Scottish Devil (Brethren of Stone Book 1) Page 4

  “What a lovely couple,” she said to the woman next to her.

  Another responded. “Did ye see the way he let his brothers out first so that he might assist her? How dashing.”

  Whispers began to filter through the crowd, but their tone had changed. Rather than fear, he heard approval. How had it not occurred to him that a woman next to him might soften his image? Not that he cared what they thought. But today, he reveled in not facing their taunts. And, honestly, he wished they would focus on his abilities as their laird and earl rather than his harsh features. If they wanted to judge him poorly for that then so be it.

  The bells rang and the crowd parted to let them through.

  “What the bloody blazes is happening?” Will whispered.

  Blair replied, “I’m asking myself the same.”

  “I’d ask ye to explain but I don’t think ye will,” Eliza huffed.

  Both Blair and Will chuckled softly and even Stone found himself smiling a bit. They loved fiercely, but his family was as tough as the name implied. Eliza was fitting right in. Interesting.

  Not that she’d want to. In fact, she’d made it perfectly clear she did not want to be anywhere near them. She wanted to return home. The question was, did he still wish for her to go? Yesterday it had unequivocally been yes but today, he wasn’t so sure.

  Eliza intended to speak with her father about Lord Alban and the Sinclair clan. This time, she wouldn’t judge, she’d listen. Because something wasn’t fitting.

  Twenty widows stood in a line, children holding their hands with large, sad eyes. Eliza swallowed, feeling overwhelmed and humbled. She’d been so sad about the loss of her mother. But she still had her father, she was still cared and provided for. These women had children and they were all alone.

  The funeral was traditional and no one spoke as the bell tolled the dead. Eliza found herself praying for the service to end and for someone to speak to break the grief building inside.

  Finally the bell ceased and Eliza wished she could sit on the ground in relief. Honestly, she wished she could sag against Stone’s side. Somehow she was sure his strength would hold her up. But instead, Stone moved away. Her disappointment made her brow furrow as Blair offered her his elbow.

  When had she begun craving his touch? It was ridiculous. She’d come here to get answers and ammunition. Eliza needed to know what type of man he was. It was the only way she might possibly escape from her father’s mad plan.

  Stone stood by the large rock that would mark the lost men. The widows lined up and one by one, he greeted them, holding their hands and offering them condolences.

  Another pang reverberated in her chest. He’d buried his parents yesterday and yet it was his job to comfort them today. She watched him hand each woman an envelope. She’d seen him holding them on the carriage ride here, saw her father give them to Stone.

  When he’d given out the third one, the woman nodded, her light brown hair hanging in her face as she pulled one child and carried the other on her hip. Her eyes were vacant, haunted as she moved away. It made Eliza ache more deeply than she had during the funeral and she could barely hold in her tears while the woman continued on and the next in line approached.

  “Merciful saints,” the brown-haired widow, who had just passed through the line, let out a yell. Eliza snapped her gaze back to the lady. Her vacant stare had come to life while she stared in the envelope.

  A murmur rose through the crowd as she pushed her way back toward Stone. Without warning she set down the little one perched on her hip and threw her arms about him.

  “Thank ye,” she cried. “I’ve been so worried and this is more…” A sob made her words trail off.

  Stone looked at Eliza completely bewildered. But Eliza beamed at him. He was giving the widows a monetary gift to help them find their way. Her heart swelled in a way it hadn’t in weeks. He gave the woman an awkward pat on the back. “It’s the least I can do,” he murmured.

  Her littlest toddled away; Stone reached down and easily picked up the child, handing her back to her mother. His massive hands were gentle, tender as he handed the child over and something deep inside Eliza tugged. The way he handled children made him beautiful.

  “Oh my lord,” another of the widows, who opened her envelope, cried.

  “Ladies.” Stone shifted as the other widows pushed toward the front of the line. His deep voice stilled them. “It is only a gesture of my sympathy fer yer loss, I don’t want to sully their memor—”

  Eliza realized he was about to insult them without meaning to, but reprimanding their behavior now would be unforgivable. “What his lord means to say is that he knows this wasn’t the best time to pass out recompense but he saw no other opportunity to see you all received it at the same time without inconveniencing you in an already difficult time. You will all get your envelopes.” She gestured for them to push back a little and give each other room.” Then she turned to Blair. “Perhaps you could aid your brother to get the gifts out faster.”

  His eyes widened, but he nodded and took several envelopes from Stone. Then stepping down the line he began to hand them out.

  The two men quickly finished the task but it took another hour before they could leave. Women, children, and even some of the other miners who’d attended the funeral stopped to speak with Stone. He responded patiently and graciously even if he didn’t smile very often.

  He had gently patted the heads of several children and she watched many of them play at his feet or hang upon his legs. He barely took notice, unless it was to wink at them or ruffle their hair.

  When they finally climbed into the carriage, Eliza felt spent, and she hadn’t done a quarter of what he had today.

  And she hadn’t accomplished her goal. She couldn’t very well go back to her father and demand he change his plans because Stone had taken care of widows. She should be upset by the fact that she hadn’t accomplished what she had hoped. Instead, she was grateful.

  Though it was not the information she’d hoped to discover, she couldn’t think about that now. This was a beautiful moment. Tomorrow she’d remember that he was too hard. That he was the lord growing richer and fatter off the backs of the people.

  They rode back to the house in silence and once again, Stone allowed his brothers to exit first. Before he climbed out to hand her out, he turned to her. “Miss McLaren,” his voice rumbled next to her. “Eliza,” she corrected. Not only had he saved her today, he’d saved twenty other women. It deserved a certain familiarity.

  He cleared his throat. “Eliza, thank ye fer yer help with the crowd today. I dunnea ken how I would have done it without ye. I don’t always have the gentlest manner of speaking.”

  She stared at him then, blinking. “Yer thanking me?” Then, she launched herself across the little space that separated them and threw her arms about his neck. “I should thank you.” Her breath came in short gasps as his muscles made contact with her much softer body. She’d gone mad, clearly. But she’d been angry that no one cared about the downtrodden and no one helped. And today, today he’d made a difference.

  “Fer what?” he whispered in the confines of the carriage but his voice reverberated through her nonetheless.

  “Fer saving me this morning.” She pulled back a little to look into his face though her arms were still twined about his neck. But that might have been a mistake. From this angle, he didn’t appear ferocious or menacing. He looked…handsome. What was more, his hands at her waist were achingly gentle. She remembered how he’d touched the children, carefully as though they were blown glass. How could a man that large be so sweet? “And for helping those women. I’ve been so caught in my own grief I’d lost perspective of how much worse my situation could be. But you didn’t. You helped those in need even though you’ve lost so much too.”

  His eyes widened in surprise. “Don’t thank me too much. I dunnae ken how to help most of the people here, which is why I need yer father. And that requires ye to make sacrifices too. Yer help
in’ as much as I am.”

  She realized her mouth was hanging open and she snapped it closed. “I hadn’t thought of that. My contribution is so small.”

  He gave her a soft grin. She nearly groaned aloud, he was devastating now. “Dunnae worry. If ye want to help, I am sure I can find ways fer ye tae. Yer time here won’t be spent idle.” He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Besides, yer a fair sight more diplomatic than the Sinclairs. We might need ye even more than ye think.”

  The feel of his breath tickling her ear, made her tingle in places she’d never dreamed. “I can’t believe you’d rely on me to be the voice of reason. My temper is rather well known.”

  He chuckled close to her ear and his chest vibrated against hers. It was the most intimate and exciting moment of her life. “A woman without fire could never live with my brethren. We’re a rambunctious lot.”

  She turned her face toward his then. Something inside her wanted to be even closer to him, to know not just how he felt, but how he tasted.

  As she turned her head, her lips brushed his. He responded by capturing hers in a kiss that was so brief, she wondered if she’d imagined it. Except that every fiber in her body came to life at the touch. Then, he set her to the side and nearly jumped out of the carriage.

  Clasping her hands to stop them from shaking, she followed to find him standing, waiting for her. He didn’t say a word as she tucked her hand into his elbow but the moment they walked through the door, he disappeared without a word or a glance back. Was he angry with her? What had she just done?

  Chapter Six

  Hours later, after having puzzled over it time and again, she still didn’t know what she could have been thinking. She’d never kissed a man before, what had possessed her to do so now? And him! Of all men. She supposed the devil was nothing if not tempting. But there in lay her dilemma. She’d watched him with children, seen him with the widows, and he didn’t seem the devil to her. In fact, he’d appeared to have more heart than many men she knew.

  But she’d only known him for a day. And the people who lived in this province swore he was no good. Treated the people poorly. How could she deny that?

  Hour of pacing had left her no closer to a solution and so she took to haunting the hall outside his office. Not the most subtle tactic, but hopefully it was effective.

  She knew she wanted to see him but she hadn’t the faintest clue why. Did she hope he might tell her why she’d kissed him? Did she wish to express that she never intended to act in such a way again? Would she ask him if he was in fact the devil? Or maybe what had happened with the farmers? Because if the rumors were true, he was not the man he appeared to be.

  Before she’d reached a conclusion, his door swung open. She stopped staring as a man stepped into the hall. It was not Stone but her father who greeted her.

  “Eliza,” he exclaimed. “What are you doing out here?”

  She stopped, staring for a moment before she finally found some words. “I was hoping to speak with Lord Alban.”

  “What for?” he asked.

  “I…uh…I…” her mind drew a complete blank. “I wanted to thank him. For saving me earlier.”

  Her father grinned. “Excellent idea.” He came to take her arm, walking her to the door of the study. “I will wait just outside while you speak. Make sure to leave the door open. ” And then he raised his arm as a gesture for her to enter.

  Mentally, she cringed. This would only fuel her father’s hopes. She either had to prove the rumors true or resign herself to a match with Stone. Marry the devil? It was a dangerous game, especially after their kiss. Why couldn’t she control herself in his presence?

  She stepped in to find him seated at his desk leaning over several papers. He rubbed his brow, lines of worry creasing his eyes. He didn’t look like the devil at all. Only a man—and a worried one at that. “Lord Alban,” she spoke as quietly as she could while still being heard.

  He looked up at her, surprise on his face quickly turning into a smile. “Good evening.”

  “Good evening,” she said as her hands pressed flat against her stomach. “You’re working late.”

  He stood. “I lost much of the day and there is a great deal to oversee and more to learn.” He gestured at the papers in front of him.

  “What are you working on currently?” She leaned forward despite herself to glance at what he had his attention.

  “A dispute between the mills and the farmers.”

  She froze, her eyes widening. Something akin to sick dread trickled down her spine. “A dispute?”

  He ran his hands through his hair. “It’s nothing, I don’t mean to trouble you.” He rested his hands on the desk. “Would you like to sit? What can I help you with?”

  Eliza sat and he followed suit. Then taking a deep breath, she gave him her best smile. “I…” She stopped. What did she want? “I wanted to thank you for this morning.”

  “If I recall, you already thanked me.” He raised his eyebrows.

  Blast, did the man have to look so good like that? How had she not noticed how full his lips were? No wonder they’d been so soft on hers. Why had she come? And what plausible reason could she give him?

  She blinked trying to think. “No…I…actually…I wanted to ask if there was anything I could do to repay you.”

  His eyes narrowed as she assessed him. Silence grew between them and she resisted the urge to squirm in her chair. His intensity was both unsettling and rather exciting.

  “There is something I could use some help with.” He scratched at his beard. “I worry about Delia. She is so young and the loss of her mother…” His Adam’s apple bobbed. “To talk with a woman might be helpful, especially one who had so recently suffered the same loss.”

  Her insides twisted in pain for the girl and for herself. “Of course, I’ll talk to her. I’d be happy to.”

  He ran his hand through his hair his voice scratchy with emotion. “A girl needs a mother.”

  She bit her lip. Her father already had plans for Stone, but perhaps she could suggest it first and give Stone a chance to pick someone else. “You could marry.”

  He grimaced, looking more like the formidable man she’d first met. “I doubt it. Who would marry the devil?”

  She found herself speechless as she rose. He knew what they said. Even more unsettling was that it upset him in some way. She was sure by the look on his face. If it bothered him, why not act in a way that was kinder? More fair?

  The next morning, Eliza couldn’t stop thinking about Stone. She wanted to speak with her father about the farmers, but she’d been unable. He’d been closed off in Stone’s office as the two men did whatever it was they needed to do.

  So when Delia announced that she was going to the village with one of the kitchen maids, Eliza rushed to join them. Though she’d had more than enough activity the day before, she needed something to take her mind off the constant swirl of thoughts.

  As their little group set off, Delia skipped along just ahead of them. Eliza smiled; many of the Sinclair men were rather stoic. Delia could not have been any more different. “She’s so lively.”

  “Normally more so.” The maid gave Eliza a smile. “She’s usually singin’ and dancin’ about. But the poor child has lost her mother.”

  She winced, her heart aching for the child. “Poor thing.”

  The maid waved her hand. “Her brothers will take good care of her. Stone in particular is a gentle man.”

  “You don’t think him the devil?” Eliza stared at the other woman.

  “Goodness, no.” she laughed a little. “Though I was frightened of him at first. He is fierce looking. But I’ve never had a more fair and even-tempered employer. Truth be told,” she dropped her voice, “he’d make a fine husband. He treats women and children with such gentleness, but men fear him. No one would ever dare deny the lady of that house.”

  That made Eliza pause. But her thoughts on Stone only got more confusing in the village. The entire to
wn was now aflutter with stories of Stone’s kindness—so like his father’s, his strength—unlike any other man’s, and his virtue. He was still being hailed a god among men, but he was now far more heavenly and significantly less hellish.

  With a shake of her head, she walked slowly behind Delia as they made their way to the butcher. As usual, she’d judged entirely too quickly and made a rash decision about someone that was potentially wrong.

  But as they entered his shop, another man was already being waited on. His clothes were dirty and worn, his hair unkempt. He was loudly complaining, and as she drew closer, she realized it was Stone he discussed. “So he was nice to a few ladies. What about the farmers? All we wanted was fair wages. Did he give it to us?”

  “Ye got yer wage,” the butcher replied, sounding annoyed.

  “Look at me? Do I look like I am living high on the hog?” The man gestured toward his disheveled appearance. “He cheated us. He gave those ladies a little money and now everyone is forgetting what he’s truly like.”

  The man was so angry that his face was red, his cheeks ruddy, and his eyes bulged.

  Eliza stepped back, slightly afraid. It was odd because he had confirmed what she’d feared about Stone and yet in this moment, she wished Stone was there. He would keep her safe. Delia made to skip past her and she pulled the girl close, crouching down. “Let’s come back later, I want to show you something.” She didn’t want Stone’s sister here with a man who was speaking so vehemently against Stone.

  Delia gave her a glowing smile and, slipping her hand into Eliza’s, skipped with her away from the shop.

  Though part of her would have liked to hear the rest of the conversation, it was more important to protect Delia now and she breathed a sigh of relief as they rounded the corner and couldn’t see the shop.

  They walked past several more storefronts before Eliza spotted a building that was being constructed. She wondered what it might be. She doubted Delia knew and, honestly, she had something more important to discuss with the child.