hooted and cheered their appreciation.

  The Sinclairs were fast becoming their saviors. Will had bought McKenzie’s holdings and his increase in wages lifted the town up almost instantly. Between that, and all the jobs Blair had created, prosperity was reigning in what had been despair.

  Joy bubbled inside her, adding a lightness to her step as she met Blair. He reached out his hands and grasped hers, pulling her in for a kiss.

  “Ye’re not supposed to kiss the bride until after the ceremony,” Will hooted, causing the crowd to laugh.

  Blair only grinned. “I couldn’t help myself. Ye look beautiful, my love.”

  She blushed. Eliza had brought a pale blue dress for her that seemed to bring out the color in her eyes and make her blonde hair shine in the sun. She’d never felt prettier. “So do ye,” she answered. His brothers laughed again, but she didn’t care. She’d never seen a man look more dashing. “I don’t know by what fortune I managed to find ye, Blair Sinclair, but my heart is yours forever. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to make ye happy.”

  He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. Instead of answering, he pulled a ribbon from the pocket of his coat and began to tie their left hands together.

  When the ribbon had joined them, he finally spoke. “Elspith Sinclair, if it takes every breath in my body, I will keep ye safe, I will provide fer ye, and I will give ye my love. Yer the most important thing to me. Not only have ye taught me how to love, ye’ve given me life again.”

  She held back tears, her lashes wet, as Stone put his hand over theirs and began to ceremony.

  When it was done, Blair kissed her again. This kiss was somehow different from every other one they had shared. It was
full of love but it held a new promise. One of a life where they gave freely to each other. Elle finally understood what it was she brought to this relationship and why this life was so much better than being alone. As they broke their kiss, she looked up into his eyes. “If it takes every breath in my body, I’ll do the same fer ye.”

  As they turned back to the crowd, a loud cheer rose up from the crowd.

  They took their time, greeting each guest, and meandering their way back to the new house. Because it wasn’t complete, tables had been set up in the barn, lit by candles. Trays of food lined tables pushed to the side.

  Blair held her hand throughout.

  “I’m so glad we did this.” She looked up at her husband.

  Blair winked down at her. “So am I.” Then he looked around. “Should we find Will and punch him in the gut for making us marry in a hurry the first time?”

  “I was going to kiss him,” she said, laughing when Blair scowled deeply. “But I haven’t seen him for some time.”

  Blair’s scowl deepened. “Where did that rogue slip off to?”

  “Rogue?” Elle raised her eyebrows. Will had never been anything other than a gentleman in her company.

  “The worst of the lot if ye ask me,” Blair rumbled, waving to Stone.

  Elle bit her lip. Will had definitely gone off somewhere. Was he with someone? This should be interesting…

  Kilted Sin

  Brethren of Stone Book 3

  By Tammy Andresen

  * * *

  William Sinclair rode toward the loch, the fall wind biting at his skin. Not that the cold mattered. He had every intention of dunking himself in the near freezing water. He liked the feeling of that bite on his skin.

  He wasn’t a masochist but freezing water was a reminder that he was alive and well, no matter what else was happening and, recently, a great deal had happened.